Idle speed on a Honda CBR250RR?

[overworkedmonkey]

You'll probably do more harm than good by letting the engine idle for a few minutes while it's cold. Start it up, and as soon as it starts behaving itself, ride away gently.

When you say behaving I take it you mean when it's at 1500 RPM? What sort of harm can I do letting the engine idle?

[SMOKEU]

When you say behaving I take it you mean when it's at 1500 RPM? What sort of harm can I do letting the engine idle?

Many old carbied bike engines will stall if you try and ride them unless the engine has had a minute to warm up from a competely cold start.

Basically, if you let the engine idle for several minutes when it's cold to warm up, it takes much longer to warm up than if you ride it very gently for a few minutes. The longer the engine is cold for, the more wear and tear occurs. When the oil is cold, it becomes thick and may not have sufficient pressure to cover all of the engine.

The same rules do not apply for 2 strokes.

[overworkedmonkey]

Many old carbied bike engines will stall if you try and ride them unless the engine has had a minute to warm up from a competely cold start.

Basically, if you let the engine idle for several minutes when it's cold to warm up, it takes much longer to warm up than if you ride it very gently for a few minutes. The longer the engine is cold for, the more wear and tear occurs. When the oil is cold, it becomes thick and may not have sufficient pressure to cover all of the engine.

The same rules do not apply for 2 strokes.

So gently would mean under 6,000 RPM? Having read some of the forums, it has been suggested that the CBR250 should not be ridden constantly under 6,000 RPM. Any truth to that?

[SMOKEU]

So gently would mean under 6,000 RPM? Having read some of the forums, it has been suggested that the CBR250 should not be ridden constantly under 6,000 RPM. Any truth to that?

Just don't take it over 10,000RPM until it warms up properly. These bikes don't like low revs when they're warmed up properly.

[overworkedmonkey]

Just don't take it over 10,000RPM until it warms up properly. These bikes don't like low revs when they're warmed up properly.

So would the temperature gauge indicate what is considered warmed up properly? Like a car does it have to be in between of cold and hot?

[SMOKEU]

So would the temperature gauge indicate what is considered warmed up properly? Like a car does it have to be in between of cold and hot?

Yup. Water tends to warm up faster than oil though.

[overworkedmonkey]

Yup. Water tends to warm up faster than oil though.

Interesting. It does take a while for it to warm up. When you said it does not like low revolutions when warmed up, why is that?

So how do I know if there is sufficient water or does it only have to be a coolant?

[SMOKEU]

Interesting. It does take a while for it to warm up. When you said it does not like low revolutions when warmed up, why is that?

So how do I know if there is sufficient water or does it only have to be a coolant?

CBR250 engines, by nature, are designed to be revved very hard. They don't like cruising along at 50kmh in 6th gear.

On the right hand rear fairing there is a hole where you can see the water level. It's meant to have antifreeze in it so it should be bright green.

[overworkedmonkey]

CBR250 engines, by nature, are designed to be revved very hard. They don't like cruising along at 50kmh in 6th gear.

On the right hand rear fairing there is a hole where you can see the water level. It's meant to have antifreeze in it so it should be bright green.

So what if you are cruising especially on long straight roads say at 50km/h on the second gear? Based on past experience, was told that the throttle should be opened and closed. It should be held open constantly. Not sure why but am curious to know the reason.

Cool. Should it be completely topped up?

[SMOKEU]

So what if you are cruising especially on long straight roads say at 50km/h on the second gear? Based on past experience, was told that the throttle should be opened and closed. It should be held open constantly. Not sure why but am curious to know the reason.

Cool. Should it be completely topped up?

I normally cruise at anywhere between 7,000 - 16,000RPM. If you're cruising at 50kmh keep it in 3rd or even 4th gear.

Coolant should be topped all the way up to the top. It has an overflow so you can't over fill it.

[overworkedmonkey]

I normally cruise at anywhere between 7,000 - 16,000RPM. If you're cruising at 50kmh keep it in 3rd or even 4th gear.

Coolant should be topped all the way up to the top. It has an overflow so you can't over fill it.

Cool. Is there any reason why you would cruise on the lower gears i.e. 1 or 2?

How often does the coolant have to be changed?

[SMOKEU]

Cool. Is there any reason why you would cruise on the lower gears i.e. 1 or 2?

How often does the coolant have to be changed?

Just cruise at whatever revs feels the best to you.

Coolant only has to be changed every few years. I should do a coolant flush on my bike.

[overworkedmonkey]

Just cruise at whatever revs feels the best to you.

Coolant only has to be changed every few years. I should do a coolant flush on my bike.

Cool. Just have to mindful to rev above 6,000 RPM.

How would I know if I have to change it?

[SMOKEU]

Cool. Just have to mindful to rev above 6,000 RPM.

How would I know if I have to change it?

If you don't have sufficient proof in the form of receipts from a reputable mechanic, you can safely assume that it hasn't been done in quite a few years.

[overworkedmonkey]

If you don't have sufficient proof in the form of receipts from a reputable mechanic, you can safely assume that it hasn't been done in quite a few years.

Fair enough. Thanks for all your help.