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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: My Name Is Dave on September 08, 2005, 12:30:07 PM

Title: Winter Storage
Post by: My Name Is Dave on September 08, 2005, 12:30:07 PM
Yes this topic has been beaten, choked, and kicked to death. But I have a different query.

I live in OR. Yes, it really rains as much as you think. But winters are not extremely cold. So I am planning on storing the GS in my mother's garage in order to keep it dry and warm. But I am not going to let it sit; we get a week or two of rain, a dry day, repeat, and so on. So I may be able to get it out for an hour ride once a week, once every two weeks, etc. At the very least, twice a month, even if I have to get her wet.

So she will not be sitting too much. More than she will be on the road, but not like 4 months at a time. Do I need to do any of the winterization things to it like adding fuel stabilizer, unhooking the battery, etc?  :dunno:  I feel like I won't, as long as I make sure to ride her and keep up on regular maintenance.

Thanks ya'll

Dave  :cheers:
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: davipu on September 08, 2005, 12:31:16 PM
just don't leave her witht eh parking light on and you will be fine.
Title: Re: Winter Storage
Post by: pandy on September 08, 2005, 12:34:19 PM
Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXAt the very least, twice a month, even if I have to get her wet.

So she will not be sitting too much.

:?

You talking about your bike, or something else!?

:lol:

[Edit: the devil (aka evil pandy) made me say that]
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: My Name Is Dave on September 08, 2005, 12:40:41 PM
Yeah, I saw that coming (that's what she said).

I was just hoping nobody would crack wise about storing it in my mom's garage (shudder  :x )

Now that I read it again, many things in there are double entendres.

Dave
:cheers:
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: pandy on September 08, 2005, 12:43:10 PM
Yup, I almost made it all the way through, but evil pandy took over toward the end.

And if anyone says anything 'boucher mama, I'll go beat 'em up myself!  :guns:   ;)
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: RVertigo on September 08, 2005, 04:04:48 PM
If a few weeks roll by and you can't ride...  Let it run until warm then idle a little...  Keep the parts lubed.
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: Narcissus on September 08, 2005, 08:07:56 PM
:(  I'll probably have to go 7 months without riding... well unless I buy an electric vest. Damn Canadian winters.
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: pandy on September 08, 2005, 08:09:58 PM
Quote from: RVertigoIf a few weeks roll by and you can't ride...  Let it run until warm then idle a little...  Keep the parts lubed.

I thought that we had to at least get the RPMs up a bit every week or two to keep the battery charged also?
Title: Re: Winter Storage
Post by: Alphamazing on September 08, 2005, 08:36:42 PM
Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXThanks ya'll

...

Y'all...

...
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: callmelenny on September 08, 2005, 08:49:37 PM
My battery will do fine sitting for a couple of weeks but every one is a little different.

You might consider using a fuel stabilizer like Stabil and top off your tank before parking so you won't have to worry about rust.
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: pandy on September 08, 2005, 08:58:23 PM
Dave:

I think we should bring your bike down to Cali and store it in my garage...I'll make sure nothing freezes up. ;)
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: stefman722 on September 09, 2005, 12:23:31 AM
Quote from: Narcissus:(  I'll probably have to go 7 months without riding... well unless I buy an electric vest. Damn Canadian winters.

buy a snowmobile to keep u entertained. That what i did.
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: tab on September 09, 2005, 12:31:19 AM
Quote from: Narcissus:(  I'll probably have to go 7 months without riding... well unless I buy an electric vest. Damn Canadian winters.

7 MONTHS  :o   get an electric vest
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: red_phil on September 09, 2005, 01:51:10 AM
Your not going to be using much gas this way so it might still be an idea to put the Stabil in.
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: stingray on September 09, 2005, 02:16:18 AM
QuoteIf a few weeks roll by and you can't ride... Let it run until warm then idle a little... Keep the parts lubed.

if you're not going to ride it, don't run it.  needless wear and tear on the engine.

if you're going to ride it at least every month, invest in a battery tender to keep the battery in good condition.  if it's more than 1-2months, go ahead w/ the long term/winter storage steps
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: RedShift on September 09, 2005, 03:29:21 AM
I'll endorse what's already been given, but reform it a little:
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: My Name Is Dave on September 09, 2005, 08:16:38 AM
Quote from: pandyDave:

I think we should bring your bike down to Cali and store it in my garage...I'll make sure nothing freezes up. ;)

I'd love to put my thing in your garage, thanks  :P

Dave  :cheers:
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: My Name Is Dave on September 09, 2005, 08:18:52 AM
Quote from: RVertigoIf a few weeks roll by and you can't ride...  Let it run until warm then idle a little...  Keep the parts lubed.

OK, specific to this post, as well as a general question: Can I get a quick rundown of what to keep lubed? In general, as well as specifically what when letting it sit.

Dave  :cheers:
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: pandy on September 09, 2005, 08:22:01 AM
Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXI'd love to put my thing in your garage, thanks  :P Dave  :cheers:

Well...actually...it's my boyfriend's garage, so you and he will have to work THIS out. :P:P:P  :lol:
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: My Name Is Dave on September 09, 2005, 08:51:32 AM
Quote from: pandy
Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXI'd love to put my thing in your garage, thanks  :P Dave  :cheers:

Well...actually...it's my boyfriend's garage, so you and he will have to work THIS out. :P:P:P  :lol:

That's kinda really gross. Thanks, but no thanks.  ;)

Dave  :cheers:
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: pandy on September 09, 2005, 08:55:57 AM
Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXThat's kinda really gross. Thanks, but no thanks.  ;) Dave  :cheers:

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Yeah, he's open-minded that way, too!  :lol:  :lol:  :cheers:
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: mountindewGS on September 25, 2005, 11:53:06 PM
I live in Indy so we have a pretty good winter, also I might over do it. I put STA-BIL in my tank. I put a Battery-Tender on my bike. The last step I do is change the oil but not the filter just the oil.
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: ajgs500 on September 25, 2005, 11:58:31 PM
damn you live in Indy.  I do too.  shaZam! and riding season is almost over :x  :x
Title: Winter Storage
Post by: mountindewGS on September 26, 2005, 07:27:58 PM
Mine ends tomorrow night because I have to have brain surgery and I won't be able to rid till next year, hopefully. Last year I rode till Oct maybe the beginning of Nov.