Do You Warm Up Motorcycle Engine In Winter?

Discussion in 'Triumph General Discussion' started by StephenMotoFun, Dec 15, 2025.

?
  1. Yes

    36.8%
  2. No

    63.2%
  3. It depends on the temperature

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. StephenMotoFun

    StephenMotoFun New Member

    Aug 23, 2024
    14
    3
    Los Angeles
    Hey folks — I’ve got a 2023 Triumph Tiger, and I may ride it to Salt Lake City this winter and spend some days there.
    The temperature there is much lower than in LA(where I am living)

    So, I wonder if you will warm your motorcycle in winter/cold weather?

    I’ve heard mixed advice about letting the engine idle before riding in cold weather. Some say it’s essential, others say just start and go.

    I also searched on the internet and read some articles. For example, in this article:
    Do I Need to Warm Up Motorcycle Engine in Winter?

    It introduced how to warm up the engine and some tips to follow.

    But I am not sure if it is suitable for the temperature/weather in Salt Lake City?

    What do you Triumph riders do? How long do you warm up your bike on chilly mornings and why? I want to make sure I’m not hurting the engine or wasting fuel. Thanks in advance!
     
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  2. Boothman

    Boothman Elite Member

    Jul 26, 2023
    1,046
    800
    Wigan
    Start the bike, put my helmet then gloves on, a quick pat of the pockets to confirm I have my wallet and phone with me. Get on the bike and set off. That applies be it spring, summer, autumn or winter.
     
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  3. littleade

    littleade The only sane one here
    Subscriber

    Mar 17, 2015
    340
    1,000
    Worcestershire
    I start the engine, put on my helmet and gloves so the oil has time to get pumped round the bike and ride off, treating the bike like I did during the running in period until it's fully warmed up. The bike's high operating temp and combustion temperatures in the thousands of degrees, so the outside temperature isn't going to make much difference to bike apart from taking slightly longer to warm up because of the colder air going through the radiator, but the thermostat is there to manage that.
     
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  4. Jon Steele

    Jon Steele New Member

    Oct 6, 2025
    21
    3
    Elland
    I allow it to warm up in all weathers. But only whilst I'm getting helmet and gloves on etc. Then I just ride gently for 5 mins or so.
     
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  5. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
    Subscriber

    Oct 28, 2020
    4,610
    1,000
    AUSTRIA
    I start in the same procedure of the pre-writers in this thread.
    Afterwards I ride it in a smooth way for about 5 to 10 kilometres. That's my way.;)
     
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  6. joe mc donald

    Subscriber

    Dec 26, 2014
    15,691
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    Same here. Start the bike leave idling whilst i put my hat on and gloves then of i go.
     
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  7. SeanSE

    SeanSE New Member

    Mar 19, 2025
    6
    3
    Hanover
    The key thing is to allow for the oil to reach the valves and pistons, about a 30 second warmup. Then ride it easy for about 5 minutes. The summer months, 30 seconds and go!
    It's what I do right or wrong.
    The manual for the T120 says to run the engine for 5 minutes before checking the oil level. I guess that's where my thoughts go on it.
     
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  8. Iceman

    Iceman Crème de la Crème

    Apr 19, 2020
    2,900
    1,000
    Lancashire
    I always have my riding kit on, leathers, boots, helmet and gloves, then key in ignition, start and set off, ride steady until the engine temp is normal, then happy days to some spirited riding. I never leave the bike running, especially in winter when it's sitting in the garage.
     
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  9. beerkat

    beerkat First Class Member

    Aug 14, 2019
    1,045
    500
    Cheshire UK
    Modern EFI bikes don't need to be warmed up. It's perfectly ok to press the button and go. How many people warm up their car engine? Yes a bike engine reaches higher rpm than your average car but unless you scream off down the road from a standstill everything will be hunky dory by the time you reach the bypass (or whatever).

    We've all seen those idiots on Youtube who start a bike (from cold) and rev it's nuts off for the camera. Guaranteed to shorten engine life.

    On the other hand, I would allow an older carbed bike to idle for 5 minutes or so before riding.
     
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  10. johne

    johne Standing on the shoulders of dwarves.

    Jan 16, 2020
    2,479
    1,000
    Where the Wolds meet the sea
    I always give any bike of mine a minute or so to warm up from a cold start if the weather is cool. I always keep the revs down for the first mile or two also, whether its an older bike or a new one. My dear old Dad always said; by all means thrash the b****ks off your bike, but not until its warmed up. Two strokes of course are particularly prone to seizing if you give them too much stick from the get go. I was forever stripping the head and barrel off my RM125 crosser cos I was too eager to crack on.
     
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