Engine warm up
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
My dealer said you should not be able hold your fingers on the top fins of the cylinder when you touch them. Takes my SG about 3 minutes give or take on the outside temp. He also said if for some reason you do need to ride without warmup, give it about eight or nine miles before you get on it hard.
Beary
Beary
This is the correct answer.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 583
Likes: 7
Here's a issue Ive noticed and I dont think its just me, but with my 09 on cold weather riding, If you do not give the engine ample time to warm up, the bike wants to stay in high idle warm up mode for a couple miles. If you have alot of stop light before you get going you really notice the high idle. The efi cold idle is not designed like most passenger car system were the high idle drops once the vehicle is in gear.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
I fire it up, put on jacket, helmet and gloves then ride real easy the first 10 minutes or so on the surface roads by my house. By then I'm at the freeway ramp and I hop on and run it up to 65 or so for a couple minutes then set it on 75 and cruise.
Novice
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Nashville, Tennessee
I have an 05 roadking with a big bore kit and 25k miles, I fire it up, and ride the dog water out of it. Harley's are resillient beasts and can take a pounding. Ride it like you stole it and fix it if it breaks. This is my 4th Harley in 25 years of riding and the one I've had the least amount of problems with.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
I let it warm up until oil pressure rises. If it's cold I start it and then put my gloves and hat on so maybe 30 seconds. I have an easy ride for the first couple miles, 30-45 MPH.
This is another advantage to EFI.
Carbs don't atomize the fuel properly when they are cold, that is why they have a choke (enrichener). And why carbed engines need to be warmed up.
As long as the oil is flowing ride it.
This is another advantage to EFI.
Carbs don't atomize the fuel properly when they are cold, that is why they have a choke (enrichener). And why carbed engines need to be warmed up.
As long as the oil is flowing ride it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
The reason for some kind of warm up is that engines tolerances are desgined for the working temp. Until the all the parts get up to the working temp, the tolerances are either smaller or bigger than designed. Aircooled engines have larger tolerances, so they can handle more abuse and it is likely you can do a normal ride provided you don't use full throttle. But, I have a brand new bike and its hard not to try to pamper it the best I can.
Beary
Beary
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Harley says normally 30 sec., I would say at freezing temperatures maybe a minute or so, then take it easy 'til oil temperatures are 150° or so. That's the way I do it.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 12
From: Commerce, Mich.
3 bikes over the past 6 years, and always the same when starting out in the morning. Since I leave my home at 4 am, and I do not want to **** off my neighbors, I roll the bike out of the garage, with all gear on already, fire it up, and idle out of the neighborhood. No warm-up period at all. I hit the main road and take it easy for the first 2-3 miles, then I hit the freeway and let her go.
I have not had any problems what so ever with any of the bikes I have done this with, and I put at least 16K on each year. It won't hurt the bike, as long as your upkeep is good, and the idle distance is what warms her up.
I have not had any problems what so ever with any of the bikes I have done this with, and I put at least 16K on each year. It won't hurt the bike, as long as your upkeep is good, and the idle distance is what warms her up.