Any tips on how to start the bike in a cold weather (~20's F or -5c)?

[bashan]

Hi guys,
Recently I had moved to a colder climate (SE Michigan, US), and while at home the bike is garaged I do not have that privilege at work. Unfortunately, during the day the bike is parked outside. Today I had to remove some snow from the seat before heading back home. The outside temperature was in the high 20’s (-2[c]) and it was very hard to convince the bike to start running. The bike would either start running after 2~3 seconds of a starter help and then would immediately shut itself down, or I could hold the starter for 10 seconds without ignition. Finally, after about 7 trials I was able to hit the throttle within the few seconds that the engine was running to get it to higher revs (3k~4k) and this way keep the engine running. All the ignition attempts were done with the throttle in the off position while the starter button is being pushed.

So, is this the way it is suppose to be? Am I doing something wrong? Is it just hard to get it running in a cold weather?

Please don’t tell me not to ride in a cold day. I’m to be able to ride the bike at least until the roads would be covered with ice (probably another month).

Thanks,
Eran.

 

[Fanum]

or I could hold the starter for 10 seconds without ignition. Finally, after about 7 trials I was able to hit the throttle within the few seconds that the engine was running to get it to higher revs (3k~4k) and this way keep the engine running. All the ignition attempts were done with the throttle in the off position while the starter button is being pushed.

Hiya Eran, and welcome aboard.

Nice timing on the thread....I strongly suspect that you're having the same problems as several others here....

FULL THREAD HERE

Swooper apppeared to nail it with this.....

You may find that when started from cold (with a little clutch drag) the rear wheek turns whilst on the centre stand. If the side stand is in the down position as well, the on board computer system sensors the wheel movement and believes that the bike is in gear and/or moving with the side stand down. It then cuts the power.

.

Certainly worth a look at anyway.

Other than that, even if you're starting in Neutralon the main stand, keep the clutch fuly in...it the oil's cold enough, you will get rear wheel spin through friction and it could surprise you when you drop it off the main stand.

Might be worth getting twin core plugs like the BRISKS to help give the maximum spark and help her catch....and keep everything related to HT nicely clean and dry using WD40 or similar.


Up in the alps a year or two ago, the owner of a chalet next to ours had an airhead and he had two furry things that I can only decribe as large tea cosies (Hmmm...you're a merkin, dunno if you have them hehe) IMG]http://www.kidskitscrafts.com/crafts_images/teacosy.jpg[/IMG]

Each time he came back from a ride, he'd stick them on his jugs and said they made a difference in keeping the pots a bit warmer......his cosies were foil lined and cloth outside.

(sod it, at a fiver each, it'd be worth trying just for a giggle )


You might also want to try an oil with a viscosity rating more suitable to cold weather...a 5w30 rather than a 10w40 for example.

Some batteries are also better at retaining their performance in the cold.....no idea which though.....but it would also be well worth running a lead outside from an optimate and plug the bike in every night to make sure the battery is at peak power every morning.

Can't think of much else right now....but the place i'd start if you really want to look into it is one of I've no doubt are the numerous forums and websites concerning snow-cats and so-on...I'm sure they'll talk about this stuff loads.

HTH

 

[Timolgra]

I'm of course not suggesting you try this but...........

I once came across this Enfield 'Boxer' generator in an abandoned Antarctic station, the inside temperature was -22 deg C, ie a bit parky.
Determined to get the thing started after a layup of around 5 years I noticed 2 blocks of wood and 2 blow lamps,

A few minutes later the feckin thing started first swing. Almost made me jump.

Tim

 

[Timolgra]

Oh I've just remembered, I still have success with a kettle of boiling water poured over cylinder heads when desperate measures are needed on any engines these days.

And those of us who now wash our bikes with hair shampoo may also have secret access to SWMBO's hair drier.

Tim

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

How 'bout starting her up for 10 minutes during the lunch break?

In Russia, we used to pay the carpark guard to start the cars during the night, otherwise you were done for.

 

[TheJoker]

Being Finnish I've started mopeds, bikes and cars in pretty much any temperature.

There's a few things that are elementary to starting in the cold:
- Good oil - it should be thin enough to not stop the engine cranking over, but even more important, good enough quality to lubricate from cold. If you've got oil in that's recommended by BMW there shouldn't be a problem.
- Power to crank it over, if you suspect that it'll take a long time cranking it over, keep a 2nd battery with you inside and charged (or jump start from a car or other bike).
- Make sure it ignites.... Petrol doesn't like really really cold temperatures, we use ether-based starting gas when it get's really cold.

But nowadays most cars are plugged into a power socket that heats the engine blocks up and also warms the coupe up... nice n toasty... And bikes stay in warm garages...


Anyhoo - if your bike is sound as a pound (not weak dollar), then it should easily start down to -10 to -15C.... Like Fanum said, I think you might have an issue with the rear wheel turning and the side stand down.... Try checking that first...

Hope that's of any use...