Warming up the Beast

**Black** · 6th October 2005, 12:58

I was wondering how everyone warms up their beasties in the mornings/before you ride.

Do you just start it and let it idle for 5mins while you get the rest of your gears on?
Do you rev it up while stationary?

Also, approx how long does it take for your bike to warm up?

My approach (which maybe/probably is wrong) is to start the bike up & leave it idling whilst I put on my gear - usually takes about 5 mins.

Is this a good approach or is there a better method for warming it up?

Oh yeah, my bike is a TZR250 (2 Stroke), do these require a different warm-up to the 4 strokers?

Thanks
Kevin

**Jamiepo** · 6th October 2005, 13:00

Most guys I've talked to said it was better to just ride it. The bike tends to warm up faster which means less wear time.

**Matt Bleck** · 6th October 2005, 13:04

I like to let it idle till the temp registers on the lcd display. But thats a four stroke.

Two strokes can carbon up the plugs if left idling to long.....

**WRT** · 6th October 2005, 13:08

I always warm it up while putting on my gear, and wont ride off till there is something - anything - registering on the LCD temp gauge. Would not like to put load on it while fully cold, I would have thought that would cause a LOT more wear than just letting it idle? One of the mechanics here might like to confirm or deny?

With the two stroke, I do the same, always warm it up before riding. The manual (good lord, did I just admit to reading it?? Damn . . .) says to warm up for several minutes before riding, and to not "blip" the throttle while doing so. I figure the person who wrote that probably knows a thing or two about the engine, so I take their advice

**James Deuce** · 6th October 2005, 13:10

30 seconds is all it takes to get lubricant moving in a four stroke engine. I used to warm my two strokes up for a couple of minutes.

**bugjuice** · 6th October 2005, 13:10

I usually fire the bike up, then continue zipping up my jacket, putting my lid on and gloves. By that time, it should have started to get lubed and warm. I have a digital read out, which kicks off at 40°c, so until that reads, I just ride real easy, changing around 2500, then as the temp builds up to normal running (around 65+ (74-80 is the norm)), I start riding how I normally do. The other bikes I've had, I've done the same thing, but instead of a digital readout, it's just watching the needle move..

Winter and summer will obvisouly affect different warm up periods, and each bike will warm up itself too.. and where you live..

**skelstar** · 6th October 2005, 13:15

I dont have to use the choke (barely) and my driveway/road/exit route from my house is all down hill so its very little strain. Bit of an issue when I was learning to ride though..

**manuboy** · 6th October 2005, 13:21

The lads at the zook shop told me never to ride it until she was at least 75 degrees. So i usually wait until 45-50 .... normally that takes about 1-2 minutes for a cold start.....

**Paul in NZ** · 6th October 2005, 13:26

Originally Posted by Jim2

30 seconds is all it takes to get lubricant moving in a four stroke engine. I used to warm my two strokes up for a couple of minutes.

Um.... Might be true for your highly efficient modern stuff.... You know, the stuff with little soul...

The Moto Guzzi requires written notification, in advance AND on official note paper, of any attempt at starting or idling. Being generously equipped with proper lubricant (think swamp like stuff more akin to honey that the water you use) fins and not having a shred of atificial cooling it takes more than 30 seconds to reach anything like operating temp, even in the sahara on a hot day...

A gentle canter around the block of 10km or so does the job....

Even then....

**The Stranger:Me** · 6th October 2005, 13:30

Start it and ride it straight away, no warm up required. Just don't cane it until the motor is at running temp. I figure this also lets tyres warm a bit too.

**GR81** · 6th October 2005, 14:24

i start mine up, leave it running while i pull on the gloves and helmet then nana it for a while till i feel that its warmed up...

... also, does anyone know whats involved as far as installing a temp gauge on a bike is concerned?

**Motu** · 6th October 2005, 14:47

Start and ride off after 30sec - idling is not good for engines,cold idling is worse.But the 2 stroke pings something fearful when cold,feels like it's going to come apart,so will have to experiment some on that one....

**Dadpole** · 6th October 2005, 15:00

Always just jump on, start and ride off myself. Max idle time of around 10 - 15 seconds and keep in the lower half of the rev range for the first km or so. Over 30 years riding and never had major engine issues, but i am fussy about routine maintenance.

**scumdog** · 6th October 2005, 16:15

When I got my first iron-head sporty a female workmate told me "my boy-friend had one, I use to warm it up for him"

I asked all mechanical-minded "For how long, what sort of revs?"

Her reply? "oh, I dunno, just long enough for the seat to get slippery enough for me to fall off"

What did she mean?????

**ManDownUnder** · 6th October 2005, 16:17

Originally Posted by scumdog

When I got my first iron-head sporty a female workmate told me "my boy-friend had one, I use to warm it up for him"

I asked all mechanical-minded "For how long, what sort of revs?"

Her reply? "oh, I dunno, just long enough for the seat to get slippery enough for me to fall off"

What did she mean?????

She means that she wants to meet the legendary ManDownUnder and you need to send me her phone number...

Sheesh - do I have to spell everything out?