Winter storage question...

[mdbHokie]

Can I get away with running the bike for 10 minutes once or twice a week during the winter?  I live in Virginia (USA) and I can probably ride periodically during the winter months.  For the weeks that it might sit in the garage due to snow, can I just turn the bike on and let it idle for a while?

I'm wondering if I should go through the entire winter storage procedure (draining carbs, removing battery, etc).

Thanks,

Mike

[ops_south]

I'd add some fuel stabilizer to the tank before you put her up.   I ran mine in the garage (door open, of course) every week or so last winter and it worked just fine.

[Kasumi]

Ive always rode all through the winter including snow and ice and the days i think its not ok to ride i stick it in the garage, start it when the snow has cleared enough and have never had any problems. So long as you run it frequently even if you don't ride it it will keep things from seizing.

[Affschnozel]

If you run it for just 10 or so minutes every now and then,when the engine cools down it forms condensation inside,
so if you do not plan to use your bike frequently during winter i think it's better to store it than run it shortly each time,
which IMO causes more harm than good. The battery doesn't get adequate charge and the condensation causes corrosion. 

[Cal Price]

Ride it.

Failing that what you propose sounds good, however an all-winter hibernation would really call for the full biz. To be honest I tried to alternate using my bikes last winter which is OK but this winter one will sit as I will be working on it, I shall start it as often as possible, failing that take out the battery, remove as much fuel as i can and change the oil next spring.

[Jeppy]

If you left your bike in the garage for about three or four months during winter would you recomend to drain the gas or would you top off the tank and leave it till you ride again?

[mdbHokie]

If you left your bike in the garage for about three or four months during winter would you recomend to drain the gas or would you top off the tank and leave it till you ride again?

From what I've read so far you should get a fuel stabilizer (stabil), fill up the tank, and drain the carbs.  Other recommended actions are fogging the cylinders with oil, changing the oil, and over-inflating the tires.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

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