Hi there,
How long should I be letting my 09 SG warm up in the morning before the starting the ride? This would be a stone cold engine and the temp right around 0 degree celcius some days.

 

I would say, just as long as needed until the cylinder heads feel pretty warm.

 

About as long as it takes to put on your helmet and gloves. The big thing I've heard is not to go from cold to highway speeds in a couple of minutes. So if you plan on being at highway speeds a couple of minutes after leaving the house, you might want to let it warm up a little longer.

 

remember even thought the temp is 0 Deg C (32F).. the windchill is alot colder. also what oil u have will make a differance too.
im still going to wait 2 more weeks to ride. to much sand and road rocks from the winter.

 

have not actually timed my warm-up routine but I am guessing no less than 2 minutes (and no longer than 5 minutes). same deal as petemac above: fire up engine and then start putting on gear. freeway onramp is 4 miles away so also have that time to get bike to operating temps.

 

i start it by the time i get my gloves and heimet on is plenty of time-ride safe

 

My garage is heated. I like to keep at around 78 degrees. The King (RKC) does not like cold weather.

 

I let my bike warm for about the time it tales to put my helmet and gloves on then I ride gently for a couple of miles. I ride to work most of the year and that is how I normally do it each morning. By the time I get 2 miles from my house I hit a road with a 55 mph speed lmit and the bike is pretty warmed up by then so I ride as normal.

 

Papi,

Being from Minnesota, as you from Canada, correct me if I'm wrong. But doesn't wind chill only affect exposed skin?

 

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.

I think this is a pretty good question because I didn't know this when I had my RK. That bike ran great at 25000 miles and I'm not sure I ever let it warm up. I bought it used with 16000 miles and I guess it was my Beater Bike for my new SG. But I pampered that bike and I think it ran better and pulled harder when I sold it than when I bought it.

Beary