Winter Bike Storage {Myths Shattered}
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
I do change the fluids before winter, cover it with an old sheet and put a battery tender on it. That way it is ready when the weather allows a mid winter ride.
If people want to do more that's fine, I haven't seen much recommended that would hurt anything. If they are still worrying about doing it they better hurry up, winter is more than half over (I hope).
If people want to do more that's fine, I haven't seen much recommended that would hurt anything. If they are still worrying about doing it they better hurry up, winter is more than half over (I hope).
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From:
I think ya'll tend to be a little more paranoid then you need to be about bike storage. I know as well as anyone how much we love em and would die for em and all like that, but all my decades in Minnesota and all those bikes stored for all those winters, I just put em in the garage or my cousins shed, disconnected the battery, threw a sheet over em and let em sit till Spring. Thats it. No bubbles, no carpet under the tires, no light bulb, no moving them around, no starting up every once in a while, no battery tender, no lifting it on a jack, no oil squirted into the cylinders, NOTHING! And not once, not even once, in all that time did I ever have an issue with the bike come spring. I understand your concern for your baby an all that, but its really not that big of a deal, try not to over think it, k? The bike will be fine. You guys have a lot of more pressing problems. like trying to keep yourselves winterized.
I hope Spring comes early this year, my friends!
I hope Spring comes early this year, my friends!
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: At home
I just bought a bike after about 8 years without so I'm riding mine as long as the roads are clear. Everyone thought I was retarded when I was out riding yesterday in the 22 degree weather. I at least slowed down or changed lanes for the drifts.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,886
Likes: 3
I thought I was the only one with 'neglectful' winter storage habits....this thread is making me feel better. About all I do is try to fill the tank up on what I believe to be one of the last rides of the year...throw a sheet over the bikes to keep most of the dust off, rotate the battery tender, and take 'em out on rides between snow blizzards.....and no problems.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 403
Likes: 28
From: Carlisle, PA
I do agree with TXSwede and while I lived in upstate NY all I did was disconnect the battery and cover it and never had any problems for 9 years there. Once they came out with battery tenders I started using one to try to get more life out of my battery. Some of the things that I see that people do just for winter storage really is overkill.