Hey,

For anyone else who lives inacold climate, any tips on before putting the bike away for the winter? I've heard various theories on Seafoam vs. Stabil. Also I'm looking for a bike stand just to keep my tires off the cement. Any recommendations on a reasonable stand that has a wide enough stance to avoid a costly tip over? Anyone have experience withthe Shur-Lift by Rider Equipment??


Thanks,
Shaun

 

I got a jack at Sears. They have a couple types for a round a hundred bucks. One's alum and the other steel.

 

I plan on riding mine all winter except when it's raining or there is snow or ice on the road. I may not take any long trips but I like to ride to work. I only live 14 miles from work so I can just bundle up real good and ride that distance. Even when it snows, the bike won't be sitting for more than a few weeks.

 

There are a few things that should help that I have done:

1. Put the bike on a jack - you won't bulge tires and the bike will be ready for it's winter polish, upgrades, admiring, etc.
2. Put a battery tender on the battery - don't let your battery die over the winter.
3. Don't store your bike with old oil in it - I have about 300 miles on the oil in my bike. If you have old oil, this is a good time to swap fluids in all three holes, then you will be ready in the spring.
4. Top of your fuel with good gas and put fuel stabilizer in the tank - you need to run the engine for a few minutes to suck the stabilized gas into your EFI or carb
5. Get some fogging oil and fog your cylinders - this will deter top end corrosion and ensure the jugs are properly lubed when you are ready to fire it up next

Now, if you get a change for a winter ride, make sure you run the bike for over 15 minutes to bring the oil up to temp and boil off any water condensation. The only item you need to repeat is re-fogging your jugs, which is very easy. Oh, and keep your tank over 3/4 full with stabilized gas.

I hope the following will keep my bike happy through the bitter Minnesota winter.

 

to winterize, a wear a second pair of socks, and an extra layer or 2 of fleece...

 

Moving to southern california works pretty good too

 

I echo what ericsenfsaid exactly.

Just a couple add-ons:

You don't really need the fogging oil if it's going to be in a relatively warm (55 deg and above) storage site like a basement, heated garage, etc.

Spraywd-40 inside the ends of the exhaust tubes (provides for moisture resistance to keep the insides from rusting out). If you have it stored in an area that critters can get into, plug the exhaust ends with socks.

Sometime before long after storgae - assuming the bike went in clean - do a coat of wax on it and buff it out nicely. Cover the bike after with a breathable cover - an old king size sheet is the best medicine....

When spring hits, just pull it out, start it up, and ride!!

 

you also may want to toss a piece of carpet under you bike to keep the moisture from coming up from the cement... we have done this for the past few years when my dad stores his bike and it is amazing the difference, no more corosion from sitting under a cover for 5 months... i ride all year round but still winterize her bike... you do not have to worry about lifting it if you move it every few weeks, and start it... i still recomend the tender and gas additive... I live in Chicago so i know exactly what you are going though... have you ever tried cold weather riding... I like it, it is just another great experience with your knuckles to the wind (cold cold wind) ha ha ha... if you are unfamiluar with riding in the cold, your tires have to warm up... so let them do not start leaning into turns like you do in the summer... also if they salt the roads where you live wash the bike when you get home... that stuff is mean, remember the more gear you have on the more limitied your mobility in the saddle... you will get used to it. enjoy the winter... or get the snowmobiles ready!

 

Be sure to add some Seafoam to the gas .