How to winterize?

[TootToot]

My 250 Ninja is my first bike and I want to winterize properly. Am thinking of taking a course at Humber but in case I don't, just wanted to know what I should do to winterize my bike and when do you folks usually do it. I will be leaving it in my garage and no, I cannot bring it in. Any suggestions/help is appreciated.

Here is your cue to flame me because a thread like this already exists. If it does, could you just send me the link please?

Thanks,
T

[Royson]

Change your oil and filter.
Apply chain lube to the chain to prevent any rust if it wasn't done recently.
Fill up the tank and put in fuel stabilizer. Run the engine for a few minutes to get the stab. into the bike well.
Pull the battery and place it in a dark place.
Put a cover on it and forget about it until spring!

[toastman]

I would ride the bike for 5 mins - just letting it idle for 5 mins won't get the stabil in the carbs.
If you remove the fuel tank and let it idle it will run for a long time before it runs out of fuel.

Also make sure your tires all filled to max pressure.

Motorex makes a great product that keeps the mositure from corroding the bike over the winter, but all you really need is a dry place

Donald

[buttahz]

WOW its not that time yet dont make me feel worse than i already do....!!!!

[skip]

*Go for a ride
*Fill up with gas put stabilizer in
*Go home
*Do oil and filter change
*Clean chain
*Do any other maintenance (rad fulid, brake fluid, brake pads, new air filter, valve check, new spark plugs, etc..)
*Fog the cylinder (if you want and are easy to get at)
*Clean all of the bike and wax it
*Stuff oily rags in the exhust pipe and air box to stop critters from making homes (mothballs in the air box also can work)
*Remove battery
*Remove paper work is you keep it in the bike
*Put bike up on stands
*Put sticky note over the ignition with EVERYTHING you have to do to the bike before you take it out in the spring (like removing the rags from the exhaust and air box, putting the battery back in, etc)
*Put a motorcycle cover over it, or sheets if you don't have one
*Turn off the light and go inside
*Pour yourself a stiff drink

[yanksingh]

ok some confusion here, some of you said do oil change n put fuel stabilizer and go for spin, but the guy from youtube video said don't crank your engine after oil change. Does it make a difference?? And how big a deal is if you don’t do oil change before you put her away (but had just few km before) and do oil change when take her out.

[skylinegtr34]

Is it easy to winterize the bike yourself? From the bike manuals, it looks like there are more steps to be done.

Where can you buy those fuel stabilizer and lubes? From a bike shop?

[JoeyB]

Is it easy to winterize the bike yourself? From the bike manuals, it looks like there are more steps to be done.

Where can you buy those fuel stabilizer and lubes? From a bike shop?

Yes, it's simple, here's a video that goes way over the top for winterizing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G77BXjI5mcc

You can get the stabilizer at Canadian Tire, lube too maybe. Best bet is a bike shop for MC specific lube.

[Royson]

Is it easy to winterize the bike yourself? From the bike manuals, it looks like there are more steps to be done.

Where can you buy those fuel stabilizer and lubes? From a bike shop?

Bike shop or Canadian tire.

Yes, it is easy. Do a google search on winterizing a motorcycle, you'll find several great resources.

http://www.clarity.net/adam/winter-storage.html

There is one.

[buttahz]

Is it easy to winterize the bike yourself? From the bike manuals, it looks like there are more steps to be done.

Where can you buy those fuel stabilizer and lubes? From a bike shop?

Winterizing is easy but still can be alot of work,

1)Take my bike for one last spin to get he oils heated up and chained heated up, then change your oil and filter!!!!

2) I start with a good wash to the bike, then wax it clean.

3) Then a carefully clean the chain with kerosene and then lube it wif my fav lube, maxima, or maximum cant remember.(so much for it being my fav) lol

4) fill tank with Gas and putt the correct amount of fuel stabilizer in the tank. its like 50ml for every litre but could be different for every bike. That you'll have too look up.

5) Check my tire pressure then raise em both off the ground with racks.

6) Check bike for any cracked or damaged cables and wires.

7) Remove battery from bike and charge with a battery tender.

Thats about it man, you can easily do everything your self.

Oh yea, and no need to take a course, this is easy work,

[B400]

Winterizing is over-rated. I just ride the damn thing. In the winter I do put stabil in the tank. Just incase it sits for a month or two.

[bimmerboy]

i just got a full service done about two months ago should i be changing the oil and filter again to store it ??? Never have with my other bike but this one is new and only has 1600 km on it. Want to keep it in best possible shape !!!

[ninja_boy]

So i guess it is not necessary to drain carbs and fog oil the spark plugs? never did so myself so just wondering if it was important?same bike 250.

[teddie_bear]

does it matter what kind of fuel stabilizer you use for the bike. like say if you have a ninja 250 can you use a canadian tire fuel stabilizer and it wont mess up the performance for next year?

[U_cant_C_me]

what do u do with the carbs????????drain em or somthing....do u have to take them off the bike or can it be on em???

[mosma]

My user manual says to fill the crankcase to the top with fresh oil, along with the other things mentioned. Does anyone recommend this or is it a waste of time?

06GIXXER

[gybeman]

Also make sure your tires all filled to max pressure.
Donald

Ok, I have to ask .... why max pressure ? So you don't find them flat in the spring ?
I've always just put the bike on the stand to avoid flat spotting them, and left the stock pressure as it drops a few pounds anyway buy the time spring comes. Every instruction I've read about storing tires has said to drop the pressure. I've done this storing winter car tires (dropped to 20psi) and they didn't get any sidewall cracking until they were more than 5 yrs old ... and they lasted 6 or 7 seasons.

[toastman]

dropping the pressure causes the tires to be creased by the weight of the bike or car

draw your own conclusions if that is wise

[Si|ver Bu||et]

why change before and after? why not just after? what happens?

is cotton a good bike cover? something about being breathable?

[amp3d]

Ok, I have to ask .... why max pressure ? So you don't find them flat in the spring ?
I've always just put the bike on the stand to avoid flat spotting them, and left the stock pressure as it drops a few pounds anyway buy the time spring comes. Every instruction I've read about storing tires has said to drop the pressure. I've done this storing winter car tires (dropped to 20psi) and they didn't get any sidewall cracking until they were more than 5 yrs old ... and they lasted 6 or 7 seasons.

Actually, when the air gets colder your tire pressure will drop. If you can, you should have your bike on a stand over the winter. This means no pressure on any of the fork seals and less weight on the tires since they will be sitting still for a while. Thats just what I suggest