Fire in the hole!

[pushin9s]

Actually, not fire, just smoke. I've read about the brick engine smoking after startup, and have come to accept that. Here's my current delima:

00 12LT. 48K miles. Just purchased from another hardcore BMW owner. Got it home three weeks ago and changed the oil to Mobil 1, 15W50. Bike is much heavier than my RT, so I don't use the centerstand much at all. On the sidestand, it does indeed smoke when first started. Bike sat on the side stand for 5 days, and when I got home yesterday, the wife and I went for a short ride. The bike smoked a LOT after start, and I figured it would subside. Rode the bike for over two miles before it stopped. It smoked a more than a little the next three times I started it.

Haven't done a compression check yet (haven't figgered out how to get the Tupperware off yet) but the bike runs GREAT. It has plenty of power and pulls very strong. No vibration or missing. Starts great too!! Is this too normal?

Thanks in advance for your input. I love the RT so much I don't plan on getting rid of it at all. In fact, just last week I rode it from TN to Denver (and have a performance award from the Kansas HP to prove it) and have never had a bike I like more. The LT was bought because my wife thought she'd be more comfortable on it. So far, she is, and I"m finding more and more things to like about it too! Looks like I'm sentenced to two bike purgatory. Not a bad sentence if you ask me!!!!!!!

[zaphod]

Yes it is normal and it's easy to reduce to almost nothing. When you shut the bike down, before putting it on the side stand, let it stand upright for 15-30 seconds. This allows the oil to drain back into the sump and not the cylinders. I usually use the time to take my gloves off, undo my helmet, then put out the kickstand. It works for me.

[alindsay]

Nothing unusual although a little disconcerting the first time.

I always park on the sidestand and for the majority of the time it does not smoke on start up. Occasionally, about every dozen or so starts, I will get some smoke and once or twice in the last 4.5 years it will smoke heavily for quite a distance as you mentioned. Just all part of the mystique of LT ownership. :)

(OK forum - now I've posted something so get off my back. Sheeeesh! Nag, nag, nag!)

[jzeiler]

I'll ditto what Malcom said. It is not how long it is ON the side stand that matters but rather how quickly you lean it over after shut down. The cylinders are well above the sump so you can let her sit a bit ( maybe even lean right a bit) then ease her onto the side stand after the oil has had a chance to drain away.

[pushin9s]

Thanks Malcom, Alex, and John,

I started it up yesterday and it smoked so bad that the whole garage filled with dense blue smoke. I got irritated and shut it off and went back into the house in disgust. After the wife got home, she wanted to go for a ride, and I started it up, and no smoke at all. We went for a short ride and ran a few errands, and it didn't smoke on any of the restarts. I got it home, and put it on the center stand and next time I get it out, I'll see how it does. I will definately start leaving it upright while I take off my helmet and gloves before I put it on the side stands. I have been thinking, and I believe I've been putting it on the kickstand before I shut off the engine. So that would explain the smoke most likely.

Thanks for all the input. It was valuable and much appreciated.

[motorman587]

I have it done to me where it has smoke for a mile or two, too. I do the centerstand a lot and the, hole her straight for few seconds, and everything is good. Don't get upset, just the way to keep the pistons oiled. :)

[Eric_R]

I always leave mine running while I put in on the centerstand. Don't know why, I just do. still get smoke once in a while. :confused:

Yeah Malcolm, I stole your Avitar and "tweaked" it a bit. :rotf:

[RonKMiller]

I'll ditto what Malcom said. It is not how long it is ON the side stand that matters but rather how quickly you lean it over after shut down. The cylinders are well above the sump so you can let her sit a bit ( maybe even lean right a bit) then ease her onto the side stand after the oil has had a chance to drain away.

Yep John, lean it hard right on shutdown for about 20 seconds. Put it immediately on the center stand. No smoke on startup!

Strange but true... :crazy: :D

On the plus side for K-bike startup: No freakin' mosquitos! :rotf: Damn, I miss my two strokers. ;)

[KIC]

Well I just went through posting the same question about my 00LT with only 12K miles. Some of the answers I received matched the exact answers posted in this forum. Then there were others. Like:

"tell em' it's a diesel"
" can you say mosquito abatement"
"practicing for a role in the new James Bond movie"
" don't put oil back in the engine and it won't smoke"

I have been told the type of oil can make a difference too.

I did notice a BIG difference in mine, as in lots more smoke, after my dealer performed a full service including an oil change.
The center stand has resolved almost all of the issue.