Bike warm-up?

[klingon]

Oh all you posh people with your fancy things like rev counters and temperature gauges! They make your lives far too complicated! I just run the Volty until I can safely push the clutch in without stalling her, then ride off.

Although now you mention it I should probably warm up the tyres before attempting high-performance manoeuvres. Maybe I should buy her a set of tyre warmers for Christmas.

My brother (who lives in Calgary, Canada) has a sump-warmer - he plugs his vehicles in overnight so the oil doesn't freeze. I might get one of those for the Volty too. (It gets pretty chilly in Auckland in the winter.)

[rocketman1]

Normally I start her up keep it above idle say 2500-3000rpm for 10-15 secs, then let it idle till the temp shows about 25-30 deg then ride off slowly
Big V twins are harder on the motor when idling cold than inline 4 etc, thats my opinion, so I dont let it idle at 1200 rpm when cold I think that it is stressing the motor too much, 2500-3000rpm feels better for the motor
I never go hard until its at its normal operating temp of 86-87 deg
that also allows the tyres to warm up a bit
Takes longer in winter of course

[AllanB]

Long enough to get a jacket, helmet and gloves on - say 2 minutes max. Any more is unnecessary and possibly harming in the long term. Then more importantly I'm gentle on the bike until the temp needle moves to the 'warmed' mark. This also gives the tyres a chance to warm up.
Tyres are designed to stick their best when warm, I never 'get it on' until they have a few kms under them.

Also note at least with my Honda the 'choke' is not actually such, it is no more than a idle increase knob- the computer takes care of the injectors mixture when its cold.

[AllanB]

Normally I start her up keep it above idle say 2500-3000rpm for 10-15 secs, then let it idle till the temp shows about 25-30 deg then ride off slowly
Big V twins are harder on the motor when idling cold than inline 4 etc, thats my opinion, so I dont let it idle at 1200 rpm when cold I think that it is stressing the motor too much, 2500-3000rpm feels better for the motor
I never go hard until its at its normal operating temp of 86-87 deg
that also allows the tyres to warm up a bit
Takes longer in winter of course

Ah you reminded me of a test ride I did a couple of years ago on a SV1000 at the local dealer - he said 'I'll get the bike warmed before you take off'. It was promptly started and reved back and forth between about 3-5,000 rpm -for a couple of minutes all this with open Yoshi mufflers . I believe I had permanent hearing loss by the time I rode off and killed a bit more on the test ride. I personally do not recommend warming a SV1000 in this manner!

[The Stranger:Me]

but you should use an oil that heats up quickly

Some oils heat up quicker than other oils?
Which ones?

[AD345]

Some oils heat up quicker than other oils?
Which ones?

This one:

[AllanB]

Some oils heat up quicker than other oils?
Which ones?

Peanut oil - lets start a 'what oil thread'

[dipshit]

Thought I would have a look into Harley engine warm up,found this article.

"The best way to minimize all this contamination is to warm the engine as quickly as is reasonably possible. "Reasonably possible" includes placing a load on the engine by actually riding the bike. One or two horsepower are needed to idle an engine, but it takes 10 or so to go down the road. More horsepower develops more heat, hence, the heat from the 10 warms the motor faster, reducing corrosive oil and engine contamination."

Not only that, but a bike ticking over at idle with cold thick oil is the worst scenario for getting good oil circulation around the engine - particularly to the top end. Oil pumps don't give as much pressure and flow at idle.

20 to 30 seconds fast idle then gently and quietly riding down the street with minimal throttle openings and low 3000 to 4000 RPM is warming up the oil quicker because the gearbox is turning and you have better oil flow at 3000 RPM... and the small amount of load gives better ring seal so less fuel contamination of your oil.

Letting your bike idle for 5 minutes from cold isn't necessarily the best thing you can do for it.

[98tls]

Simply put,work out how your oil pump is driven then decide how long you want to wait and listen to your cold motor and overworked oil pump achieving bugger all at idle.

[Headbanger]

3000 to 4000?

Stock HD redline is 5000........

Pretty sure I'm doing 120 at 2500rpm.....

Jesus, Hope my tires are warmed up by the time I get to the end of the street, Dunno if I can get around that corner at 140Km/h.....

[98tls]

3000 to 4000?

Stock HD redline is 5000........

Pretty sure I'm doing 120 at 2500rpm.....

Jesus, Hope my tires are warmed up by the time I get to the end of the street, Dunno if I can get around that corner at 140Km/h.....

LOL....wave as you go round just to make sure.

[dipshit]

3000 to 4000?

Stock HD redline is 5000........

Pretty sure I'm doing 120 at 2500rpm.....

And here was me thinking I was going to get complaints from people with 17000rpm red-lines saying 3000rpm is idle..!!

[Macontour]

I sit on my bike so it is vertical before starting it. I am sure that some bikes may have problems with oil pickup/delivery of oil to various parts of engine with it idling on its side stand. For those with centre stands, I guess its not an issue. I start the bike without choke and just use the throttle to keep it idling until it will idle by itself, maybe only 20-30 seconds. I then put on helmet and gloves,get out of the garage anbd close the door and gently ride to the road. I then take it easy until oil temp is 70-80 degrees.

[normajeane]

Just long enough to put my gloves and helmet on. My manual is very clear that you shouldn't warm up the bike when it's stationary. Apparently it's bad for the cats or something.

I personally believe warming up at idle is overrated. Best thing is to give it 15-30sec to get a little oil flowing then drive gently. You'll warm everything up that way gearbox/clutch/brakes/bearings/chain/etc. Once you're up to temp then you can let it rip.

Surely you will get to know when your bike stops put put putting and gets that vroom sound by trying it out a few times.
Personally i pull the chokey thing out to start from cold, sit for a bit while waiting for SD to get his gear on (could be 5 mins!) then off we go and the choke gets pushed in. I know then the bike will not stall when I stop and i won't have to pick it up off the road. Experience!

[BMWST?]

use the correct oil ...the most waer occurs straight after start up..ie the first few revolutions as the cold thick oil "doesnt" flow through the engine"One of the main advantages of the thinner synthetics....and no downside cos the thin synthetics dont break down at the temps the thin dino oils do...