Fuel “winterising”
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
It's never a good idea to short run a motorcycle engine during the off season. You can cause more damage with repeatedly short running the engine over the winter than just leaving it sit. Just bringing it up to operating temps does not burn off all the condensation created in a short run. I wouldn't go as far as a minimum 10 mile ride I have heard recommended, but I wouldn't fire a bike up without going for a good ride. It's not uncommon to see a half gallon of water to come out of a car's exhaust after it has idles for awhile.
Idling and blipping the throttle while parked to bring something up to temp is not the same as running through gears, heating it all up and not letting moisture setup in the bike.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 4,200
From: The boonies of northern New England
As one can see from all the replies, everyone has their own thing that seems to work for them. Here is what works for me. Ever since I bought my first push mower after I bought my first house 26 years ago, all the way to now, I have always stored my power equipment, boats I've owned, including my current boat, and motorcycles with Marine Stabil (the bluish green kind). And for probably the past 20 years or so, I also add the Startron to the tank. I store everything with a full tank of gas, and the additives are put in with every fill up for the boat and power equipment. For the bike, I only add the cocktail when I know the riding season is about to end, that way the stuff has had a chance to be run through the entire fuel system before the bike hibernates. The boat is carbureted (inboard/outboard), as are the push mower and leaf blower. All start with ease every spring. The boat has a 20 gallon tank, so I just add the stuff at each fill up. The garden tractor is used year round, for snowblowing in the winter and lawn mowing in the spring/summer/fall, as well as leaf pick up in the fall. But it can sit for weeks at a time in between uses, especially in late fall/early winter, before the big snow storms start to hit. So for that, it is more for peace of mind, probably not necessary, especially since it is fuel injected. Plus, all the power equipment is filled up from the same 5 gallon gas can, so it is just easier to put the stuff in the gas can each time I need to refill it.
As always, whatever works for you, is what you should do.
As always, whatever works for you, is what you should do.
Last edited by 603Hog; Dec 7, 2021 at 08:36 AM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 71
Likes: 17
From: Washington
Ethanol free
It’s strange that no one has brought up the use of ethanol free [clear gas] here. If you want a good gas for parking during the winter or running all year round, find a source that sells it. You don’t have to worry about it absorbing moisture. A website that I use to find the closest station is pure-gas.org. Take a look it’s good for small engines through race cars.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
It’s strange that no one has brought up the use of ethanol free [clear gas] here. If you want a good gas for parking during the winter or running all year round, find a source that sells it. You don’t have to worry about it absorbing moisture. A website that I use to find the closest station is pure-gas.org. Take a look it’s good for small engines through race cars.
However….long road trips away from the house, not “as” convenient…as it often boils down to Gas at X stop on the freeway or while out and about.
I know…my point here is off topic for winter storage, but a good call Rickity.
**Edit.. ok, it’s 2022…lol. There’s an app for that.
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