Warm up on jiffy stand?

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Mar 2, 2026 | 06:51 AM

#21

Short Shift

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2024

Posts: 275

Likes: 159

From: PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by internet troll

These arent AMF bikes anymore. .

I respectfully disagree.

In the old days, the common advice for shovel heads was to start it up and go easy for a mile or so. Warm ups were not recommended.

Last edited by Short Shift; Mar 2, 2026 at 06:52 AM.

Mar 2, 2026 | 09:54 AM

#22

Hoyt 1911A1

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2017

Posts: 3,855

Likes: 1,004

From: Southern Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Short Shift

I respectfully disagree.

In the old days, the common advice for shovel heads was to start it up and go easy for a mile or so. Warm ups were not recommended.

Actually a very experienced mechanic told me the opposite back when my shovel was my daily rider. He told me the pistons werent'perfectly round, sort of egg shaped. He recommended I let the bike warm up a little bit to get that 50 or 60 weight oil flowing and the cylinders and pistons to "settle" before I took off on it. I followed his advice and I'm still riding that same bike on that same engine build thirty years later.

When it's really cold I always let ANY motor I'm driving warm up enough for the oil to start flowing. If the oil is cold and thick as molasses in the pan, it's not doing the engine much good. I've always followed that practice and have gotten many miles out of many engines. Been driving the same truck since 1990. Maybe I'm just lucky, dunno...

Mar 2, 2026 | 11:21 AM

#23

xcbullet

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 2,100

Likes: 307

From: mid Michigan

I do as some have mentioned about a minute but I drive about six blocks 1500 to 2500. If it's cooler and hasn't been running in a while I do about 1800 in first. Last Friday there was still ice in a couple spots in my sub but afternoon it was 50°f out and awesome riding.

The last thing I'm worried about is the IPB though. I did scuff a piston running VR1 dino , Expressway is couple miles from my house . In 40° weather.

Now I always run synthetic in everything I own. My lawnmower I starting running the same as my bike and it rolls over way better in the winter now ( blows snow also).

Last edited by xcbullet; Mar 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM.

Mar 2, 2026 | 01:05 PM

#24

hardheaded

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 11,226

Likes: 3,049

From: St.Louis Mo.

I don't take off until the rocker box"s start to warm alittle.
Don't matter if on the kick stand or standing straight up..

Mar 7, 2026 | 07:54 AM

#25

bcool

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jul 2023

Posts: 132

Likes: 42

From: South Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98glider

I look at it as, how do like getting out of bed without a cup of coffee to warm up, nice shower, instead of going 60 mph when you first wake up. I let her warm up

We think alike! Bikes have feelings too.

Mar 7, 2026 | 08:20 AM

#26

bcool

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jul 2023

Posts: 132

Likes: 42

From: South Carolina

Hoyt, I have been told the same about pistons as they vary in thickness from the skirt to the wristpin areas and are not round when cold.
I think some of the suggestions on cars to not warm up are to up the stated gas mileage and pass emissions requirements.
I'm in my 70s so old school here, but I don't see how a little warm up time on any engine could be harmful.
Thanks for your comment.

Mar 8, 2026 | 09:06 AM

#27

Punjabi Rider

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 3,808

Likes: 285

From: Green Country Oklahoma

Just like foreplay before get things going same goes for any engine it needs to warm up little before get it going.

Mar 9, 2026 | 08:10 AM

#28

Hoyt 1911A1

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2017

Posts: 3,855

Likes: 1,004

From: Southern Virginia

One thing I noticed when I got my 23 FLHTK was the throttle was sloppy until the bike warmed up a bit, even though it is fuel injected. As I started tuning the bike myself I learned that it was the timing advance being set for when the enjine was at full temperature. This will cause the throttle to feel a little anemic until the engine gets a little warm. When I tuned for great throttle response when cold I got spark knock once the engine warmed up.

Keep in mind this is with EPA regulated Screamin' Eagle tunes to maintain warranty. An aftermarket tuner can adjust the warm up enrichment to do away with this issue, but for those of us maintaining Harley MoCo warranties it is something we learn to deal with.