October 6th, 2014, 07:32 AM | #1 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
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Public service: Winterizing your bike
Winter storage is one of those evergreen topics. Every fall we get a thread about it, and every spring another one from someone who forgot and wants to know what to do. Here's what has worked for me for many years. Caveat: Those who ride through the winter can ignore this. This post is for those who live where it snows. Included here are what to do, when to do it, and why. Supplies: Battery tender, fuel stabilizer (make sure it says it can deal with ethanol), oil, filter, chain lube, cleaning supplies, stands and cover (both optional, both highly recommended). In the fall: - Plan to put the bike away around November 1. This might seem early, but there are at least two good reasons for it. Both have caught me out in the past. Don't make the same mistake. 1) Indian summer will blind-side you. If you're not familiar with the term, it refers to about a week of really nice weather in mid-autumn, following the cold snap that lets you know fall is really here. Beautiful riding weather. BUT it gets cold, gray and nasty really fast when it's over. It's a LOT nicer to do this fall maintenance when it's nice out than when it's gray and freezing.- About a week before you plan to store the bike, start putting fuel stabilizer in the tank. You want it to have run fully through the fuel system. - The day of storage, go for one last, really nice ride so you have a good memory to think back on. Plan ahead: you want to be home while you've still got a couple of hours of daylight left. Just before you get home, fill the tank and put stabilizer in. - Once home, lube the chain while it's still warm, and change the oil and filter. It's not necessary to overfill the crankcase to "bathe" the engine in oil. Just do the usual. - Clean the bike well. You want it looking great when you go for that first ride in the spring. You'll also be removing any potential corrosion-causing crud. - Move it to your storage spot (ideally inside, in a heated place). Put it up on stands, let a bit of air out of the tires (optional - just a habit I've had), tie a plastic bag over the exhaust to keep critters out, plug in your Battery Tender, and cover it. That's it. Next spring, all you need to do is fill the tires, unplug the Battery Tender and go. The bike will start up immediately. - Take the opportunity to clean your gear. Remove your helmet liner and wash it. Clean your helmet and visor. Condition your leathers. Wash your textiles. Then store all of them properly. During the winter: If you're like me, winter sucks. It's boring. If you're lucky enough to have your bike stored in a heated place, you can use this time for some wrench therapy. Detail the bike. Safety wire something if you're a track junkie. Get ahead of things like valve clearance checks. Mod something. Get on and work on your body position. Make "vroom vroom" noises. Or just go look at it. It's beautiful, isn't it? In the spring: - There will be a painful period of a few weeks between the last snow melt and the time the roads are fit to ride on. There's still a lot of sand, gravel and salt on the roads. Be patient and let the spring rains wash it away. If you don't, you'll get back and the bike will be covered with road salt. And it'll be too cold to wash it. Ick. - Use this time to scout the roads you normally use. Take all your commuting routes and watch for potholes, broken/crumbling pavement, places where gravel and sand have collected, etc. Remember them. Blasting along on a nice spring day and hitting an unexpected patch of sand SUCKS. Winter is coming faster than you think. Enjoy the good weather while you've got it!
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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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October 6th, 2014, 07:44 AM | #2 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Artie
Location: Canada
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): Stuff Posts: 284
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I just take my battery out and store it in my room. Don't trust battery tenders.
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October 6th, 2014, 07:52 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Lane
Location: Medford, OR
Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 (trackbike), CBR600RR, GS500F Posts: 588
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Or, if you're lazy like me. Change the oil, keep it on the tender, and start it up for ten minutes every week.
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October 6th, 2014, 07:58 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Artie
Location: Canada
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): Stuff Posts: 284
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That would suck when it's -35 here, it would never start
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Paint side up, rubber side down! |
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October 6th, 2014, 08:00 AM | #5 |
Freedom for Germany
Location: This World
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R-FI Posts: A lot.
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Why worry about the Winter - here's the solution
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4 out of 5 members found this post helpful. |
October 6th, 2014, 08:06 AM | #6 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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Is year round riding here chief.
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October 6th, 2014, 08:35 AM | #7 |
Certified Troublemaker
Name: Teri
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250r "Pikachu", 2017 Ninja 650 "Epona" Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Aug '13, Aug '14, Feb '17
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NOOOOOO!!!! Winter go away!!!
Good info though! Where the hell did the year go?? What was it, on warp speed?
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Raven's Rejuvenation A bruise is a lesson... and each lesson makes us better... |
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October 6th, 2014, 09:15 AM | #8 |
World Class Ninja
Name: Rusty
Location: West Chester PA
Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Ninja 250, 96 VFR750, 79 Yamaha XS1100 Special Posts: 224
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what are those tires brand model etc I like the idea won't do it but would like to fantasize.
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Life is not a journey to the grave with the to arrive safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting, GERONIMO! |
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October 6th, 2014, 11:03 AM | #9 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Zack
Location: Bowmanville
Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 10
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Great post!
Question, with the addition of feul stab is there any need to drain the carb floats? |
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October 6th, 2014, 01:16 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jay
Location: CT
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2015 636 ABS - 69 Honda 305 Posts: A lot.
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You can either make sure you have run the bike so that the stab is in the carbs (not just add it to the tank when you park it, it wont work its way all the way intot he carbs and such), or shut the gas off and run it dry.
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October 6th, 2014, 01:19 PM | #11 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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I'm thinking about getting a supermoto/dual sport for the winter months. Not sure...
how about non ethanol gas? Is there really NO ethanol? I guess I'd still use a fuel stabilizer, just in case, it's only ten dollars.
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October 6th, 2014, 01:19 PM | #12 |
Intrepid Adventurer
Name: Josh
Location: Rochester/Buffalo NY
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 GSXR 750 , 71 cb350streettracker, 07 Polaris Predator 500 Posts: A lot.
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@adouglas and everyone else
HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR BIKE - drop your bike off at my address for free winter storage - leave the keys with me - come back in spring to a fresh tank ful of gas and neatly lubed chain - disregard mileage disparity any takers? ------------------- Really though I like your step by step . Dont you fog the cylinders ? and do you use stabil marine grade stabilizer with ethanol neutralizer?
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LIFE IS NOT FOR REGRETS OR EXCUSES. Breath deep, seek peace. Embrace the Madness. Life is good, let it be |
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October 6th, 2014, 01:20 PM | #13 | |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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Quote:
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October 6th, 2014, 01:24 PM | #14 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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Nope. None.
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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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October 6th, 2014, 01:25 PM | #15 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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It exists but is very rare.
__________________________________________________
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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October 6th, 2014, 01:26 PM | #16 |
Intrepid Adventurer
Name: Josh
Location: Rochester/Buffalo NY
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 GSXR 750 , 71 cb350streettracker, 07 Polaris Predator 500 Posts: A lot.
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sure will , free of charge. I am a full service operation you know.
__________________________________________________
LIFE IS NOT FOR REGRETS OR EXCUSES. Breath deep, seek peace. Embrace the Madness. Life is good, let it be |
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October 6th, 2014, 01:27 PM | #17 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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Recently on a zx6r community in facebook people asked who had it, turned out it wasn't as rare as you'd think. I use 91 100% gasoline from the pump.
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October 6th, 2014, 01:28 PM | #18 | |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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Quote:
And yeah, despite the red Sta-Bil now claiming it's for ethanol, I still use the green marine stuff.
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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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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
October 6th, 2014, 01:29 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much.
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1. Move to California
2. Profit???
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October 6th, 2014, 01:30 PM | #20 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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corrected.
1. Move to California 2. ... 3. Profit
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October 6th, 2014, 01:30 PM | #21 | ||
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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Quote:
Quote:
From the OP: Caveat: Those who ride through the winter can ignore this.
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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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October 6th, 2014, 01:54 PM | #22 |
World Class Ninja
Name: Rusty
Location: West Chester PA
Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Ninja 250, 96 VFR750, 79 Yamaha XS1100 Special Posts: 224
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really good info. I try to ride in the winter so I tend to disregard this but now that I have 3 bikes I guess I have to park 1 or 2
__________________________________________________
Life is not a journey to the grave with the to arrive safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting, GERONIMO! |
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October 6th, 2014, 02:39 PM | #23 |
Private Joker
Name: Ben
Location: Towson, MD
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '14
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this plus a supermoto
great thread for all those who can't ride through the winter months, I'm looking at you canadians and those who survive snow that just won't melt ever. However there is another option if you're an idiot like me or live in a warmer area, just keep riding and be really loose on the bars, as loose as you can be considering how cold you'll be, when it's really windy with salt on the roads since you won't have much traction.
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I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see? |
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October 6th, 2014, 05:11 PM | #24 |
sammich maker
Name: snot
Location: West Ohio - in the kitchen
Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 white 300, 09 KLX 250 SF, 09 thunder blue 250(traded) Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '15
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I hope winter is over by Nov.
I will ride a few more times this year. Then get her ready, for a short winter. |
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October 6th, 2014, 05:15 PM | #25 |
Private Joker
Name: Ben
Location: Towson, MD
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '14
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what would you do if I were to tell you that there's a place where snow never falls
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I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see? |
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October 6th, 2014, 05:24 PM | #26 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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Explode
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October 6th, 2014, 05:47 PM | #27 |
sammich maker
Name: snot
Location: West Ohio - in the kitchen
Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 white 300, 09 KLX 250 SF, 09 thunder blue 250(traded) Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '15
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I know but, in a few years I will be in TN! I hope...
Great roads and great weather... |
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October 6th, 2014, 06:07 PM | #28 |
antiant
Name: antiant
Location: Cali
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): None Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Oct '14
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What's this winter you speak of?
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October 6th, 2014, 06:37 PM | #29 |
Certified looney toon
Name: Teri
Location: 3952'40.7"N 11823'53.8"W (Northern NV)
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 16
MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14
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Um, how the hell are you profitting when comparing year round gas, maintenance, and insurance costs to those "lucky" enough to have a few months of solid savings?
I dunno about you, I go broke every time I go riding. My paycheck should be issued to me as a fuel card.
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<-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow. |
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October 6th, 2014, 06:42 PM | #30 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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Y'know, every time I hear a report on the news of the most expensive gas prices in the nation, California gets mentioned.
http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx
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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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October 6th, 2014, 06:47 PM | #31 |
Track Clown
Name: Chris
Location: Kingman, AZ
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Sep '15
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you cannot post tires like this w/o a link.
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
October 6th, 2014, 07:11 PM | #32 |
Private Joker
Name: Ben
Location: Towson, MD
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '14
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I may be in nc in a few years, the housing market there is great and I have family there
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October 6th, 2014, 07:17 PM | #33 |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Aug '15
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I just put the Ninjette away for the next few months. Im not quite as thorough as the good captain, though. Id lubed the chain and changed the oil and filter last month, so good enough for that kind of stuff.
Filled up the fairly empty tank with fresh gas, dumped the appropriate amount of stabilizer in, shook the bike like a madman, and took it for a 2 mile ride to where I store it. Shut the fuel petcock off about a quarter mile from the storage shed, parked the bike and let it run out of gas. Emptied the carb bowls using a 3mm allen wrench. Attempted a bunch of restarts with the petcock off until no more sputtering. Took the BMW out of the shed, put the Ninjette in the shed, locked the steering, put the big-ass chain and padlock on the back wheel (to the KLR250), hooked up the battery tender, and locked the shed. Rode the K75 home: what a heavy pig! First couple of hundred feet (on grass, skinny sidewalk, past trashcans, etc., was the worst. After a couple of miles, felt normal again. The K75 is my winter hack: good to be riding it again! |
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October 6th, 2014, 07:46 PM | #34 |
antiant
Name: antiant
Location: Cali
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): None Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Oct '14
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Compared to my car, gas prices are cheap as hell for me. Win win! It all works out in the long run.
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October 6th, 2014, 08:06 PM | #35 |
Private Joker
Name: Ben
Location: Towson, MD
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '14
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relative price difference between a higher and lower mileage vehicle is normal everywhere though. That said I don't have to worry about gas prices that much so long as I'm riding, gas in the truck is murder ~$60 for 400mi worth of gas as opposed to ~$10 for 200mi worth of gas in my 300
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I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see? |
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October 6th, 2014, 08:08 PM | #36 | |
antiant
Name: antiant
Location: Cali
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): None Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Oct '14
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Quote:
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October 6th, 2014, 09:43 PM | #37 |
Inline 4!!!
Name: Danny
Location: MA
Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.
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91 is a waste of money for our bikes.
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Be careful. Remember you are invisible |
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October 6th, 2014, 10:03 PM | #38 |
Freedom for Germany
Location: This World
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R-FI Posts: A lot.
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Here is the forgotten link about the tires (they're at least for scooters) http://www.savatech.eu/?Itemid=304
And here's another one with m+s tires usable on the Ninja, which some guys in Germany successful use in the winter time http://www.reifenwerk-heidenau.de/mo...pic=59&lang=en Also please remember that tires with speed index "Z" lose their grip in temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius (39 deg. F.). |
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October 6th, 2014, 10:09 PM | #39 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: -
Location: somewhere cold
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 596
Blog Entries: 1
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100% petrol is usually reserved for the higher octane blends.
From pure-gas.org: Aren't certain brands ethanol-free? No. All gasoline brands have both pure and ethanol-containing gasoline under the same brand names. For example, Shell V-Power ranges from 91 to 93 octane both with and without added ethanol. It just varies from station to station, and it's up to the station owner whether or not to sell pure gas. In fact, in Madison, Wisconsin there is a Shell station that sells 93-octane V-Power with ethanol at most pumps, but which has a single pump, at a higher price, dispensing pure 91-octane gas. |
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October 7th, 2014, 02:36 AM | #40 |
Certified Troublemaker
Name: Teri
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250r "Pikachu", 2017 Ninja 650 "Epona" Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Aug '13, Aug '14, Feb '17
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I ALWAYS put in super. Its less than a dollar difference. That is not going to make or break me and i don't think its a waste at all.
Hell, i put super in my 2001 ford focus because it runs/feels a bit better. Again though, the price difference between a tank of regular and super for it is nominal, maybe 2 to 3 bucks depending on how low i am.
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