November 3rd, 2015, 04:42 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chase
Location: California
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 225
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First time winterizing my '08 250r. A couple questions...
So this is my first ever motorcycle and due to the weather getting colder I think it is time to winterize her up. I am going to list below what I plan on doing and if I am missing anything crucial it would be great if you could give me tips!
- Change the oil and filter - Fill the tank and add Stabil - Take the bike around the block a few times to get the oil and stabil running - Lube the chain - Place bike on front and rear stands - Apply battery tender I do have a few questions though. I hear that you want to fill the gas tank all the way up, but should I leave some space for the stabil? Is an 8 o.z. bottle enough? How much do I add? Also, is there a specific tool that is helpful for cleaning the chain? I have never done this before. One last thing...should I keep the battery plugged into the bike while I have the tender plugged into it? My bike will be in my apartment so I won't have to worry about it getting cold. Thanks! |
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November 3rd, 2015, 04:50 PM | #2 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
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1oz treats 2½ gallons, so how much space you really need to save.
Specific chain cleaning tool? Naw, a grunge brush is pretty popular though. I buy my brushes from the dollar store. Batteries let go of the stored energy faster when cold. If your bike is stored in a temp controlled environment, then there is no need to remove the battery. Although to save any flooring, do place a piece of cardboard in between the tires just in case something leaks. With that list you have, looks like you're on your way to a trouble free spring.
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November 3rd, 2015, 05:01 PM | #3 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chase
Location: California
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 225
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Quote:
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November 3rd, 2015, 05:06 PM | #4 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
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November 3rd, 2015, 06:24 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org member
Name: terry
Location: SW fla
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 250r Posts: 94
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Stored in the house, I would drain the tank.
You don't really want all that gas where you live. My 2007 owners manual suggests removing, draining, and coating the inside with motor oil to prevent rust. |
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November 3rd, 2015, 07:12 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chase
Location: California
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 225
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November 3rd, 2015, 08:22 PM | #7 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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The gas tank will vent as the gas evaps, that is no doubt and will create a smell. Depending on the ventilation of your space, well... ya know.
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November 3rd, 2015, 08:30 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chase
Location: California
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 225
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November 3rd, 2015, 08:44 PM | #9 | |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Quote:
The smell however... is on you.
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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November 3rd, 2015, 08:46 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chase
Location: California
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 225
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I have read in a few places online that people don't smell gas normally. I do have a pretty small room. I am a bit worried about this but I guess I have no choice.
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November 3rd, 2015, 08:49 PM | #11 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
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I have put my bike in hotel rooms with a full tank, I can smell it every now and then, but normally not. Last year when I stored my bike in the basement, I smelled nothing but the rubber from the tires, not gas.
Store it in a room with a running celine fan and all should be well.
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November 3rd, 2015, 08:50 PM | #12 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chase
Location: California
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 225
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Quote:
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November 3rd, 2015, 08:57 PM | #13 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Cool, let us know how it goes for you after the off season.
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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November 3rd, 2015, 09:05 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chase
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November 4th, 2015, 05:13 AM | #15 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Al
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Why not just drain the gas tank? If it is inside you do not need to worry about condensation building up so no rust worries.
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Keep calm and ride on -Motofool Never quit on a rainy day -ally99 |
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November 4th, 2015, 05:26 AM | #16 | |
Cat herder
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On that first glorious spring day, all you really want to do is roll the bike outside and GO RIDE. We all know the feeling.... "IT'S TIME." Sure it doesn't take long to grab a can and head down to the gas station, but on that day, spring fever is in full force. That's why a little time spent properly winterizing is such a good idea. Nothing sucks worse than feeling that overwhelming urge, pulling the bike out and... wha wha waaaaaaa.... no start for whatever reason, no ride for you, pal.
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November 4th, 2015, 06:00 AM | #17 |
n00bie to wannabie
Name: Bill
Location: St Ives, BC (Shuswap Lake)
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Most celine fans are too old to run!
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November 4th, 2015, 06:17 AM | #18 |
Cat herder
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I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
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November 4th, 2015, 06:25 AM | #19 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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November 4th, 2015, 07:38 AM | #20 | |
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November 4th, 2015, 08:06 AM | #21 |
Rev Limiter
Name: Jay
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This little stinker sits in my office most of the time with a full tank. Never smelled gas, and the tank has just a simple vented gas cap (in the tailsection - the "gas tank" is just a hollow cover).
If you move it around you could get gas coming out of the overflows for the floatbowls. I like to drain the floatbowls when storing, even if the fuel is stabilized. My theory is that the gas in the bowls will evaporate some and also lose it's volatility, creating deposits and making starting more difficult. Works for me. |
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November 4th, 2015, 08:42 AM | #22 | |
EX500 full of EX250 parts
Name: Bill
Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI
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If you dump the additive in before you fill the tank, the act of filling it up will inherently mix it up well. You won't have to worry about the product forming a slick on top of the gas or just sinking to the bottom (depending on the exact chemical makeup of it), and you don't have to try to shake it around (by tipping the bike side to side or whatever) to mix it up. If you can, try to find ethanol-free premium gas for winter storage. Ethanol attracts water and can attack soft parts in an older fuel system. Gas will degrade over time, which the higher octane premium helps mitigate. If you're feeling adventurous, here are the details on the fuel additive I've used in every tank for over two years. It's definitely not necessary, but a GreaseNinja will simplify lubing your chain (which you should be doing every few tanks of gas). You don't need to remove the battery from the bike, but doing so will ensure there are no parasitic drains wasting electricity. As others said, it's mostly a temperature issue.
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November 4th, 2015, 08:49 AM | #23 |
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Where in california are you that you would put your bike away for winter???
I don't and I'm in MI... just curious
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'82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less. |
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November 4th, 2015, 10:51 AM | #24 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chase
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I actually am not in California anymore. That is where my family is. I'm 20 now and go to school in Michigan. I'm in Ann Arbor. |
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November 4th, 2015, 11:22 AM | #25 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
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That is what I do, just put in 3.5oz in with the bit of gas that left in the tank and then fill. The pump action will mix it fine enough.
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November 4th, 2015, 11:43 AM | #26 |
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If you get a match and light it right next to the gas tank it may tell you what you need to know. This guy smelled something, too.
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November 4th, 2015, 12:21 PM | #27 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chase
Location: California
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November 4th, 2015, 04:22 PM | #28 | |
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Quote:
I can understand that then, I get looks while riding with snow on the ground Go green
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'82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less. |
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November 4th, 2015, 05:50 PM | #29 | |
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GO BLUE!!!!!!!! |
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November 4th, 2015, 05:57 PM | #30 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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We are...
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November 4th, 2015, 05:57 PM | #31 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
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If you're bringing it inside, there isn't much to winterize....as it won't be cold. Shut the petcock off, run the carbs dry and park it.
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'82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less. |
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November 4th, 2015, 06:04 PM | #32 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chase
Location: California
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 225
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November 4th, 2015, 06:50 PM | #33 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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It's not hard yo, fill it. If it becomes an odor problem, then just drain and put in your cage. Life goes on...
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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November 4th, 2015, 06:55 PM | #34 |
ninjette.org member
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