winterizing, yes or no?
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 1
winterizing, yes or no?
If I decide not to put it away for 5 months of Michigan winter, what do you think is the minimuum riding I must do to keep it in shape. I get my HD Softail out of garage once a month and ride for about 25 minutes with about ten minutes on the highway at good throttle and speed and when I park it back I make surethe wheels touch different ground spots. Is this enough or what do you think, all comments welcome. i do add a little gas stabilizer to 1/2 tank of gas. Then I cover it good with a thick blanket and a cover. Battery connects to a tender.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From:
RE: winterizing, yes or no?
don't ya love michigan? i change all my oils when i put it up in the fall...i usually try to ride at least a couple times throughout the winter. about april 1 i give her hell for another season. i think the bike is fine. i too put stable in the gas. i also wash the bike good if there might be salt on the road (just rinse it down actually). i think people make to much of winterizing. i ride until late november usually. even if it sat till april i dont see how there could be any problems. condensation would be your only enemy and that shouldnt be a probem if you run it till its good and hot...as a matter of fact i road mine for a little while today...supposed to have a winter storm tonite...good luck
scott
scott
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: Inverness, FL
RE: winterizing, yes or no?
Where in Michigan? Must be up north if you get 5 months of winter.
Change the engine late in the year so that dirty oil don't settle, separate or corrode anything.
I put a little Stabil in on my last ride before the first big snow, usually end of November, some years in December.Use SeaFoam in the spring.
This is my first EFI bike (bought it this October) and this winter. Road it the dayafter Thanksgiving,day after Christmas, and thisweek. If and when I doride during the winter it's atleast 45 minutes and I try toget the engine good and hot. Then I try to put it in the garage as soon as I get home instead of leaving it outside tocool.
Downriver Detroit here, where are you guys from?
Change the engine late in the year so that dirty oil don't settle, separate or corrode anything.
I put a little Stabil in on my last ride before the first big snow, usually end of November, some years in December.Use SeaFoam in the spring.
This is my first EFI bike (bought it this October) and this winter. Road it the dayafter Thanksgiving,day after Christmas, and thisweek. If and when I doride during the winter it's atleast 45 minutes and I try toget the engine good and hot. Then I try to put it in the garage as soon as I get home instead of leaving it outside tocool.
Downriver Detroit here, where are you guys from?
RE: winterizing, yes or no?
I live in Cleveland,Ohio.I have never "winterized" my bike.I actually rode it on Tuesday,January 8th.If I had winterized it I would be kicking myself for missing that ride.I have had my ride for 5 years and if it sits for too long I will go out and start it and let it run for 30-45 minutes in the garage. Also I have never had o charge the battery.It is still original from March 2003
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From:
RE: winterizing, yes or no?
Having spent many years with boats that were stored for winter months, the process of storage used was honed to make sure there were no issues that resulted from inactivity. We used a stablizer in the fuel (put in an almost full tank..run for 5-10 minutes, then top off the tank to full so there's no condensation). Trickle charge the battery as you're doing. Lubricate anything that might need it prior to storing. As far as running is concerned, all that's needed is to get the bike up to operating temperature. A highway speed ride for about 10 minutes will do that and charge the battery too as well as push lubrication throughout the engine.
Then cover the bike (once cool), put the charger backand you can leave it for 3-4 weeks (again, after topping off to keep it full). We've stored boats without running for 6 months at a time in harsh winters and as long as batteries were charged and stabil. was used, they started right up with no problems virtually every time.
Good luck.
Then cover the bike (once cool), put the charger backand you can leave it for 3-4 weeks (again, after topping off to keep it full). We've stored boats without running for 6 months at a time in harsh winters and as long as batteries were charged and stabil. was used, they started right up with no problems virtually every time.
Good luck.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From:
RE: winterizing, yes or no?
hello, i'm in ithaca....right in the middle of the state....i'm not going to live forever so if i get a chance to ride i'll ride. i get a charge out of the people that are afraid to ride in the winter as they might get some salt on their bike..i bought the thing to ride. i hope to wear this one out along with a few more. some simple precautions as stated here will keep things in order. i do however find myself a bit sensitive to cold as i get older. i rode a bit yesterday but never got over about 45mph.....any faster and my skin told me to slow down. should have used a snowmobile suit but i dont have one.
scott
scott
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
From: McMechen, WV
RE: winterizing, yes or no?
I don't "winterize" because you never know when you can get out. I am loving that I can still ride in January! Sta-bil in the gas and if you don't get to ride at least once each week, start the bike and let it run for 15-20 minutes.