Short trips...more harm than is worth it?

[StealthSpyder]

Hey guys,

I work approx 3 miles from my house, which was engineered for sure! Clearly...in 3 miles...that barely gives the spyder time to get the coolant up to operating temp, nevermind to get the oil up to operating temp.

Would it be recommended for me to not be taking the spyder to work regularly, or at all, due to the short duration of the trip?

What are the implications on the motor (longevity?) or anything else with regards to frequent/regular short (less than 5 mile) trips?

Any experience/observations appreciated!

[BikerDoc]

Can't say I have seen this question before. But whenever I have a short trip to make i.e. only a few miles, I can never resist taking the long way so when my destination is only
5 miles away I simply take the 20 mile route to get there... this is probably why I have 15000 miles on my 2014 already, but it sure makes for a lot of fun and it would remove your concern

[Bob Denman]

Go ahead; ride the bike!
Just take some time when you can, to blow it out pretty well.
(It's a good excuse for taking a nice. long ride!)

Most of my "hops" are just around Town; less than a mile!

[billrob71]

I have even a shorter trip under half mile one way and like bikerdoc I try to take the long way home also try to let it warm up a little before going to work. As far as long term that may depend how it is riden I have alway said that I like to ride mine hard and that is no different even on very short ride to work . Think as long at its whole life is not 3 miles at a time and your not afraid to push it to he top of the rpm band you should be ok. Might need to have the oil change a little more often though.

[Chupaca]

enjoy the ryde. As you will undoubtedly hear there is always altenative routes. The long way home...or to work...most of us can't resist it. I use the spyder for lots of short runs and unless it is ice cream I will be gone a while. Its to the point where my wife will tell me we need this TAKE THE CAR..!!

[jcthorne]

No problem at all. Just take the long way home once in a while and ride it for real on weekends!

[ARtraveler]

I would drive the as much as you have the opportunity to do so. Short or long miles. I cannot address engine damage--but would guess its the same issue if you drive the car or truck. IMO, the is a lot more fun.

The suggestion to take the for a longer ryde to "blow it out" is a good one. My daily 2.5 block mail box run usually ends up in a daily 50+ mile ryde.

We have a short 6 month riding season here, so I ryde as much as possible. Rain or shine.

[Eagle1]

Ride and enjoy, it's worth it.

[0992]

I have been riding my 2014 2 miles to work every day with no issues. I do take longer rides weekends.

[900Dave]

I only have a 1 mile drive to work and when I bought my 1st diesel truck I was told it would not last long running those short distances. I am now on my second diesel truck and have never had an issue with either one of them over the last 11 years. Now I have the Spyder and on nice days I take it to work but let it warm up 5 minutes before I go and I always seem to find someplace that I just have to go after work. Then on the weekend I always seem to be putting a few hundred miles on it, so those short trips wont harm anything.

[flaggerphil]

For Pete's sake, just ride to work. I used to ride motorcycles to work almost exclusively and the distance once was three miles and the distance the second time was less than four...never hurt either bike. I ryde my Spyder short distances all the time.

It isn't going to hurt it.

[PistonBlown]

If your worried find the picturesque route. I work from home but the 'commute' on the Spyder can often take me an hour or more:-)

[daveinva]

I too am blessed with a short commute, just two miles door to door. Thanks to city traffic, that STILL takes 10 minutes each way.

Like the others, I just make sure to take the bike out for a long ride every now and then. I usually get out at least every weekend for a 25-30 miler around town (GW Parkway FTW), and every 2-3 weeks a longer trip (200+ miles out to West Virginia for some twisty therapy).

Sadly, we're entering the worst riding time of the year here in DC... 98 degrees today, and humidity as high as a glass of water, ugggggh.

[Barlock]

The only thing I would be worried about while doing only short trips is the battery, as it will not have sufficient time to recharge. I'd put it on a tender charge in-between (just in case).

[Bob Denman]

I too am blessed with a short commute,

Is that "Blessed", or "Cursed"?


My commute is about 30 feet... I vote for the latter!

[Dan_Ashley]

Most of my rides are short with non-highway speeds. As a result I change oil every 3,000 miles and change the transmission filter every second oil change. My mechanic says it is over kill. I do it anyway.

[daveinva]

Is that "Blessed", or "Cursed"?


My commute is about 30 feet... I vote for the latter!

Here in the D.C. area, Bob, it's MOST DEFINITELY a blessing!

I just wish I lived somewhere with a long commute down empty scenic roads... one can dream...

[Bob Denman]

[Motorcycledave]

Some how I bet you never gave that any thought with your car....
Go ahead and ride it, maybe let it warm up some before you leave
to go to work. OR.... you could take the long way to work
Dave

Hey guys,

I work approx 3 miles from my house, which was engineered for sure! Clearly...in 3 miles...that barely gives the spyder time to get the coolant up to operating temp, nevermind to get the oil up to operating temp.

Would it be recommended for me to not be taking the spyder to work regularly, or at all, due to the short duration of the trip?

What are the implications on the motor (longevity?) or anything else with regards to frequent/regular short (less than 5 mile) trips?

Any experience/observations appreciated!

[DrewNJ]

Short trips are known for carbon buildup and moisture that doesn't evaporate out of the oil.
Personally, I'd ride it to work and enjoy it, but change the oil more frequently and make it a point to get the spyder out for a good hard longer ride once in awhile.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Dan_Ashley]

Short trips are known for carbon buildup and moisture that doesn't evaporate out of the oil.
Personally, I'd ride it to work and enjoy it, but change the oil more frequently and make it a point to get the spyder out for a good hard longer ride once in awhile.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Isn't this true for cars too?

[Bob Denman]

Yup!
But; who cares about them anyway?