Best way to store a VFR over winter???

Being extremely new to the VFR scene I am curious to the prep to store a bike over winter. Oil? Gas treatment? full tank or half? Battery tender?? This is my baby's first winter outside (girlfriend makes me keep it outside now that she moved in) For my CBR I just got out there and started it up a couple times a month and checked the fluids. I would let it idle to operating temp and then shut her down for a another 2 weeks. I never have had battery trouble. I just thought I would ask some pros. Thanks,

killerkingdon

 

[QUOTE This is my baby's first winter outside (girlfriend makes me keep it outside now that she moved in)
[/QUOTE]

:ballchain: :ballchain: :ballchain: :ballchain:

It's no surprise now as to why my girlfriends never last more than a couple of years, I've rebuilt engines in the house before. They get tired of sitting in a lawn chair at the track or in the desert every weekend too!

Sorry for the thread hijack!

 

Are you serious about keeping your motorcycle outside in the winter? Not only are you risking freeze damage you're risking theft.

Motorcycles are one of the easiest vehicles to steal. All you need is 2 guys and a truck. Just get 2 guys to pick up the bike and put it on the back. Bam! your bike's gone!

If this girl is worth it then at least get LoJack installed on the bike or get theft coverage on your insurance. If you're not going to do any of them then smack the bitch up :brick: and put the bike in the garage!

 

Having rebuilt a sv650 last year in my dining room and kitchen she said the fumes were killing her. I have it under cover with a U-Lock and a killer rat terrier close by. I actually park my car in front to prevent anyone from being able to even get to it to move it. I have heard you should fill your gas tank up to the brim to prevent rust. Since global warming and the good o' south, freezing is not that much of a issue. Maybe several times a year, but never more than a day or so. I hate to have to put the bike outside but there are just things my VFR wont do!!! Any other storage ideas will be appreciated. Thanks guys,

andy k

 

Dude go Home depot at the least and get one of the Rubber maid sheds then run a electrical cord and hook up a heat lamp to chase the moisture away, if you don't plan on riding her much like only a couple miles a month for the next 5 then yes fill up the tank to the top then once a month go throw on the battery trickle charger. don't just start it up which isn't a bad thing, trick here is to make sure she gets good and hot/ warmer to rid the exhaust of moisture. other wise man, I'd tell the girl friend to dress warm as it's going to be cold for her.

 

Perfect.....I got online and the rubbermaid minisheds look perfect...thanks for the idea....

 

No matter where it's stored, I would follow the directions in the owner's manual for winterizing. Especially with regard to putting small amounts of oil in the cylinders. By just starting it up occassionally, you are starting a cold engine with relatively dry cylinders-from just sitting. Thus there's higher friction and more wear and tear on the motor then if you rode the bike weekly. I also remove the battery and store it inside and charge it monthly.

 

store new girlfriend outside..keep bike in

 

I would suggest you ride it as much as you can and keep it covered up and on a battery tender when your not riding it. I'm lucky, I can keep my VFR in my garage all year round but I ride it all the time. Just rode it tonight in 25 degree weather. Great 45 minute ride. Get an electric vest some good gloves a full winter suite and ride it.

 

Thats the best idea yet. It would be cheaper for a set of heated gloves, a vest, and some thick boots than to set up a storage shed in the back yard. Plus, there is nothing like a little frost in your helmet. Thanks.

 

invest in heated grips, then ride to work.

it does get tricky sometimes, however.
going over bridges like the Delaware Memorial can be adventurous.
but, hey, that's what life's about. risk and fun.

 

If you need to store your bike for a few months, then please do the following.

1. Remove your battery and place it on a trickle charger to keep the battery healthy.

2. Completey fill your gas tank with fuel. You can add a fuel additive if you want, but the main thing you want to acheive is to eleminate water build-up in the tank that causes corrsion. The more air space left in your tank will allow more area for condensation build up inside your tank to take place.

3. Place a few drops of oil inside each of your cylinders by removing the spark plugs. This is so the piston rings won't corrode.

4. Deflate and re-inflate your tires with 100% dry air. Humidity inside the tires can can corrosion between the rim and inflation valve.

There are more steps you can take if you need to store your vehile for like a year or more, but that is for a different subject.

Hope this helps.

 

Good advice from JRotten.

In addition:
Add Sta-Bil to the fuel - it's important to add the Sta-Bil, then fill up the tank in order to mix it thoroughly.

Yes, top off the tank (bike on centerstand, which also prevents flat-spotting the back tire).

Then run the engine long enough to fill the float bowls (assuming it's carb'ed), and/or run it through all fuel lines and injectors.

If it is carb'ed, you could simply drain the float bowls, but you should still add Sta-Bil and run the engine for a while (until the fan comes on).

If you're running a Battery Tender, there's no need to disconnect the battery.
It'll compensate for low draw from the clock, as well as ambient temperature.

I've never had a problem just using a good quality bike cover (Dow).

It appears you're in the Philly area; close proximity to salty ocean air.
You might spritz little bolt heads and other things that may get a little unsightly surface rust with a bit of WD-40.
Also give the chain a good dousing of chain lube - as thoroughly as possible - to prevent corrosion.

Every couple weeks manually rotate the front tire 90 degrees to prevent flat-spotting.

 

there is a ancient controversy, which goes back a century, as to whether it's better for the engine to be started and run occasionally or just left alone until riding serason starts again.

some think its good to keep things moving, despite the problems of frequent dry start-ups on bearings; while others decry the moisture inevitably formed inside engine due to condensation in the cool-down phase.

my humble opinion is that periodic starting is NOT good, but that oiling the cylinders is advisable and just letting it sit. I might occasionally crank the engine over very briefly but NOT start it. the worst thing you can do is run the engine simply to charge the battery, which should be stored inside and charged monthly.
as anti-theft measure consider removing the rear wheel since it makes the bike look incomplete and it won't roll. also the seat should be stored indoors to avoid problems caused by small, socially misunderstood rodents which like to chew and have been known to attack wiring as well.

 

The best way to store a VFR for the winter is to not store it & ride year round. If I can ride in the NJ winter, you should be able to ride in the AR winter. If you don't want to ride, you should at least try to take a 1-2 mile run at least every 2 weeks. If storage is an absolute reality, I would spend the cash for a self storage unit without hesitation. Many of these places offer climate controlled units. If you get one of the small ones, you should be able to get it for about $75/month. To me, that's a small price to pay to ensure my bike doesn't get stolen or ruined. Small animals just love to crawl into places they shouldn't.

A few mentioned Sta-Bil. It's worth every penny it costs. I run it in both of my bikes year round as well as all my small yard equipment.

Lastly, I hate to even mention this (actually I don't, I'm just writing that to make you feel better) if you actually let your girlfriend TELL you to keep your $11500 bike outside, get a new girlfriend. If that's not an option, enjoy your future of being whipped since it's started already. Is that harsh? Yes it is. That's what's expected from me on this site. I tell it like it is with no remorse.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

"she helps clean motorcycle parts" is the nicest thing you can say about a girl.... except " she has a PhD."

 

Thanks for all the tips, I mean I really got some excellent responses...gotta tell my cbr forum buddies they just are not making the grade...guess alot more than riding skills come with experience...I have decided to attempt a year round riding experience..I am looking for the right gear now...thanks again.

 

Tourmaster Transition ($125-$150)
+

Tourmaster Caliber ($120-$140)
+

Tourmaster Cold Front ($40-$60)
+

Sidi Canyon ($225-$260)
=
Happy Winter Riding

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

why store it ? i'm going to ride to work in the morning.

 

I bought the wheel chock that I show in one of my posts and have it mounted on a trailer. The bike is going to be on the trailer all winter in a garage. I will post pics here this week.