What if I don't winterize it...

[keithaba]

I should be able to ride at least 2 times per month during the winter. The bike will be garaged and kept on a battery tender jr.

Is riding it for a 5-10 miles every other week enough to keep from winterizing? Even during the coldest month, January, the average high is 40 and the average low 20.

Any opinions?

p.s. I couldn't find much info by searching the forums.

 

[cota95]

I should be able to ride at least 2 times per month during the winter. The bike will be garaged and kept on a battery tender jr. Is riding it for a 5-10 miles every other week enough to keep from winterizing? Even during the coldest month, January, the average high is 40 and the average low 20.

Any opinions?

p.s. I couldn't find much info by searching the forums.

As for myself, I do nothing other than the battery tender. I start and heat Bernice at least everyother week and ride her if the roads are clear. Do the same with all 4 of my bikes.

 

[C&C]

What you really want to do if you are taking the bike for a quick ride every other week or so is to make sure you get the oil up to temperature (not just the water temperature). I would think that ten miles should probably do it, but you really need to get the oil up to temp to give the engine a chance to burn off any condensation created during startup.

 

[Ignacio]

Third winter season for my FJR and I'll confess I don't do a single thing, but ride it at least several times a week. She turns over a little slow as the garage cools down to the high 40's, but always fires up.

Besides the battery I think the biggest concern is not letting the fuel get old and varnish up or congeal. If you're talking even 10 miles every other week you're talking less than 100 miles before March....or less than a tank of gas. Three months with the same tank of gas might be a concern.

 

[Scab]

It may be time to also consider a lower viscosity oil such 5-40 just to ease that cold-start on a 20 degree day.

 

[FJR919]

I would strongly recommend a fuel stabilizer if you won't be using the bike much. I remember reading that fuel starts to break down in about 30 days; the time really dependant on fuel quantity and storage temperature. The oxygenated fuels are even worse; ask any motorcycle or power equipment tech how many more poroblems they see with fuel varnish plugging things up. If you keep the tank full with the correct amount of Stabil (or eqiuvelant) and use the tender you should be fine.

 

[keithaba]

1st - thanks for the info.

2nd - Good point about the fuel. I guess stabalizer could always be added. That's easier than changing fluids and oil. I will probably ride more than 10 miles per time, but some weekends are colder than others...

3rd - I won't be starting it if it gets under 40. We rarely have more than 1 week when it doesn't get between 40-50, which is when I'll take it out.

So, I guess I will be mostly winterizing... I may end up changing the oil after all, but i'd prefer to wait. I know, I'm freeking lazy....

 

[wheatonFJR]

Where are you located?

+1 on the fuel stabilizer

If you have an unheated garage like mine...the garage may get below 40 degrees F which will may it difficult to keep your battery charged...

 

[FJRMGM]

+2 on the fuel stabilizer. The volatile hydrocarbons start to evaporate and separate off in less than a month.

 

[Geezer]

I do not use fuel stabilizer or any other fuel additives. I recommend that you keep the tank topped off so there is little room for moisture from the air to condense in the tank. Also, it gives you some percentage of fresh fuel.

 

[warsw]

I would always keep Sta-Bil in your gas and keep the tank full during the winter months if you are not riding enough to keep the gas fresh.

During the winter there is always a lot of moisture in the air.

The worst thing you can do is to start your motor and not run it long enough to get rid of the moisture.

Every time you start your motor, even for a couple of seconds, and shut it off it will draw in moisture as it cools. The motor not only needs to come up to temperature but needs to maintain that temperature long enough to get rid of that moisture. 10mi is not enough. Even 1/2 hr rides, if this is all the motor gets will do harm to your motor if you do not shorten your oil change intervals. You are better off to not start your motor at all or go for a longer ride (1hr or more). Letting your motor sit and idle really doesn't do a very good job of getting the oil up to temp. You need to put a load on the motor to really get the job done. My .02

 

[keithaba]

I would always keep Sta-Bil in your gas and keep the tank full during the winter months if you are not riding enough to keep the gas fresh.
During the winter there is always a lot of moisture in the air.

The worst thing you can do is to start your motor and not run it long enough to get rid of the moisture.

Every time you start your motor, even for a couple of seconds, and shut it off it will draw in moisture as it cools. The motor not only needs to come up to temperature but needs to maintain that temperature long enough to get rid of that moisture. 10mi is not enough. Even 1/2 hr rides, if this is all the motor gets will do harm to your motor if you do not shorten your oil change intervals. You are better off to not start your motor at all or go for a longer ride (1hr or more). Letting your motor sit and idle really doesn't do a very good job of getting the oil up to temp. You need to put a load on the motor to really get the job done. My .02

And to everyone else... Thanks, good info.

Maybe it is just easier to winterize it!!! I'm not a big fan of hour long rides in 40 degree weather. I thought starting her up and going for short rides would do it, but it doesn't sound like that is the best option for prolonging the life of the bike.

It does seem a little intense that only 1/2 hour rides would damage the bike, but I'm guessing you mean that only applies during winter. During normal weather, 1/2 hour rides don't cause engine issues, do they?

 

[Mogambo]

Do a Winter oil change, throw some either Stabil or Sea Foam in the tank, and use the battery tender. You'll be happy, the bike will be happy and your conscious will always be clear. It is such a small amount of effort and you will never second guess yourself and utter such words like..."I should have..."

Chances are the bike would be fine if you didn't do these things, but for such a little amount of effort for such a prized and expensive possession, why not do what Nike says to do....Just do it!

 

[warsw]

Even 1/2 hr rides, if this is all the motor gets will do harm to your motor if you do not shorten your oil change intervals. You are better off to not start your motor at all or go for a longer ride (1hr or more). Letting your motor sit and idle really doesn't do a very good job of getting the oil up to temp. You need to put a load on the motor to really get the job done. My .02

It does seem a little intense that only 1/2 hour rides would damage the bike, but I'm guessing you mean that only applies during winter. During normal weather, 1/2 hour rides don't cause engine issues, do they?

What I was trying to illustrate was, that on short rides, if this is all you do, they always recommend that you change your oil more frequently. This is partly because on short rides you never get your motor hot enough for long enough to get rid of all of the moisture. Consequently getting more acid build-up. I hope this helps.

 

[Bounce]

just starting the bike doesn't heat up all the components. you can get condensation when some of them don't warm up enough to burn off the bad mojo. in those cases, it's better to winterize, put on a battery tender and leave it alone until you can run it down the road for about 30 or 45 minutes.

 

[boogahboogah]

I go for a ride every few weeks in winter here (Delaware), for at least an hour or so. I put StaBil in the tank in Dec/Jan when it looks like I won't be riding for a few weeks. Garage is attached to the house but unheated.

 

[Warpdrv]

Just drive it... I never winterize...

but once in a while I hook up the battery tender, just to keep the battery topped off... a dead battery that freezes, will be shot....

Warp

 

[MSLPILOT]

As for myself, I do nothing other than the battery tender. I start and heat Bernice at least everyother week and ride her if the roads are clear. Do the same with all 4 of my bikes.

Ditto, but I also ride during the winter. Hell, they make the gear to keep me warm. I have it and it works. If the roads are clear, I'm riding baby! F@%# the cold!!!

 

[trmn8er]

I should be able to ride at least 2 times per month during the winter. The bike will be garaged and kept on a battery tender jr. Is riding it for a 5-10 miles every other week enough to keep from winterizing? Even during the coldest month, January, the average high is 40 and the average low 20.

Any opinions?

p.s. I couldn't find much info by searching the forums.

I feel your pain. Today it only got up to 88 degrees. I was almost chilly. I mean I may have to actually wear alayer in January and February. :yahoo: