I went through the same thing a couple weeks ago getting my bike ready for storage, so this is all still fresh in my head. For the basics: • A breathable cover is usually good enough — anything that doesn’t trap moisture. • Battery Tender Jr. has worked well for me. • And yeah, a bit of fuel stabilizer goes a long way. While I was doing mine, I found this general storage guide and it actually helped me make sure I didn’t forget the small stuff — things like cleaning the bike properly, topping off the tank, and keeping the battery maintained. Dropping it here in case it helps someone else: Motorcycle Winter Storage Tips | 10 Must-Do Steps
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm in the UK. I think I'll do as you suggest and empty the tank. I've already drained the carb bowls. Is it beneficial to start the bike and get it up to temperature every 6 to 8 weeks, or should I just leave it hibernating on the Optimate until Spring? How long to get an aircooled motor up to temperature if just idling / gently revving? 20 mins or so? Thanks again
I leave my bike in the garage with the battery tender going on for a few hours twice a week. I never start the bike until I am ready to use again in the new year. Apart from that I don't do anything else. Being do it this way for years, and never had a problem.
I don't think there's any benefit starting it up every now and then, just leave it on the battery tender, put new fuel in come spring time and press the starter button. It may even do some harm as the oil might then get condensation in it, something cars are known to do if just driven short journeys all the time. I've laid bikes up for decades now on a battery tender after my Fireblade battery went flat once over winter doing the above without any issues. The only other things I do is clean it, drain the tank, coat it in FS365 and put it in a vac bag to avoid getting covered in condensation as our cars are stored in the garage too but as you're storing yours indoors that won't be an issue.
Thanks for the replies guys. They've made me decide just to drain the remaining fuel from the tank and just leave it until Spring. So I'm going with :- Optimate battery tender connected Fuel drained Bike jacked up with both wheels off the ground Cotton sheet thrown over And that's going to be it until it's time to get back on the road after Winter. Thanks again
Seems like a good plan Scoot, my Optimate 4 is still going strong after eight years of almost constant use. I keep mine connected in case I go a couple of weeks without riding. Wow, minus twenty five winters!
I live in northern NJ, and store my two bikes in an unheated garage. I don't cover them, as, at worst, they get a bit of dust on them over the winter. Since I may ride in late winter, I don't do anything special to store it. I will fill the tanks and connect a trickle charger (as I do all year when I park in the garage). For 3-4 months, I don't bother with fuel stabilizer; never had a problem.
Good advice above already. I’d second the fuel stabilizer and battery tender for sure. The only thing I changed over the years was how I store the bike and whether to use a cover. I read an article recently that explained why indoor covers can sometimes cause condensation issues, which I hadn’t really thought about before. Since then, I’ve been more careful and haven’t had any rust surprises in spring.
There was a Fortnine video where he tested fuel stabilisers and they didn't do much, but since his argument about armour in jackets and trousers not offering any benefit I am a little sceptical he is more interested in controversy, clicks and views than anything helpful. We are lucky in the UK there are usually a few days through the winter where there is some good riding to be had. In my opinion preferable to a very hot day, albeit with the need to clean salt off. So even the most fair weather riders do not usually need to go more than few weeks without riding.
Because Fortnine is Canadian, I mentioned his argument against armoured gear to my brother, who lives in Canada, and he suggested that it is quite a common opinion there.....