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

[Blackshear]

Just about a minute to get the valves and rings up.
Don't want to hurt anything cold nor piss off my neighbours.

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.

[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?

[Maha]

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

[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

[willytheekid]

I'll be the odd one out then

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 , 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

[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.