After winter warm up!

[MotoRevive]

Thanks for the recommendation.

I always worked under the impression that the oil film stays on engine parts for over a year and more.
My HP2 is not used during winter for quite a few months. I never really bothered that much, never had an issue. As above, I don't start it when it's not in use as I wouldn't be able to ride it around and bring to temperature.

The only time I started it (couple of winters ago) briefly in the garage for a couple of minutes, when then I actually started it for the first time for a ride, a month or two later, I had a brief puff from the exhaust, clearly signifying some condensation got in. Probably/hopefully just in the exhaust.

I've pulled engines apart that have sat for YEARS and everything was still oily. But that oil is probably oxidised. I'm still not overly worried though.

If I'm not riding a bike for the winter, I just leave it alone with the battery disconnected. If carbed I'll drain them. E5 will last just fine for a long winter before it does any harm. E10 may not.

As you say, there is plenty of oil hanging around and no damage will be done. Especially with these wonderful modern oils we're all using.

I start it up without any special procedure in the spring. I let it get nice and warm on it's own. Then check everything is in order.

It does depend on the bike though. But I presume were talking about fairly modern Beemers here.

 

[er-minio]

I've pulled engines apart that have sat for YEARS and everything was still oily.

Yep, that's whay my mech always told me.

But I presume were talking about fairly modern Beemers here.

Yep, GS Hexhead and HP2 Sport.
GS is in use, more or less, all year. HP2 doesn't really move during winter months.


I also have a DRZ, propped against the wall in the garage.
This last couple of year have been a bit busy and I had to leave the country for longer periods and used the bikes way less.

The DRZ ended up parked against the wall after a green lane ride last year, covered in shite, and just stayed there for about 8 months... I think I also forgot to close the fuel tap.

Anyway, I rolled it out of the garage a few weeks ago (near 0 degrees).
It started right a way, put in some new petrol, rode it for a bit to warm it up. I'm always surprised by that thing. MOT tomorrow morning.


Regarding electics: all my bikes are on Optimate solar chargers when parked up.
They've been great. Had them for years now, stopped me changing batteries or at least severely slowed down the process.

 

[MotoRevive]

Yep, that's whay my mech always told me.



Yep, GS Hexhead and HP2 Sport.
GS is in use, more or less, all year. HP2 doesn't really move during winter months.


I also have a DRZ, propped against the wall in the garage.
This last couple of year have been a bit busy and I had to leave the country for longer periods and used the bikes way less.

The DRZ ended up parked against the wall after a green lane ride last year, covered in shite, and just stayed there for about 8 months... I think I also forgot to close the fuel tap.

Anyway, I rolled it out of the garage a few weeks ago (near 0 degrees).
It started right a way, put in some new petrol, rode it for a bit to warm it up. I'm always surprised by that thing. MOT tomorrow morning.


Regarding electics: all my bikes are on Optimate solar chargers when parked up.
They've been great. Had them for years now, stopped me changing batteries or at least severely slowed down the process.

I also have a drz propped up in my garage.
Heavily modified through.

 

[er-minio]

Wouldn't call mine "modified" (engine-wise almost stock) but more "patchwork". But doesn't look that much like a stock –S anymore

 

[HxH]

Thank you all, you friendly bunch of "Tossers" for the valued write ups and comments.
I feel much better knowing a plan for next bike lay up....Leave it well alone after a long run before storage, then do all the usual checks before a new dawn run.
Just going to enjoy the old trusty bike, as its meant to be.

 

[Engineer]

Pointless to be quite honest. You're better off just leaving them until you can ride properly. You'll just be causing condensation in the engine and exhaust.

Not of you run them up to temperature, I've been doing this for 50+ year with many bikes with no issue - mates who have left their bikes all winter have had multiple difficulties

 

[TLSgazza]

Not of you run them up to temperature, I've been doing this for 50+ year with many bikes with no issue - mates who have left their bikes all winter have had multiple difficulties

That's all well and good In your mind. But you are subjecting your bikes to an awful lot of cold starts for no gain whatsoever.
Each to their own I suppose.
I'm one who doesn't start any of my bikes through the winter and have not not suffered multiple difficulties unlike your mates.
I have 3 Suzuki TL'S all over 25 years old. My old Xl500r and my newest bike my 2006 R1200gsa which I've done this without any consequences .
Btw none go on trickle chargers and are fine. GSA has only had 2 batteries since I bought it in 2008. (148.000 miles)The previous owner fitted an odyssey before I bought it.

 

[leadfarmer]

Not of you run them up to temperature, I've been doing this for 50+ year with many bikes with no issue - mates who have left their bikes all winter have had multiple difficulties

I used to do that for many years, I stopped when I bought my first battery tender, I find batteries last longer now

I don’t do anything special for the first start up (I just don’t start it at full throttle )

 

[HxH]

I used to do that for many years, I stopped when I bought my first battery tender, I find batteries last longer now

I don’t do anything special for the first start up (I just don’t start it at full throttle )

lol, I wont be trying that again...anytime soon, advice is always best read first!

 

[Engineer]

That's all well and good In your mind. But you are subjecting your bikes to an awful lot of cold starts for no gain whatsoever.
Each to their own I suppose.
I'm one who doesn't start any of my bikes through the winter and have not not suffered multiple difficulties unlike your mates.
I have 3 Suzuki TL'S all over 25 years old. My old Xl500r and my newest bike my 2006 R1200gsa which I've done this without any consequences .
Btw none go on trickle chargers and are fine. GSA has only had 2 batteries since I bought it in 2008. (148.000 miles)The previous owner fitted an odyssey before I bought it.

But if there is plenty of oil on all the surfaces then a cold start is not a problem - the designers of the engine know what they are doing. If you have not had a problem and I haven’t then it probably doesn’t matter either way does it?

What exactly is the problem with a cold start if there is oil on all the load bearing surfaces? I suggest there is none.

What exactly is a cold start anyway, how long must the bike go unused for it to be a ‘cold start’ and what should the ambient temperature be?

Is commuting everyday ok?

 

[Engineer]

I used to do that for many years, I stopped when I bought my first battery tender, I find batteries last longer now

I don’t do anything special for the first start up (I just don’t start it at full throttle )

I also have a battery tender, just starting normally and running to temperature one a week is no problem.