Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and go?

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#1 Unread post by **blues2cruise** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 11:42 pm

I was wondering what everyone does regarding letting your bike warm up for a little bit or not.

I tend to turn on the engine and then put on my helmet and gloves. That way I know the oil has had a chance to circulate before riding.

I see several people at work who just turn the key and go. The bike has no chance to get the oil moving before riding away.

What do you do?

Is it bad for the bike to just turn the key and go? Am I wasting time and a small amount of fuel by letting it warm up for a bit?

What's your opinion?

Johnj · #2 Unread post by **Johnj** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 11:57 pm

On the Buell there is a display that tell me when it is warmed up enough to ride. On the Connie I let it warm up until it will run without the enricher on.

Grey Thumper · #3 Unread post by **Grey Thumper** » Fri Sep 12, 2014 1:17 am

Hmmm, I just follow my owner's manual, which says to not idle or warm up the bike, and to ride once its started. Granted, I don't live in a cold country, and I also take it easy on the bike for the first five minutes or so after it's first started.

Hanson · #4 Unread post by **Hanson** » Fri Sep 12, 2014 8:12 am

I start the bike, perform an abbreviated T-CLOCS inspection, gear up and ride away. By the time I leave, the bike is well above the ambient temperature.

Jarlaxle · #5 Unread post by **Jarlaxle** » Fri Sep 12, 2014 8:53 am

My Burg has EFI...my usual routine is: helmet & jacket on, stuff under the seat, off the side stand (note: it will NOT run with the stand down), start it up, reset trip odometer, jacket zipped, gloves on, and go. It runs ~90 seconds before I start off.

Thumper · #6 Unread post by **Thumper** » Fri Sep 12, 2014 8:58 pm

I start it up, roll to the end of the driveway and stop long enough to put my face shield down, and then go. If it's cold (which it really isn't here often) I go slow initially to warm it up, but mostly I just go.

Bdub · #7 Unread post by **Bdub** » Fri Sep 12, 2014 9:33 pm

I'm similar to Hanson, TCLOC, helmet, gloves and roll out. I think I'll look in my owner's manual and see what it says.

#8 Unread post by **pchast** » Fri Sep 12, 2014 10:05 pm

Warm it up till I can dump the choke.

#9 Unread post by **blues2cruise** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 4:39 pm

Thanks for your input everyone. I would have been back sooner to read and reply....but I was here....

Highway 12 in British Columbia

ronrex · #10 Unread post by **ronrex** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:05 pm

I have to wait. otherwise i get a 3000 rpm surprise slowing down for the first traffic light with the choke closed! lol. It also has a slight stumble just off idle until it will run without choke. Takes about a minute...i can ride right off if i wanted to, but i wait and buckle all the gear up while it warms...carburation...i still like it.

#11 Unread post by **blues2cruise** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:06 pm

The other question I have about warming up or not.....Isn't it better for the machine to let it warm up a bit? At least long enough for the oil to move around? Will the engine last longer?

ronrex · #12 Unread post by **ronrex** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:44 pm

i don't even rev it for that very reason. enough choke to give me 1500 rpm....that very reason. That is in my owner's manual...i think.

tiervil · #13 Unread post by **tiervil** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 7:45 am

I warm it a bit when its could outside, till i put my gloves , helmet and go.. because of my issues i always need to stay warmed up. that's a problem because i even need some rx coupons for my issues.

#14 Unread post by **pchast** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 9:36 pm

Warm it up till I can release the choke.

#15 Unread post by **Kal** » Wed Feb 15, 2017 10:34 pm

I don't have a set routine. The most the GPZ probably gets is 30 seconds; enough time to stow the keys in my tank bag and get my gloves on.

If I can roll off the throttle without the engine dying it's ready to ride.

markdcoco · #16 Unread post by **markdcoco** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 11:17 pm

I will start it up, make sure all electronics are synced and functioning, put on the helmet and gloves, side stand up and off we go. I will admit that I do take it easy for the first 5-10 miles and can note a definite change in engine smoothness and performance once the oil is fully heated and distributed throughout.

faded sun · #17 Unread post by **faded sun** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 11:44 pm

My owners manual for the ST 1300 says to wait for the first bar to light on the LED display for the temp gauge before riding. Depending on the time of year this is enough time to get geared up and the wife seated and the intercom working. I like to start it with my helmet off anyway.

Jarlaxle · #18 Unread post by **Jarlaxle** » Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:16 am

Start it, it runs for the 30 seconds or so it takes me to close the garage and get my helmet on, then go. No choke on my bike-I have EFI.

JohnnyS89 · #19 Unread post by **JohnnyS89** » Sun Jul 16, 2017 12:30 pm

Most of the time I start it up and go. During the winter I get 30 sec to a min to get warmed up and take it easy for the first few miles.

montanalifter · #20 Unread post by **montanalifter** » Sun Oct 22, 2017 8:08 pm

When I was young and had carbureted bikes I waited to the bike to warm up and not need the choke anymore, until the bike was idleing smooth. Now with both my fuel injected bikes the same thing. You can hear them warm themselves up and then smooth out into a slower idle rhythm, then I go. Obviously longer when its colder usually drive from 30 degrees on up.

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Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and go?

Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and go?

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Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and g

Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and g

Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and g

Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and g

Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and go?

Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and go?

Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and go?

Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and go?

Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and go?

Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and go?

Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and go?

Re: Do you warm up the motorcycle or just turn the key and go?