How cold is too cold to start a GoldWing?

[dan filipi]

mcgovern61 » Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:56 am[/url]":378se8ne]

Omega Man » Sun Dec 28, 2014 1:15 pm[/url]":378se8ne]
I'm mostly worried about the coolant crossover tubes. I'm not sure they wouldn't freeze because of their diameter. But then again they aren't exposed like the ones on the 1000-1200s.

Have your coolant tested to find out exactly what temp it is able to protect against. A good shop will have an accurate coolant tester. If the coolant tests below your current temps you are OK. If it tests above the temps you expect, you have to change the coolant or your coolant will freeze.

And just so Randy knows, freezing coolant is BAD. It expands and cracks things like the block and radiator.

 

[WalterM817]

My starter says 40 degrees or so and after that walk.

 

[Ansimp]

I don't know anything about too cold but I do know when the dreaded driveway is too wet to ride a Goldwing on

Cold is not a problem but a wet dreaded driveway is

• Ansimp
• Dec 28, 2014

A couple of good days rain and no chance to ride on the dreaded driveway. Forester was making...

 

[C5Performance]

We ride dirt bikes and snowmobiles in -40 degree temps. In my humble opinion the oil is the limiting factor, followed closely by ignition.
Use of super low temp oils such as Yamaha or Polaris 0W20 work so well I've used in my cars with great success.
Don't believe me? Try draining your oil at that temp. The oil is so thick it looks like gear oil.

Ignition is mentioned because 1000 wings usually don't start easily (or at all) below freezing and with a good ignition (Wes for example) it is much easier to get an engine running. It is difficult to ignite fuel in a cold cylinder with the engine cranking at super slow rpm.

I'm sure most of us are not going to use the bike regularly at temps that cold, but if you do I suggest blocking the radiator with cardboard to help the engine reach and maintain operating temperature. Anyone using an 18 wheeler or large dump truck already knows this


Stay warm and enjoy the new year!!

 

[mcgovern61]

FYI, here is my '82 1100 after sitting outside all day in 28 degree weather. 10W40 oil! Starts and runs like a champ:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZrJW7zustc

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZrJW7zustc[/video]

 

[dan filipi]

Sounds great Gerry!

 

[Ansimp]

dan filipi » Fri Jan 02, 2015 3:50 am[/url]":3ag9meov]
Sounds great Gerry!

+1 in any weather :good:

 

[joedrum]

yep it sure beats my 30 degree idles :BigGrin:

 

[chuck c]

The day after Christmas was 55 and sunny here which is pretty unusual. Normally it might be about 40 daytime high. Anyway, I geared up and got 2 hours of riding. Lots of other riders had the same idea. 50 and sunny is my lower limit with the un-faired Kawasaki. I figure the full fairing and windshield on the Wing could get me down another 10 but I don't think it will be roadworthy until spring.

 

[wingbeemer]

Used to ride all winter with my 81 Wing/sidecar rig. Used 5w-30 oil. Would go down to 0 degrees, usually started. But that was 20 years ago in MN. I now live in AZ and don't do that anymore. Doug