Don't start them up unless you can ride for a half hour or better. The battery can't charge the amount of drain from starting with less than that running time. Also the moisture cannot burn out fully for at least an hour running.

$20 Schumaker 1.5 amp tender at Wally world and StaBil in the tank that you run through the system before putting away.

By the way even in the summer and even only for a day or two the best use of a tender to achieve maximum battery life is to use them 100% of the time. Unplug when you leave the garage and plug back in upon returning. A lead acid battery has a certain number of charge cycles before it dies. A tender will keep the battery at full charge and extend the battery for 8 years and more.

I store 5 motorcycles, 5 sports cars and a truck for years now. Never a battery problem.

 

Thanks to everyone for you input. I'm thinking about getting a floor jack so I can get the bike off the floor. I love the bike and I put 500 miles on it in two days. I can't wait for spring. Thanks again

 

In my dreams Southern California man, I live in Michigan and its 27 out with 3 inches of snow.

 

Thanks to everyone for you input. I'm thinking about getting a floor jack so I can get the bike off the floor. I love the bike and I put 500 miles on it in two days. I can't wait for spring. Thanks again

 

I treat a full tank of gas with StaBil, connect a Battery Tender, and cover my bikes. I don't start them during winter storage.

Every time you start a motor, you fill the crankcase with water vapor and acids from the various blowby oxides which have to be absorbed by the oil. This can cause corrosion. Unless you plan on riding it for at least 20 minutes to bring the oil up to temp and remove any moisture in the oil and exhaust, don't bother.

 

I was told that jacking up the bike for the winter to prevent any flat spots from occuring on the tires is bad for the suspension. Any truth to this. Thanks

 

All good advice, I also like to have a fan blowing on the bike to keep the surfaces from getting a coating of condensation and rusting all those pretty chrome parts. I wouldn’t use a cover, dust is not your enemy, water is.

Battery Tender,
Tires not in direct contact with cement. I use a 5x10 rubber flooring, but carpet or even cardboard will help
Stabil (some people prefer Sea Foam instead) don’t just pour it in the tank, it needs to be run in your last tank to treat all the fuel in the lines, injectors (carb) ect

Don’t start the bike thinking you are coating the inside surfaces with oil, this just creates moisture inside the motor and tranny.

 

Stabil, fluids, take care of the battery (I remove and store w/tender).
I spray a little fogging oil in the cylinders.. (leftovers from my boat)

 

Besides battery tender, fluids, and stabil, I also put mine on a jack. I can polish and wait on spring that way! Heated garage is also a plus. As others have said, I would not recommend starting until spring (unless you can ride for an hour or more). I park mine from Early December till mid March. Gets cold in Ohio!

 

I just change the oil and ride