Winterization and YOU?!

[SafetyPaws]

I have read a lot of wiki's and opinions on winterizing. My plan to winterize is to ride it as long as i can before snow hits and or i cant take the cold any longer. But just wanted to see what everyone else does, if they get a winter. last winter wasnt bad here in MI but you know how it goes with our seasons, winter and construction!

never done a poll so hope i dont butcher it, @Alex add w/e else mite be an option.

Also what else would you do?

[Jiggles]

**** winterizing, get riding

[LizFisher7]

I believe we have a full tank with stable and the battery is still in. We put the bike up on stands with a trickle charge for the battery.

[choneofakind]

Keep it full, this will reduce the likelihood of the inside of the tank rusting. I've found it doesn't really matter if the battery is in the bike our outside the bike, as long as it's on a trickle charger (like a battery tender). I don't worry about starting it. I figure, if it's not going to be run and heated up the whole way, it's not getting started. I don't want vapor being put into the exhaust from starting it and running it for a short time, because that will also increase my chances of rusting my exhaust system.

[lowdown112]

Do I need to 'winterize' if my bike is inside a temp-controlled place? My grandads garage has heating/ac...?

[Alex]

It's not only about the cold. It's about the bike sitting for an extended period without being used. Indoors is better than outdoors, but it still needs some preparation if it's not going to ridden for months.

[SafetyPaws]

tnx all for replies so far

my bike will be kept in an unattached garage that will be as cold as it is outside, non heated. Is is best to keep battery indoors?

how about covering it, that make a difference - or is that being to anal? I wish could keep her inside!

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Keep it full, this will reduce the likelihood of the inside of the tank rusting. I've found it doesn't really matter if the battery is in the bike our outside the bike, as long as it's on a trickle charger (like a battery tender). I don't worry about starting it. I figure, if it's not going to be run and heated up the whole way, it's not getting started. I don't want vapor being put into the exhaust from starting it and running it for a short time, because that will also increase my chances of rusting my exhaust system.

w/Fuel stabilizer? I use the stabil the red stuff - dealer told me to use it on every fill up just the recommended dosage for normal run time which is like 1/2 oz for 5 gal. And for storing use the higher amount (not sure on amt) for keepin gas in tank. i think the using stabil topic is like the "loud pipes save lives," but i forgot to use it the last 3 fill ups on regular fill up.

[choneofakind]

Yes, with stabilizer so it doesn't get gummy. I forgot to put write that

idk, I run a little carb cleaner through every once in a while. Not sure it really does anything in a bike that gets used regularly, but it's certainly not hurting anything. Same idea with adding stabil regularly.

[leed]

Empty the carb bowls (or run the tank empty and refuel with canisters), fuel stabilizer in full gas tank. I've never winterized (usually ride through the winter), but that is what I would do.

[vanman69]

bugger that! just ride the b!tch rain hail and snow around here

[dfox]

still haven't decided, but I plan on using stabilizer all winter, and i'll keep the trickle charger in the garage, hooked up whenever I'm not riding.

I intend to ride whenever I can, but with the amount of salt/gravel they throw on the roads here with just the threat of snow, I'll likely be driving my car most of the winter.

[pomartin]

this will be my firs winter having a bike... will ride it as long as possible
for winterization i guess i will change oil, fill tank to the top, put her on stands and start it 2-3times/month

[KELPHYN]

For those of you parking your bike over the winter months. Change your oil and filter, lube chain, drain your carbs, fill your tank with premium and stabilizer, check your coolant (make sure good to -40F), if stored in the cold pull the battery and store it inside. Put bike on stands if you have them, cover with and old cotton bed sheet (starting your bike once in awhile does more harm than good). I store mine in my house so I, change my oil and filter, lube chain, drain carbs and tank, remove tank and let it sit in garage for a couple of weeks while gas drains and vapourizes completely before bringing in the house then gradually clean/inspect the entire bike over the winter.

[Jiggles]

Why premium?

[KELPHYN]

Usually has less or no ethanol added.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by KELPHYN

Usually has less or no ethanol added.

uhm..... Doesn't ethanol boost octane rating? Either way I don't think you can judge how much ethanol is in the gas based on the octane rating. It would be better to go to a pump that has no ethanol added

[Alex]

Originally Posted by KELPHYN

Usually has less or no ethanol added.

That isn't the case in the US. I can't speak for north of the border.

[Boom King]

Depends on the gas station. Shell V-power 91 is the only one I know of widely available that is ethanol free. Their 89 is up to 5% I believe and 87 contains up to 10% ethanol.

[Old Lemon]

I do not winterize, but i do not live in paradise. The lowest temp i have ridden in is like 35 degrees. Not very fun but it sure beats driving a 20 mpg cage around imo

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Boom King

Their 89 is up to 5% I believe and 87 contains up to 10% ethanol.

Where are you getting these stats from? Reason I ask is that the amount of ethanol in different grades and brands of fuel changes many times throughout the year as it is blended. It's highly unlikely that the limits are as precise as you laid out. Also - there is no such thing as 89 gas coming from the refinery. It's mixed at the station (right at the pump) between the 87 & 91. So if the 87 always had 10%, and the 91 had 0%, then the math works and 89 would be 5%. But I'm skeptical.

[Boom King]

Those are the numbers that are stated on their pumps here.

[KELPHYN]

Up here we can get 94 octane with 0% ethanol at Chevron and I think Petro Can dealers. Also higher grades of fuel usually some sort of cleaning additives (tecron)

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Boom King

Those are the numbers that are stated on their pumps here.

Got it. I skipped right past the "up to" in your response. It is generally capped at 10% across north america now, though there are rumblings about bumping that to 15%. If they are only putting it in the 87, and there is never any in the 91, then the math does work out. My point (now relatively pointless), was that the amount would vary over time.

[Boom King]

Originally Posted by KELPHYN

Also higher grades of fuel usually some sort of cleaning additives (tecron)

Pretty sure the cleaning additives are available across all grades. What the oil companies will do is tell people that the higher octane fuel contains more concentration of additives to try to convince those whose vehicles only require 87 to spend more and go for the 91.

Anyways, back on topic. I've winterized my bike for about 5 months with 87 gas and treated with Sta-bil, there was no issues.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by KELPHYN

Up here we can get 94 octane with 0% ethanol at Chevron and I think Petro Can dealers. Also higher grades of fuel usually some sort of cleaning additives (tecron)

Chevron with tecron, is in every blend of gas

[NinjetteNewfie]

For the past two years my bike has been snuggled up nicely in my basement all winter with a full tank of fuel + stabil and her friend a 650 Ninja to keep her company. I'd give her a bath once or twice a month and a nice coat of wax. Sadly, this winter she and her friend have to move out into the unheated garage with the 750 Shadow. So I guess I'll have to do a bit more winterization prep work on her. The Ninjas are not impressed with this new winter arrangement

[Boom King]

Originally Posted by Alex

If they are only putting it in the 87, and there is never any in the 91, then the math does work out. My point (now relatively pointless), was that the amount would vary over time.

I was a bit skeptical at first about Shell claiming that their 91 had 0% ethanol but apparently it's been tested and verified by a couple of people on local car forums.

[Jiggles]

I'd become a shell regular if it were true in Cali

[Jiggles]

Side note, is shell V Power going to destroy my parallel twin?

[Alex]

This makes it seem like it was an official shell canada policy (no ethanol in 91) at least through Aug 2011:

link to post on mazda3 forum

[Boom King]

It's V-power so clearly it's only appropriate for bikes with v-twins and Hondas with VTEC.

[thomason2wheels]

This is the first winter with bbgpm, so i dont know. Probably will get to ride it once a month during winter so i will prob do seafoam in a full tank with an oilchange before the cold sets in and then ride when i can, or failing that start it and run it at fast idle for 30 minutes once a month till i can ride again. keeps the battery up and the condensate out of the carbs and crankcase. At least thats the plan at the moment.

[loz944]

I don't need to winterize I live in paradise, although we are in the rainy season at the mo so its been hit and miss about getting home dry or not.
But at least its warm rain.The cold season here is not cold at all so so roll on

[sc37]

Originally Posted by thomason2wheels

This is the first winter with bbgpm, so i dont know. Probably will get to ride it once a month during winter so i will prob do seafoam in a full tank with an oilchange before the cold sets in and then ride when i can, or failing that start it and run it at fast idle for 30 minutes once a month till i can ride again. keeps the battery up and the condensate out of the carbs and crankcase. At least thats the plan at the moment.

As much as I like SeaFoam, I'm not sure I would use it to winterize. A good part of its composition is alcohol which you want to try to avoid.

[Bassman]

So winterizing is something done when it drops below 70? Burrrrrr, I just put on a down coat and ride, keeps the bike's fluids flowing. Should I be doing something different to protect my bike?

[Alex]

Nope, you're doing fine.

[Aggrotech]

Originally Posted by Alex

Nope, you're doing fine.

well thats good to know since theres no way in hell im going to put it up over the winter pfffffff. It'll also depend on how scared i get going over water/puddles. Some dude was washing his car and all the soapy water was flowing across the street in the little water way before the T intersection...went through it and skid the hell outta my tire..scarey D:

[xaple]

I found the best method for winter storage is out on the streets riding, with 60-70 degree temps in dec-march. Also whats this whole snow thing you guys talking about?? That stuff that come from the sky is rain.. duh.

[oblivion007]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

**** winterizing, get riding

This.

[CC Cowboy]

Winter! Don't you just love it. Crisp clean air, dry roads, low humidity, and time to ride. I like to get a new set of tires, a fresh tank of gas and ride all winter (it usually takes more than one tank of gas).