What do you guys do for engine warm up time when you go riding based on ambient temperature?

Been riding to work for over a week now, PA got an early spring, and it's been 45 some degrees in the AM. What do you think is a good process?

Currently for the first 2 to 5 miles I run soft and just take it easy on it till I begin to feel engine heat on my legs.

Just wondering what the best procedure is. I back the bike up in my driveway off then crank it up and sit for about 1 to 2 mins at idle. I then pull out and make the commute.

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ALSO what is the factory revlimiter set at on the 2006/UC 88 engine? I have the TFI Gen2 on board...and I don't think it alters the stock revlimiter since it's a piggyback injector box. RIGHT? Wondering what the stock MAP has it set up as. What does it do, revlimiter, make the engine miss or pop if you try and overshoot the rpms?

THANKS for the help/advice!

 

PROPER V-TWIN ENGINE WARM-UP PROCEDURE
AUGUST 7, 2011
PROPER V-TWIN ENGINE WARM-UP PROCEDURE



I found this at the Mt Baker Harley site

ESPECIALLY during the winter months, proper warm-up practices will aid in promoting longer engine life and smoother engine operation. My recommendation here is to pause for a moment, and give your V-Twin time to catch up with your busy schedule.
Despite the presence of modern-day fuel injection, it remains necessary to get that engine up to a bit of temperature before lift-off. On your Harley, a slight, warm-to-the-touch feel on the right-side, rear cylinder polished rocker cover signifies a properly warmed engine. The easiest way I find to accomplish this is to fire off the bike first – stay with the bike until that rocker cover develops the slight warmth, THEN finish gearing up - this way, you won't be touching a HOT rocker cover after several minutes of warming up!
Also, you need to allow the engine to come up to FULL operating temperature for a period of 5 to 10 minutes to allow the condensation to evaporate from the internal working of you engine and transmission.
Rule-of-thumb, by the time you get your helmet and other riding gear on you are ready. Also, riding at normal speed for the first 1 to 3 miles helps too.
Tagged as: Harley-Davidson Maintenance, Harley-Davidson Service

 

There ya go it doesnt get any plainer than that....I have instinctively been doing just that since getting behind the controls of any powered vehicle whether it be bike or car.

 

My rule of thumb is: If above 55* I fire it up and let it run while I get my gear on, check lights, etc. Usually about 2-3 minutes. If it's colder I let it run for an extra minute or so. Then I take it easy for the next few miles. By then its warmed up good.

 

My rule of thumb is the same as it was back in the days of carburetors on cars, I don't move until the idle settles down, then a couple minutes of easy riding after that.

 

Any air cooled Harley needs a warm up, to where the rocker boxes are warm, before taking off. Helps stop gasket leaks also.

 

[QUOTE=GMRO;9558226]What do you guys do for engine warm up time when you go riding based on ambient temperature?

Been riding to work for over a week now, PA got an early spring, and it's been 45 some degrees in the AM. What do you think is a good process?

Currently for the first 2 to 5 miles I run soft and just take it easy on it till I begin to feel engine heat on my legs.

Just wondering what the best procedure is. I back the bike up in my driveway off then crank it up and sit for about 1 to 2 mins at idle. I then pull out and make the commute.

**

ALSO what is the factory revlimiter set at on the 2006/UC 88 engine? I have the TFI Gen2 on board...and I don't think it alters the stock revlimiter since it's a piggyback injector box. RIGHT? Wondering what the stock MAP has it set up as. What does it do, revlimiter, make the engine miss or pop if you try and overshoot the rpms?

THANKS for the help/advice![/QUOTE

As I remember it the stock "Rev Limit" is set at 5800 rpm, when you hit that it just shuts down the engine , no different than turning off the switch. None of my bikes ever pop or backfire when it happens , but I would think it could happen. I think the the Stage 1 Down load increases the limit to 6200 rpms .

The TFI is a piggy back fueler type device and I think only adds fuel does not alter timing or the limiter so if you have a limit at 6200 you probably also have the Stage 1 download.

Warmup - I fire it up when Im putting my helmet on and then go, just dont get on it too hard for the first mile or so.

 

Ther are several consideration regarding "warm up"; the EFI warm up means high idle and enrichment until the front cylinder ET sensor sees 167F, I have consisteiently observed about 4 minutes from cold start up. Overall warm up of the oil and all the metal in the engine will take roughly 30-45 minutes to normalize, from initial cold start up. Like frog13 said, once the idle settles down, you're pretty much good to go, ride it easy for a few miles, then game on. Unless you have significantly tightened the squish band and/or added a high lift cam, a mechanical warm up is not a serious concern, stage I and mild builds are not prone to piston/valve/head contact related catostophic failure. Personally I let my stage I SG idle till my front CHT reads 170 then I ride, I only take it easy for a couple miles if its the first start up of the day, otherwise I don't give it any thought.

 

I don't specifically warm up the bike. I just ride it gently on the side streets until I get to the main road - maybe 2-3 minutes. Even when I get to the main road I ride it pretty gently. In fact I ride it pretty gently all the time unless I'm passing a logging truck on the 2 lane road. All my rides last at least an hour, so the condensation issue should take care of itself.

 

Thanks a ton!

I usually am on local back roads in the morning so the 2 to 5 mile easy ride to get warm is what I do. BUT I think I'll take the advice and start up the bike and "gear up" to add a warm up time. No highway in the AM route to work.

I have TFI, K&N Filter and Python Pipes. No MAP work so I'd bet the factory MAP/Revlimiter is as you guys say @ 5800 rpms.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE GREAT INFO and help! Really dig this board...