Legnth of ride-harm or not?

[Bulldog03]

I was reading an old thread on another forum and they say that if you don't ride you bike for long runs and only for short groceries, bar runs, etc. that it does some harm, where the engine doesn't get hot enough to burn the moisture that builds up, mixes with the oil, forms on the wall cylinders and whatnot... any truth to this?
Is there a certain time limit to run the bike where you don't cross this condition? now what no joy rides..
I didn't make this up so don't jack me it was on a Harley forum...

 

[narow37]

I've heard that too but, it was from a motorcycle tech when I was still riding my sport bike.

 

[BigDogBro1]

I would think that 10 minutes should be plenty of DRIVE time to get the oil to a high enough temp to burn off the moisture.

 

[CCRainman]

There is some truth in the matter. You should run the bike a least 20 minute after the first start up to charge the battery and the bike will take a least 15 minutes for the oil to get to operating temps.

 

[Fibersnake]

There is some truth in it. The engine is like a living being and it will breath in and out as it goes through temparture changes. Part of that will be drawing in air as it cools which will have some moisture in it. That moisture will condense and mix with the oils and what not.

When you run it, it takes some time for the any condensation to evaporate and discharge to the atomosphere. If one allows the oil to sit for prolonged periods of time, that moisture along with other items can cause some minor issues. Nothing to really worry about for most, but the best thing to do is allow it to run for sufficient time to allow all the moisture to disipate, the metals to expanded and contract and steady out and the battery to charge and everything to settled into it normal mode.


Also any unburnt fuel will wash down and mix with the oils and increase the acidity and detoriate the oils qualities. With a spark ignited engine and good tuning, not as much an issue as say with a diesel, but still can be a factor.

Best is to run it for a little while verse short little hops. Also with prolonged down periods, it is best to change the oil to clean before sitting it up which will increase the longivity of the engine and some of it componets.

Sort of like the old body, you get up in the morning, but for many of us, it takes a little while after getting the joints moving before we are up to full par.

 

[Lone Dog]

Plus the owners manual tells us to let 'em run for about 5 minutes before taking off. Yes, i read the directions.