winter storage

[FrictionZone]

I live in NYC & was wondering, what should be the process for storing my bike for my first Winter in NYC.

[Motorcycle Forum]

[DrBob]

Fuel stabilizer in the tank (mix it in, then run the bike for a few miles to get the treated gas down to the carbs), a battery tender hooked to the battery, and a nice coating of wax & leather/ vinyl conditioner on all the soft parts, and you will be good to go.

[Easy Rider]

what should be the process for storing my bike for my first Winter in NYC.

Add to that: First find an inside, secure storage location........if you don't have that already.
Climate controlled (partially heated) would be nice but not necessary.
A quality breathable cover would be nice too.

[Apertureguy]

Yep...that's what I do...expect for the cover, wax and the battery tender.

I fill up tank with fuel that has been stabilized, put something on the seat to keep the cat from using it as a perch, and disconnect the battery. While not specifically heated, because of the furnace the garage never gets below 45 degrees. Still running the stock battery...must be a record for long life.

You don't need to do much...but you want the tank full so no moisture creeps in and makes rust.

[FrictionZone]

Thanks Guys for the Timely & very Useful information. If any of you guys are in NY, hit me up, would love to ride with you guys. Thanks again Friction Zone

[Thundurburd]

Here's a link to another forum. The post by Night Train is particularly good, best info I've seen.

All Things (Safety Oriented) Motorcycle - Winter Storage - Fogging Oil

[DrBob]

Good article, as long as you read it carefully. The things to take away from that article are that much of it does not apply for a simple winter storage, only if you are going to let it sit for 6 months or more without firing it up. Most folks who own a motorcycle do not live someplace where it it too cold for 6 months out of the year, and most can't resist firing up the bike on a warm day, even if it is to just make 'vroom-vroom' in the garage. Do not drain the carbs for short-term storage (the fuel residue will turn to varnish and the gaskets will dry out, so you are better off with them full of treated gas) or use fogging oil if you are simply putting the bike up for the winter months. Do not cover the bike if it is sitting outside, unless you plan on taking the cover off and drying the bike every time it rains or snows, or you will be shocked how quickly it rusts. I have never put cardboard under the tires for the winter: if the bike is inside it won't freeze to the ground, and if the bike is outside the cardboard won't last long. But again, for long term storage, cardboard under the tires is a good idea.

[Camp21178]

Hauling, Shipping, Storing your Motorcycle Here's another winter storage article. It's a little overkill but there's some good info. I live in Northwestern Wisconsin and I just change the oil, hook up a battery tender, fill the tank to the very top with non ethanol fuel and run a fuel stabilizer through the system. I use Startron which is available everywhere and last spring the bike fired up immediately. Startron is recommended by all the local small engine and marine dealers in my area. I put cardboard under the tires too. I used to put it on a lift but the darn thing kept getting in the way.

[Thundurburd]

Thanks for the tips DrBob. The funny thing is I don't do any of this myself, I take it to the dealer, got a pretty good rate for storage in a heated warehouse along with their newer inventory. But maybe next year