Do I have to winterize my motorcycle? | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Do I have to winterize my motorcycle?

Haven't seen it mentioned yet but I heard it was a good idea to cover the exhaust with a plastic bag also. Something about condensation building up inside causing rust I believe.

My first winter with a bike so I'm just throwing stuff out there lol.
 
Boots said:
It didn't cause any flat spots on the tire for me so there wasn't the need to roll the bike every once in a while. And I also specifically did it because I remember reading that parking your bike on a garage floor could degrade the tire. If I find the link to that I'll post it.
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I do the same. Just 2 pieces of the pink foam. 12" x 12" will do the trick.
Boots said:
If you can find a Styrofoam plank that's what I parked my bike on.
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Sent from a Samsung Galaxy far, far away using Tapatalk
 
In a condo, don't bother putting it up on a stand. That makes it easier to steal.

I just pull my battery and roll it around once in awhile.

Occasionally I'll sit on it and make vroom vroom noises and dream of spring.

If the weather is nice and roads are dry, I'll take it out for a short boot around the block too
 
Joe Bass said:
I do the same. Just 2 pieces of the pink foam. 12" x 12" will do the trick.



Sent from a Samsung Galaxy far, far away using Tapatalk
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Flat spots on tires might only happen with bias ply tires. Not an issue with radial tires.

Batteries can be removed from the bike and stored inside on a charger during the storage period.

There are fuel stabilisers that work better than others re both, extending phase separating times, and managing water in the fuel/tank. There will be temp changes and that causes condensation to some degree in the tank, in the engine, on the bike even if the bike sits during the storage period, which is better than running it. I bought K100 this year, (red label) and found this comparo on line afterwards, evaluating three different stabilsers, and the K100 seems to be the better of the three for keeping water in check, and keeping fuel stable:

http://ttrno.com/blogs/news/4761782-ethanol-vs-fuel-treatments-k100-success-story

Long term storage is very important, so much so that in-proper storage could void a new bike warranty. Do it right. Oil and filter changes; full tank of stablised fuel, that was run through the engine; bike upright; weight off wheels; suspension springs unloaded; intake and exhaust plugged up with wd40 dampened shop rags, then sealed over; waxed and cleaned; battery out of bike and inside,on a charger, (I also bring my LED electronic instrument pod and ecu in the house so not to expose them to severe temp drops and changes) and let it sit until you're ready to start riding again. YMMV.
 
I fill my tires to 50psi or more some winters. Good? Bad? Yes? No? Maybe so?
 
Here comes winter, everyone get their bikes prepared. It needs to be overly complicated to ensure success!

I wonder how any of my bikes have lasted so long.
 
Why wouldn't you want to spend a little time with your bike before it goes into hibernation? I don't see the issue in upkeeping ones motorcycle.
 
I just put in stabilizer, fill up the tank with 91, park in garage on some cardboard and leave it be. One time it didn't start because the battery died. Outside of that no issues.

Dont run it for a few minutes because you'll just build up condensation and make rusting easier.

or if you want to be sure it'll be fine, dig a big hole in the ground, put bike in, cover it and dig out in the spring. Make sure you go below the frost line though...very important.
 
--Fill tank.
--Put in small amount of fuel stabilizer
--Install Battery Tender ($30 at Canadian Tire).
--lock and cover bike
 
Go to any big box store that sells building supplies and buy one DryCore tile (floating subfloor tiles for basements).
Have the cut shop cut it in half and stick them under your tires. If i remember correct there under $10 a tile.
 
qwikz said:
Go to any big box store that sells building supplies and buy one DryCore tile (floating subfloor tiles for basements).
Have the cut shop cut it in half and stick them under your tires. If i remember correct there under $10 a tile.
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And put a small cut under the stand otherwise the bike will be leaned too far.
 
Drennan57 said:
Haven't seen it mentioned yet but I heard it was a good idea to cover the exhaust with a plastic bag also. Something about condensation building up inside causing rust I believe.

My first winter with a bike so I'm just throwing stuff out there lol.
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I've heard this before too and have stuffed a blue shop paper towel in the exhaust. However; I don't think it's necessary. How is there supposed to be a condensation build up when the bike is just sitting there not running waiting for spring? If it's covered in a plastic bag I would think it would trap any condensation that did happen, preventing it from evaporating.

Another option for first timers is to have it stored for you for a fee. You'll start seeing posts for this service soon.
 
dricked said:
Can it really be so easy?!!
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Unreal eh?
Personally, I change oil, add stabilizer, roll her into the shed, pull the battery, cover it and see you in the spring. The battery stays in the house on a tender.
 
abkdt41 said:
is that different than adjusting your suspension based on your weight and load?
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Why keep the preload on the springs if you're not going to ride the bike for 6 months? Just makes them sag sooner, for no good reason. By backing off on the preload, and raising the wheels, your allowing them to expand back to their neutral form instead of being compressed. Same thinking as jacking cars up for storage, (but in the case of cars, just to the point of making contact, because you could stretch the springs if the wheels are right off the ground) helps extend spring life.
 
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Iceman said:
Unreal eh?
Personally, I change oil, add stabilizer, roll her into the shed, pull the battery, cover it and see you in the spring. The battery stays in the house on a tender.
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Yup that's my routine except it stays in the garage for a full disassembly and service.

Oh the days of having a low maintenance street bike.
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