post winter fuel treatments
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,762
From: Omaha,NE
The winters here have been all over the place. I was riding on Christmas day @ almost 60°F. I no longer winterize my bikes. Now it was -8°F over the weekend, but in a few weeks the temp could be up again.
I use Tier-3 gasoline and have found that it stores well without additives. Up to 3 - 4 months without noticeable degradation. It's always a matter of preference, but with having 4 bikes in the garage, mine was to forego the usual steps and just ride my bikes when I can.
In answer to your original question, as others said, just ride it.
I use Tier-3 gasoline and have found that it stores well without additives. Up to 3 - 4 months without noticeable degradation. It's always a matter of preference, but with having 4 bikes in the garage, mine was to forego the usual steps and just ride my bikes when I can.
In answer to your original question, as others said, just ride it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 648
From: Saint Charles, Missouri
I start adding Stabil in starting the last half of October every year and stop come April, Even though I usually get a ride or 2 in for November, December, and February, the Stabil doesn't hurt anything, and just in case we have a real winter, the bike is protected.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
Gasoline has a 3-6 month shelf life. Ride it when it warms up…or, when it’s warm enough to actually ride.
Make sure you’re getting good gas, not 10% ethanol, etc.
The only thing I do not recommend you do is periodically start it to hear it…then shut it down, without a full bringing up to temp and riding it…you’ll be trapping moisture which would normally evaporate during proper warm up and riding.
I typically cover and tender after Thanksgiving. But, I’ve managed to log a couple rides since on sunny days in the 40s and 50s.
Now that we have snow and salt…I’ll wait till warmer temps and a good rain or two to wash off the salt.
I think gas in a modern gas tank for a few months is way, way overthought.
Make sure you’re getting good gas, not 10% ethanol, etc.
The only thing I do not recommend you do is periodically start it to hear it…then shut it down, without a full bringing up to temp and riding it…you’ll be trapping moisture which would normally evaporate during proper warm up and riding.
I typically cover and tender after Thanksgiving. But, I’ve managed to log a couple rides since on sunny days in the 40s and 50s.
Now that we have snow and salt…I’ll wait till warmer temps and a good rain or two to wash off the salt.
I think gas in a modern gas tank for a few months is way, way overthought.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 337
Likes: 5
From: Westchester NY
Thank you all for replies. It basically confirmed with what I was thinking. Toughest part is hard to find non-ethanol gas in my area of downstate NY. My Chief concern is this is my first Fuel injected bike and I didn't want to do anything that would harm injectors or sensors. With my old bike ran a carburetor and I never feared running any additives through it.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
I prefer to use Startron over Stabil. You cant over treat with Startron. As others have said, run the bike to get the fuel all the way to the injectors. It might be excessive, but I treat with Startron then go for a quick ride down the beach road. When I get back I top off with 2 stroke synthetic mix. Then she gets pulled onto/off the trailer at my storage garage and goes to sleep.
in the spring its check levels, turn the key and go!
in the spring its check levels, turn the key and go!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 655
From: bklyn,ny
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 2,457
OP, this is a great question and I have been wondering about this as well. Right now, my bike is covered up, full tank of gas to the rim, hooked up to the tenderer and thats it.
From the videos that I watched and independent experiments, none of the fuel winterizers really did anything. They failed to prevent separation in fuel, even more, protecting the parts.
So now what..when I start my bike up for the first time in spring, I will be, according to the experiments and comparing to those who added seafoam, etc. to their tanks, will be at the exactly same spot that they are.
Considering that, what can one do? You will still suck up all the separated **** right back to your engine.
So I wonder, should we just NOT fill the tank up? Let it dry out and put fresh fuel in when starting the bike up in spring for the first time?
From the videos that I watched and independent experiments, none of the fuel winterizers really did anything. They failed to prevent separation in fuel, even more, protecting the parts.
So now what..when I start my bike up for the first time in spring, I will be, according to the experiments and comparing to those who added seafoam, etc. to their tanks, will be at the exactly same spot that they are.
Considering that, what can one do? You will still suck up all the separated **** right back to your engine.
So I wonder, should we just NOT fill the tank up? Let it dry out and put fresh fuel in when starting the bike up in spring for the first time?
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