Starting the motor in cold weather

flynford · flynford's Garage

Hi,
I was recently on a trip in the high desert, noticed that in the early AM, it is cold (e.g. cold to me

), mid-40f, the bike turns over noticeably slower, but starts. I also panicked because I recently had another Boxer bike that started slow and after a few starts I got the clicks. These gel batteries give very little warning and so I replaced my battery in the local BMW parking lot. The next morning still slow but noticeably better.

Is there any known issue or is it just the nature of the beast with these R bikes? Warm weather it is fine. I have to be some where it is much colder than 40f, am I going to have to bump start this thing??

Thanks in advance,
Victor

04 - R1100S
04 - R1150RT

Deans BMW · 03-31-2009, 05:44 PM

Victor, not that I am aware of, the bike does crank slower in cool or cold weather, I just took a 3,000 mile trip to east Texas and Back on my 03 CLC in temps of 20's and 30's F, never any problem in starting in the morning with temps in the mid 20's. I use 20-50 Mobil 1 synthetic all year long in all my bikes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flynford

Hi,
I was recently on a trip in the high desert, noticed that in the early AM, it is cold (e.g. cold to me

), mid-40f, the bike turns over noticeably slower, but starts. I also panicked because I recently had another Boxer bike that started slow and after a few starts I got the clicks. These gel batteries give very little warning and so I replaced my battery in the local BMW parking lot. The next morning still slow but noticeably better.

Is there any known issue or is it just the nature of the beast with these R bikes? Warm weather it is fine. I have to be some where it is much colder than 40f, am I going to have to bump start this thing??

Thanks in advance,
Victor

04 - R1100S
04 - R1150RT

wood-d · 03-31-2009, 06:04 PM

mid-40's is cold? I usually bail below 10DEGF :-o

My bike cranks slow in the cold. I always run 20W50 (dino), but this year, I changed to 10W40 (dino) in November, but I didn't notice much of a difference. My battery is approaching 4 years old, so it may be factoring in here as well. I just accept that it cranks slow. I installed a jump-start post and carry cables all the time.

phoenixtexoma · 03-31-2009, 07:11 PM

No such issues on my 03 BCP. Near-instant starting in temps as low as 17 degrees, no drop in cranking speed with my 2 yr old stock battery. My oil is 20-50 Valvoline full synthetic.

flynford · flynford's Garage

Thanks for the replies, maybe I should invest the time to get a different right switch unit, that will allow me to turn off my headlight to get the extra juice to turn things over. I use Amsoil synthetic, runs great, and my motor runs a bit cooler too.

Ciocc · Ciocc's Garage

Recent thread about this here:
Cold Starting issues

markjenn · 03-31-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flynford

Thanks for the replies, maybe I should invest the time to get a different right switch unit, that will allow me to turn off my headlight to get the extra juice to turn things over.

Could be wrong, but I believe the S already has a cutout circuit that douses the headlight during cranking, so nothing to be gained there.

It definitely turns over proportionally slower when the temp drops, especially if you leave the higher-weight oils in there. Synthetic vs. non doesn't matter in this regard - if the viscosities are the same then the resistance to turning over is the same.

So it all depends on how much slower it is turning over to know whether the battery is near the end. If the battery is more than 3 years old, I'd just replace it. If it has been subject to sitting for periods discharged, then it could be toast in less than a year.

- Mark

Bob Hancock · 03-31-2009, 09:11 PM

The R12S and K12S cut the headlight on start but I don't think my R11S's did. Might be time for a new battery. I always use cold temps as a time to listen.
Ooops. You've already replaced the battery. Maybe it needs a good installation charge?

squall_line · 03-31-2009, 09:39 PM

The '99s cut the headlight when cranking, but if they changed it for the dual-sparks, then I wouldn't know. Doubt they would do that, though. It's quite noticeable cranking in the middle of the night when you lose all of that intense white light from the HID...

FWIW, mine cranks slowly below 40*F or so, but I've gone the last two years on the same battery with it doing that. I usually put the Battery Tender on it at night when it's supposed to get below freezing, but otherwise I've never had a huge problem. Granted, the ABS freaks out on me on those cold mornings, so maybe it's time for a new battery, but I haven't gotten stranded yet, and it's never a problem in warm weather, so I haven't worried about it yet. Also haven't taken a long road trip in cold weather, either...

blutruck1 · 03-31-2009, 10:38 PM

Whenever you change a battery you need to insure that the cables are corrosion free, at BOTH ends. Doesn't take much to drop voltage/power during cranking, especially during cold/colder weather.
Wetter climates will produce more corrosion, especially if you live anywhere near an ocean, salt water is great conductor and accelerates corrosion, especially on electrical equipment and dissimilar metals.