Winter Drivers
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 155
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From: Washington DC
Winter Drivers
I am planning on driving my Dyna Fat Bob this winter on a limited basis in the Washington D.C. area - my question is, how often will I need to ride in order to not have to put her down for the winter? I plan on riding once a week for about an hour (highway driving) to get her up to temperature. I just filled the tank and put in a fuel stabilizer thinking I was going to put her down until April. Now, I'm thinking the DC area has a few good riding days in the winter and I'd like to keep riding, even if it is only once a week.
If I get the bike out for a good run at least once a week for an hour at a good speed - will that carry me through until the spring without any engine or fuel system damage? Is there anything else I should do if I want to keep riding to keep the bike in shape? Do I need to get a winter grade oil? I keep the bike stored in a garage (not heated or insulated) when not riding.
Thanks! I appreciate all the great advice I've gotten thru this forum!
If I get the bike out for a good run at least once a week for an hour at a good speed - will that carry me through until the spring without any engine or fuel system damage? Is there anything else I should do if I want to keep riding to keep the bike in shape? Do I need to get a winter grade oil? I keep the bike stored in a garage (not heated or insulated) when not riding.
Thanks! I appreciate all the great advice I've gotten thru this forum!
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 2
From: PA
If I get the bike out for a good run at least once a week for an hour at a good speed - will that carry me through until the spring without any engine or fuel system damage? Is there anything else I should do if I want to keep riding to keep the bike in shape? Do I need to get a winter grade oil? I keep the bike stored in a garage (not heated or insulated) when not riding.
This time of year i ride when the temps let me, but my bike is always ready for hibernation if needed. She always has sta-bil in the tank and is always plugged into the tender and on the jack when not being ridden. When the salt/sand crap hits the roads this year i'm puttin er away for good till the spring showers wash it all away. If ur planning on ridin as stated plan on at least rinsing the salt/sand off weekly but better yet wash it real good!!
Last edited by RDK09; Dec 28, 2011 at 08:45 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Great Falls, Va.
Well, I always keep mine on the tender, so no issues there. I ride when I can in the winter, but add fuel stabilzer and cover it up (in the garage) when the salt hits the road. However, once the salt washes away, even if still cold, out she comes. Repeat cycle as necessary.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
I don't worry about her sittin still unless it's over 2 months (8 weeks). (last year went for a 6 week stretch without riding..had an usually extreme winter last year)
Once every 6 or so weeks I'll plug in the old school trickle charger overnight for a weekend...does the job just fine.
I don't believe in fuel stabilizer...since the early 80's it comes from the pump with enough of that crap in there...gas in the bike, tractors, chippers, lawn mowers, chain saws, snow blower,and lets not forget collections of boats....it can sit for a year or hell a couple of years...and those engines start up just fine right away. Back in the 70's and earlier...yeah, try that and it would be a pain to start...so I used to put stabilizer in back then. But since enough people told me about fuel coming from the pump with that crap in there since the 80's...I stopped adding it..and lo and behold...engines fire up just fine first thing in the spring. Your wallet though.
Once every 6 or so weeks I'll plug in the old school trickle charger overnight for a weekend...does the job just fine.
I don't believe in fuel stabilizer...since the early 80's it comes from the pump with enough of that crap in there...gas in the bike, tractors, chippers, lawn mowers, chain saws, snow blower,and lets not forget collections of boats....it can sit for a year or hell a couple of years...and those engines start up just fine right away. Back in the 70's and earlier...yeah, try that and it would be a pain to start...so I used to put stabilizer in back then. But since enough people told me about fuel coming from the pump with that crap in there since the 80's...I stopped adding it..and lo and behold...engines fire up just fine first thing in the spring. Your wallet though.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 155
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From: Washington DC
Thanks for all the great information! So, I am taking her out tomorrow morning (low 40's temperature) for an hour - funny, the cold never really bothers me, so it's nice to know it won't bother the bike too much. Do any of you get a different grade oil in the winter? Do you get more frequent oil changes? I plan on doing an oil change every 1,000 miles this winter, although I think with only an hour a week, I might not tack up that many miles!
Hey Toypuller, nice comment about "that's more than a lot of bikes get ridden in midsommer!" I agree. I traded in my rice burner (V-Max) for my Fat Bob in July and have put 5,000 miles on her already - every time I have a free moment, all I want to do is tae her out for a spin! I guess that's the harley addiction setting in!
Hey Toypuller, nice comment about "that's more than a lot of bikes get ridden in midsommer!" I agree. I traded in my rice burner (V-Max) for my Fat Bob in July and have put 5,000 miles on her already - every time I have a free moment, all I want to do is tae her out for a spin! I guess that's the harley addiction setting in!
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Outstanding HDF Member
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From: Great Falls, Va.
I use the same oil all year round, and stick to the 5,000 mile scheduled changes, never a problem. I do about 17,000-18,000 miles per year.
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From: Long Island, NY
I try and ride throughout the winter so, for me, I plug in the battery tender, keep the gas tank filled, add some marine stabil if it's going to be sitting for more than a few weeks due to snow, ice frigid temps.
When I do get out if it's only a short ride, I want to ride at least 10 miles or 20 mins so the bike heats up and condensation doesn't build. Never a good idea just to fire it up and just shut it down.
When I do get out if it's only a short ride, I want to ride at least 10 miles or 20 mins so the bike heats up and condensation doesn't build. Never a good idea just to fire it up and just shut it down.
