Getting ready for winter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 474
Likes: 2
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Getting ready for winter
I moved to a colder area. This is the first time I have ever had to consider the cold on my bikes.
The winters here normally run between 20 and 40 degrees at night.
My garage is not insulated, so the bike will see those temperatures.
With those condition, would someone give me a quick run down on what to do to the bike to prepare it for winter?
The winters here normally run between 20 and 40 degrees at night.
My garage is not insulated, so the bike will see those temperatures.
With those condition, would someone give me a quick run down on what to do to the bike to prepare it for winter?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
RE: Getting ready for winter
In the So Cal mountains where I live I deal with those same temperatures (20's n 30's) when riding at nite or in the wee hours of the morning. Daytimes are in the 50's or 60's.
I don't really do anything different. The bike seems to do fine, just BUNDLE UP and wear the right gear to keep yourself comfortable is the only issue.
I don't really do anything different. The bike seems to do fine, just BUNDLE UP and wear the right gear to keep yourself comfortable is the only issue.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
From: Michigan/Florida
RE: Getting ready for winter
Get the bike warmed up completely. Change oil and filter. Fill gas tank and put in some Sta-bil. Clean the bike thoroughly and wax all chrome and polished surfaces. Maybe pull the battery or at least put a tender on it. Cover the bike with something that will breathe. Tarps and plastic sheets, even "rain proof" bike covers can hold in moisture ....not good. Do not start the bike unless you bring it up tp operating temp
RE: Getting ready for winter
Im in NY it gets cold here tooin winter.
Take the battery out and keep it in a cool (not freezing cold ) place. Keep a batt tender on it all winter. Check batt fluid levels occasionally while its on the tender.. Cover bike with a "blanket".
In spring, install battery .... ride. If done this for 30 + years now on all kindsa scooters... If ull be riding within 90 to 120 days.. No sta bil necessary.. Ive never had any fuel issues. Oh yea ... change oil before or after storage..
Take the battery out and keep it in a cool (not freezing cold ) place. Keep a batt tender on it all winter. Check batt fluid levels occasionally while its on the tender.. Cover bike with a "blanket".
In spring, install battery .... ride. If done this for 30 + years now on all kindsa scooters... If ull be riding within 90 to 120 days.. No sta bil necessary.. Ive never had any fuel issues. Oh yea ... change oil before or after storage..
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: Getting ready for winter
I ride in the winter as long as there's no snow, ice or salt. Between rides I keep the bike on the batttery tender and covered with a cotton breathable cover.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 2
From: USA
RE: Getting ready for winter
I ride her in NY all winter. I keep my ride in an unheated.uninsulated garage too...what I do, first is lay down some heavy plastic sheeting, this is to keep moisture from coming up from the concrete floor. It will pit your chrome real quickly. I lay a rug over that, don't really know why, just to keep the plastic in good shape I guess. On really cold nights, I keep a space heater right next to the bike on the primary side. Keeps the oil warm, or at least warmer then the air temps, for nice easy start-ups and helps with any moisture issues from the concrete floor....
And I ride it every week too...
And I ride it every week too...