What is a Motorcycle Cold Start?

So it’s urgent, and you need to start the motorbike in the winter, and your motorbike isn’t responding and staring, so now the question arises, what is a motorcycle cold start? 

Motorcycle cold starts is it when you break the motorbike’s short winterizing period before riding the motorbike. A cold start is crucial in the winter as it can increase the motorbike oil viscosity, for proper oil circulation in the motorbike engine. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about giving the motorbike a cold start. 

What is a Motorcycle Cold Start?

It’s urgent, and you need to start the motorbike in the middle of winter, then you need to know everything about the cold start. Now interestingly, the question arises, what is a motorcycle cold start? 

Motorcycle cold start is a situation in which you break the motorbike short winterizing period before riding the motorbike with all precautions to promote better overall motorbike health for a good journey. 

However, many times riders face some problems regarding the motorbike cold start because they missed the proper storage checklist. 

Is Motorbike Cold Start Crucial? 

Indeed you need to give the motorbike a cold start before going on the long journey in the winter. Now the question arises, is a motorbike cold start crucial?

A motorbike cold start is crucial before going on the journey because storing the motorbike can increase the motorbike oil viscosity, which restricts proper oil circulation in the motorbike engine. 

In the motorbike cold start, you’ve to ignite the motorbike engine, which starts to heat the motorbike engine (also oil), which decreases the viscosity, aka oil thickness, promoting better oil flow. 

Even sometimes, the motorbike oil starts to settle down in the motorbike engine, only small traces of oil are left behind on the motorbike piston, which isn’t enough to lubricate the engine effectively; thus, it’s better to give a motorbike a cold start. 

Why Riders Faced Problems in Motorcycle Cold Start?

So far, you understand that starting the motorbike in the cold weather may show problems; now the question arises, why do riders face issues in a cold start? 

Problems in motorbike cold starts can be caused by several issues, including battery problems, motorbike gas problems, faulty fuel lines, and blocked fuel lines. 

Whatever the reason is, you can protect the motorbike from these conditions by storing the motorbike with some precautions. 

Is it Bad to Start a Motorbike in Winter? 

Indeed there are some factors which you need to consider while storing the motorbike so that it doesn’t cause any problem in starting the motorbike. Now the question arises, is it wrong to start the motorbike in winter? 

Winter storage doesn’t mean you can’t ride the motorbike in the winter, even if it’s highly urgent. By storing the motorbike while considering factors that are going to protect the motorbike, you can ride the motorbike anytime in the middle of winter by paying attention to your own safety. 

Riding a motorbike in the middle of winter is only bad if you don’t pay special attention to your own safety and motorbike health conditions, which can severely impact your motorbike riding experience. 

Is Battery the Reason Behind the Problem in Motorbike Cold Start? 

So far you understand that it’s not bad at all to start the motorbike in winter, now the question arises, is the battery the reason behind the problem in motorbike cold start? 

The battery could be the main problem behind the motorbike’s cold start because if you don’t connect the motorbike battery with the motorbike battery maintainer before storing the motorbike, then the battery would be dead. 

Unfortunately, if your motorbike battery health isn’t good, several problems could also occur in the future. 

Is Fuel Lines the Reason Behind the Problem in Motorbike Cold Start? 

Indeed the battery could be the main reason behind the problem in cold motorbike starts. Now the interesting question arises: can fuel lines be the other reason behind the problem in motorbike cold start? 

While storing the motorbike for the winter, you may forget to insert the antifreeze fluid in the motorbike gas tank, and this mistake could impact the motorbike’s health badly. 

In the motorbike gas, there’s a trace of water and ethanol, which start to form ice crystals while storing the motorbike below 32℉. Once the ice crystals form, there will be a choke in the motorbike fuel lines, which restricts the proper flow of gas in the engine. 

How Motorbike Carburetors Arise Problems in Motorbike Cold Start? 

So far, you understand how ice crystals formed in the motorbike gas tank could cause difficulty in cold motorbike starts. Now the question arises; why do some riders prefer to pay special attention to the motorbike carburetor and how it can cause problems in cold motorbike starts? 

The carburetor in the motorbike is the device that promotes good air and fuel mixture to ignite the motorbike engine efficiently. 

Motorbikes with the EFI system are totally computerized, which somehow manage the way to promote a better air and fuel mixture. But with the traditional motorcycle or motorbike with the carburetor, the carburetor finds difficulties in mixing the air and fuel mixture effectively. 

Suppose your motorbike is showing the same problem, then it’s better to choke the motorbike engine with the motorbike choke lever. Hence, it cuts the airflow to the carburetor to provide a better air-fuel mixture. 

If the problem persists, it’s better to show the motorbike to the technician. 

What’s too Cold to Ride a Motorcycle? 

Indeed riding a motorcycle can be dangerous, especially if it’s winter around the corner. Now, the question arises, what’s too cold to ride a motorcycle? 

Riders don’t prefer riding motorcycles below 32℉ because of low visibility; also, your motorbike parts start to show problems if you don’t pay special attention to them in winter. 

If it’s not urgent, you should also avoid riding the motorbike below 32℉ for the sake of your safety and the motorbike’s proper functionalities. 

What Happens if You Ride a Motorcycle in Winter? 

So far, you understand that you shouldn’t ride a motorcycle in winter when the temperature hits 32℉; now the question arises, what happens if you ride a motorcycle in winter? 

There’s no harm in riding the motorbike at 32℉ in the winter; however, you will face some problems like low motorbike efficiency ratio if you don’t warm up the motorbike properly, low vision, and possibly ice crystal formations in fuel lines, and gas tank. 

You can avoid all problems, excluding low vision, while riding the motorbike in the winter, and that’s why experts recommend avoiding riding the motorbike in the winter.

Also, read my previous post where I discussed how cold is too cold for the motorbike and what some steps you can take to make your motorbike journey better, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

What is a motorcycle cold start? Motorcycle cold starts when you break the motorbike’s short winterizing period before riding the motorbike. A cold start is crucial in the winter. It can increase the motorbike oil viscosity, which restricts proper oil circulation in the motorbike engine. 

Battery, motorbike fuel lines, and carburetor can be possible faulty motorbike parts. You’re finding difficulty in motorbike cold start. Suppose you have problems with these motorbike parts. In that case, it’s better to go to a technician to make the motorbike in better condition.