how do u winterize your bike

[PoorUB]

Curious as to why guys change the oil before storage vs. right before the first ride of the new season?

To store the bike with fresh oil.

Oil gets acidic from by products of combustion and moisture. Get the old oil out, fresh oil in and run it for a couple M nutes to flush the engine well with new oil.

I have torn engines down with damage to bearings from skanky oil.

[Pete_Vit]

Or get one if these 

http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/harley-bubble 

[SixShooter14]

The dealer here offers storage service. Climate controlled with battery tender and a wash and detail. $300 for Nov. Thru March.

[Merc1100sc]

Curious as to why guys change the oil before storage vs. right before the first ride of the new season?

To store the bike with fresh oil.

Oil gets acidic from by products of combustion and moisture. Get the old oil out, fresh oil in and run it for a couple M nutes to flush the engine well with new oil.

I have torn engines down with damage to bearings from skanky oil.

Thanks. I never knew that.

[Super Dave]

I just ride it. One of the few perks living in CA. The weather. 

[jambo]

On my carbed softail I traded off, I used to have to clean the slow jet every spring, then it was good for the rest of the summer. Tried stabil but didn't make any difference. Guess I do it just to make myself feel better. Boat same as bikes, lawn mower & pressure washer nothing, generator is more finicky shut petcock and run till it quits.

[Hossamania]

Try and find some non-oxy fuel when it is going to be parked for a while, whether treating it or not. I'm a fan of Sea Foam, but it doesn't seem to work for everybody. I didn't like StaBil the two times I used it.
For all my gas cans, boat, 4 wheeler, etc., I use non oxy and treat it every time because those things sit a while before use. I normally run non oxy in the bikes because it is available right by my house, so if they get parked for a while (F winter!), I don't worry too much about the fuel.

[Tsani]

I usually add Knob Creek to winterize the driver. Motorcycle seems to run just fine in the winter with that adjustment.

[Pete_Vit]

Try and find some non-oxy fuel when it is going to be parked for a while, whether treating it or not. I'm a fan of Sea Foam, but it doesn't seem to work for everybody. I didn't like StaBil the two times I used it.
For all my gas cans, boat, 4 wheeler, etc., I use non oxy and treat it every time because those things sit a while before use. I normally run non oxy in the bikes because it is available right by my house, so if they get parked for a while (F winter!), I don't worry too much about the fuel.

I think I'm gonna do the same Hoss, I have the StaBil but I was told by a small engine repair guy it really does nothing to help small engines stored over winter, I have some Seafoam, I think I'll try your method this year 

[gonenorth]

Try and find some non-oxy fuel when it is going to be parked for a while, whether treating it or not. I'm a fan of Sea Foam, but it doesn't seem to work for everybody. I didn't like StaBil the two times I used it.
For all my gas cans, boat, 4 wheeler, etc., I use non oxy and treat it every time because those things sit a while before use. I normally run non oxy in the bikes because it is available right by my house, so if they get parked for a while (F winter!), I don't worry too much about the fuel.

I think I'm gonna do the same Hoss, I have the StaBil but I was told by a small engine repair guy it really does nothing to help small engines stored over winter, I have some Seafoam, I think I'll try your method this year 

Agree with the comment on St___.  Had to work to clean a carb on a snowblower after storing in summer on St___.  Switched to Seafoam - no problems.  Runs better than when I first bought it used since it sat a lot with first owner.

[76shuvlinoff]

I usually add Knob Creek to winterize the driver. Motorcycle seems to run just fine in the winter with that adjustment.

Best answer yet 

[Oclaf]

I usually add Knob Creek to winterize the driver. Motorcycle seems to run just fine in the winter with that adjustment.

Best answer yet 

[HarleyHiwayMan]

Curious as to why guys change the oil before storage vs. right before the first ride of the new season?

Some buy into the hype that the oil is corroded and will eat out the pistons, flatten the crank and eat a hole through the oil bag while it sits during the winter. Nonsense   

[CVOThunder]

I put it in the garage and put the key in the drawer. Maybe some Stabil.

[PoorUB]

Curious as to why guys change the oil before storage vs. right before the first ride of the new season?

Some buy into the hype that the oil is corroded and will eat out the pistons, flatten the crank and eat a hole through the oil bag while it sits during the winter. Nonsense

Maybe not as extreme, but I have seen damage caused from storing an engine with very bad oil. If you are planning on changing it in the spring, do yourself a favor and change in the fall.

[Nowhereman]

The best winterizing you can do for your scoot is move to CA.
Your bike will love you for it and you will love riding all year long.

[Hossamania]

The best winterizing you can do for your scoot is move to CA.
Your bike will love you for it and you will love riding all year long.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, rub it in!

[f-x-d-w-g]

I don't winterize either bike.  I ride My Twinkie when the mood strikes and the weather cooperates.

Just yesterday I started my Shovel after not having touched it in over a year.  Now it's too cold to ride very far at my 7,000 foot elevation.

[dynablack07]

I drain the 15w50 moble !, and change the oil filter, and put in thr 15w40 Rotella T. Make sure battery terminals are good, and jumper cables are packed in saddlebag., Make sure the heateed grips work. Carry extra batteriesd for flashlights,
I pack a way the leather chaps and jacket, and get out my Polaris 2 piece jump-suit, and the Sorels, and chopper mitts.. with the pint schnapp bottles sewed in thr corners, I throw in 2-3 pairs of extra long johns,and extra electric socks,   Also a can of starting fluid, and then just prey..

[tomcat64]

I top off all of the bikes with AV Gas 100 low lead,, put tenders on and shove steel wool in the pipes,, keeps the mice out,, plus I just love the smell of the good gas in the spring!!

[Hossamania]

I drain the 15w50 moble !, and change the oil filter, and put in thr 15w40 Rotella T. Make sure battery terminals are good, and jumper cables are packed in saddlebag., Make sure the heateed grips work. Carry extra batteriesd for flashlights,
I pack a way the leather chaps and jacket, and get out my Polaris 2 piece jump-suit, and the Sorels, and chopper mitts.. with the pint schnapp bottles sewed in thr corners, I throw in 2-3 pairs of extra long johns,and extra electric socks,   Also a can of starting fluid, and then just prey..

I agree with all of that. Gotta do what ya gotta do to get the riding in. My only question, why change to Rotella?

[Carl 1969]

Keep 'er on the tender n ready to go for when we get a nice day.

[BillP]

Change oil & filter,add Stabil & top off the gas tank, then drag the snow blower out of the back room
of the garage & put the bike back there on my lift with the wheels a couple inches off the floor, hook
up the tender & wait till spring. Sometimes the winters in Iowa drag on for awhile.

[Nowhereman]

Jeeze, I feel sorry for some of you guys.
Today here in Hollister it was 38 degrees at 9:00 am.
Clear as a bell.
Had some running around to do so I threw on the leathers and some insulated gloves, then road off.
The bike just loves cold air once it's warmed up.
Didn't notice any black ice under the shady spots.
Never a smidge of snow at this temp when your this close to the ocean.

[biggzed]

Usually don't winterize here in Portland, but after the rain we had this past week I may have to strap some pontoons to it.

Zach