The CRF1000L Africa Twin problem thread

"...daily warm up."

Until I put gloves, zip my jacket, helmet, put stuff in the topcase or panniers and close the garage... warm-up is done. Not an issue with me ; most (if not all!) of the riders I know do the same routine. If engine is already warm, I obviously turn the throttle and go. It's maybe why my bikes have always been without issue... who knows! :)

Edit : and during the few miles, I take it easy also (transmission, brakes, tires).

After you wake up, if you decide to go running... would you warm up your muscles ? I would...

Oil level check procedure : have you read Honda's suggestion ? Why do you think there is such a procedure requiring to let the engine idle for 3 to 5 minutes, turn off the engine and wait 3 minutes... ?

Well... let me trust my common sense . In the morning, after the 3rd bar appears on the engine T° gauge, I go. And until I go, I'm busy usually.

If my routine would harm vehicles, I would know it.

The 3 links provided about warming up engines only take cars into consideration. A motorbike engine is a very different thing in that the engine oil is also the gearbox and clutch oil and only designed to operated at engine running temperatures. A car has a dry clutch and separate gearbox oil. you cant compare them.

Twinrider is correct. Just need time to get the oil pressure up, then ride or drive.

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And I guess that is why the DCT clutch doesn't work when the engine and oil is too cold?

I can definitely feel the difference in clutch operation between a cold and a hot engine. Mostly I don't bother too much, but at temperatures under 10C, I let the engine idle first to get a bit of heat in the oil and the clutch. And at temperatures under 0C, I make sure it is properly heated.

I have heard various theories on this subject. The general one seems to be start it and ride. Personally I start it, let it run for about 30 seconds and then get underway. However I do not load the motor much on the road until I see the coolant is up to temperature. Even then I generally take it easy for a few miles, especially in colder weather.

The normal engine operating T° show 3 bars. Why one thinks it is fine to go before the engine is at this operational T° or even states IT IS BETTER to turn ignition on wait a few seconds and go ? (I'm talking about a daily cold start).
The oil level check procedure in itself gives some clue also.

Up to anyone to do what they think is appropriate. I'm happy to change what I do wrong when I'm wrong... but prove it. Random articles talking about cars found on the internet won't convince. Read oil level check procedure, meditate.

Not a hassle being busy while the engine is idling anyway. Well... sorry about having brought this controversial subject to this thread! :)

It would be bad if I was hearing the fans running like crazy or when one stops the ignition with the fans running like crazy. Let the engine to reach it's normal operating T° before soliciting it normally won't cause harm, but the contrary. At least, this is the silly thing I believe. :)

Same with underreving the engine, I don't, never (no D mode for me). Old habits are hard to loose. Not an issue when they are not too bad!

That is exactly what you're supposed to do according to what I've read about modern engines. This article gives a good explanation of why.

One aspect of engine operation we frequently see mismanaged is warm-up. The proper way to warm up a motorcycle is to ride it as soon as it will respond to throttle without dying. This allows everything to warm evenly with air flowing across it as the designers intended.

If you leave your motorcycle sitting on its sidestand you invite several kinds of problems. First, certain components get hot faster than others because air isn’t flowing over them. Even liquid-cooled machines rely on air flow for some part of their cooling.

A bike sitting on the sidestand causes the oil to pool on one side of the engine instead of sitting level in the sump and the other pockets established to catch it, so you may have less-than-optimum lubrication.

Getting out and riding circulates oil through all the components as the engineers intended, provides cooling air to the entire engine, and lets the cooling system work as it was designed to. It also saves waiting time.

That said, modern bikes engines are pretty bulletproof and most people sell their bikes before they get anywhere close to being worn out. So those who want to let their bikes waste fuel for 5 minutes and fill the garage with exhaust before riding them don't have to worry...

"A bike sitting on the sidestand causes the oil to pool on one side of the engine instead of sitting level in the sump and the other pockets established to catch it, so you may have less-than-optimum lubrication."

I'll be thinking about it while happily cornering.... thank you! I'm more opting for my pleasure though and less for optimal lubrification :)). OMG! ;-)

What does the oil check procedure have to do with warming up the bike? No one checks their oil level every day.

You're funny, you posted this topic as if you were looking for info but actually you were just looking for an argument. What's next, whether or not to use WD-40 as a chain lube?

It depends in what you want to understand from the oil check procedure. It's for a reason they ask to let the engine idle on its side stand for 3 to 5 minutes ; turn of the engine and wait for 3 minutes. Then, measure while the bike is levelled so that you get the most accurate level.

Now, you can start the engine for 10s and check the oil level this way... you still don't see what I mean when it comes to why letting the engine to reach it's optimal T° ? Anyway... :)

To why I have mentioned this in the first place : It's because I don't have scientific certitude and have even doubted about it (benefit or harm). I'll stick with what I think is right until someone proves I'm wrong with serious arguments. I'm still open to hear them.

We already did that more than once....

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I would if they installed a proper sight glass like everybody else or had a reasonable procedure like "check while bike is hot after riding" or "check when cold" rather than a very specific procedure. One of these days I'm going to check it properly and make sure the level is perfect and then baseline that against "just got off and it's hot" and "been sitting for a day cold" so I'll be able to reasonably check via another method if I don't feel like engaging in their gyrations.

I thought this was a problem thread !!
The only problem I see in the last few posts is people arguing!!

Are there any real problems?

Yes, and they are so bad we have a few inmates running to buy KTMs for increased reliability.

No.......but haters going to hate.

Yes and no (normal noise I think). @craighkzn and me hearing some noise while the engine is idling. Even if I think it's better to let the engine idling for a few minutes on cold start, I was wondering if it could have been the source of a wear problem over time as this is my starting routine. And I'm far from being the only one so I still think what I do is right but without certitude when other have certitude without very convincing arguments.

Oil procedure check : Why do they ask to let the engine idling for 5 minutes ? It is directly related to what I think is an advantage to let the engine idling for a few minutes.

Not looking for an argumentation at all. Alright, when people are getting pissed off... it's time for me to enjoy happy hour cheers! :)

My fork seals are toast as well I'm putting in SKF seals, Honda seals are crap


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Not to under estimate the issues you're having but I've noticed.........you are a "New" member, with just a handful of posts and EVERY one is something wrong with your AT.....something broken, something not working?! I'm not saying it's a weee bit odd but what "other" bikes have you owned and what issues did you have with those? Where are the raves and misses with those bikes?

Now, setting that aside, so which bike do you want/prefer instead?