Winterizing absolutely necessary?
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Winterizing absolutely necessary?
Hey everyone, new to the forum with lots of newbie questions. First question right now is: is winterizing (change oil, fill gas tank + stabilizer, fog cylinders, etc) absolutely necessary? I'm getting mixed responses. It also seems most of the threads regarding this subject have input from members who live in areas that are much colder than where I am.
I'm a fairly new rider (bought my first bike in March) and I'm too broke to buy cold weather/rain gear for this winter. I'm not sure what the definition of "cold" is to everyone here but it doesn't get THAT cold here in the Seattle area. Might snow for a week if we're lucky, and the temp never goes to single digits. I have about 1,000 miles since my last oil change...
So would it be wise to NOT winterize my ride this winter? I seriously would ride all year round if I could afford good cold weather/rain gear, but then again, I do commute to/from work and hit stop and go traffic both ways... Might not be too fun in the cold AND rain...
I'm a fairly new rider (bought my first bike in March) and I'm too broke to buy cold weather/rain gear for this winter. I'm not sure what the definition of "cold" is to everyone here but it doesn't get THAT cold here in the Seattle area. Might snow for a week if we're lucky, and the temp never goes to single digits. I have about 1,000 miles since my last oil change...
So would it be wise to NOT winterize my ride this winter? I seriously would ride all year round if I could afford good cold weather/rain gear, but then again, I do commute to/from work and hit stop and go traffic both ways... Might not be too fun in the cold AND rain...
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Naw.... just put her up for the winter without doing anything and PRAY/HOPE she starts next spring.....
All this Chit about winterizing Ur bike is just BS. Cause all the Articles U've read surely can't be right..
Just chitting Ya.. on above...
If U dont do at least the easy things Ur asking for Problems...
I am 63 and have had bikes since I was 15...
All my bikes are/have been stored in a heated garage...
and the least I'd do is during winter is
Clean and wax the bike--everything,
Add Sta-bil to gas.
Put bike on lift to remove weight off tire and bearing.
Change all Oils before storage.
Put rags in mufflers.
Now do what U want if U think U know better...
.
All this Chit about winterizing Ur bike is just BS. Cause all the Articles U've read surely can't be right..
Just chitting Ya.. on above...
If U dont do at least the easy things Ur asking for Problems...
I am 63 and have had bikes since I was 15...
All my bikes are/have been stored in a heated garage...
and the least I'd do is during winter is
Clean and wax the bike--everything,
Add Sta-bil to gas.
Put bike on lift to remove weight off tire and bearing.
Change all Oils before storage.
Put rags in mufflers.
Now do what U want if U think U know better...
.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
I bow to the 63 year old, I'm 58 and have been riding for a long time. I top off the tank (no stabilizer - ever) clean and cover the bike, charge the battery once a month, change oil in the Spring. This is, I'd say the best minimum to do. In Seattle this is probably all you have to do.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 123
Likes: 4
From: Shoreline, Washington
I live in western Washington like the OP and I always think I'll ride more in the winter than I actually do. Too much misty rain that can come up any time and I worry that drivers see motorcycles even less during winter than in nicer weather. I admit that I've almost quit riding now and will for sure by Dec. 1st.
I'm back in the saddle if we get sunny days in Feb. so the bike is really only put away for 2 mos. Battery tender, crankcase oil change, wash and wax and cover is all I do. Stored over plastic sheeting, covered, in unheated garage on concrete floor. Bike is 2003, still looks great.
I'm back in the saddle if we get sunny days in Feb. so the bike is really only put away for 2 mos. Battery tender, crankcase oil change, wash and wax and cover is all I do. Stored over plastic sheeting, covered, in unheated garage on concrete floor. Bike is 2003, still looks great.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,870
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville, FL
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
I change my oil before putting the bike away, if it's close to being due for a change. Always keep a full fuel tank (or close to it) during the winter months, it reduces condensation in the tank.
I'll do a good soap and water wash while the weather is nice enough to do it outside. Over winter I'll detail the bike.
I will usually take a ride or two each month, the bike is never really winterized.
I'll do a good soap and water wash while the weather is nice enough to do it outside. Over winter I'll detail the bike.
I will usually take a ride or two each month, the bike is never really winterized.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: 3 rd rock
When I lived on the NW coast I found proper winterizing more important than in most other places. Inland gets cold and stays relatively cold and humidity is really low. On the coast the dampness and humidity as well as warm/cold fluctuations is brutal on idle equipment. Condensation in the gas tank (and everywhere else) will cause corrosion. I've seen new arrivals park and lock up the RV for the winter and come May they open the door and the entire interior is green with mold. If the bike is inside am insulated garage you shouldn't have any problems if you keep the fuel tank full, fog the cylinders and rotate the engine a couple turns every month.
As always, IMHO
Disco down
As always, IMHO
Disco down