What do you guys do for winterization?

K

kickarsmann

Joined Jul 2012
325 Posts | 39+
Boston
Hey I was wondering what you guys recommend for winterization. On my R1, I would fill the tank then put Stabil Marine blue, jack the front and rear tires up with the pit bull triple clamp style, clean and lube chain, connect the battery tender. Clean and polish the whole bike, put a cover to protect it from dust. Now I leave the coolant alone because it's stored in a heated basement. I usually run water wetter and h2O.

My friend has a Hypermotard and over the weekend he decided to empty the tank because the dealer told him that the hyper has an plastic tank and shouldn't be full for storage. My initial thought was, since its stored in a heated garage, the gas doesn't expand. We have a humidifier with the storage area.

Like to hear your thoughts and inputs.
Thanks
 
There are a few other really good threads on this within the forum Kick. I recall the topic last year going into GREAT detail. Check out the "Search" function or some of the stickies the kind mods posted up for newer folks.

Very good question I may add, so I will throw in what in my honest opinion is the best battery "maintainer" on the market for you. Ten times what any Battery Tender can provide and harmless to leave plugged in ALL winter! Read its reviews!

USER: OptiMate 4 Dual Program
 
Sounds like you have done it all, except I always change the oil before they sit for the winter. Fresh oil, run enough to circulate, then shut her down and let her sit. Stare at it and wait for spring time.
 
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Put on another layer of clothes and keep riding. Yeah, I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but I also ride all summer long in 95/90 temperature/humidity!
 
I don't do anything to it other then start it once a week... My bud has owned bikes his whole life, leaves it outside all winter with no cover.. Never had any issues with his bikes.
 
Hook up the battery tender every couple of weeks, add STA-BIL® Ethanol Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer for the bike that has a plastic tank.
Hope for temps in the 50's so I can ride. :D
 
kickarsmann said:
Hey I was wondering what you guys recommend for winterization. On my R1, I would fill the tank then put Stabil Marine blue, jack the front and rear tires up with the pit bull triple clamp style, clean and lube chain, connect the battery tender. Clean and polish the whole bike, put a cover to protect it from dust. Now I leave the coolant alone because it's stored in a heated basement. I usually run water wetter and h2O.

My friend has a Hypermotard and over the weekend he decided to empty the tank because the dealer told him that the hyper has an plastic tank and shouldn't be full for storage. My initial thought was, since its stored in a heated garage, the gas doesn't expand. We have a humidifier with the storage area.

Like to hear your thoughts and inputs.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Being from the same state, i change my oil, have the dealer go over any missed recalles, drain the the tank fog the motor and store inside the for the winter, NO SALT or MOISTURE in my bike. trickle charge the battery every 2 days or so.
 
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Zaid1199 said:
Being from the same state, i change my oil, have the dealer go over any missed recalles, drain the the tank fog the motor and store inside the for the winter, NO SALT or MOISTURE in my bike. trickle charge the battery every 2 days or so.
Click to expand...

Hi Zaid,
What do you mean drain the tank and fog the motor? Does the Panigale have an internal plastic bladder?
Do you drain everything out of the bike? Oil, coolant etc?
 
Haha thanks for the replies guys, some of you are very lucky having riding weather year round. But some of us have to deal with the winter in the North East. I also forgot the mention, I do an oil/filter change before storage.

Do you know why the dealer suggested to drain the hypermotard? They said it's because its a plastic tank. But would it matter if it's stored in a heated/moisture controlled basement?

Really appreciate the feedbacks :)
 
im so jealous of you southern guys. any of you texas, florida, or any other low to no tax gun friendly states have job openings let me know. i will leave this crap in a second. I also would probably need only half my current salary but would be more than happy to keep my salary and buy more bikes.

as for the OP question. I changed my oil, cleaned my chain and brakes, filled the tank with stabil, started it to run the stabil through, cleaned the bike with original bike spirits cleaner and polisher. then i put it in the garage on pitbull front and rear stand attached the battery tender and placed the cover on. Last weekend i put rim tape on it (only one side i didnt feel like taking the bike out to do the other side that is basically against the wall). I still have to put on my new crg carbon shortys and the duca bike oil viewer.

unfortunately 4 more months left to do the mods so no rush.
 
Last edited:
kickarsmann said:
Hi Zaid,
What do you mean drain the tank and fog the motor? Does the Panigale have an internal plastic bladder?
Do you drain everything out of the bike? Oil, coolant etc?
Click to expand...

JUSt the GAS; ducati up sold this on me, before the year is completly over i run is much gas out of the tank, then i have regular gas mixed with 2 stroke oil that way the cylinder and heads don't have any rust from sitting for some time. You could always start the bike once a week but i have other projects to work on thats how i do my winterization. no need to touch coolant until recommended service interval.
 
Wow,

I feel neglectful. I didn't do squat, but put a cover over her and hit the battery tender once in awhile. I didn't even put stabil in her (as I have with all the other bikes). I know I didn't top up the tank (no need to worry about alum rusting). Kick me! Lol. We shall see what the spring thaw brings.
 

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