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;)

CJhaughey

Steffano2002 wrote: »

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

Apart from the VF series...

Steffano2002

Blondie919 wrote: »

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

Had one too and head gasket went... Oil cooled means over-heating. Honda beat them hands down!

Steffano2002

CJhaughey wrote: »

Apart from the VF series...

Very true!

superfish

In Soviet Russia bike warms you !

amacca

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?

Zascar...I have a 999 and a 748....whenever I start either I let them run up to temperature.

BUT this rarely takes 5 minutes never mind 15 minutes


the digital dash on your 749 should reach the 50 degree mark pretty quickly...takes a min or two on my bikes during which time im zippin g up the jacket...putting on gloves helmet etc


the main reason to do this as I understand it is to get the oil up to temperature and well distributed throughout the engine....bad if oil is not up to temp and you rev the nuts off the thing

keep the revs low for the first couple of mins on the road and everything should be fine...has been for years with mine anyway

Zascar

Nice one thanks. My last Monster 620 took at least 10 mins to get to 50 degrees which was the lowest number it displays. And that was with driving, I'd say sitting idle would take longer.

With the new bike I'll deffo let it sit for a few mins and then take it very easy for the next while also until she's warm - and then I'll give her a good thrashing!

hobochris

my Routine usally is:

Start the bike, put on lid, knock off the choke, put gloves on and hop on, by that stage she's warm enough

amacca

Zascar wrote: »

Nice one thanks. My last Monster 620 took at least 10 mins to get to 50 degrees which was the lowest number it displays. And that was with driving, I'd say sitting idle would take longer.

With the new bike I'll deffo let it sit for a few mins and then take it very easy for the next while also until she's warm - and then I'll give her a good thrashing!

if it helps + you probably already know this seeing as you have read the manual (something I have never done - i did read the haynes for the 748 though when I was disassembling/modding etc)

when you're up to speed the temperature reading on the dash should stabilize at approx 64 -70 degrees if yours is anything like mine ....that temp can be got down a couple of degrees depending on oil used...condition of rads....if a set of aftermarket coolant hoses used etc

mine reads 66 degrees dead when up to speed and air constantly blowing through the front...................has done for years now

the minute its at a standstill - its normal for temperature to rise rapidly (i found this really disconcerting at first) in start stop traffic the fans should cut in around 103-104 and then the temp should stabilize around the 101-102 mark if that helps

your arse will be cooked in traffic on a regular basis but its a small price to pay imo............that 749 of yours is a beauty.

Ratchet

hobochris wrote: »

my Routine usally is:

Start the bike, put on lid, knock off the choke, put gloves on and hop on, by that stage she's warm enough

yeah, good enough....i dont keep choke for long once revs are stable enough

Zascar

So what I've noticed is she warms up very very quickly. I'd probably only have to let her idle for a couple of mins and she's over 50 or so, and then a couple more minutes down the road and she's fine. My Monster would not get up to temp until I was pretty much arriving at work!

However, the thing is with a way bigger engine you don't have the change to give it any hard acceleration cause a slight twist of the wrist and you'll be doing twice the speed limit!

amacca wrote: »

your arse will be cooked in traffic on a regular basis but its a small price to pay imo............that 749 of yours is a beauty.

Thanks I'm delighted, you're absolutely right it roasts the arse off you as soon as you slow down. Would be nice in Winter but I can only imagine how uncomfortable it would be on a 30+ day driving through the city - would be almost unbearable. Is there anything you can do about it?

amacca

Zascar wrote: »

Thanks I'm delighted, you're absolutely right it roasts the arse off you as soon as you slow down. Would be nice in Winter but I can only imagine how uncomfortable it would be on a 30+ day driving through the city - would be almost unbearable. Is there anything you can do about it?

very little you can do when sitting in traffic in my experience...cept grin and bear it....I got used to it and barely notice it now but I suppose I'm not usually in traffic that long (town rather than city)

you can get more padded aftermarket seats made specifically for the model

corbin and sargeant (think I spelled them right) make nice but expensive seats to replace oem [up to £300 if you go for the tricolore detail + fancy pipework detail/stitching] that can give a bit of extra clearance and a little more breathing space to the inner thighs as well

have seen some people on forums install heat shielding under the seat (thin aluminium sheeting) but my personal opinion is its not worth the hassle..I'd spend the money on carbon fibre or a set of hoses or an open clutch cover/slipper clutch, hid lights, tail tidy etc if I was going to spend money and put up with the heat