During the rainy season, good weather days are few and far between.  How long is too long for a bike to sit?

A week?  Month?

edit:  I also read on some guides, that you shouldn't start your engine during winter.   What if you're riding to work on a cold, but otherwise suitable day?

don't start your engine during winter if you are storing the bike for that entire period.

It takes about a month for the gas to start to degrade and destabilize. (so I've been told)

I haven't been able to ride for the past 4 days (too much rain and I really don't have to go anywhere for at least another week), so I was afraid that the bike wouldn't start for sitting so long or something, so I decided to give it a try (day was windy, rainy, and very cold)... and it just worked!


I warmed the bike for some 15 minutes and then I turned it off for another few days now.  

well, i don't plan on storing it for a month or even near that.  Maybe a week or week and a half at most.  Do I need to go through that whole storage deal or even part of it?

Quote from: Arcanewell, i don't plan on storing it for a month or even near that.  Maybe a week or week and a half at most.  Do I need to go through that whole storage deal or even part of it?

lord no.  Sitting a week or two is nothing.  My ratbike has actually spend a few months on it's side in the south in the rain and shaZam! weather...all I had to was put a charge to her and no problem.  Bikes aren't fragile...

Which would e better?

1]
completing storage procedures for the winter and NEVER starting the bike up during said winter, or

2]
doing NOTHING different, and just starting it up about once a week for 15-30 minutes?  (most likely not being able to ride)

Cold weather doesn't hurt a motorcycle. Carbed, especally aircooled engines can take a while to get up to temperature and run properly, but that just takes a little extra warm up time with the choke before riding off.

Just running if every once and a while, even up to operating temperature isn't good for a bike.  The plugs can get fouled from just idling and static heat cycles aren't good for the engine.

Best bet if you aren't going to ride the bike is to put it into storage.  Put in fuel stabilizer, top off, take one last ride to fully charge the battery, put it on the center stand, disconnect the battery, plug the exhaust and airbox inlet, then cover the bike with something, a blanket or plastic, and then telling it a bedtime story.

Just remember that your Battery will loose about 1% of its charge per day.  If you let it sit for long periods and don't ride it for long, your battery may not be able to start the bike after a couple of months.

If you do ride, treat the bike and yourself to a 20+ minute ride event and you should be okay through the winter season.

I always try to ride mine at least once a week during the winter.  

I take it out and ride it around long enough to get everything warmed up (except me).

And I try to always keep the tank topped off.

Of course winter in NC isn't known to be that bad.