Winterize?

[ijon1]

Does six weeks in Jensen beach Florida count as winterizing?

 

[golfsferr]

If you've got it on a batter maintainer; you're basically good to let is sit for the entire "Dark Spell" :shocked:
I was starting mine up once a Month for some exercise... It seemed to work pretty well! :thumbup:

Is there something specific I need to look for in a Battery Maintainer? Amazon has them from $17 to $82. Not sure what's important.

 

[Vidman]

:thumbup: That is why I moved from Ohio to the Myrtle Beach area plenty of warm winter days and no snow shovel although I occasionally see some white fungus an inch or 2 that usually goes away by noon.

Man do i remember that. Spent 3 years from 70 to 73 there in the Air Force. I have spent 40 years trying to get back (other then the visit in the 80's).

In order not to hi-jack the thread.....I top off the tank and stabilize all my bikes. Battery tender each one. And spend the winter getting all the mice/chipmunk nests out of the crevices.

 

[Larry rt]

I live in Michigan, plan on riding , if no ice on road. Hook up battery tender , when not riding. Already had to add air to tires.

 

[DrewNJ]

Just get out and ride it once in awhile. I keep mine on a tender over the winter but just try to get it out and take some rides when the sun is out and the roads are clear..:thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

How long do you think it can sit between a start&ride. If 2 or 3 weeks passed would that really be a problem as long as you maintained the gas level? The reason I ask is that I have to believe that even here in Michigan I'll be able to ride it at least every couple of weeks if not every week once the roads are cleared.

As long as you stabilize the fuel and keep the tank filled, sitting 2-4 weeks (or more) doesn't hurt. Most of the problems are from moisture in the oil or gas. Keeping the tank full and using a good stabilizer like Marine Stabil will help minimize any moisture in the fuel. You do chance more condensation from repeated heating/cooling cycles, however, so not riding is really the best way if your garage is unheated...but you should survive repeated winter rides as long as you get the engine hot, do more than go to the end of the drive, and top off the fuel before storage (especially if real cold weather is expected, or during humid Spring weather). As to the oil, it needs to get hot enough to boil off the water...hence the need for a lengthy ride, preferably at speed. Any remaining water droplets will land on the exposed gear surfaces and cause corrosion. That problem is made worse by running the machinery but not allowing it to get hot enough to dissipate the water. You just fling the water droplets around.

 

[stallion143]

I've been riding for over 15 years (a short time compared to some), but I have never winterized any of my 5 motorcycles....I usually ride to work 2 days a week unless there is snow, ice OR if the road crews have put down that NASTY salt solution. I rode a couple of weeks ago when the morning temps were in the low to mid 30's. I do not have heated riding gear, just wear my m/c jacket, gloves & long johns under my jeans....My Spyder is the first bike I've had that has heated grips...:yes:

I enjoy the cooler weather, not super cold. Guess I've been lucky because we haven't had extended COLD weather in some time...

Ryde SAFE!