I like to sit out on the bike and rev it up until the neighbors start to look out their windows. When I see the police coming down the road, I know it's warm enough, and I take off.
@@brianleeper5737 Not being able to afford an expensive life style does not make someone a part of the dregs of society. Broad generalizations almost always make the person stating them look subpar on an intellectual level.
My neighbor is really wanting one of these cause every time I hit the horn before leaving in the mornings (to let everyone know that “I’m living the Dream” I hear him yelling out a bunch of stuff about Harley Davidsons to the top of his lungs and he can hardly contain himself jumping up and down and flailing his arms all about! It’s so cute. I’ve started really holding down on it now even as I pass by his drive and wave to him to show my support.
Hi I ever 2004 Harley Davidson when I speed up to 30 to 40 miles an hour the front in aback vibrate one side pull the clutch in let the Trotter out it just go smooth what do I need
I am a pilot and Harleys are air cooled just like my airplane. I do what's called a Preflight before I even start it. After starting it has to warm up before I do a mag check. By the time I get to the runway it's been at least 5 minutes. Waiting a minute before running down the road on my Harley doesn't seem that long to me. Doc is always right! I also have a temp gauge oil dip stick. I can check the oil temperature at any moment.
@@VailJohnson - max power takeoff is no more than 2,700 rpm. The cylinders are very similar being air cooled aluminum fins. I climb out at about 100 so there's plenty of air cooling the cylinders. I think I'll stick with Doc`s suggestion as I'm never in a rush to get going.
I usually start my bike before putting on my gears. I let it do its things while I'm dressing up, listening to those nice twin pistons going up and down and it is a relaxing ritual.
My next door neighbor has every brand new, expensive Harley you can imagine in his fleet of 10+ bikes, and I've never heard him warm up a bike. He puts all his gear on in the garage, gets on the bike, opens the door and shoots out as fast as he can. Between startup and making it scream at 70+mph were talking less than 15-20 seconds. I swear it's like he's in a competition to see how little time he can spend between starting the bike and getting it on the byway. Every morning it just makes me wince. LOL.
I'm a 5 minute warmer-upper. I like my engine to be at 170 F before I take off. This usually takes less than 5 minutes, but I want the oil to be easily circulating before I have the parts moving. Probably way overkill, but just taking care of what I have.
the guy next door to me bought a new harley and the dealership told him to warm it up for no less then 15 mins...Haha... i am a harley mechanic for many years and i told him: no wrong more like 2 mins max... he still warms it up for 15 long ass mins... that bike must be hot as hell...
My 78 oem wife , don't warm up , don't lubercate , barely works, except for that tail pipe with no cat .wonder if local hd would take her on trade . lol 😂
This video needed to come out a long time ago. I tell oil cooled engine owners, only need a minute before riding out, if an air cooled bike doesn’t have air, it’s not keeping cool. Thanks !
When I start my Tri Glide as I did all of my other bikes, I allowed it to warm sitting for less than a min. But then my wife and I would get on the cruise through the neighborhood in second gear for about a mile never reving the engine. I do believer in warming the engine and as you say slowly.
Great to know! So glad I found your channel. We all spend a lot of money on our motorcycles. It only makes sense to take care of them so they will last a good long while.
Thanks for the info doc always great videos but I guess it all so depends on the ambient temperature.. here in Florida we are starting off at 92 degrees in the spring and summer
Yesterday, 80° in Maryland - jumped on my 02 Heritage & went flying out of my driveway down the street yippie yippie yippie so happy and then her engine died!!! I definitely need to warm her up!!! Thank you so much for the video! I’ve learned so much from you!!
Great advice Doc. I usually start my SGS then do the walk around as you described. Then I put my helmet & riding gloves on. I then sit on her, find a good playlist on the Boom II audio and take it easy for the next 10 to 15 mins. Worked hard for this baby. Definitely try and take care of her. By the way, she was dyno-tuned by another “Doc” at Doc’s Performance Tuning in Minneola, FLA.
Yeah, I start my 2017 SGS up and five minutes later after the Boom audio system syncs to my phone so I can play my tunes, then I feel the engine is warmed up enough. Ok, it's really like a minute to sync but feels like 5.
Love your videos on TH-cam, you have helped me many times. I have a question. I Purchased a 2003 FXSTD Softail Desue from a private party and he did not remember the PIN. I have tried the way you have on your videos, but nothing happens on this older Harley. Do you know how to find or change the PIN? Thanks, for your help..
You really had me Doc. I've own a RoadKing, & it's pretty loud. I live in a quiet neighborhood & always feel a little insensitive when I start it early. Appreciate only 15-30 seconds is necessary, & i didn't know that. THANKS for the info. You earned a new subscriber.
Yeah, been warning my 20 Heritage till the RPM's drop down to about normal while I'm getting my gear on. Probably a wee bit too long, especially with my new shift, gotta leave the house at 0200.
Thank you, so important. Telling my friends for years, maybe they will listen to you. I Always get the highest mileage in our group from my motorcycle because of warming it up.
I do the same on my 2015 883. I like the control at lower RPM for start off rather then at 1400 -1500 rpm. I have a loose sand 1/4th mile long driveway and it's best to do at lower idle power and speed.
I had an acquaintance warm his Softail up until it was no longer running. Summer morning. Warm weather. Not good. Bike died in Colorado on a trip. Always remember and think how many times did this guy do that?
Well Doc glad to see everyone agrees with you. I’ve been jumping on my FatBoy starting it up and running fairly hard down the road. I’ve been running it that way for 24 years. Cammed, screaming beagle heads and a Bob Woods carb. Still runs pretty strong. 1999 to 2023. Isn’t that 24 years of not letting it warm up?? I put on around 25K a year on my Harley, I also put around 20k on my Hayabusa.
And a cold seize is when you rev the shit out of it before it’s properly warmed up for a few seconds if the ambient temperatures are decent. Then off ya go
I have only owned EVOs. But the rule I follow is to warm the engine until I feel heat permeate up through the rear rocker box. Not necessarily when the top of the box is hot, but until I feel heat coming up through the cover layers. Then I go easy for a couple miles. Sometimes this is quick, sometimes not. I have ridden in below 0F and it takes a few minutes. I will also occasionally put a space heater under the primary blowing under the trans and oil pan for just a few minutes before I start the engine. So far, I've bought 2 EVOs with rocker box, head, or base gasket leaks and after fixing, none of the leaks returned.
I replaced the ambient temperature gauge in my fairing with one that shows the oil temp. If I am able to stay moving which is most of the time my oil temp stays around 180F. What amazes me is how fast the oil temp raises during just one long set of lights. I've seen it jump an easy 30 degrees or more in a minute or two. FYI... My engine, exhaust, and dyno tune are not stock.
I allow mine to warm up till the back head is very warm to the touch of my back fingers. You are allowing Engine temp and oil temp to rise. It’s a relatively thick oil and it’s not hurting to allow getting hot before running down the road.
It takes about a minute for me to get out of the garage and pointed in the right direction. Then another minute to get out the gate going down the road. Maybe another 10 minutes or more to get to the highway. Then on the highway I open up and get going up around 70, and this is routine, even for a trip to the grocery store. By the time I get home the engine has warmed up to normal range. No short tripping.
2014 XL883L, V&H's mufflers. If I let my bike idle for 15 seconds after start-up my neighbors would go crazy. (04:30) When I start the engine cold the idle speed is around 2,000 RPM so I have it in gear and once the engine starts I take right off. I do not touch the throttle until 3 to 4 minutes after the bike is running and then I may go up to 3,000 RPM once I'm on the main street. I've lost 1 rocker arm bushing in 40,000 miles. Good video, keep it up.
Good advice Doc. Most old school peeps want to let it run for 3-5 minutes to warm. This is a fallacy because you can cause more wear and tear running without light load because the moving parts are starved of lubricant. I start and go immediately which is about 5-15 seconds, the time it takes to put my gloves on. I do go real light on the throttle and don't go past 2k rpm until 10 minutes into the ride. As for changing the oil while warm, it's only true if you bring it to the shop. At home, I can let it drain for 4 + hours. The contaminants are in the oil so there's no need for it to be suspended. It collects into the pan and most of the oil has dripped down away from the upper areas which is not necessarily true if you start the bike and let it warm.
Eh old school we had to let it warm for a few minutes. Evo's and older would pop seals and get leaks like mad if you didn't let everything warm up and expand first. My 98 Evo is what, 25 years old and still doesn't leak a drop and I warm her up first every time.
Listen to your Doctor? Absolutely. Listen to Doc Harley? Hell YES! He should be a radio broadcaster. Speaks with authority and confidence. Be smart, do what smart people do.
Thank you very informative I usually let my bike run for a couple of minutes and then ride it nice and easy for a while I have a temperature gauge in the oil and it regularly reads 202-210 here in Florida nice to know that that is where it's supposed to run
Thanks Doc, I have always let my bike drop back to idle from the higher idling cold start. Is that waiting to long. I also find it doesn't clunk into gear once the idle has dropped back.
Thank you, Doc. Great video. Great tips. On warm days, I take about a minute before riding and do the checks you suggested. On winter, I give it more time. Usually, the motorcycle fast idle is an indication of when the bike is ready to ride.
I got to warm my bike up for a couple minutes before I take off or it will run weird little cut out/back fire sound in low rpms when I hit the accelerator. I’m sure My neighbors hate me now cause of the thunder header and it being 6:45 in the morning but hey I got to get to work too.
I see so many people (I'll leave out the expletive) that jump on their Harley and fire it up and rev it as loud as they can and then take off like a bat out of hell. And ppl wonder why Harleys break down alot.
I was under the impression the 30 seconds was to make sure oil is getting all around the engine I don't think getting oil oil temp up was their main concern when they wrote that manual... The taking it easy at first is a good idea though..
Hey doc you should be working as a radio host or recording commercials what r u doing working at Harley l!!! But anyways great video I’m new to riding just got me a 2010 street glide n don’t know much about it but learning as I’m going
I pre flight check all systems before starting engine. Allow for time to operate without choke for carburetor machines or till ECM idles down on fuel injection machines. Ride very moderate until all systems indicate go condition. Tires when cold offer less traction. The machine tells me when she’s ready for action.
How long do you recommend letting an Evo warm up (1998 fxdl)? I always let it warm up, but waiting until the rocker box gets warm to the touch, like so many say to do, seems to take forever
I have had my 86 FLT since new with the 80 cube evolution and I use the cylinder jug fins to tell when it's warm enough by holding my hand on them then ride it easy for the first couple of miles and have had no problems with it at all ! The Evolution is known to blow head gaskets if you get on them real hard when cold just had a buddy who has a 96 Wide glide Evo that had blown a head gasket because he was the kind of guy who wouldn't let it warm up good before riding , that and his CV carburetor intake seals were leaking so it was running lean and cold blooded so he would take off hard on it to try to get it warmed up and to over come the hesitation of the leaned out fuel mix from the leaking intake seals , I told him fix the intake seals go through and rebuild the carburetor and let it warm up good and you shouldn't have any problems but he didn't listen and ended up paying a guy 1,000 plus tax to put head gaskets in it rebuild the carburetor and new intake seals lol , I told him I would have done it for a couple of cases of beer being I was a mechanic for 30 years but his statement was I wasn't a certified HD mechanic lol yet in the 30 years I worked on classic, muscle , drag cars , trucks and bikes snowmobiles anything that has a engine on it I probably have rebuilt more engines than a HD mechanic will ever do in his life time as a HD mechanic I told him but he wouldn't listen but then again he isn't mechanical at all or has he had his bike all that long or has he had many motorcycles like I have had through the years so is brain washed thinking to work on a HD you have to be certified lol. Infact I just did a top end performance job and cam change on a friend of his Twin cam and it runs strong lol .
I've got my dad's 1994 Sportster 1200. It's carbureted, so I have to hold the choke for a couple minutes and let it warm up. Otherwise, it's going to be a rough ride for a while until it does warm up.
Doc. I have a 2022 Tri Glide Ultra that I would like to get a temperature sensor dipstick for. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks for your great videos!!!
Thanks for the info. I'm an new Harley owner and was told to let it warm up for 10 to 15 minutes. I've always thought it to be too long but hey as a new owner I listened . I'm thinking a couple of minutes or so while I put on my gear and open the garage do is good.
10-15 minutes is way too long. Way too long. If the bike is fuel injected, you don't need to wait. Why would you wait for a Fuel injected bike the same way you would for a carbureted bike even though they're completely different fuel and air delivery operating systems?
@@CenobiteBeldar I was told to wait 10-15 minutes, I didn't say I waited that long. I usually wait just long enough to as long as it takes me to put on my gear and check my lights etc.
@@risanch 10-15 minutes is a long time. If my car or truck sits idling that long the fuel needle will move a little. These are fuel injected engines. It doesn’t take a human guess who can’t read fuel and air measurements without a computer to warm a bike up. We’re using carburetor baseline methods. We should be able to find ways to warm vehicles up better than yesteryears. Oil a hundred years ago isn’t the same oil as today.
Hi Doc just watch your warm up video I do the same with the motorcycle I acquired late last year 1987 FLST at the end of all checks the horn is last living the dream is perfect projection of the incredible machine I'm riding cheers
When I got my '66 Chevy Biscayne with a 283 the owner's manual said that no engine warm-up was necessary. I lived in Michigan at the time where it was not unusual for morning temps to be below 0 degrees F. I raced the piss out of that car and never did it burn any oil and I never had one problem with the engine. Today's oils are much better and being a motorcycle where it is likely to be driven is warmer weather I'd say that a warm-up is not doing anything but wasting fuel.
It is my opinion you are mixing apples and oranges. You wonderful car is water/ temperature controlled. Our motors are air cooled and dependent on oil temperature…..Doc
On my shovelhead I watch the oil leak in the morning. When it starts leaking I take off like a rocket. When it doesn't leak at all, it does mean that there's no oil left, so I have to fill up. I don't control my turn lights, I don't have them. I can't hit the horn either because it felt off. Have fun. Cheers from France
This is the most important advice of all along with not riding like a crazy person. I can't remember the times I've told people to warm up their vehicles of all types before subjecting them to high load conditions. It's always said to be the manufacturer's fault when there's a cracked piston or a spun bearing but the fact is well know that owners manuals detailing proper operation often remain sealed in their plastic packages for over a decade without of course ever having been read.
I have a ‘98 Softail Custom with the CV carb. For some reason no matter what the air temperature is I always need the choke to start it. Not like hopping around town doing errands but if it sits for longer than an hour I may. Once it’s started I never leave the choke on for more than 30 seconds. But if I don’t let her warm up for at least 5 min she tends to sputter and stall. I was told by a mechanic that I should let it warm up till the little block where the rods meet the crankcase is warm to the touch. I’m wondering if that’s due to the way the original owner ‘trained’ the engine before me. I know others with similar year bikes that they only need choke in colder temps. She’s a work in progress and I’m replacing the original carb with an S&S E carb next week and having it tuned to the Vance & Hines pipes and the new cam. Hopefully that will help with the starting and warmup issue. I can’t do the walk around inspection now because I have to hold the throttle till she’s warm or she keeps stalling. At least I’m lucky enough to have nice neighbors who actually like my bike and are up and about by 6 AM as well.
Pancho planet How would you like it if I came over to your house and blasted the Marine Corps Hymn while mag dumping some 5.56 at 5 am? What? That’s just the sound of Freedom? Keeps those libtards and millennials in check. Sound dumb? Well that’s what you just sounded like. You can still be patriotic and enjoy amazing things in life (like loud American motorcycles) without being a disrespectful douche bag. -from a fellow rider and vet
Well I believe he and everyone else in a mile radius would call the police and report hearing a high powered firearm being discharged in a residential area. I think the police would take far more offense from your actions than his. I think I don’t care about your service or what motorcycle you ride, or how loud or quiet it is, because you get make your own decisions just like everybody else. Nobody is obligated to be quiet in your presence so as not to offend you in a public place. Hearing a motorcycle go by you on the road is pretty normal. Hearing a terrorist assault utilizing automatic weapons around the corner from you is apparently similar?? 🤔
Hi. I'm from Europe. I'm watching your channel. One of the best materials about Harley. That's why I wanted to find out from you what the operating temperature of the oil in Evolution should be, I use Amsoil 20/50. Thank you very much in advance. cordial greetings.
On my two M8’s I start them and wait until the idol drops to around 1100 rpm then ride it easy until I hit the freeway about a half mile away. My 18 Ultra and 19 FLHT seem to like it that way. On my 01 1200XL just wait until I can close the choke and it has a steady idol.
I let my Buell warm up till engine sounds right. There isn't a noticeable change in rpm Around 2-3 minutes in the cold 40-50 degree mornings. Maybe a minute if 80's or warmer. If I don't let it warm up it's jerky. And have an uphill stop and turn not far from home. So warming it up is more for me than engine.
That’s the only reason there was ever a need to “warm up” - carburettors and dodgy fuel control when cold. With modern injected engines, they’re good to go out of the box dead nuts cold.
Doc,I guess you can use ur tough book for finding out the correct oil temperature for road glide models, where u can select the option motorcycle condition report and click on option load once it's reaches the specific temperature it generates the complete report. hot oil level check always on jiffy stand.
I love the way you word your videos.... living the dream is exactly right! Doing what makes you happy is the way you're rewarding yourself, and fulfilling your position on God's Earth. Great tips, Thank you Sir, I appreciate it !!
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In cooler seasons I let it run long enough vertically if convienant, (not on side stand) to reach operating temperature, then ride easy for a few. In the desert, the opposite, and I try to scrub off heat befire shutting down.
On initial cold start, the ECU bumps up the idle in order to heat the exhaust catalyst as quickly as possible and minimize NOX emissions. There’s no need to wait for the bike to return to it’s normal idle before setting off. The bike only needs enough time to get a steady stream of oil to the top of the engine, which only takes a few seconds. After this you should begin riding as putting a load on the engine is what warms it up to normal operating temperature most quickly, being careful not to gun it until it’s warmed up some.
Mike, you can Also tell just by listening to the bike, the temp sensor with have the engine RPM slightly elevated while warming, much like the Enrichener used to do, if you wait for the RPM's to drop to what would be a normal idle, then you can start to put a load on the motor. Do it too soon and they come see fine Tech's like you to replace gaskets etc. and like you said while waiting for the motor to warm do a pre-ride inspection.
Its been a habit for me to always let the engine get warm before going. I also do that with my cars! Lol! I feel better when I know the oil is warm and all is running smoothly!!
Engine metal heat temperature is what heats up your oil, not the oil heating up the engine. You should let your harley warm up on a cold start just shy of two full minutes
Personally? I fart really loud before getting out of bed. Turn on the coffee pot and go take a long as piss. I wouldn't consider that warming up but you asked.
My comment is what “oil temp” did my flhtcu twin cam run best at which was 190-210deg F. That’s the oil temp my Hd ran at in 90deg F outside temps after I added an oil cooler with twin thermostatically controlled cooling fans,a small version of luv jugs cooling fans mounted to left side motor horn mount with therm control too,XIED’s to richen idle low & mid range rpm mixture,went external crankcase breather to remove extreme hot blowby gas Lauren with oil mist from engine intake. Doing all the above increased oil pressure,pressure,stopped valve train noise,stopped detonation,allowed motor to retain all the pwr/trq & crisp throttle response it had just past warmup from cold it always lost 20-30mins later after fully heating up,hot starts post fueling up were much easier/faster,less engine heat was hitting the riders too.
@@dalen.tenney5210 Ha ! Never thought of that. Not exactly ideal is it ? Thanks for the feedback. I own a '17 breakout with V+H 2-2 Big Radius. Stage one.
I always start it before backing it out, thats at least 30sec. Then it takes about 10min to get out of town, and another 10min to get to the curves. So without knowing I've been doing it right.
I tried different time cold start warm ups. 30 seconds a bit short. One full minute, followed by easy run ups for the first couple miles it seems to run smoother. Air cooled bikes really should not idle more than a stop light, but where I ride I don't see any.
Haha, mine is always a couple of minutes. I start first thing, then get my gear ready. By the time all my *$#@ is squared away, we’re ready to ride! NEVER ride a cold bike 🤘
I like to sit out on the bike and rev it up until the neighbors start to look out their windows. When I see the police coming down the road, I know it's warm enough, and I take off.
Me too😜
Funny
@@brianleeper5737 "... dregs of society..." I don't think you actually know the meaning of the words you are using.
@@theteddy1487 I expect that, in your demented world, they are the pillars of society.
@@brianleeper5737 Not being able to afford an expensive life style does not make someone a part of the dregs of society. Broad generalizations almost always make the person stating them look subpar on an intellectual level.
My neighbor is really wanting one of these cause every time I hit the horn before leaving in the mornings (to let everyone know that “I’m living the Dream” I hear him yelling out a bunch of stuff about Harley Davidsons to the top of his lungs and he can hardly contain himself jumping up and down and flailing his arms all about! It’s so cute.
I’ve started really holding down on it now even as I pass by his drive and wave to him to show my support.
Nappy Vids Lol. Thank you I needed a laugh today
Congrats on getting a new BF!
Hes flapping his arms to cool down ...obviously too hot ...
😂😂😂😂❤
Don't do that. Can't you live your dream without being the nightmare to everyone else?
I warm it up until the RPM's go down to the regular idle and while I'm putting my gear on. Then I take it easy on for the next few miles.
Hi I ever 2004 Harley Davidson when I speed up to 30 to 40 miles an hour the front in aback vibrate one side pull the clutch in let the Trotter out it just go smooth what do I need
Don’t rpm’s rise as it warms up 👀
@@blakeoneal8306 yes a little. It's normal.
@@blakeoneal8306 my choke says otherwise
Best gas for 2004 pan head road king?
When i can't keep my hand on the rear cly more than 3 to 4 seconds I'm gone it's worked for me for 45 yrs
I am a pilot and Harleys are air cooled just like my airplane. I do what's called a Preflight before I even start it. After starting it has to warm up before I do a mag check. By the time I get to the runway it's been at least 5 minutes. Waiting a minute before running down the road on my Harley doesn't seem that long to me. Doc is always right! I also have a temp gauge oil dip stick. I can check the oil temperature at any moment.
@@VailJohnson - max power takeoff is no more than 2,700 rpm. The cylinders are very similar being air cooled aluminum fins. I climb out at about 100 so there's plenty of air cooling the cylinders. I think I'll stick with Doc`s suggestion as I'm never in a rush to get going.
You think too much, Harleys and airplanes have no one single thing in common, lol
@@Alim92usamanOh but you’re wrong.
I used to put a space heater next to the ol pan in winter before starting. Sure helped ease the kicking!
I usually start my bike before putting on my gears. I let it do its things while I'm dressing up, listening to those nice twin pistons going up and down and it is a relaxing ritual.
My next door neighbor has every brand new, expensive Harley you can imagine in his fleet of 10+ bikes, and I've never heard him warm up a bike. He puts all his gear on in the garage, gets on the bike, opens the door and shoots out as fast as he can. Between startup and making it scream at 70+mph were talking less than 15-20 seconds. I swear it's like he's in a competition to see how little time he can spend between starting the bike and getting it on the byway. Every morning it just makes me wince. LOL.
I'm a 5 minute warmer-upper. I like my engine to be at 170 F before I take off. This usually takes less than 5 minutes, but I want the oil to be easily circulating before I have the parts moving. Probably way overkill, but just taking care of what I have.
😂😂😂 the trans is still cold
hi from England, ye I have an 89 xlch and thanks for the tip...oh and when I have finished with it I shall send it home.
Glad to hear from an Englishman 👍
Good to know I've been doing it right. I always let my M8 warm up a few minutes. Give it a little throttle to idle it down then ease on down the road.
the guy next door to me bought a new harley and the dealership told him to warm it up for no less then 15 mins...Haha... i am a harley mechanic for many years and i told him: no wrong more like 2 mins max... he still warms it up for 15 long ass mins... that bike must be hot as hell...
I mean to be fair, the bike is definitely up to temp 😂
I have my heated garage temperature set at 200 degrees that way I dont have to wait.
Do you live in Germany?
Too soon?
So you and Granny don't get cold!
You must have money up the Ying Yang, your gonna melt it you need them plastic parts!!!
@@randyweidner1067 I am going to go out on a limb, and say the guy was joking.
LEDGEND
Carbed 94 Fatboy, this thing takes longer than my wife to warm up.
sal lua my 92 FXR is the same, so was my 99 FXSTC. Evos are cold natured as hell.
Your doing it wrong😂
Glad my little evo isn't the only one. Man she's a loving scooter warmed up tho.... usually an hour down the road.
Sure, when you're trying to warm her up, but she warms up quickly when I show up!
My 78 oem wife , don't warm up , don't lubercate , barely works, except for that tail pipe with no cat .wonder if local hd would take her on trade . lol 😂
Not 5 not 10 not 15, Just half a minute, This is one decent doc
This video needed to come out a long time ago. I tell oil cooled engine owners, only need a minute before riding out, if an air cooled bike doesn’t have air, it’s not keeping cool. Thanks !
Been riding many many years can't believe I clicked on this video
😂😂😂😂
My 1987 FLHTC warms up while I put on my jacket, gloves, and check my hair in the mirror.
Me too
When I start my Tri Glide as I did all of my other bikes, I allowed it to warm sitting for less than a min. But then my wife and I would get on the cruise through the neighborhood in second gear for about a mile never reving the engine. I do believer in warming the engine and as you say slowly.
Great to know! So glad I found your channel. We all spend a lot of money on our motorcycles. It only makes sense to take care of them so they will last a good long while.
Thanks for the info doc always great videos but I guess it all so depends on the ambient temperature.. here in Florida we are starting off at 92 degrees in the spring and summer
I open it up down the street then stop at the stop sign and look back to see how many car alarms I've set off !
Yesterday, 80° in Maryland - jumped on my 02 Heritage & went flying out of my driveway down the street yippie yippie yippie so happy and then her engine died!!! I definitely need to warm her up!!! Thank you so much for the video! I’ve learned so much from you!!
Thanks for sharing your story...Doc
Great advice Doc. I usually start my SGS then do the walk around as you described. Then I put my helmet & riding gloves on. I then sit on her, find a good playlist on the Boom II audio and take it easy for the next 10 to 15 mins. Worked hard for this baby. Definitely try and take care of her. By the way, she was dyno-tuned by another “Doc” at Doc’s Performance Tuning in Minneola, FLA.
Yeah, I start my 2017 SGS up and five minutes later after the Boom audio system syncs to my phone so I can play my tunes, then I feel the engine is warmed up enough. Ok, it's really like a minute to sync but feels like 5.
Love your videos on TH-cam, you have helped me many times. I have a question. I Purchased a 2003 FXSTD Softail Desue from a private party and he did not remember the PIN. I have tried the way you have on your videos, but nothing happens on this older Harley. Do you know how to find or change the PIN?
Thanks, for your help..
The easiest way is take it to your dealer. he can connect, pull up the pin and install the pin you desire....Doc
You really had me Doc. I've own a RoadKing, & it's pretty loud. I live in a quiet neighborhood & always feel a little insensitive when I start it early. Appreciate only 15-30 seconds is necessary, & i didn't know that. THANKS for the info. You earned a new subscriber.
Yeah, been warning my 20 Heritage till the RPM's drop down to about normal while I'm getting my gear on. Probably a wee bit too long, especially with my new shift, gotta leave the house at 0200.
I'm in a apt with underground parking. V@H pro pipe. Feel sorry for the folks on the first floor at 5 am😬
Thank you, so important. Telling my friends for years, maybe they will listen to you. I Always get the highest mileage in our group from my motorcycle because of warming it up.
Thanks for your affirmation…..Doc
I own a 2018 Sportster 1200 Custom. Usually wait until the Idle speed drops to about 1100 or so.
I even wait till it’s normal idle. 975 to 1025
I do the same on my 2015 883. I like the control at lower RPM for start off rather then at 1400 -1500 rpm. I have a loose sand 1/4th mile long driveway and it's best to do at lower idle power and speed.
I had an acquaintance warm his Softail up until it was no longer running. Summer morning. Warm weather. Not good. Bike died in Colorado on a trip. Always remember and think how many times did this guy do that?
Thank you so much for your video, I knew that the temperature had to be in the 200's but wasn't dead on. I usually let my bike warm up for one minute.
Well Doc glad to see everyone agrees with you.
I’ve been jumping on my FatBoy starting it up and running fairly hard down the road. I’ve been running it that way for 24 years. Cammed, screaming beagle heads and a Bob Woods carb.
Still runs pretty strong.
1999 to 2023. Isn’t that 24 years of not letting it warm up??
I put on around 25K a year on my Harley, I also put around 20k on my Hayabusa.
Would you buy a lottery ticket for me you very lucky rider….Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson I’ve been riding for over 55 years. I’ve ridden all my bikes that way.
The most damage occurs at start up and from the fact the aluminum pistons expand faster than the steel cylinders they're reciprocating in
And a cold seize is when you rev the shit out of it before it’s properly warmed up for a few seconds if the ambient temperatures are decent. Then off ya go
I have only owned EVOs. But the rule I follow is to warm the engine until I feel heat permeate up through the rear rocker box. Not necessarily when the top of the box is hot, but until I feel heat coming up through the cover layers. Then I go easy for a couple miles. Sometimes this is quick, sometimes not. I have ridden in below 0F and it takes a few minutes. I will also occasionally put a space heater under the primary blowing under the trans and oil pan for just a few minutes before I start the engine.
So far, I've bought 2 EVOs with rocker box, head, or base gasket leaks and after fixing, none of the leaks returned.
Thanks for sharing SixShooter….Doc
I replaced the ambient temperature gauge in my fairing with one that shows the oil temp. If I am able to stay moving which is most of the time my oil temp stays around 180F. What amazes me is how fast the oil temp raises during just one long set of lights. I've seen it jump an easy 30 degrees or more in a minute or two. FYI... My engine, exhaust, and dyno tune are not stock.
Who did you purchase it from ?
@@Richard5873 The Harley dealer. It's an HD part and matches my gauges perfectly.
@kerrylewis2581 Thanks did not know they sold one.
Do you have any videos on checking the adjusting belt on a trike and how to adjust it
No I don’t like crawling under anything 😆…..Doc
I allow mine to warm up till the back head is very warm to the touch of my back fingers. You are allowing Engine temp and oil temp to rise. It’s a relatively thick oil and it’s not hurting to allow getting hot before running down the road.
It takes about a minute for me to get out of the garage and pointed in the right direction. Then another minute to get out the gate going down the road. Maybe another 10 minutes or more to get to the highway. Then on the highway I open up and get going up around 70, and this is routine, even for a trip to the grocery store. By the time I get home the engine has warmed up to normal range. No short tripping.
Doc
You should be hosting a moto radio show!
2014 XL883L, V&H's mufflers. If I let my bike idle for 15 seconds after start-up my neighbors would go crazy. (04:30) When I start the engine cold the idle speed is around 2,000 RPM so I have it in gear and once the engine starts I take right off. I do not touch the throttle until 3 to 4 minutes after the bike is running and then I may go up to 3,000 RPM once I'm on the main street. I've lost 1 rocker arm bushing in 40,000 miles. Good video, keep it up.
fuk the neighbors. i am not putting any load on a cold engine.
i like my stuff to last.
Good advice Doc. Most old school peeps want to let it run for 3-5 minutes to warm. This is a fallacy because you can cause more wear and tear running without light load because the moving parts are starved of lubricant. I start and go immediately which is about 5-15 seconds, the time it takes to put my gloves on. I do go real light on the throttle and don't go past 2k rpm until 10 minutes into the ride. As for changing the oil while warm, it's only true if you bring it to the shop. At home, I can let it drain for 4 + hours. The contaminants are in the oil so there's no need for it to be suspended. It collects into the pan and most of the oil has dripped down away from the upper areas which is not necessarily true if you start the bike and let it warm.
Eh old school we had to let it warm for a few minutes. Evo's and older would pop seals and get leaks like mad if you didn't let everything warm up and expand first.
My 98 Evo is what, 25 years old and still doesn't leak a drop and I warm her up first every time.
Listen to your Doctor? Absolutely. Listen to Doc Harley? Hell YES! He should be a radio broadcaster. Speaks with authority and confidence. Be smart, do what smart people do.
Thank you very informative I usually let my bike run for a couple of minutes and then ride it nice and easy for a while I have a temperature gauge in the oil and it regularly reads 202-210 here in Florida nice to know that that is where it's supposed to run
Thanks Doc, I have always let my bike drop back to idle from the higher idling cold start. Is that waiting to long. I also find it doesn't clunk into gear once the idle has dropped back.
I do the same thing....Doc
Thank you, Doc. Great video. Great tips. On warm days, I take about a minute before riding and do the checks you suggested. On winter, I give it more time. Usually, the motorcycle fast idle is an indication of when the bike is ready to ride.
What is the fast idle?
@@simplybuilt_1708 when you hear it, you’ll know ;)
I got to warm my bike up for a couple minutes before I take off or it will run weird little cut out/back fire sound in low rpms when I hit the accelerator. I’m sure My neighbors hate me now cause of the thunder header and it being 6:45 in the morning but hey I got to get to work too.
I see so many people (I'll leave out the expletive) that jump on their Harley and fire it up and rev it as loud as they can and then take off like a bat out of hell. And ppl wonder why Harleys break down alot.
yeah, nobuddy wonders why Harleys break down so often.
I will start my ride in the morning it will be in the mid 30’s, it will run for few minutes before I let the clutch out
I was under the impression the 30 seconds was to make sure oil is getting all around the engine I don't think getting oil oil temp up was their main concern when they wrote that manual... The taking it easy at first is a good idea though..
@asking Americans , tell him that he's an arrogant dip shit again
"After 30 seconds, hit the horn, let everyone know you're living the dream",..i literally laughed out loud.
Glad we could bring you a little happiness …..Doc
Hey doc you should be working as a radio host or recording commercials what r u doing working at Harley l!!! But anyways great video I’m new to riding just got me a 2010 street glide n don’t know much about it but learning as I’m going
I pre flight check all systems before starting engine. Allow for time to operate without choke for carburetor machines or till ECM idles down on fuel injection machines.
Ride very moderate until all systems indicate go condition. Tires when cold offer less traction.
The machine tells me when she’s ready for action.
Ah, A Harley Whisperer 👍…..Doc
How long do you recommend letting an Evo warm up (1998 fxdl)? I always let it warm up, but waiting until the rocker box gets warm to the touch, like so many say to do, seems to take forever
i have a 96 fxdc and a 2012 flhp i do the same thing you do.....if i cant wait i take my truck
I usually wait 3 to 4 min for my evo
I have had my 86 FLT since new with the 80 cube evolution and I use the cylinder jug fins to tell when it's warm enough by holding my hand on them then ride it easy for the first couple of miles and have had no problems with it at all ! The Evolution is known to blow head gaskets if you get on them real hard when cold just had a buddy who has a 96 Wide glide Evo that had blown a head gasket because he was the kind of guy who wouldn't let it warm up good before riding , that and his CV carburetor intake seals were leaking so it was running lean and cold blooded so he would take off hard on it to try to get it warmed up and to over come the hesitation of the leaned out fuel mix from the leaking intake seals , I told him fix the intake seals go through and rebuild the carburetor and let it warm up good and you shouldn't have any problems but he didn't listen and ended up paying a guy 1,000 plus tax to put head gaskets in it rebuild the carburetor and new intake seals lol , I told him I would have done it for a couple of cases of beer being I was a mechanic for 30 years but his statement was I wasn't a certified HD mechanic lol yet in the 30 years I worked on classic, muscle , drag cars , trucks and bikes snowmobiles anything that has a engine on it I probably have rebuilt more engines than a HD mechanic will ever do in his life time as a HD mechanic I told him but he wouldn't listen but then again he isn't mechanical at all or has he had his bike all that long or has he had many motorcycles like I have had through the years so is brain washed thinking to work on a HD you have to be certified lol. Infact I just did a top end performance job and cam change on a friend of his Twin cam and it runs strong lol .
nope, just until it can idle without the choke/ enricher pulled out.
I do the same also put my hand on the cylinder jug and see if its warm enough and go
I've got my dad's 1994 Sportster 1200. It's carbureted, so I have to hold the choke for a couple minutes and let it warm up. Otherwise, it's going to be a rough ride for a while until it does warm up.
Kasual Kaos my 2004 Sportster 1200 is the same way. when it’s 72° outside it takes about four minutes to warm up from a cold start
Got a 2001 883, takes a GOOD LONG TIME to warm up! No different on warm day!
I love my Harley DaviDson; many people love their Harley DaviDsons!
Go fuck your Harley.
@@flyingdog1498 If only people like you would say the things they say right in front of me, but they won't because they're not behind a keyboard.
@@flyingdog1498 Go ask God for forgiveness before it's too late.
@@b.chuchlucious5471 Fuck You and Fuck Your god. th-cam.com/video/6PEWkd7YyIQ/w-d-xo.html
@@flyingdog1498 Well, I guess you know what you can do to yourself at this point.
Is it OK to let them run on the kickstand
Awesome info! Great to know! I completely forgot about the 30-second warm up, I've been letting it go a minute or two.
Doc. I have a 2022 Tri Glide Ultra that I would like to get a temperature sensor dipstick for. Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks for your great videos!!!
Thanks for the info. I'm an new Harley owner and was told to let it warm up for 10 to 15 minutes. I've always thought it to be too long but hey as a new owner I listened . I'm thinking a couple of minutes or so while I put on my gear and open the garage do is good.
start it ride it...............simple cold unburnt fuel does the damage the oil is fine
10-15 minutes is way too long. Way too long. If the bike is fuel injected, you don't need to wait. Why would you wait for a Fuel injected bike the same way you would for a carbureted bike even though they're completely different fuel and air delivery operating systems?
@@CenobiteBeldar I was told to wait 10-15 minutes, I didn't say I waited that long. I usually wait just long enough to as long as it takes me to put on my gear and check my lights etc.
@@risanch 10-15 minutes is a long time. If my car or truck sits idling that long the fuel needle will move a little. These are fuel injected engines. It doesn’t take a human guess who can’t read fuel and air measurements without a computer to warm a bike up. We’re using carburetor baseline methods. We should be able to find ways to warm vehicles up better than yesteryears. Oil a hundred years ago isn’t the same oil as today.
Fuel injected? I do 30 seconds to a minute. Carb, a minute or two. A carbed Evo or older, 2 to 5 munutes.
Doc spelled out my warm up procedure at the end - start bike, circle check, ride off
I always warm my bike up at least 2 minutes. Harleys need to wake up too!
Make that 10 min of gentle riding, not 2 min of useless idling
@@bhok1971 Nah. Ya Hogg speaks to you in that 2-5 minutes of warm up. Too each it’s own……
Hi Doc just watch your warm up video I do the same with the motorcycle I acquired late last year 1987 FLST at the end of all checks the horn is last living the dream is perfect projection of the incredible machine I'm riding cheers
When I got my '66 Chevy Biscayne with a 283 the owner's manual said that no engine warm-up was necessary. I lived in Michigan at the time where it was not unusual for morning temps to be below 0 degrees F. I raced the piss out of that car and never did it burn any oil and I never had one problem with the engine. Today's oils are much better and being a motorcycle where it is likely to be driven is warmer weather I'd say that a warm-up is not doing anything but wasting fuel.
It is my opinion you are mixing apples and oranges. You wonderful car is water/ temperature controlled. Our motors are air cooled and dependent on oil temperature…..Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson This is true, an air cooled engine warms up much faster, especially if a car has a cast iron V-8 block and 6 quarts of oil.
On my shovelhead I watch the oil leak in the morning. When it starts leaking I take off like a rocket. When it doesn't leak at all, it does mean that there's no oil left, so I have to fill up. I don't control my turn lights, I don't have them. I can't hit the horn either because it felt off. Have fun. Cheers from France
LOL
Thanks doc great greatvideo yes I am living the dream!!
This is the most important advice of all along with not riding like a crazy person.
I can't remember the times I've told people to warm up their vehicles of all types before subjecting them to high load conditions.
It's always said to be the manufacturer's fault when there's a cracked piston or a spun bearing but the fact is well know that owners manuals detailing proper operation often remain sealed in their plastic packages for over a decade without of course ever having been read.
Thank you Doc
I have a ‘98 Softail Custom with the CV carb.
For some reason no matter what the air temperature is I always need the choke to start it. Not like hopping around town doing errands but if it sits for longer than an hour I may.
Once it’s started I never leave the choke on for more than 30 seconds. But if I don’t let her warm up for at least 5 min she tends to sputter and stall.
I was told by a mechanic that I should let it warm up till the little block where the rods meet the crankcase is warm to the touch.
I’m wondering if that’s due to the way the original owner ‘trained’ the engine before me.
I know others with similar year bikes that they only need choke in colder temps.
She’s a work in progress and I’m replacing the original carb with an S&S E carb next week and having it tuned to the Vance & Hines pipes and the new cam. Hopefully that will help with the starting and warmup issue.
I can’t do the walk around inspection now because I have to hold the throttle till she’s warm or she keeps stalling.
At least I’m lucky enough to have nice neighbors who actually like my bike and are up and about by 6 AM as well.
Thanks John, I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the heads up
Bike is too loud at 4:50 am to warm up longer then 15 seconds I ride very mello for the first five minutes
Dre Escamilla I do the same thing.
I don't give a hoot at 5am, that's the sound of American freedom besides it keeps the yuppies and millenials in check. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Pancho planet How would you like it if I came over to your house and blasted the Marine Corps Hymn while mag dumping some 5.56 at 5 am? What? That’s just the sound of Freedom? Keeps those libtards and millennials in check. Sound dumb? Well that’s what you just sounded like. You can still be patriotic and enjoy amazing things in life (like loud American motorcycles) without being a disrespectful douche bag.
-from a fellow rider and vet
Well I believe he and everyone else in a mile radius would call the police and report hearing a high powered firearm being discharged in a residential area. I think the police would take far more offense from your actions than his. I think I don’t care about your service or what motorcycle you ride, or how loud or quiet it is, because you get make your own decisions just like everybody else. Nobody is obligated to be quiet in your presence so as not to offend you in a public place. Hearing a motorcycle go by you on the road is pretty normal. Hearing a terrorist assault utilizing automatic weapons around the corner from you is apparently similar?? 🤔
@@jjsemperfi, that would be great, I would enjoy that immensely.
Thank you for your service.
MAGA 2020 and beyond.......
Hi. I'm from Europe. I'm watching your channel. One of the best materials about Harley. That's why I wanted to find out from you what the operating temperature of the oil in Evolution should be, I use Amsoil 20/50. Thank you very much in advance. cordial greetings.
Thank you for watching. I do not have the information you requested for Amsoil….Doc
On my two M8’s I start them and wait until the idol drops to around 1100 rpm then ride it easy until I hit the freeway about a half mile away. My 18 Ultra and 19 FLHT seem to like it that way. On my 01 1200XL just wait until
I can close the choke and it has a steady idol.
I let my Buell warm up till engine sounds right. There isn't a noticeable change in rpm Around 2-3 minutes in the cold 40-50 degree mornings. Maybe a minute if 80's or warmer. If I don't let it warm up it's jerky. And have an uphill stop and turn not far from home. So warming it up is more for me than engine.
That’s the only reason there was ever a need to “warm up” - carburettors and dodgy fuel control when cold.
With modern injected engines, they’re good to go out of the box dead nuts cold.
So put a farkin oil temp gauge on Harley FFS
Doc,I guess you can use ur tough book for finding out the correct oil temperature for road glide models, where u can select the option motorcycle condition report and click on option load once it's reaches the specific temperature it generates the complete report. hot oil level check always on jiffy stand.
I wait 30 seconds before taking off, Same in a car. Just something I was told by my father which stuck with me!
Always something to learn from Doc Harley. Thanks for all the great videos.
Thank you for your support….Doc
I love the way you word your videos.... living the dream is exactly right! Doing what makes you happy is the way you're rewarding yourself, and fulfilling your position on God's Earth. Great tips, Thank you Sir, I appreciate it !!
In cooler seasons I let it run long enough vertically if convienant, (not on side stand) to reach operating temperature, then ride easy for a few.
In the desert, the opposite, and I try to scrub off heat befire shutting down.
Normally I just turn it on and run in the morning real soft till I hit the freeway about 5 lights
On initial cold start, the ECU bumps up the idle in order to heat the exhaust catalyst as quickly as possible and minimize NOX emissions. There’s no need to wait for the bike to return to it’s normal idle before setting off. The bike only needs enough time to get a steady stream of oil to the top of the engine, which only takes a few seconds. After this you should begin riding as putting a load on the engine is what warms it up to normal operating temperature most quickly, being careful not to gun it until it’s warmed up some.
Sir you have an interesting post with experience backing it up….Doc
Doc is the best!
Always great advise and never afraid to call some of Harley’s juNk parts junk!
Keep up the good work Doc
Mike, you can Also tell just by listening to the bike, the temp sensor with have the engine RPM slightly elevated while warming, much like the Enrichener used to do, if you wait for the RPM's to drop to what would be a normal idle, then you can start to put a load on the motor. Do it too soon and they come see fine Tech's like you to replace gaskets etc. and like you said while waiting for the motor to warm do a pre-ride inspection.
Just 15-30 seconds? I always warm up my bike for about 5 mins and ride it easy for about 4-5km before riding it hard
dont........unburnt fuel in a cold engine at idle does the damage.Hop on and ride
My 96 Sportster runs great warm up 5 minutes usually 😊
Its been a habit for me to always let the engine get warm before going. I also do that with my cars! Lol! I feel better when I know the oil is warm and all is running smoothly!!
When is Harley coming out with a digital Dip-Stick for the M-8 so we can read our oil temps like our old Dyna’s ???🤷♂️🙄🤷♂️
And yet another reason why I miss my Dyna!
Engine metal heat temperature is what heats up your oil, not the oil heating up the engine. You should let your harley warm up on a cold start just shy of two full minutes
Do you hop of out bed in morning and start doing windsprints? No? Well there you go.
Personally? I fart really loud before getting out of bed. Turn on the coffee pot and go take a long as piss. I wouldn't consider that warming up but you asked.
My comment is what “oil temp” did my flhtcu twin cam run best at which was 190-210deg F.
That’s the oil temp my Hd ran at in 90deg F outside temps after I added an oil cooler with twin thermostatically controlled cooling fans,a small version of luv jugs cooling fans mounted to left side motor horn mount with therm control too,XIED’s to richen idle low & mid range rpm mixture,went external crankcase breather to remove extreme hot blowby gas Lauren with oil mist from engine intake.
Doing all the above increased oil pressure,pressure,stopped valve train noise,stopped detonation,allowed motor to retain all the pwr/trq & crisp throttle response it had just past warmup from cold it always lost 20-30mins later after fully heating up,hot starts post fueling up were much easier/faster,less engine heat was hitting the riders too.
Sounds like you could write a book on this subject….Doc
How about a gauge on the dash that tells us the temperature so we know when it is at operating temperature?!!!!
Harley rider, yes stupid Harley doesn't put a gauge
I believe Harley has an oil cap that reads your oil temp.
The oil dipstick temp gauge works if the battery is ok, but you have to get off to read it!!!!@#$%
@@dalen.tenney5210 Ha ! Never thought of that. Not exactly ideal is it ? Thanks for the feedback. I own a '17 breakout with V+H 2-2 Big Radius. Stage one.
I always start it before backing it out, thats at least 30sec. Then it takes about 10min to get out of town, and another 10min to get to the curves. So without knowing I've been doing it right.
i usually warm it up by letting the engine cool down from yesterday's riding
Youre a genius
I tried different time cold start warm ups. 30 seconds a bit short. One full minute, followed by easy run ups for the first couple miles it seems to run smoother. Air cooled bikes really should not idle more than a stop light, but where I ride I don't see any.
Start it, and straight to Braaaaaaaaaap!!! 😂🤣😂.
Haha Haha yep!
The South Park episode on Harley’s is the best true to life documentary I’ve ever seen. “Look at us everyone, braap braap braap braap!” 🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️🤣🤣🤣
One cigarette,it warm.
😂
@LowCountryHarleyDavidson. What is the optimum operating oil temperature for a 1994 Evo engine on an Electra. Glide?
I don’t know🤷♂️ I don’t look while I’m riding….just having fun…..Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Copy that sir. :):)
It’s cool that mailman knows so much about Harleys.
Awesome voice for this stuff and great video! So, would it be about 2 minutes before it hit 200 when idling then or 15 minutes of riding?
Haha, mine is always a couple of minutes. I start first thing, then get my gear ready. By the time all my *$#@ is squared away, we’re ready to ride! NEVER ride a cold bike 🤘
Does this mean I should not be using that kind of oil for my '03 Sportster because the oil temperature only gets to 185 degrees on an 85 degree day?
I am amazed a Sportster runs that cool…Doc
Start your bike, put on your jacket, helmet and gloves then go ride.
Great video, I enjoy watching your channel.
Thanks for watching Christian…..Doc