Do you 'warm up' your bike?

Zascar

I was reading in the manual of my bike that when the air temperature is less than 10 degrees, you are supposed to start your engine and let it run for a full 5 minutes before driving off. Normally I would let the engine warm up for a minute or two while I put my gloves and helmet on, but a full 5 mins seems a lot. Some others I read let their bike run like this every time regardless of the temperature. Some others let the bike warm up to 40 or 50 degrees before setting off - that could take 15 minutes or more!

So just how important is this? Is a minute or two and then some slow driving keeping the revs down ok?

Wossack

dunno how good or bad, but to try and stay cushty with the neighbours, I dont warm up on the driveway at all. I just try and keep it under 3k revs till I get ~3-4 bars on my temp indicator

KTRIC

I start mine and wait for the idle to drop with the automatic choke, then it's good to go. Could be 3 or 4 minutes depending on the temp out and how long it takes me to get my helmet and gloves on.

Cuddlesworth

I wait for the choke to go before I pull off. Then for the first couple of minutes its easy driving, no high 4k+ revs. After that its fair game.

BlackWizard

I've an older bike. I just start it and after about 20 seconds I'm on the road. I keep the revs quite low and don't go above 1/4 of my revs until I can feel the engine is warm. My bike is air cooled.

When it is cold out I usually use my bare hand to tell the temperature. When I can feel the engine getting warm, it's ready to drive off. These summer mornings that seems to only take a few seconds.

Leaving the negine idle for 5min just seems like a big waste of fuel to me!

l.m

I wait 5mins+

unclebill98

Give it about 3/4 mins before setting off. Longer in cold weather.

Andromeda_111

I leave it for as long as it takes to get my helmet and gloves on, about 2 minutes. Then I try not to rev it over 5k until it's over 50 degrees, then it's good to go.

KamiKazi

Leave her warming up until she ticks over nicely without any choke, fvck the neighbours.

Keith186

Let it run for a minute til I'm ready to.go then (try) keep it under 3k til the temp gauge goes out of the red bit at the bottom.

Zascar you could buy better oil that heats up quicker if ye don't want to risk it on the new machine.

BrokenArrows

Any down side to not letting it warm up.

Zascar

Keith186 wrote: »

Zascar you could buy better oil that heats up quicker if ye don't want to risk it on the new machine.

Yeah I was thinking that. I need to do some research and learn up on oils etc. Another 749 owner tells me ONLY to use the best Shell Ultra Advance 4. 10x40 is advised, not sure what numbers are better for cold weather, and if there are any other disadvantages to having a diffent oil though. Anyone?

bryaner

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Any down side to not letting it warm up.

Cylinder and piston wear as the engine is tight when cold.

antiskeptic

Zascar wrote: »

I was reading in the manual of my bike that when the air temperature is less than 10 degrees, you are supposed to start your engine and let it run for a full 5 minutes before driving off. Normally I would let the engine warm up for a minute or two while I put my gloves and helmet on, but a full 5 mins seems a lot. Some others I read let their bike run like this every time regardless of the temperature. Some others let the bike warm up to 40 or 50 degrees before setting off - that could take 15 minutes or more!

So just how important is this? Is a minute or two and then some slow driving keeping the revs down ok?

I had occasion to do the camchain on a Fazer 600 I used to own. It had 60k miles up. The cam lobes/journals were at at-new spec. It didn't use any oil either - all signs of a healthy engine.

I used it every day (from ice to baking heat and everything in between) and did as you did more or less. It's all about load applied I think: do it gently, keep the revs down and by the time your a mile down the road you can begin to open it out a bit.

A bit like running a new engine in really.

Thinkingaboutit

1 min and then take it easy for a short bit with the older ones.

Tigger

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Any down side to not letting it warm up.

engine and gearbox wear

Del2005

I usually wait till it gets over 60 before I pull off, manual says get it warm before use.

It's strange that cars are designed to driven from cold but bikes aren't, yet.

bryaner

Del2005 wrote: »

I usually wait till it gets over 60 before I pull off, manual says get it warm before use.

It's strange that cars are designed to driven from cold but bikes aren't, yet.

Still should take it easy on a car engine when cold..

Tigger

Del2005 wrote: »

I usually wait till it gets over 60 before I pull off, manual says get it warm before use.

It's strange that cars are designed to driven from cold but bikes aren't, yet.

bikes are built to much greater tollerences

high spec cars have to be warmed

rameire

30 seconds max, and then rev the cráp out of it.
unless the weather is -15c and then i give it 2 or 3 min.

but with 95000km on the clock, no problems with the engine and my mechanic has checked the pistons and there is no problem or overwear with them.

so i suppose it could depend on the quality of the materials used in the construction of the bike, that will depend on what you do.

navangang

My little honda cg doesnt even have a temp gauge,so i just start it,let it rev for a bit then im off:p

BlackWizard

No temp guage on my Suzuki either. Also no fuel guage.

Not really a lot on my bike. Just me + fuel tank + engine + wheels.. + hot women :cool: .. not really

Steffano2002

Zascar wrote: »

I was reading in the manual of my bike that when the air temperature is less than 10 degrees, you are supposed to start your engine and let it run for a full 5 minutes before driving off.

You could always buy a Honda! lol

I let mine warm up to 35°C (that's the lowest number it can display) before setting off. Then I have a strict rule whereby I don't exceed 3,500 RPM until she hits 82°C (i.e. engine fully warm). Has worked perfectly for me so far. Bike never missed a beat and I've ridden her for over 42,000km at this stage!

Steffano2002

rameire wrote: »

30 seconds max, and then rev the cráp out of it.
unless the weather is -15c and then i give it 2 or 3 min.

but with 95000km on the clock, no problems with the engine and my mechanic has checked the pistons and there is no problem or overwear with them.

so i suppose it could depend on the quality of the materials used in the construction of the bike, that will depend on what you do.

Honda?

Steffano2002

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Any down side to not letting it warm up.

FYI: can't remember the exact percentage but it's something like 90% of the damage/wear you engine/gearbox suffers occurs between the moment the engine is started and until the oil is up to temperature. Oil doesn't work well when cold so letting an engine warm up properly is key to longevity!

rameire

Steffano2002 wrote: »

Honda?

yup, Deauville.

Green_Martian

Steffano2002 wrote: »

You could always buy a Honda! lol

I let mine warm up to 35°C (that's the lowest number it can display) before setting off. Then I have a strict rule whereby I don't exceed 3,500 RPM until she hits 82°C (i.e. engine fully warm). Has worked perfectly for me so far. Bike never missed a beat and I've ridden her for over 42,000km at this stage!

:D:D Yeah i believe ya mate:p

I usually let mine warm up for a min or 2, usually unlock the rear wheel from the ground anchor then start it, then remove the fron disc lock head in and put my lid and gloves on. I TRY not to be a bat out of hell but sometimes it can't be helped:eek:

Quick question as well, when should the fan kick in to cool down the engine, just asking as temp has been up to 95 and have not heard it kick in

Steffano2002

rameire wrote: »

yup, Deauville.

Can't beat Honda when it comes to building bullet-proof engines!

Steffano2002

Green_Martian wrote: »

:D:D Yeah i believe ya mate:p

Fecker!

Green_Martian wrote: »

I usually let mine warm up for a min or 2, usually unlock the rear wheel from the ground anchor then start it, then remove the fron disc lock head in and put my lid and gloves on.

Your insurance won't cover you if some fecker jumps on it and rides away while you're inside getting your helmet! lol

Green_Martian wrote: »

Quick question as well, when should the fan kick in to cool down the engine, just asking as temp has been up to 95 and have not heard it kick in

Mine cuts in real late too. I think it's at around 103°C. Checked some Gixer forums and yours cuts in at around 104/105°C G!

Blondie919

Steffano2002 wrote: »

Can't beat Honda when it comes to building bullet-proof engines!

I'd say Suzuki could beat them!! It's a well known fact that Bandits are bullet proof. And yes, I do have one

Green_Martian

Steffano2002 wrote: »

Your insurance won't cover you if some fecker jumps on it and rides away while you're inside getting your helmet! lol


Mine cuts in real late too. I think it's at around 103°C. Checked some Gixer forums and yours cuts in at around 104/105°C G!

Lol im right at the door putting my stuff on plus the bike is hidden behind the car:D

Thank god for the temp, was getting a bit worried. Cheers mate;)