Warming up your bike.

**GSF_Lou** · 27th October 2010, 21:10

Just curious on this. May sound like a stupid question to some but whats the best method of warming up your bike?

I ask this because, after years of owning performance cars I've always found that there are two schools thought on this.
Some people say its better to idle up to temperature before you drive.
Others say hop in and drive it keeping the rev's low. Doing it this way helps the oil to reach all areas needed in the engine. This is the method I have always used and it has served me well so far.

Is this the same with bikes?

**JimO** · 27th October 2010, 21:21

i start mine and let it warm up while im putting my helmet and gloves on

**ducatilover** · 27th October 2010, 21:24

There is a heap of debate on this subject, it is the same for cars and bikes, or any piston engine with reasonably tight tolerances. I myself have not found any sound argument to support either on a general basis. I warmed my Honda VT250 SPADA up every morning and afternoon for three and a half years, I warmed it up before all rides and had no mechanical failures. But, all the rides did tend to be a decent hot run.
You'll get both opinions, as expected. I believe it is safe to ride it cold, just take it easy. My BMW cages all had recommendations in the owners manuals to get in and drive, don't warm them up, due to excess carbon build up on the exhaust valves.

**YellowDog** · 27th October 2010, 21:29

Just start up and ride carefully until the temp is up to normal.

Low revs in a high gear is never a good thing to do - hot or cold

Just rev gently through the gears. I usually stay under 5000rpm until warm.

**Gibbo89** · 27th October 2010, 21:33

I rode my zeal once without warming her up (was in a rush) drove it maybe 1.5km. it sounded like shit and stalled at the stop sign a few hundred meters down the road.

Never again!

**Marmoot** · 27th October 2010, 22:16

30 seconds to let the oil reach the top of the engine, and then low-mid steady rev increase till temp gauge gets 1/3 - 1/2. Then everything goes.

**piston broke** · 28th October 2010, 00:10

Originally Posted by Marmoot

30 seconds to let the oil reach the top of the engine, and then low-mid steady rev increase till temp gauge gets 1/3 - 1/2. Then everything goes.

agreed,
i think an engine should be under load asap,within reason.

**ellipsis** · 28th October 2010, 00:18

....you warm a diesel...

**piston broke** · 28th October 2010, 00:33

Originally Posted by CAMSec

....you warm a diesel...

maybe ages ago.when diesels were in large trucks e.t.c.
i don't know that you need to do it in tiny car engines tho.
i mean before you had to turn on the ignition for a while to warm the glow plugs in a diesel,i don't think that is the case now.
different strokes eh,
25 yrs ago i got a 400four ss engine rebuilt,
the mechanic told me to take it out fo his shed and less than 1 minute later to wind it out as far as it would go,in second.
by fuckery,an old 70's engine wound up to 14k rpm and did forever after till it was stolen.

**LBD** · 28th October 2010, 01:43

Right.....
Back in the day there were two boat owners in Havelock, both with work boats and both had 671 GM diesels. One would start the engine and idle for a good 1/2 hour, the other would start the engine , throw the ropes off and head for the channel. Both would argue the merits of their practice and for years people waited for the outcome....I don't know, I moved away before the answer...but the relitive arguments were like this...

A slow warm up gets the oil circulating through the bearings at the correct viscosity/Temp, before any load is exerted on the bearing surfaces, when the engine is warm then head off...

...however the counter argument went like this....an engine with its different components is designed to operate at specific temperatures, and clearances. (Which change as things warm up due to thermal expansion) The sooner the engine reaches those optimum temps the better it is for the engine, so...the harder I work the engine when cold the sooner it reaches optimum temp....the better for the engine....Yes?

My thoughts? The guy who started up and threw off the ropes immediately, probably had the right idea because he still had a time of low speed manouvering before he reached the open water, this gave the engine time to comfortably warm up without overworking the engine.

My practice is to start the engine, fit helmet and gloves and ride of comfortably until moderate operating temps are showing on the gauge before I begin to get a little more agressive with the throttle.

Oil Temp?, the correct oil for an application takes into account ambient temps when the engine is shut down. The oil should be fluid enough at cold temps to pump around the engine, if not you probably have the wrong oil or are overdue for an oil change.

**Maha** · 28th October 2010, 06:16

I just give my bike a great big hug.....

**Owl** · 28th October 2010, 06:28

Originally Posted by JimO

i start mine and let it warm up while im putting my helmet and gloves on

Same.

Originally Posted by Maha

I just give my bike a great big hug.....

That's nice

**Str8 Jacket** · 28th October 2010, 06:36

I keep a blanket on mine and in winter use a hair dryer to warm it up.

**Indiana_Jones** · 28th October 2010, 07:14

Originally Posted by ducatilover

My BMW cages all had recommendations in the owners manuals to get in and drive, don't warm them up, due to excess carbon build up on the exhaust valves.

The manual for my MG says the same thing

As someone else said, just hop on/in and don't cane it for the 1st few minutes

-Indy