Warning: NOOB alert.

Back in March, the following thread asked the question about the "correct" warm up procedure - with responses pretty much all over the board. Call me crazy, but it certainly seems as though we should be able to rely on something more than personal preference. Wouldn't our friends in HD engineering be able to weigh in with an informed opinion on the subject?

Here's the thread from March:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-glide-models/212133-warming-up-the-harley.html

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

I have 3 vehicles with multi port sequential fuel injection, my F-150 says to warm up 30 seconds, Geri's Saturn says the same. I start the Harley without touching the throttle as I do the other two, then put my plastic head and gloves on. I live on a dirt street so it's low gear for about 1/4 mile and then 25 mph for about one mile, so mine has plenty fo time for gentle warm up.

 

When I bought my '08 1200C the stealer told me, "These are fuel injected...no warm up, just get on and ride".

I let it sit for about a minute after starting though and take it REAL easy for the first few miles.

 

Thanks for the responses. What about non-EFI models?

 

This isn't official but, On my 02 I pull out the enricher **** crack the throttle 2X then it starts right up, if it's really cold out, I leave it out for a couple of minutes otherwise I push it in half way. I leave it half out for about 2-3 min or until it doesn't cough anymore when I push it in.

 

If I start my EFI bike when it is cold, it idles high for a couple of minutes. I figure when the idle goes down, the computer is happy, so then so am I. When it's started hot it doesn't high idle, so I just take off.

 

Ditto. I also blip the throttle a couple time to make sure it doesn't hesitate.

 

On non efi bikes, pull the choke out, blip the throttle, start it up, after about 10 or so seconds, or when it will start to take some throttle, push the choke all the way back in and use the throttle lock to hold the throttle above idle, be sure to back the throttle back down to keep the rpms around 1200 till she's warm to the touch. ( the head )holding the choke out when warming it up makes it easier to foul the plugs.

 

Doesn't matter if it's efi or carb, when I was attending MMI in Phoenix the general rule of ALL of the Harley teachers was to warm up until the heads are just warm enough that it's a little uncomfortable to touch, you don't need it to singe ya, just too warm to keep your hand on it. It won't hurt anything mechanically to start up and go, but your gaskets will last alot longer if you let it warm up before you take off. Proper warm up for a carbed bike is to pull choke out for 10-15 sec. or then just put your hand on the throttle til it'll idle by itself, then just let it warm up as described above.

 

Well, let's see. I just happen to have the old manual right here next to the computer (how sad am I?)

Outside Air Temp lower than 60 degrees F:
Enrichener fully out
15-30 second warmup at standstill
Ride for 3 minutes or 2 miles
Push enrichener halfway in
Ride for 2 minutes or 2 miles
**** in and you're off (as the old saying goes)

Outside Air Temp warmer than 60 degrees F:
Enrichener fully out
15-30 second warmup at standstill
Ride for 1 minute or 1/2 mile
Push enrichener halfway in
Ride for 1 minute or 1/2 mile
**** in and you're off (as the old saying still goes)

Seems to pretty much do the job.