What's best for Cold weather winter storage? Fuel additive? Battery care? Rodents?

[carbonation]

As stated, a battery tender is a must. I've used several brands; almost all are good. I don't care for NOCO, they seem to fail early for me.

I'm using a Motopower from Amazon currently. I never liked having the frunk open for the tender lead, so I put a cigarette lighter plug in the glove box wired to the battery. The box closes over the tender leads easily.

Stabilizing fuel is important. I use Techron Marine from Amazon. It deals with the fuel, and it helps with moisture that the ethanol absorbs over the winter. Dose it before you fill the tank for the last time.

Clean, wash, wax. I spray WD40 in the muffler exit, and stuff a rag in it that was sprayed also.

 

[ned64]

Like 2dogs, I use mouse trap and a battery powered mouse trap that zaps the mouse. I put steel wool in the end of muffler if I remember too. Fuel stabilizer in the fuel tank when I gas up before parking for winter. But we take our Spyders out during winter for rides too. As long as roads are clear an dry. Then add stabilizer again when filling with gas. That way always has stabilizer in tank if we don't ride for a month. Plug in the battery tender once in awhile for a day or two and then unplug them again. Keep the Spyders cleaned after each ride too.

 

[Allen42]

Plug in the battery tender once in awhile for a day or two and then unplug them again.

What's your thinking behind this? I thought the whole point of a tender vs. a trickle charger was that it was smart and didn't need unplugged? My tender even has some "cycles" it's supposed to periodically go through. I was under the impression it was ok to leave plugged in full time, all winter long.

 

[racoon]

I use a Battery Tender Jr.
The instructions include the following information:

Battery Tender® Junior chargers are completely automatic and may be left
connected to both AC power and to the battery that it is charging for long
periods of time.

When the battery is fully charged, the status indicator LED will turn solid
green and the charger will switch to a storage/maintenance charge mode.
The Battery Tender® Junior charger will automatically monitor and maintain
the battery at full charge.

 

[jjc54]

Well, not unless you've added/inserted balance beads; balance or anti-puncture slime; or any other mildly liquid &/or sticky material to the inside of the tire! If you've done that, then you're on your own - NO amount of carpet or jack stands etc will stop the lumpy rolling start to next season's riding!! :gaah:

If you're lucky, it'll go away quickly as the pool of goop starts to spread out properly; if not, good luck finding a tire place that'll remove it for you!

I take it as you are not a fan. I just changed my back tire and put in Ride-On. Have nothing but good things to say about it so far. Just another reason to get her out when the temps flirt with 40F. Around 5C for you I think.

 

[troop]

Well, not unless you've added/inserted balance beads; balance or anti-puncture slime; or any other mildly liquid &/or sticky material to the inside of the tire! If you've done that, then you're on your own - NO amount of carpet or jack stands etc will stop the lumpy rolling start to next season's riding!! :gaah:

If you're lucky, it'll go away quickly as the pool of goop starts to spread out properly; if not, good luck finding a tire place that'll remove it for you!

I've been using Ride-On sealant for years on many different motorcycles. While true that if the weather is colder (below 40*F), the sealant may take a couple/few miles to warm up and become viscous. Also, Ride-On settles in the tread area of the inner tire. It will not leave any residue anywhere else. Tires come off nice and clean...

 

[Peter Aawen]

I've been using Ride-On sealant for years on many different motorcycles. While true that if the weather is colder (below 40*F), the sealant may take a couple/few miles to warm up and become viscous. Also, Ride-On settles in the tread area of the inner tire. It will not leave any residue anywhere else. Tires come off nice and clean...

Like I said ".... If you're lucky, it'll go away quickly... if not....."

Glad you've been lucky - so far!

But there are others who haven't been so lucky! And many tire fitters/retailers who either charge more, or flat out refuse to deal with tires that have any sealant/balance additives inside! :cus:

 

[LMFD38]

Good advice in previous posts. Non-ethanol gas, sta-bil, change oil & filter and battery charger/maintainer. What I do/have done for 20+ years for the 2 & 4 wheel vehicles I store for the winter is get sticky traps and surround the tires of the vehicle. Only access they have is via the tires and if they can't make it to them then they can't cause havoc. Will usually have a half-dozen or so carcasses by the time comes to de-winterize. :thumbup:

 

[RayBJ]

I have a 'summer ride', 2 wheeler that is in my shed for 8 months while I run the Spyder thru the cold months.
I add stabil, fill tank with 91 octane (10% eth :yikes put on tender, park on AL diamond plate. I do the same thing for the Spyder over the summer.

Never had a problem with 1st start, pests, or flat spots on any bike using this method.

I'm not a fan of beads or goop inside my tires. My experience with those quick fixes is bad vibration until the 'balancers' wake up and do their job - even after only a week of sitting.

 

[iSilentP]

"AL diamond plate"? Inquiring minds want to know... Just a metal plate?

 

[RayBJ]

"AL diamond plate"? Inquiring minds want to know... Just a metal plate?

Aluminum diamond plate flooring. Basically a textured metal very durable floor. I bought 2 10x5 sheets for a 10x10 bike shed.

 

[Woodenfish]

A wash, a full tank of gas, my NOCO and a full cover while parked I’m my garage. I don’t believe in fuel stabilizer products of having any effect until I see them provide evidence of proof of concept using their formulation.

 

[AZrailwhale]

Unfortunately, it's time here in Maine to start thinking about putting the Spyder to rest. Looking for info on what's best for cold winter storage. Best fuel additive, remove battery and store in house? Battery tender? Start it from time to time? Mice deterrent? Thanks in advance.

It’s the reverse here in Arizona, we store in the summer and ride in the winter. But I use Stabil in the tank and a battery maintainer.