Let the bike idle ???
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
If you are not going to ride it, I would say just put it to bed for the winter with fresh fluids and a battery tender. Check the tire pressures regularly so that it wont get flat spots. It will be happy and ready to go in the spring
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,500
Likes: 332
From: Blue Grass (KY)
I agree with not starting it just to idle.
Unless you get the motor up to operating temperature all you're doing is getting the moisture in the oil to circulate throughout the motor and not burning it off.
If you're not going to ride it for at least 30 minutes, better to put some Sea Foam fuel stabilizer in the fuel, run it for a few minutes to mix the fuel, put the battery tender on it and let her sleep...
Unless you get the motor up to operating temperature all you're doing is getting the moisture in the oil to circulate throughout the motor and not burning it off.
If you're not going to ride it for at least 30 minutes, better to put some Sea Foam fuel stabilizer in the fuel, run it for a few minutes to mix the fuel, put the battery tender on it and let her sleep...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 1
From: Calgary
I seem to be on this website more in the winter. Looking at pictures of bikes in the sun helps. Also like to light a nice fire in the winter, enjoy nice meals with my wife, then go downstairs with a bottle of wine, and maybe a few beers and watch concerts on the big screen. Gotta have music, don't care for watching t.v.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 5
From: Ontario, Canada
If you can sit in traffic on 100 degree days for hours, you're sure not going to over heat your bike idling it in the garage.
That said, it's not a good idea to keep playing with it every week. All you're doing is adding moisture and contaminates to your oil.
The best thing you can do for your bike is leave it alone til spring.
That said, it's not a good idea to keep playing with it every week. All you're doing is adding moisture and contaminates to your oil.
The best thing you can do for your bike is leave it alone til spring.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: missouri
i know this...start it and let it idle for just a minute or so....your gonna have condensation issues in your cylinders. Your crank, cylinders and pistons will have surface rust. If you start it let it get up to temp so you are not dealing with the condensation.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
If you start it up you should ride it long enough to evaporate any moisture from condensation in the oil system including the primary and transmission. The transition from cold to hot causes condensation that should not be left in the motor. Ride it long enough to bring the oil temp. up to between 190 and 210 degrees. That will evaporate any moisture. Starting it up in cold weather only to let it idle is not a good thing - it will only promote moisture in the engine.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 5
From: Biddeford, Maine
My 2006 Road King Classic is up on it's lift, put away for the winter. I like to start it just to pump some oil, maybe once a week. My garage is heated and stays around 50/55 degrees. Should I worry about how long I let it idle, given there is no air movement around the engine. I let it idle maybe 5/6 minutes and sometimes I kick it into gear just to get oil movement in the tranny and primary. Noticed that the front pipe is turning, can I harm the engine by letting it idle too long ???
Steve