Warm up?

[oddshapedballs]

I seem to remember the general understanding, certainly in the 80's and 90's, regarding warming up an air/oil cooled bike, was that this was an advisable practice to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the engine.
These days however it seems that no amount of warming up is necessary, is this down to the quality of today's oils, or something more?
Until 10 years ago I'd never owned a BMW, all Jap stuff, is it a Jap thing?

 

[Richie N]

Yes, if you want to be mechanically sympathetic, you should take it easy and get the motor to operating temps before using WOT!!! I just wish my wife would listen ...

Er, so that's a no from me! Nothing's changed in that respect.

 

[Martyn H]

I seem to remember the general understanding, certainly in the 80's and 90's, regarding warming up an air/oil cooled bike, was that this was an advisable practice to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the engine.
These days however it seems that no amount of warming up is necessary, is this down to the quality of today's oils, or something more?
Until 10 years ago I'd never owned a BMW, all Jap stuff, is it a Jap thing?

It rather depends on exactly what you're asking.
Every vehicle manual I've read has advised to start up, then drive or ride off, as opposed to those people who think it better to sit there for 5 minutes on a "fast idle" whilst petrol washes the bores down !
However once on the go, it is undoubtedly good practice to thoroughly warm the engine, & therefore the oil, before using the throttle enthusiastically

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I've always taken it easy for the first few miles after initial start up as that's what my Dad told me to do

 

[Beemerman59]

Start up.....wait for cam chain tensioners to fill with oil.....ride.....keep engine under 4K until operating temp......go for it!

 

[Mad_Accountant]

Because the engine will warm up faster under gentle load, minimising the cold running period is the name of the game.

So start it and ride off fairly promptly but wait for the bike to warm properly before riding it hard. This way you will save your engine and the planet

 

[Engineer]

I seem to remember the general understanding, certainly in the 80's and 90's, regarding warming up an air/oil cooled bike, was that this was an advisable practice to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the engine.
These days however it seems that no amount of warming up is necessary, is this down to the quality of today's oils, or something more?
Until 10 years ago I'd never owned a BMW, all Jap stuff, is it a Jap thing?

DO NOT LET IT IDLE - it might go bang, ride off as soon as possible but don't thrash it until it's warm.

 

[tspivey]

Ride straight off and treat it gently for a few miles. It's not just the engine you're warming up.

 

[bowser]

NO NO NO, your likely to trash the engine!!!!!! thats what the little red triangle is for on the rev counter, before you ride off you should try and keep the rev counter in the needle in the little red triangle bit for about 5 mins at least, do that and your engine will thank you for it, not to mention the people in the street 2 along from yours.

 

[Old Wobbly]

NO NO NO, your likely to trash the engine!!!!!! thats what the little red triangle is for on the rev counter, before you ride off you should try and keep the rev counter in the needle in the little red triangle bit for about 5 mins at least, do that and your engine will thank you for it, not to mention the people in the street 2 along from yours.

I think you might need to explain this theory...

 

[bikemad]

The reason engines warm up quicker is cos they are fuel injected no carbs to choke or ice up,that is why they seem to work normally from cold cos fuel mapping sorts "itself out" if you got two identical bikes,older carb & newer injection side by side comparison see how they perform.

 

[Greenman14]

Because the engine will warm up faster under gentle load, minimising the cold running period is the name of the game.

So start it and ride off fairly promptly but wait for the bike to warm properly before riding it hard. This way you will save your engine and the planet ��

Agree. Warming up on the stand is something you do for a competition bike, where it's almost impossible to ride it gently