Spyder acting funny. It may be too cold but not sure.

[Red Ryder VT]

It's cold outside, the Spyder is in the garage. In the spring of 2016 it was hard to start so I felt that this winter I would start it once in a while. So today I disconnected the Battery Tender, and it started right off. However, the gas gauge was reading empty. I could see the gas in the fuel tank. The engine ran fine and I ran it for a short time, not enough to get the engine temp gauge all the way up. So I shut it off and restarted without touching the brake, it started right up. Is it possible that it's just too cold or should I run it longer next time?

Thanks for any answers.

Red Ryder in Vermont (Yeah we take winter seriously in Vermont).

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

PERIODIC - STARTING

IMHO .... What you are doing is not at all beneficial to your Spyder - by changing the Temp of the metal - this will cause condensation - which will accelerate rust and or corrosion. Annnnnnnnd because the OIL ( even if full Syn ) has drained down into the crankcase - you have MINIMUM lubrication - and this causes WEAR - a BAD thing. You have already learned that it will start, because of the Maintainer - so just leave it alone - unless you plan to actually take it for a ride ( like 1/2 hour + ) ............... Mike a fellow Vermonter :yes::yes::yes:...soon to be a Tennessee"er :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[ARtraveler]

We leave ours on the maintainer from early November until late March/early April--depending on ice conditions. We do not do intermittent starts. Others have also said that short starts without getting the engine up to temperature and under load can be more harmful instead of helpful. Stabil has also been added to the full tanks prior to the big sleep.

 

[ussoldier]

Battery Issue New F3-S

I was using a battery tender for my battery, and I have not started it up for a few weeks. I bought this bike as of December 1, 2016. My curiosity is that when I removed the battery tender to do some modifications on my bike. I noticed the connector that is connected to the battery had a green light; therefore, I remove the battery tender. About 10 minutes later, I noticed the connector on the bike was red without the battery tender. As I placed my battery tender it had a low voltage.

1) Is this normal during winter seasons?
2) The temperature during the day is at 55 degrees at night normally average at 37 degrees at night. Do I need to replace a new battery?

 

[ARtraveler]

I was using a battery tender for my battery, and I have not started it up for a few weeks. I bought this bike as of December 1, 2016. My curiosity is that when I removed the battery tender to do some modifications on my bike. I noticed the connector that is connected to the battery had a green light; therefore, I remove the battery tender. About 10 minutes later, I noticed the connector on the bike was red without the battery tender. As I placed my battery tender it had a low voltage.

1) Is this normal during winter seasons?
2) The temperature during the day is at 55 degrees at night normally average at 37 degrees at night. Do I need to replace a new battery?

It is pretty much standard that after removing one of the leads, that the battery tender light goes from green to red. It then takes a bit of time to go back to green. IMO--its just the way they work.

 

[ussoldier]

It is pretty much standard that after removing one of the leads, that the battery tender light goes from green to red. It then takes a bit of time to go back to green. IMO--its just the way they work.

Thank you, I am new. This is my first motorcycle ever. So, I am glad I have mature audience in the Spyder Forums who could assist novice individuals like me. Thank you, again.

 

[dlby]

Yep
Dont start em unless your going to ride em---

Used to pull plugs on all my bikes & squirt mist of oil or wd40 ti spring but with spyder being a hassle to get to plugs I moved to Florida

I love R&R put another dime in the jukebox baby!

 

[Deanna777]

My spyder stays on the "Deltran Battery Tender Jr."( automatically switch's from charge to float 12Volt) from Oct. 15th to April 1st while it is in hibernation. Also it has a full tank of gas. Deanna

 

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

IMHO .... What you are doing is not at all beneficial to your Spyder - by changing the Temp of the metal - this will cause condensation - which will accelerate rust and or corrosion. Annnnnnnnd because the OIL ( even if full Syn ) has drained down into the crankcase - you have MINIMUM lubrication - and this causes WEAR - a BAD thing. You have already learned that it will start, because of the Maintainer - so just leave it alone - unless you plan to actually take it for a ride ( like 1/2 hour + ) ............... Mike a fellow Vermonter :yes::yes::yes:...soon to be a Tennessee"er :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

:agree: with what Mike said. And Mike, are you actually moving to Tennessee? Maybe we can get together and actually ride this time.

 

[oldgoat]

And Mike, are you actually moving to Tennessee? Maybe we can get together and actually ride this time.

Come on, spill the beans, interested folks need to know!

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree:
opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

 

[murphybrown]

Was told by the gurus

To never just start Spyder to idle....only if going for ryde. As Blueknight 911 said...messes with the engine and other parts. I plug into battery tender...full gas tank with StarTron (I use the concentrate)...
And Mike the curious need to know what's this TN "bomb" you dropped!!

Happy New Year everyone...if you can't ryde (like me) because of winter wonderland...get the maps and calendar out...Planning rydes is my winter entertainment...:thumbup: