Starting problem in cold weather
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From: Maryland
Starting problem in cold weather
I don't have a car, so my bike is my only way of getting around.
With all this cold weather I've been having to really bundle up on my rides (just did a Maryland -> Connecticut trip for the holidays. It was in the mid 20's and I got caught in the rain on one 2 hour trip... not too fun.
The problem I'm having now though, is that my bike won't start... I get that the engine is waaay below freezing and the oil is probably about the consistency of maple syrup (it's around 10 degrees F this morning), but is there any way I can get it to start in sub-freezing temperatures? different oil perhaps? I believe I'm still running the OEM Honda GN4 10W-40. I'm due for an oil change anyway... I could start it up with a jump from a car battery if I needed to, I just would have to find a friend with a car every time I need to go anywhere.
I figure there's SOMETHING I can do to get riding in the cold.
With all this cold weather I've been having to really bundle up on my rides (just did a Maryland -> Connecticut trip for the holidays. It was in the mid 20's and I got caught in the rain on one 2 hour trip... not too fun.
The problem I'm having now though, is that my bike won't start... I get that the engine is waaay below freezing and the oil is probably about the consistency of maple syrup (it's around 10 degrees F this morning), but is there any way I can get it to start in sub-freezing temperatures? different oil perhaps? I believe I'm still running the OEM Honda GN4 10W-40. I'm due for an oil change anyway... I could start it up with a jump from a car battery if I needed to, I just would have to find a friend with a car every time I need to go anywhere.
I figure there's SOMETHING I can do to get riding in the cold.
Senior Member & Lord of The Man Cave
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: St. Louis, MO
There are a few things you can do to help the bike in cold weather. For the thick oil problem, you might try using a synthetic, at least during the winter months. Also, 10W-30 instead of 10W-40 when it's really cold.
Keeping the battery on a trickle charger when you're done riding for the day will help with keeping the battery fully charged and plenty of cranking power. You don't have to remove the battery, just connect a pigtail quick disconnect to the terminals and route it under the passenger seat or somewhere you can easily get to it. A Battery Tender Jr is less than $20 if you do a bit of Google searching. It includes the battery pigtail.
Put some Heet or other type of water displacer in your fuel tank now and then. Years ago I had a 500cc enduro that I rode to work in all kinds of weather. One time it stopped on me because ice had clogged the fuel line due to water being in the system. Heet fixed that.
Thermal long johns underneath everything else work great for keeping you warm. I used to have a skin diving wetsuit that I'd wear under everything on really cold days. It didn't do much for my toes or fingers but everything else was fairly warm.
One thing I forgot as I reread your message, if you jump start your bike from a car battery be SURE that the car is NOT running or it can fry your bike's electronics due to the high amp output of the car's charging system.
Keeping the battery on a trickle charger when you're done riding for the day will help with keeping the battery fully charged and plenty of cranking power. You don't have to remove the battery, just connect a pigtail quick disconnect to the terminals and route it under the passenger seat or somewhere you can easily get to it. A Battery Tender Jr is less than $20 if you do a bit of Google searching. It includes the battery pigtail.
Put some Heet or other type of water displacer in your fuel tank now and then. Years ago I had a 500cc enduro that I rode to work in all kinds of weather. One time it stopped on me because ice had clogged the fuel line due to water being in the system. Heet fixed that.
Thermal long johns underneath everything else work great for keeping you warm. I used to have a skin diving wetsuit that I'd wear under everything on really cold days. It didn't do much for my toes or fingers but everything else was fairly warm.
One thing I forgot as I reread your message, if you jump start your bike from a car battery be SURE that the car is NOT running or it can fry your bike's electronics due to the high amp output of the car's charging system.
Last edited by RoadiJeff; Jan 7, 2014 at 11:33 AM.
Retired Super Moderator and Fighterer
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Ok - as far as oil is concerned. If you're going to be in the REALLY cold weather, run a 5w-40 oil. The FIRST number in the oil combo is the cold temp viscosity. The last number is the running temp viscosity. So, instead of a 10w40, try a 5w40, so that when you crank the bike when it's cold, that oil is thinner. However, when you're up to temp, you're still getting the right amount of lubrication.
Go with Rotella t6 5w40. A)It's a synthetic B) Its dirt cheap (under $25/gallon) at Walmart.
Make sure your bike's battery is fully charged - a really cold overnight can take a lot of charge out of an older battery and make it very hard to crank a bike. Also, when it's this cold out, even though you haven't winterized the bike (storing fuel in the tank), I'd run some Seafoam in every tank during the really cold months because of condensation. It'll help battle that.
Go with Rotella t6 5w40. A)It's a synthetic B) Its dirt cheap (under $25/gallon) at Walmart.
Make sure your bike's battery is fully charged - a really cold overnight can take a lot of charge out of an older battery and make it very hard to crank a bike. Also, when it's this cold out, even though you haven't winterized the bike (storing fuel in the tank), I'd run some Seafoam in every tank during the really cold months because of condensation. It'll help battle that.
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