Cold Weather Starting: Warm Up or Not

[vanagon40]

Is it important to allow the Valkyrie to warm up prior to taking off?  Summer or winter, I usually start the bike, pull on the choke, and then take off immediately.  After about a half mile, I release the choke.

For the first half mile I accelerate slowly, keeping the RPMs under 2500.  Once in fifth gear, at about 40 to 45 MPH, I release the choke.  I never get over 3000 RPMs for the first mile or so.

As an aside, I use the same procedure for all my cars: starting and driving immediately, allowing the vehicle to warm up as I drive.

So, is this procedure harmful?  Is there a valid reason to allow the bike to warm up prior to starting down the road?

[sandy]

I pull the choke, start and reduce choke to 1000 RPM's. When I can release the choke fully (under 1 minute), I take off. I'd say your technique is just fine. Of course a cold morning in AZ is rarely below 40.

[Chrisj CMA]

Theres nothing about the Valkyrie that makes a brief warm-up more important than any other vehicle/engine.  

I used to ground my kids from using my cars if they didnt let it idle a minute or two before taking off.  Whats a minute or two...I hold it at 1,000rpms with the choke until the rpms start to drop, release the choke and if she idles smooth on her own, them Im off.  One or two minutes tops.

I think taking off on a bone cold engine running on the choke is in the category of abuse.  Maybe Im overly cautious, but my F-150 has 200K on it runs great, our Ford Explorer has 120K runs like new, and the Valk has 110K runs like new.......something is working

[vanagon40]

. . . .  I used to ground my kids from using my cars if they didnt let it idle a minute or two before taking off. . . .
I think taking off on a bone cold engine running on the choke is in the category of abuse. . . .

But why?
If one or two minutes is good, why isn't three or four better?  Why not an hour or two (or at least until the engine reaches operating temperature)?

[Ferris Leets]

I start the bike, adjust it to run about 1K.  Then put on my helmet and gloves, by the time I reach the end of the driveway I can take the choke off and accelerate moderately up to about 60 in 4th then shift to 5th.  I don't like running under about 2700 or so, just does not feel like it is running right until you get over 2700. Feels to me like under 2700 the motor is lugging.
I don't see any advantage to letting it sit and warm up as opposed to riding gently for the first couple of miles.

[Willow]

It's my understanding that the term "warmup" is something of a misnomer.

Although bringing the engine to proper operating temperature is part of what's taking place, more important is probably properly distributing the fluids, most particularly the oil, throughout the engine before putting it under a significant load.

I don't think running an engine for several minutes is required, but I wouldn't just start and roll even on a warm day.

JMMV, or should that be JMHO?  

[Farther]

It was in the low 30's last night.  My usual routine is to shift to neutral, put the choke completly on, start the engine, put on my helmet and gloves, then pull out of the barn and when I reach the street (about 75 yards) to completely release the choke.

[Al in AK]

It's my understanding that the term "warmup" is something of a misnomer.

Although bringing the engine to proper operating temperature is part of what's taking place, more important is probably properly distributing the fluids, most particularly the oil, throughout the engine before putting it under a significant load.

I don't think running an engine for several minutes is required, but I wouldn't just start and roll even on a warm day.

JMMV, or should that be JMHO?  

Ditto...........
I just use the choke to get it started to a high idle for a few seconds and bring down to normal. I would not take off with the choke on. I have to many years on my shovel head that it loads up when the choke is on to long. Just a habit I guess.

[~ Timbrwolf]

.........just an FYI



. . ....Valk Service Manual states....leaving your choke on for longer then 45 seconds can cause irreparable, internal damage to your engine....

[fudgie]

I rarley have to use my choke with the ECT mod. I start it, put throttle lock on for a min. In the mean time I'm getting my stuff on. I'm with Chris. I was brought up to warm my vehicle up a min or two before driving. Esp in the winter. Who wants to get in a truck when its 10 deg out without heat? Now if its warm, I dont worry about it. Warm engine that is, not outside temp.

[Ricky-D]

My Valkyrie is not a good runner when cold. I mean the first couple of minutes after starting it is not running 100% and it definitely heat related.

On summer days where mornings are in the 70's and overnight it's no colder the bike runs fine right from the git-go but on the colder mornings now that we're experiencing here a couple on minutes sure smooths things out.  I aim to get the choke off as soon as the motor starts to run good which is usually sooner than a couple of minutes.

***

[Pete]

Start up with the choke, immediately begin easing the choke off, but maintain a nice even 1000 to 1200 rpm.
as soon as you can ride off easily. It may seem a little flat for a mile of so, that is ok. Give the oil time to warm up and circulate before using  a heavy throttle/high rpm. Sitting still with the choke on has two potential side effects, 1. enhances the probability that you may straw or blue the pipes, 2. rich carb mixtures (choke on) tends to reduce cylinder wall lube and can increase oil contamination with gas. Thanks Pete.