Winterizing

[Bullwinkle]

I am putting my bikes away for their winter storage and I thought it would be a good idea to cover them with a bike cover. So I bought one online. The problem is it looks like they are for outdoor use because the outer layer is like plastic. I don’t think it’s breathable material. I should have thought about that before I purchased it. So I am leaving it off. Do you keep your bike covered during storage or not? If so, what do you use? Also, I wanted to keep the battery in the bike and have it connected to a trickle charger because it is a pain to take the battery in and out. Good or bad idea to leave it tickle charge on the bike all winter long? Of course I would not want to charge it with a cover on the bike.

 

[Shoot870p]

battery tender is better I believe. But there are several “smart chargers” out now.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Battery Tender is the brand I’m using.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Do you keep your bike covered during storage or not?

I usually just ride my bike but there was a month where I had to store it. Yes. It'll be less dusty if you do that. Bags taped over the mirrors for the same reason.

Good or bad idea to leave it tickle charge on the bike all winter long? Of course I would not want to charge it with a cover on the bike.

Honda recommends removing the battery for almost the same reason that you use a battery tender. As you pointed out, venting is a bit of an issue. If it's for indoor use, the gas build up should be extremely minimal and you can improve on the venting by adding (very) small speed holes at the highest point(s). Or opening it and closing it after 30s once every 4-6 weeks.

 

[AZ7000']

Mine will be out in the driveway as it was last winter... sort of hard to get the snow off cleanly with the racks I added on. I'll take it to work 3/week, but I will alternate with the 1975 if it is icy, the old one has a few beauty marks already!

 

[Kev250R]

I 'Summerize' my Quads every summer (since I don't ride them during the hot months in So.Cal.) I always make sure to fill the tank full of gas then add Fuel Stabalizer (I'm partial to StaBil but there are lots of them out there). I don't cover anything, though everything is stored in-doors. I use Battery Tender brand Trickle Chargers, however I don't leave them connected 24/7, rather I make a point to put a BT on each machine once a month or so. Those steps are good for the 4-6 months a year my Quads sleep.

 

[Kev250R]

Mine will be out in the driveway as it was last winter... sort of hard to get the snow off cleanly with the racks I added on. I'll take it to work 3/week, but I will alternate with the 1975 if it is icy, the old one has a few beauty marks already!

Time to build a shed LOL! Maybe three months after I bought my current house I had a wooden shed built in my backyard where all of my ATV's were *supposed* to live. Then I added shelving to the shed, which took up more space then I anticipated so two of the Quads live in my garage. Even a plastic or steel shed from your favorite big box store would work. Trust me, your bikes will thank you!

 

[m in sc]

ALL MINE LIVE IN THE GARAGE, i cover them with beach towels to keep the dust off/errant sunbeams through the windows fading things, etc.

I never use stabilizer in fuel, just fill it up. especially in a fuel injected bike. i also agree w disconnecting the battery if going to be stored for over 2 mos. however a tender on occasion as kevin said is the better way to go, vs all the time. my.02

 

[AZ7000']

Time to build a shed LOL! Maybe three months after I bought my current house I had a wooden shed built in my backyard where all of my ATV's were *supposed* to live. Then I added shelving to the shed, which took up more space then I anticipated so two of the Quads live in my garage. Even a plastic or steel shed from your favorite big box store would work. Trust me, your bikes will thank you!

Yeah, we have 2! But like you they got filled with other things. The garage has the other 5 “good” dirt bikes and 7 or so bicycles….
#firstworldproblems

 

[dmonkey]

You're right about weather covers, don't use them indoors, they can trap moisture. Disconnect the battery, put it on a tender, be conscious that the AGM battery does vent, fill the gas tank all the way, and add a dust cover (a sheet, blankets, towels, etc will do in a dry environment). Don't start the bike unless you'll actually be getting it up to temperature and riding it. Ideally park the bike on its center stand and reinflate/spin the tires once in a while so you don't get flat spots on the tires. Not as big of an issue with this bike as with bigger street bikes. As @m in sc said, keep it out of sunlight. In sunny states a new tire can get dry rot in just a few months of sun exposure.