Well, running the motor always puts combustion byproducts into the oil. If you don't run it, you can avoid contaminating the oil with chemicals that could cause corrosion inside the engine. Then again, if you didn't change oil before storage that's a mute point. AND when you ride the bike it will sit with contaminated oil too unless you are goin to change oil every time you get off the bike.
If it doesn't start quickly, that could be pouring gasoline down into the oil pan which obviously would reduce the lubricative property of the oil. In cold weather you get extra rich fueling and then some for startup fueling. IDK if gas sprays until the engine lights off but seems to me it must. You will get a hell of a backfire from the engine cranking over many times without starting. Seems likely that's a buildup of fuel in the exhaust. The backfire is another reason to not start it until it's warmer.
The SM warns against excessive time spent idling. IDK if they are concerned about heat or some other issue. If you had to idle the bike for 10 minutes, I'd say that's fine but every week just to start the bike?? I see no reason to do this. I don't think it can help but it might hurt. Not everyone agrees on this with me but it's my opinion.
Overheating won't be an issue as long as you keep an eye on the temp. If it's 30-40 F outside, it probably won't hit 5 bars in 10 minutes.
I wonder if cars had a plastic oil sight glass on the engines would car drivers get paranoid like us??
If it was a prized high performance speed machine like my bikes are, I sure would with or without a site glass. I wouldn't start a sports car either unless I intended to drive it every day which I wouldn't or else it would not be stored in the first place.
* Last updated by: Rook on 2/23/2018 @ 3:14 PM *
'08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE Now Deceased