Do you winterize the bike ?
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,698
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From: x
Do you winterize the bike ?
Just wondering what steps you folks go through when putting your bikes up for the winter. I live up north where it snows a lot, gets down to 0 degrees and lower so it can be months between rides. I know; I'm not a real biker. But other than a battery tender and an occasional start-up in the shop, what is good practice? Put her up off the ground? Electric blanket under the cover, dvd player with "Chips" playing full time? Hot coco ready to go? Anything ? Nothing? I know I'll at least go out and tell her bedtime stories once and awhile, but what about the mechanical end of it?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
I don't winterized. I pretty much ride year around. Got a Polar Bear patch afterall.. 
However, to answer your question, I'd fill the tank with premium and add some gas stabilizer. Change all the fluids and put it on a battery tender 2-3 days a week. It wouldn't hurt to start it every few weeks either..
However, to answer your question, I'd fill the tank with premium and add some gas stabilizer. Change all the fluids and put it on a battery tender 2-3 days a week. It wouldn't hurt to start it every few weeks either..
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Do not start it throughout the winter. It should not be started unless you are going to ride it far enough to get it up to operating temps. Stabilize the gas, clean the bike thoroughly, and plug it into a tender.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 417
Likes: 3
From: CT
I'm one of those "do not start" people.
Unless you start the bike and get it up to normal operating temperature, all you are doing is contaminating the oil with moisture, filling the exhaust with water, fouling plugs and draining the battery.
Especially with air cooled bikes, the headers glow red with heat while the rest of the motor is cool. (If you must start it, at least have a fan blowing at it)
My winter drill: full tank, stabilizer, fresh fluids, battery tender.
In spring I drain the gas before first ride and use it in my truck and lawnmower, fresh gas and ride.
Unless you start the bike and get it up to normal operating temperature, all you are doing is contaminating the oil with moisture, filling the exhaust with water, fouling plugs and draining the battery.
Especially with air cooled bikes, the headers glow red with heat while the rest of the motor is cool. (If you must start it, at least have a fan blowing at it)
My winter drill: full tank, stabilizer, fresh fluids, battery tender.
In spring I drain the gas before first ride and use it in my truck and lawnmower, fresh gas and ride.
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Just wondering what steps you folks go through when putting your bikes up for the winter. I live up north where it snows a lot, gets down to 0 degrees and lower so it can be months between rides. I know; I'm not a real biker. But other than a battery tender and an occasional start-up in the shop, what is good practice? Put her up off the ground? Electric blanket under the cover, dvd player with "Chips" playing full time? Hot coco ready to go? Anything ? Nothing? I know I'll at least go out and tell her bedtime stories once and awhile, but what about the mechanical end of it?
Clean and detail it...
I put mine up on a jack and strap it down, otherwise park it on carpet or plywood.
Make sure the gas tank is topped off, and for my 5 gal. tank, I also add 5 oz. of SeaFoam.
Change the oil before storage, even if it's not that old, you don't want contaminants in there all winter.
Battery tender stays on for one week on, one week off, repeat.
I do NOT fire it up and let it run occasionally, unless I'm planning on riding it.
Plug the exhaust with plastic bags to prevent rodents from taking up residence.
Cover it with at least a couple good sized sheets.
All this is done in a non-heated garage...
Lot of good info online - Google "how to winterize a motorcycle"
Last edited by jam436; Aug 25, 2014 at 01:15 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 3,518
From: PA
I don't winterized. I pretty much ride year around. Got a Polar Bear patch afterall.. However, to answer your question, I'd fill the tank with premium and add some gas stabilizer. Change all the fluids and put it on a battery tender 2-3 days a week. It wouldn't hurt to start it every few weeks either..
However, to answer your question, I'd fill the tank with premium and add some gas stabilizer. Change all the fluids and put it on a battery tender 2-3 days a week. It wouldn't hurt to start it every few weeks either..And DO NOT start the bike unless you are going to ride it and get it up to temp!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
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From: Carlsbad, CA
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Illinois
Agree, do not start your bike unless you can ride it long enough to prevent moisture to build up. Also, when you intermittently start your bike it will pull moisture into it as it cools back down. I put the battery tender on it, stable in the gas and change the fluids. The reason I put my bike up for winter with fresh oil in it is because old, used oil can contain moisture and that can wreak havoc on internal parts causing them to pit and to build up sludge. A side benefit to that is when the good weather breaks, I can hop on it and I'm good to go!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,916
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From: West Texas Sandhills
I never have until this past winter. I had a knee replaced in mid October and knew I wouldn't be physically able until Feb or March, so I had to do it. Normally I ride during the winter so winterizing isn't necessary.
