Motorcycle Winter storage

Linuss · October 29th, 2011, 03:35 PM

I know there are a lot of winterizing threads, but my question is different and wasnt able to locate an answer for it despite search (maybe I just failed Google)

Would I be able to store my bike in my garage and just turn it on every few days and all be fine, or should I just do the full winterization including the stabil, draining the bowls and changing the oil?

Thing with Texas is we can have some fairly moderate days happen during "winter" and I'd like to enjoy those if possible, without having to re-winterize for the other not so good days.

RedCromwell · October 29th, 2011, 03:57 PM

Last winter I changed the oil and added stabil to the tank and ran it for a bit. Then every week I started her up and revved her a little and imagined riding on a warm sunny day.

Worked out great.

I stopped riding mid-November and started riding regularly again the following March.

Toly · October 29th, 2011, 04:37 PM

U can start it up every two weeks and run for about 5 mins, that should be enough. Also, when U do it make sure that high beam is off, to avoid unnecessary electric drain & help battery recharge. No need to add anything to the gas, etc. Also, don't rev it too high in neutral - normal idling is fine, maybe rev it up to 3-4K rpm for 30 seconds at most.

DarC · October 29th, 2011, 04:39 PM

You should be fine if you can ride it occaisionally. The big thing is gas going stale, sitting in the bowls (hence starting it is good), and parts getting a little rusty. If you are taking the time to go out and start her then just do regular cleaning and lubing with the random ride here and there on those nicer days and you should be ok. I would even throw in the stabil just for good measure.

I don't know if I could have the bike sit and drive the beater...I would be wayyyy too tempted to do a tear down and get the mod bug/super deep clean going.

Alex · October 29th, 2011, 05:16 PM

I do no winterization here in CA, and I'd assume you wouldn't need to do any in TX either. But - I wouldn't just start up the bike for a few minutes every week or two. You really need to get the engine up to operating temp for a while, and that's not going to happen without actually riding it. In my experience, as long as I can ride it for at least 30 minutes every 4 or 5 weeks, I've never had a problem with the bike sitting too long. It's if it starts to get longer than that where you need to worry about carb problems and all that goes along with that.

C L · October 29th, 2011, 05:22 PM

Is it a bad idea to run the bike in gear on a read stand

Alex · October 29th, 2011, 05:34 PM

Yes.

road_rascal · October 29th, 2011, 06:56 PM

Once I put my bikes away I don't start them up until it's riding season again. All I do is add Seafoam to the gas, ride the bikes around a bit to make sure the Seafoam is thoroughly mixed, change the oil and drain the carbs (can't do that on the Goldwing though). Park them in the corner of the garage and cover them up. I put a battery tender on the Goldwing and pull the battery on the Ninja trickle charge it every 2 weeks. Then I mope around for the next 4 months waiting for all the ice, snow and salt to disappear.

Boom King · October 29th, 2011, 10:10 PM

Like Alex mentioned, I would be concerned about getting the engine up to operating temp. Letting it idle in cold weather might not do it. This means the oil won't heat up sufficiently to burn off the volatiles and condensation from the cold start. When you shut off the bike, the condensation and moisture sits inside the crankcase and exhaust system and could possibly freeze or cause premature rust and failure. You might be spreading the moisture within the oil throughout the engine when you let it idle. If you can get out and go for a ride once and while on the moderate Texas "winter" days then I don't see an issue with your storage method.

Linuss · October 30th, 2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boom King

If you can get out and go for a ride once and while on the moderate Texas "winter" days then I don't see an issue with your storage method.

USUALLY moderate. This year was proof that we can still get screwed

Texans aren't ready for the fluffy stuff. Luckily spending half my life in Michigan has prepared me for the odd snow day, but man... they can't drive.

October 29th, 2011, 03:35 PM	#1
Linuss ninjette.org guru Name: Steve Location: DFW Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R Posts: 294	Motorcycle Winter storage I know there are a lot of winterizing threads, but my question is different and wasnt able to locate an answer for it despite search (maybe I just failed Google) Would I be able to store my bike in my garage and just turn it on every few days and all be fine, or should I just do the full winterization including the stabil, draining the bowls and changing the oil? Thing with Texas is we can have some fairly moderate days happen during "winter" and I'd like to enjoy those if possible, without having to re-winterize for the other not so good days.

October 29th, 2011, 04:39 PM	#4
DarC DUCEATR Name: Dan Location: El Paso, Texas Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): RVT1000R Posts: 628	You should be fine if you can ride it occaisionally. The big thing is gas going stale, sitting in the bowls (hence starting it is good), and parts getting a little rusty. If you are taking the time to go out and start her then just do regular cleaning and lubing with the random ride here and there on those nicer days and you should be ok. I would even throw in the stabil just for good measure. I don't know if I could have the bike sit and drive the beater...I would be wayyyy too tempted to do a tear down and get the mod bug/super deep clean going. __________________________________________________ 2001 SP1 RC51- #62 -Akrapovic Ti, PCIII, Colin Edward's first baby tooth, Honda Racing sticker, some Japanese doods best attempt at Engrish scribbled on my engine block, little touch of soul.

October 29th, 2011, 05:16 PM	#5
Alex 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. Blog Entries: 7	I do no winterization here in CA, and I'd assume you wouldn't need to do any in TX either. But - I wouldn't just start up the bike for a few minutes every week or two. You really need to get the engine up to operating temp for a while, and that's not going to happen without actually riding it. In my experience, as long as I can ride it for at least 30 minutes every 4 or 5 weeks, I've never had a problem with the bike sitting too long. It's if it starts to get longer than that where you need to worry about carb problems and all that goes along with that. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

October 29th, 2011, 05:34 PM	#7
Alex 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. Blog Entries: 7	Yes. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

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October 29th, 2011, 03:57 PM	#2
RedCromwell ninjette.org member Name: Alan Location: Delaware, USA Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250 Posts: 221	Last winter I changed the oil and added stabil to the tank and ran it for a bit. Then every week I started her up and revved her a little and imagined riding on a warm sunny day. Worked out great. I stopped riding mid-November and started riding regularly again the following March.

October 29th, 2011, 04:37 PM	#3
Toly ninjette.org guru Name: Toly Location: NY Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): KTM 390 Duke Posts: 428	U can start it up every two weeks and run for about 5 mins, that should be enough. Also, when U do it make sure that high beam is off, to avoid unnecessary electric drain & help battery recharge. No need to add anything to the gas, etc. Also, don't rev it too high in neutral - normal idling is fine, maybe rev it up to 3-4K rpm for 30 seconds at most.

October 29th, 2011, 05:22 PM	#6
C L ninjette.org member Name: Andrew Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2014 300 Posts: 162	Is it a bad idea to run the bike in gear on a read stand

October 29th, 2011, 06:56 PM	#8
road_rascal ninjette.org member Name: ___ Location: ___ Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): ___ Posts: 160	Once I put my bikes away I don't start them up until it's riding season again. All I do is add Seafoam to the gas, ride the bikes around a bit to make sure the Seafoam is thoroughly mixed, change the oil and drain the carbs (can't do that on the Goldwing though). Park them in the corner of the garage and cover them up. I put a battery tender on the Goldwing and pull the battery on the Ninja trickle charge it every 2 weeks. Then I mope around for the next 4 months waiting for all the ice, snow and salt to disappear.

October 29th, 2011, 10:10 PM	#9
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Like Alex mentioned, I would be concerned about getting the engine up to operating temp. Letting it idle in cold weather might not do it. This means the oil won't heat up sufficiently to burn off the volatiles and condensation from the cold start. When you shut off the bike, the condensation and moisture sits inside the crankcase and exhaust system and could possibly freeze or cause premature rust and failure. You might be spreading the moisture within the oil throughout the engine when you let it idle. If you can get out and go for a ride once and while on the moderate Texas "winter" days then I don't see an issue with your storage method.