It's time to put her away.
I have a large detached garage. It's not insulated except for the foam under the vinyl siding, but it's quite weather tight. It has a concrete floor that I laid plywood on top of before I put the bike in. It's not heated, that would cost a fortune, but it is de-humidified unless it drops below 40 degrees (unit automatically turns off). I've got a battery tender and I've put Sta-bil in the tank. Did I miss anything? Other than a good coat of wax, should I put any other type of protectant on the chrome?
As always, thanks for the input.

 

sounds pretty good. they say its best to change the oil right before you put it away so that contaminants don't settle to the bottom of the tank and build up. plus then in the spring all you have to do is ride! as far as the chrome, you should be alright leaving it alone but some have suggested waxing it but leaving the dried wax on as a protective barrier. then wipe it off come spring time.

 

Keep the tank full to the top of gas to keep water out. The bike should be ok I would not cover the bike at all some times covers will make the bike sweat and then u have a wet cover laying on ur chrome. I allways change my oil too right before I put the bike away the old oil is loaded with crap and u dont want that stuff sitting in the bottem of your oil tank all winter jamming up ur oil lines next year change the oil and filter just before you put the bike away. I like to start my bike once a mon for 15 mins then top off the gas again and put her back away just to keep things moving.

 

Copied from www.dreamcycles.net

WINTERIZING YOUR BIKE

For Canadian motorcyclists autumn marks the end of the riding season and a time of completing a crucial step in the maintenance for your motorycle-Winterizing! The following are simple guidelines to assist you in accomplishing this task to assure that next spring you are back on the road with no problem.

First of all give your bike its last thorough wash of the season. Use lots of soap and water since removing any bugs and road grime will protect the bike’s finish both paint and chrome. After carefully drying your motorcycle finish up with a good wax polish on all surfaces. Clean your chain if your bike has one and lube the chain.

Add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank then fill your tank with as much gas as it can hold. The fuel stabilizer will prevent the gas from aging and leaving sludge and residue in your carburetor or injectors. By filling your gas tank to the top the possibility of water condensing in your tank is reduced. Run your bike so that the stabilized gas reaches your carburetors or fuel injectors.

If your bike uses a carburetor shut off the gas petcock and drain the gas from the carburetor bowls. Your manual will show the location of the drain screws. If your bike is fuel-injected this step does not apply.
Change the oil and filter as you do not want old oil with impurities sitting in your bike over the winter.

Remove the spark plug wires and with a spark plug wrench carefully remove the spark plugs. Add approximately one teaspoon of motor oil down the spark plug holes. Turn the engine over several revolutions with the starter motor in order to spread this oil over the cylinders and rings. Replace the spark plugs and plug wires. This step is mainly for cold storage.

Remove your bike’s battery and store inside where it is warm. You may wish to purchase and use a “Battery Tender” type of charger in order to maintain your battery and prevent sulfates building up on the battery plates. This can save you the cost of a new battery in the spring.

If your bike is liquid cooled now is the time to check the anti-freeze level and replace if necessary. At the same time check any and all other fluid levels.

Give your bike a good look over. Check your brake pads, air filter and fuel filters. Lubricate cables, drive shaft if you have one and any other pivot points.

Inflate your tires to their recommended levels and cover your exhaust pipe openings with plastic wrap and rubber bands to prevent mice from making a home.

These simple steps will protect your motorcyle over the winter months and ensure that next spring you will be ready to hit the road. Have a great winter!

 

They sit on the dealers floor alot longer than that,with no special treatment,often outside if used,why all the worries?

 

That is the worst thing you can do. All you are doing is fouling your oil. If you can't get it out and ride it up to operating temp, the best thing to do is just let it sit. If you are gonna let it sit idle for more than a month or so, fog the top end if it makes you feel good.

 

I recommend you don't run the engine unless you are going to get it up to full operating temp. Idling the bike just starts the whole condensation process over again and the oil doesn't get hot enough to burn it off. More moisture = more wear. Ride it, or leave it off...