Winter - idle or ride?

[SpiderTex]

I have a question for you all weather biker/drivers

When it is cold it is a good thing to let the engine warm up before really using it.
Do you let the bike stand for a while with engine running to warm before going, or take off slowly, keeping the revs down?
I tend to do the later, I slowly putter off keeping it low in revs.

Also, if the water temp gauge indicates operating temp, can I assume that the whole engine is evenly warmed up?

What do you ladies and gents do?

ps. love the heated grips

[Solace]

My shop mechanic told me that once operating temperature registers on the gauge, that you're good to go. Does anybody know anything different?

I let the bike idle until it gets to that point no matter what the weather is, unless I really have to go for some reason. It usually doesn't take very long. Of course that doesn't account for cold tires, etc.

Solace

I let it warm up in the winter for as long as I let my car warm up. About 2:00 min. Once the salt and sand come out though, I put it away untill March.

[garry]

I always wait until I get a temperature reading, but usually let the bike warm up close to normal operating temperature while I'm gearing up.

Be very, very careful with cold tires in the winter. I run a few PSI less in the cold weather to let the tire run a little hotter. They still feel really odd for the first 10 minutes or so on a cold day.

[tradedinmyharly]

i let her come up to temp - 175 f at least before taking off in the cold season. in the summer i go as soon as a temp registers on the gauge (usually around 112 f)

[Mattman]

All my bikes are FI and I just start my bike and drive away. I have never had any issues. Sometimes if I am not ready to go I will let the bike idle until I get my helmet on after pulling out of the garage.

BskiBeat, I live in Fairfax, VA and I ride all year long. If the roads are clear I ride.

[dolson]

I get the bike out and fire it up then put my plugs in, helmet on, glasses in and by the time I put my gloves on it's good to go.

Remembering that though the water temp may be up, the bottom end and oil are still on the cold side. It takes a bit of actual riding for all the temps to equalize including wheel bearings and their lube.

On the way down the hill I'm scrubbing the tires and warning the brakes too.

I give her a few miles from cold start to normalize everything then it's Zoom Zoom :razz:

Don

[Scottius]

Cold or hot I let 'er warm up until the water temp reads at least 120...130 in cold weather. Then I take it easy for the first few miles letting everything warm up and then the roads are mine...

[thfwsf]

I pretty much start riding mine shortly after starting it. I just take it easy for a few miles while the engine warms up. I don't really get on the gas till she has a few miles on her.

[shawboy]

I usually start her while gearing up - couple of minutes max of idle and I'll tool off at a reasonable pace to let the tires and everything else warm up - no matter what the temperature is out.

I'm with BskiBeat - when the salt/sand comes out, the bike goes in. Unfortunately, that time of year is fast approaching.....



....then I'll just have to read all your posts about how much fun you're having. Maybe go down to the basement, sit on her, and make racing noises..... :wink: