Winter warm up
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Fort Collins, CO
Winter warm up
With the temperature in the mornings hovering in the low 30s I am wondering if I should let my bike warm up longer before heading of on my morning commute. It is garaged but the garage is not heated. Can I damage the engine if I warm it up before heading out?
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 378
Likes: 1
From: s.e. michigan
RE: Winter warm up
"can you damage the engine if you let it warm up before heading out?" are you heading out today? if so, you should be alright.
seriously, let it warm up a reasonable amout of time. moderation in all things is good.
seriously, let it warm up a reasonable amout of time. moderation in all things is good.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 31
From: Eastern PA
RE: Winter warm up
Ok good, I'm with ya now well I say this, There may be many reasons to warm up the engine one big reason comes to mine. You see the engine is cold very cold, and the oil in the engine is cold very cold, now after starting theengine itincreases in temp. the oil warms and starts to flow much easier through out which inturn goes to places that is much needed for proper lube. So a good measuring stick is before riding your steed into the blistering comute put a hand on the head of the engine if very warm to the touch border lining hot your good, "head out".
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
RE: Winter warm up
In colder weather I fire up the motor, let it idle for about one minute while I get my gloves on and close the garage door and then slooooow and easy I coast down the road for the first couple miles - no load on the motor at all, just the minimum to keep it moving down the road. This gives the motor a chance to warm up and yet i'm not putting any stress/load on it IE: I'm not hopping right onto a freeway ramp and gunning it up to 75, or climbing a big steep incline type of roadway where I have to put a load on the motor right away aftera cold-start. If you live in a place where you can't avoid loading the motor (you live in the bottom of a deep valley or your house is right next to the freeway on-ramp, lol) then maybe let it idle an extra minute or two before you take off.
IMHO you don't have to let it idle for several minutes or til it's at operating temperature. Slow and easy for a few minutes is all you have to do - let the parts warm up and bathe in oil for a bit before you get on it...
IMHO you don't have to let it idle for several minutes or til it's at operating temperature. Slow and easy for a few minutes is all you have to do - let the parts warm up and bathe in oil for a bit before you get on it...
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
RE: Winter warm up
A lot depends on what oil you are running. Multiviscosity oils help and keeps you from needing nearly as much warm up as in the old days. Once the oil is moving around the engine, you should be able to head out as long as you aren't getting on it, if you are using the correct oil for your temperature range.30 seconds to a minute is enough before you head out.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 264
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
RE: Winter warm up
when its cold by me I'll let the bike run for 4-5 minutes, then turn her off while I get dressed. this I feel lets the heat spread thruout the motor and lets everything start its expansion thing so it dont devolope gasket leaks.been workin on my bikes for over 35 years so I wont be changing my routine.