Warming your bike up?

[Robbie_]

Do you guys do it, for how long and why?
I used to ALWAYS warm my bike up for a few minutes before leaving. I'm overseas at the moment and live with an Engineer who works for Mini, Audi etc.. And he said that it's worse to do that, the reason being as it takes longer to warm up than riding (sensibly) from the start which means less wear on the engine.
I don't know what's better now :brick:

[Blackshear]

Just about a minute to get the valves and rings up.
Don't want to hurt anything cold nor piss off my neighbours.
:corn:
Doesn't like labouring around either, hence the warm up.

[blackdog]

I agree with the engineer. Takes about 20 seconds to come to idle without the choke, by which time I have my lid on, then ride sensibly until up to temp. A long warm up at idle takes longer to bring oil up to pressure and can do more harm than good.

[caspernz]

The engineer is right in my view, and seeing as engineer types have been saying this for years...

Put it this way, all the bikes I've owned have always been cranked and ridden off on within 20 sec of firing up, using low revs and light throttle for first minute or two and then gradually get into it.

[unstuck]

On and away, is the way.Unless the neighbors have pissed me off then it gets revved up a bit in the garage.:yes:

[awa355]

My bike is a carburated aircooled V twin. I start it, put on my helmet, sunnies and gloves, close the choke and ride off. Probably about 20-30 seconds, or as soon as it will idle without any choke. I never ride with the choke still partially on, too hard to reach down under the fat arse and find the choke button while on the move.

Years ago, we used to wait untill we could feel the engine fins warming up then choke off and away. I think the air cooled engines probably warm up quicker than LCooled engines.

Fuel injection dont seem to need warming up in the same way as carburaters

[scumdog]

The engineer is right in my view, and seeing as engineer types have been saying this for years...

Put it this way, all the bikes I've owned have always been cranked and ridden off on within 20 sec of firing up, using low revs and light throttle for first minute or two and then gradually get into it.

Wot 'e sed.

Do a search - I'm sure there's a long thread on this topic 'somewhere' on KB.

With much the same comments as above.

[NordieBoy]

Start it, ride it.

But the choke doesn't come off until the oil temp reaches about 50°c (about 3mins) or else it won't run smoothly.

[Owl]

I used to warm my bikes up, but haven't for a long time. Now I pretty much jump on and ride (with care).

I've had my bike running from cold to hot at idle, starting the fan at 104˚C, off/on etc. Interestingly, while changing the oil, it was barely luke warm. Now I ride to get the oil up to temperature.

[vifferman]

Choke? WTF is that then? :blink:

[Maha]

It gets started, helmet and gloves go on, then im away..:scooter:

[Voltaire]

Engineering must have moved on since the days when it sounded like a good idea to wait a few minutes while oil got between the metal parts reducing metal to metal contact, and ensuring all the parts warmed up to design operating temperature prior to loading up....my German van has just clicked over 250 000 kms so I might carry on, despite what Fritz says:innocent:

[willytheekid]

I'll be the odd one out then :bleh:

I always Give my PhatGirl at least a minute at 2tho rpm (@ 0630 every morning...neighbours love me lol), I find she likes a warm up :yes: , gets the oil flowing and it stops her from coughing and farting at the start of the day.....but shes a grumpy italian with angry carbs, so its to be expected I spose:laugh:

[Flip]

I carefully start all my vehicles and let them turn over without revving until the oil pressure is up and they have a few seconds for the oil to circulate and move around the motor. 80% of all motor wear occurs on start up before the oil pressure comes up.

Keep in mind in the old days when the oils were a straight 40 or possibly a 30W40 these oils were very thick when cold and the only way to thin them so that they could circulate properly was to thin then down with some heat.

I have a wee sports car that keeps the revs below 6000 rpm automatically until the motor comes up to temp (75 C) and only then can it be revved to 8500.

[Tigadee]

About a minute of warm-up while I put my gear on and check the tyre pressure... As I am on the motorway fairly quick from home, I don't want to risk excessive wear and tear on the engine starting off cold.

[skippa1]

start her up, let her run by herself for a minute or two while I get the helmet n gloves on, then ride her without thrashing until shes at normal running temp. Same goes for the bike :eek5:

[Swoop]

Start, glubs on, leg thrown over, head off.

What is this "choke" thing, or is it something to do with the pie just eaten?

[imdying]

Choke? WTF is that then? :blink:I know right! Just tip the bike on its side to flood it :D

[ducatilover]

Start, glubs on, leg thrown over, head off.

I do the same, except I keep my head on, my neck gets cold without it.

[nudemetalz]

About 30 seconds for the Guzzi. Enough time to wheel her out and put on the gear.
Then ride very quietly under 3000rpm (remember it's a big low-revving twin) for about 2-3 minutes.

[Jay GTI]

Further advice I've also had from those engineering types, idling from cold for long periods supposedly does more harm than good, as there isn't any load on the engine, hence bearings, pistons, rings and other such internal gubbins aren't being worked correctly.

No idea if that is true, but the guy I was told that by had a beard, was wearing greased-up overalls and smelled of swarfega....

[gale_wolf]

No idea if that is true, but the guy I was told that by had a beard, was wearing greased-up overalls and smelled of swarfega....
This dude sounds suspiciously like my dad making a mess in the garage circa 1985...

[scumdog]

Engineering must have moved on since the days when it sounded like a good idea to wait a few minutes while oil got between the metal parts reducing metal to metal contact...

A few MINUTES??:blink:

Do you not think it's a bit excessive?

Add those minutes together over a year and it's a tank of gas and a few hundred km's down the gurgler...

[**R1**]

start it, rev it, ride it, i couldt care less whats going on inside it, i just wana ride!!!! i have owned plenty of bikes and none have craped out becouse they wernt warmed up lol
and if its worth riding im sure they still make spares lol

[Voltaire]

A few MINUTES??:blink:

Do you not think it's a bit excessive?

Add those minutes together over a year and it's a tank of gas and a few hundred km's down the gurgler...

ok....a minute or two.... Years ago the guru of air cooled VW's said first thing to do was disconnect the choke....raw fuel washing the oil off the cylinder wall was bad...followed by rolling a ciggy while the motor warmed up......I disconnect all VW chokes still.....never took to smoking though...
I knew an engineer from Audi once....he was a dirt under the nails ,hands on engineer.....not like the paper ones you get these days.....( sounded pretty old geezer didn't it... :lol:)

[bogan]

I'm sure there is a massive thread on here somewhere about this.

I do about 30 secs warm up as I wheel her out of the garage and shut doors/gates etc. But of course it depends on the machine, an FI 4T isn't likely to require as much warm up as a 2T.

[martybabe]

The owners manual for my beemer specifically says to start the bike and ride off immediately, do not leave the bike standing with the motor running . never seen that in print before.:blink:

[allycatz]

My other half turned his bike on to warm up the hand grips while he geared up, turned off the head light whilst doing so. Wondered why he was nearly taken out at an intersection on way to work....he'd forgot to turn light back on duh!!!!

[Oakie]

I always Give my PhatGirl at least a minute at 2tho rpm (@ 0630 every morning...neighbours love me lol), I find she likes a warm up :yes: , gets the oil flowing and it stops her from coughing and farting at the start of the day.....but shes a grumpy italian with angry carbs, so its to be expected I spose:laugh:

Sounds like Mrs Oakie.

[tommygun]

"From cold (10C) use the cold start level (ducati speak for FI choke I suppose) to hold the revs around 1400-1500 until the engine warms allowing "5 Mins" to warm. I let the temp get to around 25C - 30C (enough time for a lung torpedo) before moving off and dont go mad until its up to proper temp.

My bike is a 2003 air cooled Ducati

[misterO]

Modern engine management systems and fuel injection may give the impression that a sensible warm up period is no longer necessary, but- when all the tiny moving bits-and-pieces are built to such tight tolerances and the cold dino-juice is thick like treacle, I am more than happy to let it purr for a minute or two before engaging a forward gear.

[AD345]

Turn it on

Put it in gear

go

(ensure kickstand is up before step 1)

[Tigadee]

i have owned plenty of bikes and none have craped out becouse they wernt warmed up lol

But...but... Don't that mean you've never had them long enough to find out if what you were doing would make them crap out? And the next owner is the one to find out... :blink:

[**R1**]

But...but... Don't that mean you've never had them long enough to find out if what you were doing would make them crap out? And the next owner is the one to find out... :blink:

Maybe, but still dosent effect me any lol 5 minutes warming up is 5mins less gas and 5 mins less riding......

if stuff breaks id rather just fix it and get on riding rather than contemplating for hours as to what one of the million and 1 things that could have causd it to crap out in the 1st place was!!

[Jay GTI]

Trying to put a sensible perspective on this (sorry, must apologise, sensible discussions and KB… what ever next?), it isn’t like not warming the bike up for 5 minutes, or conversely warming the bike up for 5 minutes if you buy into the advice I was given, will cause catastrophic engine failure and bits of pistons to embed themselves in your nads… just that over the serviceable life of the engine, doing/not doing one or the other will increase wear and tear.

Much like the also often discussed method of running a fresh engine in, either gently for the first XXkm, or give it shit from the get go, it’s a case of doing what is best for the long-term performance and reliability of said engine, not what will prevent the con-rods from snapping before you get to the end of your driveway.

[oneofsix]

Trying to put a sensible perspective on this (sorry, must apologise, sensible discussions and KB… what ever next?), it isn’t like not warming the bike up for 5 minutes, or conversely warming the bike up for 5 minutes if you buy into the advice I was given, will cause catastrophic engine failure and bits of pistons to embed themselves in your nads… just that over the serviceable life of the engine, doing/not doing one or the other will increase wear and tear.

Much like the also often discussed method of running a fresh engine in, either gently for the first XXkm, or give it shit from the get go, it’s a case of doing what is best for the long-term performance and reliability of said engine, not what will prevent the con-rods from snapping before you get to the end of your driveway.

To return to normal transmission for KB. Thrash it as the bike wont be yours for that long anyhow. Let the next guy worry about or the insurance company and the insurance company wont care anyhow. :corn:

Actually I agree with Jay and do always allow the oil to circulate before heading off, usually whilst putting gloves on, and then take it easy initially.

[Tigadee]

...do always allow the oil to circulate before heading off, usually whilst putting gloves on,...

That I always do...


...and then take it easy initially.

THAT I find harder to do as the days go by...:innocent:

[george formby]

I follow the general consensus with the TDM, start, lid etc go. But the wee 2 t seems to prefer a bit longer & a few light blips of the throttle to run clean from the get go. Otherwise it sounds like it's gargling wire wool & jelly when you pull away.

[Maki]

My bike has electronically controlled fuel injection and I warm the thing up by riding it, never ever by having it sit still and waste fuel. I keep it below 10.000 rpm or so until the the temperature is up to 65C or thereabouts.

[Reckless]

I'm the same! start up, Helmet glubs then off slowly!

I figure waste of time havin a warm engine, cold tyres, cold sintered brake pads and a cold brain :facepalm:

Might as well let them all warm up gently together :yes:

[Mom]

Engineering must have moved on since the days when it sounded like a good idea to wait a few minutes while oil got between the metal parts reducing metal to metal contact, and ensuring all the parts warmed up to design operating temperature prior to loading up....my German van has just clicked over 250 000 kms so I might carry on, despite what Fritz says:innocent:


Yepper, I am of the warm up variety of riders. Probably because most of my rides have been of a different era :pinch: That, and because the bikes I have ridden of that era would not actually run untill they were warm :lol: I still warm Millie up. Not as long granted, but until I can turn her choke down to non stall, without nursing the throttle.



Keep in mind in the old days when the oils were a straight 40 or possibly a 30W40 these oils were very thick when cold and the only way to thin them so that they could circulate properly was to thin then down with some heat.

I have a wee sports car that keeps the revs below 6000 rpm automatically until the motor comes up to temp (75 C) and only then can it be revved to 8500.

I start my car and DRIVE, albeit slow for the first km or so, then out on the open. Have never considered anything else :gob: Cars are not as sensitive as my Millie :blink:

[hellokitty]

I warm my bike a little while I fiddle with the mirrors and do the little adjustments to gear, then I pootle off like a Nana. Takes ME a good 5 minutes to warn up and by then my bike and I are ready for action!
Don't have a choke..... my old GN had one, but the last 4 bikes haven't had one.

[Nastrond]

It gets started, helmet and gloves go on, then im away..:scooter::stupid: Just keep moderate rev's until at operating temperature.

[Icemaestro]

hmm what about the old hydraulic cam chain tensioners? as someone who has just had his one go on his cbr600f (1994 era), I believe the oil pressure is what keeps the tension on the cam chain....so warming up is a good idea....?

[ducatilover]

hmm what about the old hydraulic cam chain tensioners? as someone who has just had his one go on his cbr600f (1994 era), I believe the oil pressure is what keeps the tension on the cam chain....so warming up is a good idea....?
You'll have more than enough pressure when the engine starts :yes:

[scumdog]

hmm what about the old hydraulic cam chain tensioners? as someone who has just had his one go on his cbr600f (1994 era), I believe the oil pressure is what keeps the tension on the cam chain....so warming up is a good idea....?

If anything, the pressure will DROP as the oil warms up...:yes:

[BMWST?]

everything needs to be warmed up incl tyres and gearbox.If you warm the engine up and then fang off you are doing damage to the gearbox and risk damage to your hide from cold tyres!
I do what most of the other do,only as long as it takes to run prpoperly,i ussually already have helmet and gloves on,choke goes completely off at the bottom of the hill(about 300 m)

[actungbaby]

I think to be practicle if your at all worried dont be

Just do what your doing if bike going fine why worry i think warm up only so bike runs with smoothness and dosint hesitate

Mind you i used to warm my bike up for like minutes was so worried about it when younger.

I heard with cars being watercooled u shouldint over rev them when cold to do with head gaskets poissbly over time warping

So when strat it up give it quick rev to get oil pump working just to say just above 2 grand just blib let it fast idle

on choke or most new bike injected that must be great not to worry about choke lever

if idles smootly at normal idel speed it ready to go id though or if my bikes case back in 80s might be like 200 rpm over say 1,400
just ride of with slight bit choke and turn it of as soon as possible to idles with out spluting

whith it running normally dont worry as your feel when motor is up and at normal tep and just dont rev it hard till then



Do you guys do it, for how long and why?
I used to ALWAYS warm my bike up for a few minutes before leaving. I'm overseas at the moment and live with an Engineer who works for Mini, Audi etc.. And he said that it's worse to do that, the reason being as it takes longer to warm up than riding (sensibly) from the start which means less wear on the engine.
I don't know what's better now :brick:

[scumdog]

I think to be practicle if your at all worried dont be

Just do what your doing if bike going fine why worry i think warm up only so bike runs with smoothness and dosint hesitate

Mind you i used to warm my bike up for like minutes was so worried about it when younger.

I heard with cars being watercooled u shouldint over rev them when cold to do with head gaskets poissbly over time warping

So when strat it up give it quick rev to get oil pump working just to say just above 2 grand just blib let it fast idle

on choke or most new bike injected that must be great not to worry about choke lever

if idles smootly at normal idel speed it ready to go id though or if my bikes case back in 80s might be like 200 rpm over say 1,400
just ride of with slight bit choke and turn it of as soon as possible to idles with out spluting

whith it running normally dont worry as your feel when motor is up and at normal tep and just dont rev it hard till then

:eek5: Hitcher???

[Owl]

:eek5: Hitcher???

+1:facepalm:

[NordieBoy]

:eek5: Hitcher???

Hitcher is unavailable at the present.

He is rolling around on the floor foaming at the mouth...

(ROFFATM)