cold weather starting

[speed reed]

How hard is it on the bike to be starting it in 20 to 30 degree weather? Is it worth it just to squeeze a ride in now and then in the winter, or is it best to just give it up in the winter months?


Reed

[camfarm]

Your location (Gassaway/Sutton?) offers winter riding challenges, but I would take every opportunity to ride anyway. The general rule of thumb is to get all systems, fluids, tires up to operating temperature during the gentle first few miles (5-10) and ride long enough to have everything operating smoothly at that level (15-50 miles?).

Storage issues are few: if battery not used for 30-45 days then use a tender/trickle charger. A cold battery stores better, but a warmer battery cranks better - if you can control that it will be less stressful on cold starts. Keep tires at good cold pressures and, if able, off cold, bare concrete unless you turn them a bit now and then. Gas breaks down over many weeks (6-12) in cold, so if you just can't ride enough, use a stabilizer.

It is usually bad to just crank the engine and idle in the garage. Does more harm than good overall.

Ride, my friend, when the weather and roads cooperate.

[knary]

Don't start the bike just for the fun of it. Start it to ride it.

As for whether or not it's worth the trouble over winter - that's up to you. I ride as long as there isn't ice under the tires (which means I ride year-round now that I live in portland).

[Cliffy777]

take a look at the "how cold is too cold to ride" thread we had going for a while. it might inspire you to ride in colder temps than you have before. I rode to work last week (10 miles one way) on a 22 degree day. with the correct jacket and gear on, riding in the cold is a blast and these german bikes luff der kold, yah!

[sfarson]

Yes, ride it year round. I think it helps keep the bike in good shape and it is good for keeping you mentally motorcycling fit.

When the roads are dry winter riding is great. No bugs and can wear protection without melting. No nasty t-storms to dodge. Beautiful and crisp air/scenery. I ride year round at 9000ft. central Colorado. Great and memorable.

[speed reed]

It got up in the fortys yesterday road a 100mi. Some wet spots on the dark side of the hollars but did not hit any ice, still some snow on the sides of the road and in the hills. The bigger hassle here on the farm is I have to get the bike out of the barn when the ground is frozen in the barn yard the night before. I can't get the bike in the barn alone when its muddy, so I have to wait again until its frozen. Don't like to keep it out in the snow and freezing rain any longer than I have to. I get it done. I just hauled six loads of gravel out of the creek bed with the tractor it helped some. Broke down today for Christmas and ordered 10 tons of store bought gravel to finish the job. It will be just like big city folk I will be able to drive right up to the barn. Well close, I think city folks have something called garages, at least thats what I've been told. Hope the neighbors don't think I'm getting to uppity with a BMW motorcycle (they have never seen one before) and a gravel drive to the barn.


Reed:brow

[manicmechanic]

I was 23F this morning and the roads had finally dried up from the slop we had recently. That was rain followed by snow showers and falling temps. Always be on the lookout for the road looking "funny", and having a shine to it. Also look out for dark spots on the road when going over bridges and culverts.

I've never really had problems starting any of my bikes, aside from the Duc I don't have any more. When it got much below 50F it was a real bear for that bike. But then it had a not-really-stock engine. If you want to reduce some of the effort, then go to a synthetic oil (they seem to flow better at lower temps), and/or go to a lighter weight oil, per the owner's manual. Keep the battery charged/on a tender. Also, a little isopropyl alcohol in the tank to help get rid of any water in the gas doesn't hurt. If you're going to ride, make it at least 15-20 miles. This is so the entire bike warms up and the heat helps drive out any moisture that does accumulate from condensation. This applies to the exhaust as well as the tranny and rear drive. Remember to top off the tank before you put it away. That helps reduce condatsation in the tank.