Technique: This is how you warm up your engine correctly!
There's a right and wrong way to start and warm up your dirt bike, and it's really not any harder to do it right. This time we will show you how to properly warm up your engine, whether it is a two-stroke or four-stroke, liquid-cooled or air-cooled.
What about a two-stroke?
Two-stroke engines are powerful machines and should be treated as such. They are more sensitive to improper reheating procedure. That doesn't mean they aren't reliable, because they are if you take good care of them. Routine maintenance and proper warm-up procedures are a must to keep your two-stroke running smoothly.
It certainly shouldn't be that way: Start the engine with a cold engine, and once it is running, hold the throttle wide open for several seconds until it is relatively warm. After the rider has opened the throttle until the engine no longer smokes, the lever is in gear and then the gas is applied. What you probably don't realize is that the piston has to heat up and expand to the size of the cylinder bore. All metals expand at least to some extent when they heat up. If a part expands too quickly (by keeping the speed very high during the first start) it can cause a seizure. This can be either a crankshaft bearing or a piston. In addition, the parts wear out prematurely. In both cases, the repair will take a big chunk out of your budget.
That's how it should be: Before you even touch the throttle, shake the gas tank so that the two-stroke oil and gasoline are thoroughly mixed. Turn the engine over a few times with the thrill of making sure it has adequate lubrication. Without touching the gas or giving it much gas, give the engine a good kick to start it up. Leave the choke on for 30 seconds after starting. During this time DO NOT touch the throttle, let the engine warm up on its own. Depending on the temperature, you should let your dirt bike idle for 1-3 minutes. After this time, give it a little gas. If the engine does not start properly, it is not yet warm. After a few minutes of warming up, you can enter the circuit with your machine. Drive a lap with the throttle half open and certainly do not reach the highest speed yet. After a round your machine is properly warmed up and you can finally go wild.
What about a four-stroke?
Four-strokes do not require as much warm-up time as a two-stroke. This is because four-stroke engines operate at a higher operating temperature. The method is the same as with a two-stroke, only the warm-up time is a lot shorter. Once your engine is running smoothly and idling, you can release the choke. Now you just need to let it idle for about 30 seconds to a minute. Your machine has already reached a much higher temperature than a two-stroke. You can now enter the circuit. If you want to build in security, you can drive around at half throttle for another minute, but after that you can just let your four-stroke go.
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