Does anyone leave the parking brake off during winter storage? And some rodent protection discussion...

[KYJim]

I was just wondering if anyone leaves the parking brake off while their Spyder is put up for an extended time. Pros/cons of leaving it off.

 

[dpetrick]

I have always left it off, since I remove the battery from the bike to keep it on a tender. I keep my Spyder in a storage unit. I put some small chocks by the wheels to make sure it does not roll. Floor is nice and level, so that is probably not necessary.

 

[RogerC60]

Hrmmm... I've had my Spyder parked in the garage since mid October with the parking brake on. I'm going to power it up this weekend to update the display, maybe I'll turn off the parking brake. I never thought about it, but keeping the pull on that cable for an extended time might not be the best thing for it.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

I always leave it off when it's in my garage.

 

[Gwolf]

I leave the parking brake off all the time when it is parked in the shop. Don't have to do much to just push it out into a larger work area or move it some to get other items out from behind it. It just beeps a few seconds and then shuts up, when you leave it off. The shop floor is perfectly level. It ain't going to roll unless it is pulled back or pushed.

What is winter?

 

[RogerC60]

What is winter?

It's what we have instead of hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, and sweltering heat. Choose your poison.

 

[BajaRon]

I always do if it is an SM. I leave it in gear instead. It depends for an SE. But for winter storage, I'd leave it off. Though I'm not sure there is any benefit to it.

 

[old Timer]

I only use the Parking Brake when I have to. Never in the shop where it lives when not riding, easy to push around.

 

[Copperman]

I always leave mine off when it's parked in my garage. That, and it's always on a battery tender/maintainer.

 

[Mikey]

I do!! So, I can give it shove back and forth to get it out of my way and not have to start it!!

 

[JWK70]

My RT is in my brother in law’s out building for the winter. I left the parking brake off and blocked the rear wheel, that way he can move it if the need arises.

 

[Ex-Rocket]

I really haven't given that much thought. I have always applied the parking brake when in my garage. I have done that with the 3 Spyders I have owned over the years. I also keep them on a battery maintainer when in the garage. I've never had a problem with the brake not releasing. So what is the real answer here. To brake or not brake?

 

[Raven]

I think I would rather have stuck off than on.
Probably depends where you live.
Where it is cold and damp during the winter. things tend to rust.
I have seen a lot of stuck brakes on stored cars over the years.

 

[Snoking1127]

It's what we have instead of hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, and sweltering heat. Choose your poison.

Winter is the riding season in Arizona!

 

[redrazor]

I've always left the brake on when I park it in my (very level) garage; BUT, that's probably why it barely starts after it's not been ridden for some time.!?! I'm going to leave it off from now on. (with a wheel block for safety sake.! Thanks for the tips.

 

[pegasus1300]

I always engage my parking brake, and leave it engaged until I am ready to ride again. Never even entered my mind that I should not leave it engaged even during winter parking. After 13 years my cable has not stretched appreciatively.

 

[safecracker]

On my SM5 I would leave in gear. On my SM6 I leave brake off. I pull battery out in winter. This way I can move it out of my way. Bruce

 

[Lew L]

PB is off during winter storage with the wheel chocked.

Lew L

 

[Cobranut]

I've always left the brake on when I park it in my (very level) garage; BUT, that's probably why it barely starts after it's not been ridden for some time.!?! I'm going to leave it off from now on. (with a wheel block for safety sake.! Thanks for the tips.

The parking brake doesn't draw any power once applied.

 

[Copperman]

I've always left the brake on when I park it in my (very level) garage; BUT, that's probably why it barely starts after it's not been ridden for some time.!?! I'm going to leave it off from now on. (with a wheel block for safety sake.! Thanks for the tips.

Whenever it's parked in your garage, it should be on a battery tender. It'll always start if it is.