Running bike engine during winter
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 368
Likes: 2
From: Yantis, Texas
Running bike engine during winter
I definitely keep the battery charged with the battery tender but I am wondering how many of you start your bike and let it run for 10-15 minutes every few weeks while it sits all winter long? Is this good to do to keep things "lubricated well" and beneficial for the engine? Seems like a bike sitting for months with the engine never being cranked up would not be good. Thanks for your opinions. Winter sucks by the way. Come on spring. 
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
I would not be worried about the bike sitting for 3 or 4 months without running it. I've heard it's worse to run it and not get it hot enough, because that will leave condensation in the system, e.g, that chocolate-milky-looking futz that collects around the dipstick.
Just change the oil after the winter, before starting up, and turn it over a few seconds without starting it before you fire it up in the Spring.
Alan
Just change the oil after the winter, before starting up, and turn it over a few seconds without starting it before you fire it up in the Spring.
Alan
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 32,562
Likes: 2,577
From: Shit Weather USA
Strarting a bike like that without actually riding it 15 miles or so will allow the condensation build up. Just make sure it's hooked up to a tender and leave it alone until you are ready to actually ride it.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 368
Likes: 2
From: Yantis, Texas
Thanks guys for the great info. All of your points make good sense and I didn't think about the condensation issue. This is my first winter with my 2009 Ultra Classic and unfortunately it has been a long winter for me as it has been for many. I will just let it sit until I can start riding. This is why I love this forum. Quick, good and helpful answers.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Condensation can even be a issue in the summer if you just take short trips and do not let the motor get to full operating temperature before shutting it down.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 302
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From: Maryland
I have let my bikes sit for over a year in storage while on deployments and have not had and issue (YET). I could just be lucky though ..
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Everywhere
I would not be worried about the bike sitting for 3 or 4 months without running it. I've heard it's worse to run it and not get it hot enough, because that will leave condensation in the system, e.g, that chocolate-milky-looking futz that collects around the dipstick.
Just change the oil after the winter, before starting up, and turn it over a few seconds without starting it before you fire it up in the Spring.
Alan
Just change the oil after the winter, before starting up, and turn it over a few seconds without starting it before you fire it up in the Spring.
Alan
A few extras that I do in the spring before riding, siphon the old gas out of tank, into the container for the lawn mower, ride 1/2 mile to station and fill it up with fresh and, I remove my outer fairing and clean out mouse nest - ask me how I know to do this.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 477
Likes: 27
From: Iowa
Yea not hearing that Procharger run might be a bit much to ask.