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  

just don't leave her witht eh parking light on and you will be fine.

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]

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

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:  

If a few weeks roll by and you can't ride...  Let it run until warm then idle a little...  Keep the parts lubed.

 I'll probably have to go 7 months without riding... well unless I buy an electric vest. Damn Canadian winters.

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?

Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXThanks ya'll

...

Y'all...

...

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.

Dave:

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

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.

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     get an electric vest

Your not going to be using much gas this way so it might still be an idea to put the Stabil in.

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

I'll endorse what's already been given, but reform it a little:

• STA-BIL your tank.  If you're only riding some 15-20 miles every couple of weeks, it will take a couple of months before a re-fill.  Best to protect from varnishing.
• Recharge every month or Battery-Tender.  A battery will loose it's charge by about 1% per day.  You'll have to ride some 30-45 minutes on that ride of yours to get it back up to charged.  It may be necessary to augment the charge every so often.[/list:u]An oil change late fall and again in the spring is probably a good idea, just to remove any acidic buildup due to moisture build-up and conversion.
  
  That's all I have.  You're fortunate -- I'll be parking it starting Thanksgiving and won't be unwrapping it 'til mid-March at the earliest.  

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  

Dave  

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  

Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXI'd love to put my thing in your garage, thanks   Dave  

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

Quote from: pandy

Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXI'd love to put my thing in your garage, thanks   Dave  

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

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

Dave