Thoughts on Winter Storage
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 277
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From: Michigan
Thoughts on Winter Storage
I realize I am putting this out to people that have year-round riding, excellent wrenches and maybe even some that have never seen snow [:@]. But I am not much of a wrench and live in the lousy weather area we call Michigan (where if you don't like the weather just wait an hour, it will change).
I am curious what you folks think about all these stealerships that are sending me flyers saying they will stow my bike?
Unless there is a freak of nature, I am looking at having to put it up for Dec, Jan & Feb. Do you think I should shell out $150 or do you have some suggestions on what I might do during those hard freeze months? I do have a 2-car carage (unheated) and not opposed to keeping it there if I knew what needs to be done to prep the bike.
I've been told to take it out once or twice a month on the nicer days during these bad months, but they salt the he!! out of the roads here and I am not sure that is best ... but I'll listen to all advice!
Thoughts?
Thanks, Kevin
Shadofaxx
(Named in memory of the best dog that ever wagged a tail)
I am curious what you folks think about all these stealerships that are sending me flyers saying they will stow my bike?
Unless there is a freak of nature, I am looking at having to put it up for Dec, Jan & Feb. Do you think I should shell out $150 or do you have some suggestions on what I might do during those hard freeze months? I do have a 2-car carage (unheated) and not opposed to keeping it there if I knew what needs to be done to prep the bike.
I've been told to take it out once or twice a month on the nicer days during these bad months, but they salt the he!! out of the roads here and I am not sure that is best ... but I'll listen to all advice!
Thoughts?
Thanks, Kevin
Shadofaxx
(Named in memory of the best dog that ever wagged a tail)
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 762
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From:
RE: Thoughts on Winter Storage
It would kill me to have my bike in storage all winter. We get some 50-60 degree days through out the winter and I ride! Live in Iowa by the way. Heck the past 2 years we have had some 65-70 degree days in the middle of winter. Not sure about most, but I usually even keep my battery in the bike. going on 3 yrs now and never had issues. yet.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: Mont. Co. Maryland
RE: Thoughts on Winter Storage
I store mine in my 2 car garage(unheated) all winter!!!! I give it a good waxing, do the service if it's near that time, fill the tank (adding additives is optional), hookup a battery tender, cover it up, and wait the winter out!!!
I do go out and start it every now and then, and I take it out for a short < 5 mile ride when weather is tolerable.
No problem at riding season!!!!!
I do go out and start it every now and then, and I take it out for a short < 5 mile ride when weather is tolerable.
No problem at riding season!!!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 4
From: MONTGOMERY,AL.
RE: Thoughts on Winter Storage
Make sure all fluids are changed fresh,clean thouroughly and wax and polish all chrome,add a fuel stabalizer making sure the tank is completely full, overinflate your tire pressures by 4-6 pounds,spray metal parts with a light coat of wd-40,do not stsrt the bike unless you are going to take it out for a ride getting the engine temps to normal,install a battery tender. Throw on a big sheet to protect from dust. Leave it alone until spring.If you do take it out ,make sure there is a rainfall between salting of the streets. And no matter what anyone says it is best not to start it. Some people think periodic starting helps but what it does is get condensation in the pipes causing rust and corrosion if not up to normal temps.Do these things and you will be fine.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Thoughts on Winter Storage
I live in Ohio, and so have similar winters. I quit winterizing and storing my bike about 10 years ago. There's always at least one day every month when it's warm enough and dry enough I can fire it up and ride for an hour or so. I don't even bother with the battery tender any more -- it's always got a charge if you ride it that often.
In fact, our HOG chapter has held a New Year's Day ride for years. As long as it's not snowing, raining or icy, I bundle up and get the bike out. Some guys get the bike out regardless, even if it snows. I won't do that partly for safety, but mostly because I don't want to clean road salt and other gunk out of all the nooks and crannies. Washing the bike is a pain too.
PL
In fact, our HOG chapter has held a New Year's Day ride for years. As long as it's not snowing, raining or icy, I bundle up and get the bike out. Some guys get the bike out regardless, even if it snows. I won't do that partly for safety, but mostly because I don't want to clean road salt and other gunk out of all the nooks and crannies. Washing the bike is a pain too.
PL
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,197
Likes: 708
From: (Toronto) Canada
RE: Thoughts on Winter Storage
Mack is 100% right. Do not start up in the winter. A dry startup does more harm than good.
At the end of the season put in cheap oil, and then before you ride again change it to what you normally use. The cheap oil will collect the acids and moisture that you don't want in your engine. Leave the bike alone untill it's time to ride again. i know it's hard, but it's better for your ride.
At the end of the season put in cheap oil, and then before you ride again change it to what you normally use. The cheap oil will collect the acids and moisture that you don't want in your engine. Leave the bike alone untill it's time to ride again. i know it's hard, but it's better for your ride.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Fort Stockton TX
RE: Thoughts on Winter Storage
What is winter storage? Just a little barb. I live in West Texas and we can ride all year.
You have some great advise and yes indeed, do not start it unless you will ride for at least 10 miles. Good riding and happy storage.....
You have some great advise and yes indeed, do not start it unless you will ride for at least 10 miles. Good riding and happy storage.....
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
RE: Thoughts on Winter Storage
Michigan resident also....Usually put the bike away in Mid November. Although I look for a nice day following Halloween, if I get one then I change all the fluids, wash the bike, take it for a ride to the gas station and top it off adding a bit of Stabil to the mix. Bring it back to either my garage or my rented storage unit and put it on the stand so the tires aren't on the cement, put the fitted cover over her and plug in the batter tender. I've also ridden to Florida in October, and just put the bike in a storage unit for four months, fly down for bike week, ride, put it back in the unit until April (or later) when I fly back down and get her. I rented a unit just down the road from Orlando HD, put them on the list of people that could access the unit and they would service the bike before I flew down.
I used to go through the whole routine of 'fogging the cylinders', draining the carb bowl, pulling the battery and taking it inside...But like alot of other posts, I just might want to take her out of storage early.
Most places that offer storage also offer a deal on service work/upgrades/modifications during the winter months. A good time to take advantage of this because as we all know when riding season hits....you pay hell gettting your bike worked on or back in a timely manner.
I used to go through the whole routine of 'fogging the cylinders', draining the carb bowl, pulling the battery and taking it inside...But like alot of other posts, I just might want to take her out of storage early.
Most places that offer storage also offer a deal on service work/upgrades/modifications during the winter months. A good time to take advantage of this because as we all know when riding season hits....you pay hell gettting your bike worked on or back in a timely manner.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 420
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From:
RE: Thoughts on Winter Storage
i live in indiana same climate as michigan we also live on a lake over the years i have seen the advantages of fogging the motor thougholy so when the time comes i will be changing my fluids dosing up the gas with some stabil and making sure the mix gets into the carb. then with the motor running fog it through the carb and when its really smoking spray enough that the motor cant stay running, pull the plugs squirt about 3 sec of fog oil in each cylender cover the plug holes with towels and turn bike over 2 or 3 times re-instal plugs shut of gas wax thwe bike and cover...... not only do we have cold winters we have humid winters
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 277
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From: Michigan
RE: Thoughts on Winter Storage
Thanks for all the replies and great advice. I think I have a flavor for what I'll do this first winter (yes, I'll keep it in my garage and do my own prep).
Note to Viejo: I lived in Texas for 3 years and there is real truth to the term 'Southern Hospitality'! I've made life-long friends down there.
All you other's look for me on the road sometime ... I'll be the one waving
Note to Viejo: I lived in Texas for 3 years and there is real truth to the term 'Southern Hospitality'! I've made life-long friends down there.
All you other's look for me on the road sometime ... I'll be the one waving