Why modern motorcycles don’t need to be warmed up
Old motorcycles, especially those equipped with carburetors, needed to be warmed up in winter. These carburetor-equipped models atomize gasoline and mix it with air to create a mixture, which is then sent to the engine. However, when the gasoline is cold in winter, atomization does not work properly, causing the engine to stall. It was also said that suddenly increasing the rotation speed of a cold engine could cause a malfunction.
Old motorcycles, especially those equipped with carburetors, required warm-up driving in winter.
However, it is said that modern motorcycles do not require engine warm-up. There are various theories as to why this is the case, but one example is that the precision of engine parts has improved, so the engine is less likely to break down even if it is run when it is relatively cold.
In addition, fuel injection has become the norm, and the amount of fuel injected and the timing of ignition can be controlled electronically, making it less likely for the engine to stall.
In addition, it is said that the performance of engine oil has been improved, making it easier to start the engine even in cold temperatures.
As proof of this, even the instruction manuals for modern motorcycles, or so-called owner’s manuals, do not include any instructions to the effect of “Please warm up the engine before riding.” On the contrary, they sometimes say things like, “It’s better not to warm up the engine for long periods of time.” This is because leaving the engine running for long periods of time to warm up can cause a nuisance to neighbors due to the exhaust noise and fumes.
Also, idling for long periods of time or revving the accelerator to warm up the engine quickly is strictly prohibited. Not only are they a nuisance to those around you, but they can also have a negative impact on the motorcycle engine, so be careful.
Modern bikes, even those with old-fashioned air-cooled engines, don’t need to be warmed up (the photo shows a Kawasaki Meguro S1, a 232cc air-cooled single-cylinder).
It is recommended to start driving slowly
However, even though the latest motorcycles do not require engine warm-up, it is still not a good idea to suddenly accelerate immediately after starting.
Of course, this will almost never cause the engine to break down immediately, but especially in the cold winter, it is easier to stabilize the idle even in an injection vehicle if you wait 5 to 10 seconds after starting before starting to drive.
Furthermore, especially on midwinter mornings, it is a good idea to consciously “run slowly” for about 5 to 10 minutes after you start running.
First, cold tires have difficulty gripping even on dry roads, so if you suddenly start driving hard, you increase the risk of slipping and falling.
In winter, it is better to drive slowly at first to warm up the tires.
Also, in winter, even if the road surface has frozen overnight, there are places where it is hard to tell at first glance. If you accidentally drive on such a spot, you could fall and have a serious accident. For this reason, it is important to drive carefully and slowly.
Also, driving slowly at first will allow the transmission to warm up. Depending on the model, the shifting feeling may be a little stiff when the transmission is cold.
For example, this is the case with my beloved Honda CBR650R (early 2020 model).
The author’s beloved Honda CBR650R (early 2020 model)
For a while after starting the engine, especially when shifting up from 1st to 2nd gear, there is a tendency for it to feel a bit sluggish. Therefore, drive slowly while carefully changing gears and operating the clutch. Then, as the engine warms up, the shifting feel gradually becomes smoother.
When the engine is cold, there is a tendency for the car to feel a bit sluggish when shifting up from 1st to 2nd gear.
Of course, these tendencies vary not only between car models, but also between individual models of the same car, so it’s difficult to generalize. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these cases do exist, and to drive with care to ensure your car is in good hands.
Keeps your beloved bike in good condition for a long time and is gentle on the rider
In addition, starting off slowly is also gentler on the drive chain and bearings, as the lubricants such as grease and oil that you apply will gradually warm up from a cold state and become more accustomed to the material.
Starting off slowly is gentler on the drive chain and other parts.
Furthermore, the rubber parts used in various parts, such as the front fork, become hard when it is cold, so riding hard while the bike is cold can shorten its lifespan.
In particular, if you have been riding a bike for several years, the rubber parts may have deteriorated, so you should be careful. These considerations will ultimately help you keep your bike in good condition for a long time.
The rubber parts used in various parts, such as the front fork, become hard in the cold, so warming up the bike during riding will help them last longer (photo shows a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR).
As such, it is recommended to start off by driving slowly to warm up, especially in winter. Of course, this is not limited to winter. Immediately after starting the engine, it is recommended to drive as gently as possible to your car, and then gradually increase the pace, which is recommended all year round.
Even in summer, for example, early in the morning, the tires will be cold before you start driving. Although it is not as dangerous as in winter, it is still dangerous to suddenly start driving at full throttle.
Also, this kind of warm-up driving helps to get not only your bike used to riding, but also your own body. Because a motorcycle is a vehicle that requires you to use your body movements, such as shifting your weight, it’s important to get your body and eyes used to riding. For safe and secure riding, we recommend that you start off by warming up slowly and make it a habit to do so on a regular basis.
Warming up allows the rider’s body to get used to the ride, which leads to safer riding.
