Jcarlson Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 This is my first winter with a liquid cooled bike - 2006 Kaw Concours Zg1000. I'm getting ready to store it forthe winter. It'll be in my shed so there will be no heat. What do I need to do to winterize it besides pull the battery? Should I hit the Pony and have the rad flushed and filled?Any tips are greatly appreciated.Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APCh8r Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 If it has antifreeze in it now you will be fine, put the bike up on stands, plug the exhaust and air duct to avoid small animals/insects getting in there. Some people like to throw stabil in the gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 You live in Westerville "like me" what the hell is winterizing a motorcycle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serpentracer Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 don't worry about your battery. they only need charged once a month if stored in temps below 60 (the cold preserves a charge) says yuasa's website.my battery is the stock battery yamaha installed in it. I never charge it over winter. (no battery tender either)and def use gas stabilizer. that's the most important thing if anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cdubyah Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 Read the M.O.M. its in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_silverfox Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 Ah, the beauty of liquid-cooled bikes. It doesn't need much. I'd change the coolant if it was pretty close to the regular service intervals for doing so. Also, if you're not planning to run it at all, full tank with stabilizer and running the bike to circulate it through the fuel system will be fine. As APCh8r mentioned, just make sure exhaust and other orifices are plugged so you don't get mice or birds in the airbox. It seriously does happen if a bike sits in a place that's accessible to critters; I've see a few air filters turned into animal burrows on service bikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c7fx Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 (edited) Make sure you top the tank with fuel and Sta-bil, sea-foam or any other stabilize but make sure that the stabilizer is run through the motor. Clean the bike. I usually coat the bike with wax and or wd-40 to prevent surface rust. Remember most bike are shipped with cosmoline. Don't cover the bike with anything that will hold moisture. Cover all holes to prevent animal homes. I have heard some people use a bar of soap to prevent rodents from coming into their classic cars. I'm not sure about that. Finally make sure its secure so that it won't fall over. Stands are the best but I have had a bike fall off its kickstand because the tire went flat. Not what you want to see after a long winter is your bike on its side. Edited November 19, 2011 by c7fx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSB67 Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 I just make sure there is antifreeze in it, top off the gas tank, and put the battery on a tender in the basement. In the spring I usually siphon that tank of gas out, put it in my truck and give the bike a fresh fill, but it's probably not really necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helmutt Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 I just make sure there is antifreeze in it, top off the gas tank, and put the battery on a tender in the basement. In the spring I usually siphon that tank of gas out, put it in my truck and give the bike a fresh fill, but it's probably not really necessary.You're just a bottle of stabilizer away from saving yourself quite a bit of work man, I run Lucas fuel additive a tank or 2 before the season ends for a bit of top-cylinder lube and it cleans/stabilizes the fuel and fuel system all winter too - My simple way to prep before winter is to perform a last ride oil change, take a ride with a tank fill on my way home - as soon as I get back I drop additve in the tank and let it idle through the system while I put chainwax on the chain since its still warm, shut down the bike and put it up on stands, then hook the batt tender up - done. Then when the first rideworthy day breaks in spring, all that needs done is unplug the tender, pull the stands and check tire pressure......ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 OHIO folks winterizing their bikes.......seriously? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSB67 Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 perform a last ride oil changeThis too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcarlson Posted November 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 Oh yeah - I forgot about Sta bil. I let my Suz 850 sit one winter without it. Cost me an arm. leg, and my left nut to clean the carbs. I just never had a liquid cooled bike before so I wasn't sure what to do about that system. I bought it this spring and the PO 'says' it was serviced; but who really knows for sure? I guess it's the same as a car.I never thought about the critters either. I stored my other bikes in the garage in the past so I never had to think about that, but in the shed I guess I should. I actually have three bikes to store this year - that's why the shed. I aint parking my truck outside in the winter when I have a garage. I HATE scraping in the morning!! I'm originally from upstate NY so when it comes to snow and ice removal at 6:00am at 15 degrees I've been there, done that, aint doin it no mo!!I'll have the bikes on their center stands so flat tires and such won't be an issue til spring.Pokey - I'm across from WNHS - Spring & County Line area. Where you is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 OHIO folks winterizing their bikes.......seriously?Yes. Fuck salt, fuck the cold. Can't ride the way I like with those 2 conditions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undr_psi Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 i used sta-bil last winter and it caused my plugs to gum up..rub@35moto told me hes never had any luck with sta-bil..maybe its somthing with iridium spark plugs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helmutt Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 Mine has iridiums in it, and never had an issue with the Lucas additive - but never used Stabil in anything......the other is sold at work and I get awesome deals there;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue03636 Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 Not sure, I have used stabil every winter I have had a bike with no problems. The oil change is a toss up, some say do it some don't. I don't change it and have yet to have a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVTPilot Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 Just because the bike has anti-freeze' date=' doesn't meant the specific gravity is up to snuff. If you can't remember the last time you had the coolant flushed, then you're definitely due. I'd get it knocked out just to be safe. Stabil.. I've never used it, personally.. but don't have anything bad to say about it.[/quote']Same same here. Never used an ounce of Stabil and have nevr had issues the following spring. Doens't mean it isn't worth doing, though. Coolant if its been a while, and I save the oil change for the spring before the enging gets turned over for the very first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 Oh yeah - I forgot about Sta bil. I let my Suz 850 sit one winter without it. Cost me an arm. leg, and my left nut to clean the carbs. I just never had a liquid cooled bike before so I wasn't sure what to do about that system. I bought it this spring and the PO 'says' it was serviced; but who really knows for sure? I guess it's the same as a car.I never thought about the critters either. I stored my other bikes in the garage in the past so I never had to think about that, but in the shed I guess I should. I actually have three bikes to store this year - that's why the shed. I aint parking my truck outside in the winter when I have a garage. I HATE scraping in the morning!! I'm originally from upstate NY so when it comes to snow and ice removal at 6:00am at 15 degrees I've been there, done that, aint doin it no mo!!I'll have the bikes on their center stands so flat tires and such won't be an issue til spring.Pokey - I'm across from WNHS - Spring & County Line area. Where you is?I live very close to WCHS, Off Maxtown and Hilmar Drive. I was just razzing ya a bit for storing bikes, I am one that rides all year. If the temps are above freezing and the roads are dry I will ride. I would be happy to store a bike for you if need be, and my garage always seems to stay above freezing in Winter. I have 2 liquid cooled bikes, but I reckon that really doesnt matter since they are being ridden. I keep the tanks filled to the top and add stabil no matter what, that is just a good habit to get into come Winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serpentracer Posted November 20, 2011 Report Share Posted November 20, 2011 Just because the bike has anti-freeze' date=' doesn't meant the specific gravity is up to snuff. If you can't remember the last time you had the coolant flushed, then you're definitely due. I'd get it knocked out just to be safe. Stabil.. I've never used it, personally.. but don't have anything bad to say about it.[/quote']you really should because gas is only good for like 2 months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcarlson Posted November 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2011 Pokey - Yeah, I know where you be, sorta. I should say i know the area. Oh and about the Razzin - no worries mate!! I didn't take any offense - thick skinned like an aligator.I kept my old Honda out one year. I rode on Christmas eve once and mid January. It was fun and all but if you can't fast or far then it's not a whole lot of fun, but it's still neat to get weird looks from people when you're riding and it's 18 degrees and snowing - LOL!!I wanted to go riding today but I had to paint the shed I just built before it got too cold and wet out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollnhot Posted November 20, 2011 Report Share Posted November 20, 2011 Make certain the coolant is good, warm up garage and start bikes once a week. Ride em' when its warm enough and no salt or grit on street. This is Ohio it never stays cold for more than three weeks at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howabusa Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 OHIO folks winterizing their bikes.......seriously?Hell yeah, I don't ride in the snow or temps below 40! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJC1000rr Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Water wetter drained today and refilled with antifreeze. Filled tank with gas and stabil and now to start some teardown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcan_Rider Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 I honestly don't do anything to winterize my bike. It stays in a garage and I start it once every 2 weeks or so and let it run. Never had an issue in the spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Buncha pussies!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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