[galo8]

I had my previous bike winterized last year, had battery tender, stabil, left it in a in a firneds garage all winter long. Now I noticed that some of my neighbors left their bikes outside in the parking lot covered and every once in a while turned them on. This year I don't have the availability of my friend's garage to leave the bike there hooked up to the battery tender. I only have two options, leave the bike outside covered and turn it on weekly, or take the battery out after I place the bike in a non climate controlled storage unit that I have. What do you guys think?

 

[11Stryker]

Hey Galo, Your better option that you proposed is take the battery out and put in the warmth of the house( not on concrete floor though) and hook up battery tender there.

 

[ROADKILL]

I'd go with the storage unit and take the battery out and put it on a charger.

 

[galo8]

thanks for your advice will do that this weekend since it seems that they announced snow for pittsburgh this monday

 

[1304cc]

Bike, boat, whatever. I use the battery tender that has a quick connect on it. If I'm leaving it sitting for longer than a week I plug it in. No fuss. And yes, you want to keep it out if the elements. Unheated garage is perfectly fine.

 

[firelt]

For now I'm in the Peoples Republic of California, so I'm lucky that I can ride year round. My wife rides much less than I so her 950 is on a tender and it works fine. We got her a tender after her battery died on a ride and I had to push start her bike. In about 18 months we will be moving to Northern Arizona so winter might become an issue.

 

[BillyD66]

I'd go with the storage unit and take the battery out and put it on a charger.

First winter for me but going this route(except in garage so not taking out battery). Spoke with the dealership service manager about just starting it once a month or so etc. to move fluids around and he suggested no because you'd get more damage from condensation in the muffler due to not hitting operating temps. Said if I want to go for a ride that's great but just not starting it for 5-10 minutes.
His advice:
- Fill tank full and add some sort of fuel stabilizer. It can rust on the inside and ethanol in the fuel attracts water. Fill it to the brim and problem basically solved.
- Put a battery charger on(suggested and purchased optimate from them)
- Cover it with something soft (dedicated cover or old sheet) to keep the dust out
- Can cover up muffler opening but suggested to always check on the bike weekly if you are worried about mice making homes etc.. His quote: "Seats are expensive if they set up house there. It's not like they are going to chew through your muffler..."
- Others have suggested using pads etc. between the tires and concrete. I got some rubber rear seat floor mats for that.
- Be nice if it was washed before storage but too cold for that here now.
- Service manager said if you are close on oil change interval to do it in the spring rather than fall in case moisture gets in there. Of course he didn't say what to do if you were between intervals Many people change in spring regardless of mileage and if you do it yourself that's probably cheap insurance...

All in all, if it makes sense then it probably will help and shouldn't hurt. None of this costs much or takes too much time.
In spring I'd suggest adding fuel sooner than normal like at 3/4's full. That way you get some fresh fuel in there to mix with the old fuel. Do this 3-4 times and then fill up as usual.

Took a ride today and coming home it was just over 40. Sadly I'm probably going to have to say goodbye to my lady in a week unless we get Indian Summer. Think spring and safe riding.

 

[galo8]

thanks billy good info there... I'm sad I havent been able to ride for the past 2 weeks... hoping for one more day of nice warm weather...

 

[mn stryker]

I'd go with the storage unit and take the battery out and put it on a charger.

First winter for me but going this route(except in garage so not taking out battery). Spoke with the dealership service manager about just starting it once a month or so etc. to move fluids around and he suggested no because you'd get more damage from condensation in the muffler due to not hitting operating temps. Said if I want to go for a ride that's great but just not starting it for 5-10 minutes.
His advice:
- Fill tank full and add some sort of fuel stabilizer. It can rust on the inside and ethanol in the fuel attracts water. Fill it to the brim and problem basically solved.
- Put a battery charger on(suggested and purchased optimate from them)
- Cover it with something soft (dedicated cover or old sheet) to keep the dust out
- Can cover up muffler opening but suggested to always check on the bike weekly if you are worried about mice making homes etc.. His quote: "Seats are expensive if they set up house there. It's not like they are going to chew through your muffler..."
- Others have suggested using pads etc. between the tires and concrete. I got some rubber rear seat floor mats for that.
- Be nice if it was washed before storage but too cold for that here now.
- Service manager said if you are close on oil change interval to do it in the spring rather than fall in case moisture gets in there. Of course he didn't say what to do if you were between intervals Many people change in spring regardless of mileage and if you do it yourself that's probably cheap insurance...

All in all, if it makes sense then it probably will help and shouldn't hurt. None of this costs much or takes too much time.
In spring I'd suggest adding fuel sooner than normal like at 3/4's full. That way you get some fresh fuel in there to mix with the old fuel. Do this 3-4 times and then fill up as usual.

Took a ride today and coming home it was just over 40. Sadly I'm probably going to have to say goodbye to my lady in a week unless we get Indian Summer. Think spring and safe riding.

Thanks for taking the time to write this up Billy. Great info!

 

[DucLover]

I use them on my Stryker and my Ducati. I think they're great.

 

[mn stryker]

Living here in Minnesota my garage can get pretty darn cold. I do have a tender but would you guys recommend pulling the battery and keeping it some place nice an warm? There are times when my garage probably gets to 15 degree F. I'm not sure if the tender is enough to keep the battery healthy.

 

[11Stryker]

Tender will work the same no matter where you store battery unless you send it to Venus or the Sun.

 

[Axorr]

I've never used a battery tender before. Although, I usually ride everyday unless there is snow / ice on the roads. So, unless it's an exceptionally bad winter, I get out on the bike pretty regularly. In the garage at night, I keep it on a pair of large flattened boxes once December hits.

Of course, this go-around, that means I'll likely hit my 600 mile break-in service sometime in late December... hmmm....