Well its 32 out here in Hill Country Texas, and for the life of me I could not get my GS to start the past two days.
I had to put 20w-50 in it the other day, which I'm guessing isn't helping, and my battery totally died trying to start up.

Other than getting a battery tender, what can I do to help winterize my GS, and help make sure it starts up every time?

I'm guessing that you store the bike outside but have electrical power - ie battery tender

They make dipstick heaters for cars.  I'm sure with a little work you could rig one for your bike.  Years ago when I lived in WI I would take a trouble light and put it under the hood of the car at night - made a big difference (keep it away from the carbs).  There are some gas additives that are supposed to make starting easier - check you local auto parts store.

And always ....a well tuned bike will always start easier.

Good luck............

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=68012.msg818484#msg818484

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=68172.msg820012#msg820012

Ok thanks, I'll definitely pick up the Motobatt.

I don't know that covering my Oil cooler will help all that much, since once I get the darn thing started, it runs without a hitch (relatively!)

My biggest problem is that I commute to work/girlfriends apartment (where it is currently stranded), and I can't plug in an oil heater there.

Do y'all have a preferred oil to use in the winter, is there something I'm missing, or is it really all about the battery?

32F is not that cold.....

Put in 10 w 40 like the manual says to...

Get a good strong battery and keep it charged....

Just putting the bike in the sun will pre heat it way above the actual air temperature..

Cookie

Quote from: Clutchup210 on November 14, 2014, 06:56:11 AM
Ok thanks, I'll definitely pick up the Motobatt.

I don't know that covering my Oil cooler will help all that much, since once I get the darn thing started, it runs without a hitch (relatively!)

My biggest problem is that I commute to work/girlfriends apartment (where it is currently stranded), and I can't plug in an oil heater there.

Do y'all have a preferred oil to use in the winter, is there something I'm missing, or is it really all about the battery?

You can try 5w-40 Rotella if you'd like, it's JASO MA rated for motorcycles (safe for wet clutches) and guarantees way easier cold starts than that 20w-50. It just happens to shear to a 30 grade hot viscosity rather quickly, so when warm weather comes, I'd not use it above temperatures that the manual recommends for 10w-30.
You could try bump starting, too, especially if you live somewhere with hills.

I used 15W-40 Rotella T in my 02 GS  all the way to 100k miles riding year around in temps from 20-100F, it's JASO-MA rated too. 

QuoteYou can try 5w-40 Rotella if you'd like, it's JASO MA rated for motorcycles (safe for wet clutches) and guarantees way easier cold starts than that 20w-50.

I will definitely be doing that tomorrow.

QuoteYou could try bump starting, too, especially if you live somewhere with hills.

I did... but to no avail... I was too cold for me!

the extremely rare times down here in south florida when it gets into 20's and 30's and max only a week, our warm weather vehicles tend to complain or just call a time out till things warm up.  both my GS and my yamaha XJ650 just didnt not like starting, even under carport, i put a drop light with 60w bulb on ground between the bikes, tossed a tarp over them with bricks around the edges, in the morning oil, batt, and everything flowed like it was 70*. didnt even need much choke. again, its not something we have to deal with down  here but does happen now and then.   yeah, the easy bake block heater 

Quoteyeah, the easy bake block heater

Well in my case I bought a battery charger, and since Cycle Gear had just sold out of their on sale model, it's a pretty good pricey one.

Anyway, after a good charge, and about 10 degree temp rise, she fired right up.
Still gonna get the Rotella and the Motobatt though.

There's a zillion different opinions on oils so you have to make the decision for yourself on what to use.  Personally, I wouldn't put a 5W-anything in an air cooled motorcycle engine especially one fit up as loosely as the designed in the 70's GS400-450-500 twin engines.  And I've been riding winters for the last 30 years here in ME Ohio.

Quote from: gsJack on November 15, 2014, 08:59:49 PM
There's a zillion different opinions on oils so you have to make the decision for yourself on what to use.  Personally, I wouldn't put a 5W-anything in an air cooled motorcycle engine especially one fit up as loosely as the designed in the 70's GS400-450-500 twin engines.  And I've been riding winters for the last 30 years here in ME Ohio.

In the "official riding season" I wouldn't do that, either, and that's why I warned him about not using it in the summer. Currently running 15w-40 myself (and your word and experience have a large part in that one, thank you ), but bike is mainly for recreation for me (and commuting to university, but if I'm late one day, no one really cares).
If I commuted to work, in the cold, where someone's always watching if I get there in time, I'd make damn sure I did absolutely everything in my power to let that engine start up at the first touch of the button, anytime, every time.

The battery is anaemic even when new, if you've jump started from a car battery you know the starter loves it, it's never spun faster.

Bumping it won't be easy after lots of fruitless cranks because by them it may be flooded. In the old days one could jump up and down on the kick starter like Forest Gump and yell and swear, but nowadays bikes don't have kick starters so that's that.

light a fire under it... its a freaking GS500. do you really think you could kill it with fire? 

Actually, gas powered block heaters do exist, you literally light a small fire... wouldn't use it on an F model, though, and don't know if there's anything to ruin on the underside of the naked ones... err... GS's

That sounds like a horrible idea...

Never tried it and not sure if it'll work or not, but what about a space heater and a cover? I used to have a ceramic space heater that I would use to heat wherever I was in my apartment when I was broke and couldn't afford a gas bill. That little thing put out more than enough heat to keep me warm. It was thermostatically controlled so it would never overheat the room. Obviously a plug-in would be best, but they do make propane ones (not sure if I would trust that near the bike though. I'm considering setting it back up in my garage now to keep the bike warm and the wife happy when she has to go out to her car.

Could be a terrible idea for your situation, but it's just a thought.

Motorcycle needs more battery for dependable starts in very cold weather.  Best solution for me, can be kept in garage for morning starts and carried with in small trunk if needed to start elsewhere next morning:

http://www.batterychargers.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductName=94026903

Can recharge plugging into household 110-120 outlet, a good charge lasts all winter for me.

Not saying I would try it, but I've heard that Alaskan bush pilots would drain their aircrafts' oil, heat it up over a camp stove, and pour it back in.

Could (not should) probably be done easily with a GS, especially without fairings. For those extra brisk mornings!

Not sure I even want to ride when you have to do that