Harley Davidson Road King 2007?

Question

In NJ, where it is real cold... I have my RK connected to a battery tender... Does it "help" or "hurt" to "warm up", start the bike in the garage... I'm thinking, I shouldn't because the oil is propably all drained to the bottom, every thing is very , very cold... and yet the battery is still being charged... Should I just wait till March before "hurting my baby" ? I figure in March the oil will be naturally warmer and thinner... What are your thoughts?

Please reply if you think you know the correct answer.

Answer 1

Here's the low down. Yes on the battery tender or use a regular battery charger once a month.

On the starting, you either need to run it enough to get the oil good and hot or don't run it at all. In the winter, it's sometimes hard to get an air cooled engine hot enough to vaporize out any moisture in the oil from condensation. I had an oil temp guage on my bike for years and when riding in winter, it was hard to get the oil above 145 degrees which was nowhere near hot enough. By the time spring came, the oil was milky looking from the moisture.

So set on it or polish it, but don't fire it up for a few minutes every time you turn around.

Answer 2

I also live in new jersey. And about every 3 weeks or so I like to start my bike up and take a short ride no matter how cold it is outside. I really wouldn't recommend just starting it up in the garage though. My whole process is to let it warm up for about 5 minutes in the garage then take it for a short 5-10 minute ride while constantly varying gears and rpm's, then I take it back into the garage and let the oil temp rise to about 220 degrees which is where my radiator fan comes on which a Harley wouldn't do then hold my RPM's steady at 3 grand for 10 or so seconds to let the coolant fully circulate through the engine and entire cooling system which you don't have to worry about. This is sure to burn out any old gas or condensation that might have been laying around in the fuel system or anywhere else for that matter and as long as your let your oil get good and hot (220 degrees is a good number) before shutting down you won't have to worry about condensation forming in the crankcase. And of course circulating the oil and running the older gas out of the fuel system always helps. also keep either sta-bil or dry gas in your tank during winter. I've also never needed a battery tender using this process as the engine running brings my battery right up to full charge.

Answer 3

I run an 82 FXWG. This year I have it torn down for maintenance, but in the years when it isnt, I also use a battery tender ( they turn off when they are not needed, which makes them better than a trickle charger) and every two weeks, I either take it for spin of about 10 miles ( weather permitting) or I start it in the garage and stay with it, letting it warm up for about 1/2 hour. If you reach full temp in the engine, condensation moistures will burn out, it helps keep the engine running right and it wont let the winter gremlins into the motor. PS...turn off the battery tender before starting. The only thing I would add is to change your oil in the spring before riding season starts again. Ride safe!!!!!

Answer 4

Here is the best, smartest, and easiest answer. What you need is a good pair of gloves and a warm jacket. A face shield or full face helmet will also help. DO NOT winterize your bike. You live in Jersey for crissake. You're not in Greenland. Once every two or three weeks take the Road King for a ten mile ride. You know those rare sunny days when the temperature hits 40 or so. Watch the road surface for loose gravel from the salt trucks. That ten mile ride will do the bike good and will lift your spirits too! With the wind shield on the HD, and the sun hitting and warming a good BLACK leather you'll be suprised that you can enjoy and survive the winter ride. The sun will melt the icey spots, but they'll freeze quickly as the sun gets low. So get home before then. I'm in Florida now. But I lived my entire life in Philly and south Jersey. I've been a rider since 1966 and have always practiced what I preach in this answer.

Answer 5

I have no scientific data to back this,it's just what I've always been told.

The bad part of leaving the bike sit is that the oil that would hang on the cylinder walls,valve guides,lifters etc.will travel to the lowest point leaving unlubricated portions of the mechanics.
In that same way, seals and gaskets that are usually wet, will end up 1/2 wet and 1/2 dry depending on oil levels.
Additionally the same old fuel sitting in the line and injectors for a few months is not a good idea.
At very least, fire it up and run it 3-5 mins, every few weeks,but even better, if you get a clear day take it out for a 1/2 hour.

Answer 6

A battery tender is a very good idea. It keeps the battery charged. Another thing to not forget is gas stablizer. It keeps the fuel fresh for next year.

Answer 7

i'm in eastern washington and we get real winters here too. i dont even use a tender. never have. i go out and start my bike once a week and let it run til the rocker covers are good and warm, then i shut it down. i've been doing this for years and have had no problem at all. your results may vary.

Answer 8

You did put fresh oil in before storage right? I would worry that short warm-ups would tend to dirty your nice clean oil a bit and may cause a bit of condensation which would not be good. Just leave well enough alone.

If you are bored why not put a nice quiet muffler on the thing. Loud *** hogs, like teenyboppers who listen to rap as their car rattles is not necessarily music to the ears of everyone involved.

Answer 9

ship itto Florida for the winter I can ride it an keep the oil flowing for you

Answer 10

Park the damn thing in your living room and stop worrying about.