Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
When it comes right down to it, internal combustion engines are "happiest" when run continuously and never turned off.
The vast majority of wear comes when starting a cold engine. But, especially in cold weather, it takes a while for the engine to reach the optimal temperature and boil off the water vapor and fuel dilution, so all of these well-intentioned running cycles can do more harm than good. That's why it's best to limit them, and make them count when you do them (highway runs are best.)
+1 less frequent, longer run cycles are preferable to frequent short runs. It takes a while to heat the oil and exhaust system long enough to boil off any trapped water. It also takes some time to recharge the battery to peak levels, after the idle drainage, and what was lost when starting.
Even modern cars, which do have some battery drain can handle at least 2 weeks sitting around. If not, people couldn't park them while on vacation. Odds are they can handle a month, otherwise the car makers would be flooded with complaints. But it does take some driving time to fully recharge.
So plan on a destination trip once every few weeks or so, like loading up the bikes and heading up to Pendleton for some low traffic riding.