Cold Natured
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Spindale, NC
Cold Natured
I have a 2008 anniversary edition Sportster. It's cold natured and often won't start when the temp drops below 50. Once the sun is up and the temp rises, she starts right up. It's NOT a weak battery. It has done this every year with several different batteries. So, I'm not sure what part of the bike hates the cold.
I don't have a garage to put it in, and I'm looking for a way to keep it warm over-night, or warm it up in time to get to work in the mornings. I just read on another site, where someone used a trouble light to warm up their bike.
Any comments on this, or any better suggestions? Is this safe? What watt bulb should I use? Proper placement? Under a tarp or blanket? I thought of a tender, but was told those are for charging a battery.
My bike is my only transportation, so I have to come up with a solution.
Thanks so much!
Sherri
I don't have a garage to put it in, and I'm looking for a way to keep it warm over-night, or warm it up in time to get to work in the mornings. I just read on another site, where someone used a trouble light to warm up their bike.
Any comments on this, or any better suggestions? Is this safe? What watt bulb should I use? Proper placement? Under a tarp or blanket? I thought of a tender, but was told those are for charging a battery.
My bike is my only transportation, so I have to come up with a solution.
Thanks so much!
Sherri
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 149
Likes: 4
From: Alaska
You could get a battery blanket, think heated blanket for your battery. They have a normal plug on them and will run you about $35 on amazon. You might be able to find them at your local auto parts store but given your location they may not stock them.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Spindale, NC
I better contact the manufacturers of the battery blanket. What I just read says not to use it unless it is below freezing. Also not sure I can use it without having to pull the battery out of it's housing every night.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 149
Likes: 4
From: Alaska
Yea I wasn't expecting you to put it on the battery more to use it to keep the block warm. If you do go with something like that get a timer you only need it on for max 2hrs before you leave. The other things to think about are getting a battery with higher cold cranking amps and going with a thiner oil.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
A fuel injected bike should start right down to and below freezing, I wonder if the temperature sensor in the rear cylinder head is not working properly or has a pinched wire or something.
Many people on here use their bikes in cold temperatures without having to heat up the motor first, I would check out that sensor as it sends temperature info to the ECM which richens up the fuel effectively "choking" the motor and providing high idle on cold starts.
Many people on here use their bikes in cold temperatures without having to heat up the motor first, I would check out that sensor as it sends temperature info to the ECM which richens up the fuel effectively "choking" the motor and providing high idle on cold starts.
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5th Gear
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From: Spindale, NC
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 841
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From: Yakima
Cold Naured
I have a 1998 sportster. It's cold blooded. They all are. But yours should be EFI. Should still start. You should get a battery tender though. Not a trickle charger. I plug my tender in every night.
On cold mornings I just make sure I have extra time before I leave for work to get it warmed up a little.
My bike is my daily as well
On cold mornings I just make sure I have extra time before I leave for work to get it warmed up a little.
My bike is my daily as well