How to warm up bike engine?

**MarkH** · 26th September 2010, 17:24

Originally Posted by DarkLord

I hear that letting it idle for a long time is not good for it as the oil is not getting through all of the moving parts because the bike is not moving, so it's best to jump straight on and just take it easy for a bit.

^^^ this!

Don't start the bike then immediately ring the nuts off the poor thing. Start the engine and get riding - gently until it warms up - then once warm ride it however you like.

**marty** · 26th September 2010, 17:37

My RS250 had a flashing temp gauge until it was OK to ring its nuts. Took 5 mins idling, 2 mins riding. I never waited the 5, and did 20000kms on it sweet as across 4 seasons without even looking inside the engine.

**pete376403** · 26th September 2010, 19:58

Originally Posted by Grumph

The rpm point where inertia loads versus spring loadings usually cross over is around 2000 to 3000 rpm ...

Which is about where oldish, carburetted, Japanese 4 cylinder motors run with full choke. P'raps they knew something after all.

**willytheekid** · 26th September 2010, 21:00

My PhatGirl just gets started up on choke (only one carb has a choke lol) a few smooth revs to 2-3tho, Once she holds an idle then I ride (gentle for the first 5mins or so) then its all go 4 the big guzzi

....she even pops the choke in by herself once underway

But being an air cooled 1100, warming up isn't the issue...its overheating in town traffic!

...gotta do a oil cooler mod one day.

**All_Pom** · 26th September 2010, 21:02

Originally Posted by release_the_bees

Normally, I start the bike up and then put on all my gear while the bike is warming up. The GS500 is very cold-blooded and needs a good warm up before it will run smoothly, so the routine is to let it idle for 5-10 minutes before setting off. Even with this warm up routine, I still wait a good 10-15 minutes before really opening a bike up.

I got the GSX750
and she plays quite sweet after 5 mins of riding

**Hitcher** · 26th September 2010, 21:04

I like bikes I ride to be off "choke" before riding -- particularly those where the "choke" is an accelerated idle speed.

**SMOKEU** · 26th September 2010, 22:10

Originally Posted by marty

My RS250 had a flashing temp gauge until it was OK to ring its nuts. Took 5 mins idling, 2 mins riding. I never waited the 5, and did 20000kms on it sweet as across 4 seasons without even looking inside the engine.

I've heard that with 2 strokes they shouldn't be revved above idle till they've had a full 5 minute warm up, otherwise they are even more prone to seizing.

It seems like I heard wrong.

**insomnia01** · 27th September 2010, 06:17

I suspect carb VS Fuel injection will have different procedures, scooter is injected so when I fire it up it sits just under 2000rpm for a couple of minutes before idling where it should which is just enough time to put on my lid & gloves a quick check to insure indicators/horn/brake lamp & high beam are working with a casual 360 deg walk around before heading out

**Banditbandit** · 27th September 2010, 09:04

Originally Posted by Owl

Mine is normally running for about a minute while I put my helmet and gloves on. If not, I'll just start it and ride, but I take it quietly until warm.

Same. I start the bike then put on helmet and gloves ... by then the choke can be fully off ... 'cept on the 1250 which has no choke ... then take it easy for a k or two ... mind you, my idea of easy is probably someone else's idea of too fast ...

**avgas** · 27th September 2010, 09:35

I use a hairdryer. Or a bic-flic

**marty** · 27th September 2010, 10:20

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

I've heard that with 2 strokes they shouldn't be revved above idle till they've had a full 5 minute warm up, otherwise they are even more prone to seizing.

It seems like I heard wrong.

And I've heard Chch is full of real cool cunts riding 250s that ask stupid questions every day.

**SMOKEU** · 27th September 2010, 10:30

Originally Posted by marty

And I've heard Chch is full of real cool cunts riding 250s that ask stupid questions every day.

One who has all the answers is less than a fool.
A fool at least asks a question.

**imdying** · 27th September 2010, 10:37

My 2 strokes I warm up till the gauge is reading 50ish, the twin I wait till it shows up on the temp gauge, the four warms up so quickly that I start it, put my helmet and gloves on, and it's good to go. None of them get death until they're up to operating temp (about 70 degrees on the 4 strokes, above 50 on the 2 strokes).