Winterizing
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RE: Winterizing
ORIGINAL: im4u2nv81
hurricanes aside...
damn its great to be a floridian
that being said...
To winterize my bike, I just keep gassing it up!
hurricanes aside...
damn its great to be a floridian
that being said...
To winterize my bike, I just keep gassing it up!
damn i knew there was something i was going to miss when i moved up north........ but seriously what is there that i have to do now that i live in md? i dont even know where to start cause like im4u2nv81 said all i used to do was just gas it up lol
RE: Winterizing
umm yea here ya go... LOL
STORING YOUR HONDA
We all wish we could ride our motorcycle all year long. But sometimes we have to put it away for a while.
Winter storage may be an unpleasant task, but it's necessary to do it right if you want your Honda ready to ride on that first clear day next spring. Whether you're hibernating for the winter or jetting off for a two-month Caribbean cruise, spending some time now can save hours of frustration in the spring.
Here are some tips for storing your Honda until it's time to ride again. You'll need the proper tools, your service and owner's manuals, and of course, the expertise required to do it. If you're short on time, don't worry. We've also provided some information on alternatives to doing it yourself.
Choosing a storage location
Protective covers
Preparing your vehicle
Bringing it back
Alternatives to doing it yourself
Choosing a storage location
You'll need a place that is dry, out of the weather and out of the way.
Remember that once you've prepped the motorcycle , you don't want to move it any more than you have to. Also keep in mind that you may need to check it periodically, so don't "bury" it in the back of the garage under a pile of storage cartons and lawn furniture.
If at all possible, choose a location away from windows. The ultraviolet rays from sunlight can fade paint and plastic parts. Open sunlight can raise the ambient temperature of the storage area, so it's a good idea to cover plain glass windows with some sort of opaque material.
Protective covers
Wherever you store your Honda for the winter, it's a good idea to cover it with a specially designed cover. There are several reasons for using a special cover as opposed to an old sheet or tarp:
A tarp is designed to prevent moisture from getting from one place to another; this means although moisture can't get in, it can't get out either. Moisture trapped under the tarp will condense on your motorcycle as the temperature drops, which can lead to rust.
Plain cotton sheeting doesn't trap moisture like the tarp does, but it can absorb moisture and hold it against metal surfaces, causing rust. Also, damp fabric is a great breeding place for mildew, which can damage materials like seat covers.
Your Honda dealer offers a complete line of Hondaline® covers and is sure to have one to fit your machine. These special covers are made from a mildew-resistant material, and are vented to allow moisture to escape before it can cause rust.
Preparing your vehicle
Following are the basic steps you'll need to take to prep your Honda for storage. Refer to your Owner's Manual or ask your dealer for detailed step-by-step instructions.
Drain the oil and add fresh oil.
Prepare the fuel tank and drain the carburetor(s).
Lubricate the cylinders
Remove the battery and store it where it can be charged at least every two weeks.
Service the hydraulic brake and clutch systems.
Service the cooling system.
Clean, dry, and polish all surfaces.
Now you're ready to cover it up and wait for spring thaw!
Bringing it back
When the weather turns back from lion to lamb, it can mean only one thing - it's spring, and time for a ride on your Honda! If you've faithfully followed our guidelines, you're practically there already.
After you pull off the cover, there are a few things that you should check before you go for your first ride of the season:
Check the tires for cracks or splits on the sidewalls. Normal "weather checking" shouldn't be a concern, but if you see large cracks or splits, see your Honda dealer about replacement tires. If the tires look OK, make sure the air pressure is at the recommended level (see your Owner's Manual).
Check metal parts for possible rust, and remove it with Pro Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish.
Check the drive chain and lube it (if applicable) with Pro Honda Chain Lube
Check final drive oil level (if appli
STORING YOUR HONDA
We all wish we could ride our motorcycle all year long. But sometimes we have to put it away for a while.
Winter storage may be an unpleasant task, but it's necessary to do it right if you want your Honda ready to ride on that first clear day next spring. Whether you're hibernating for the winter or jetting off for a two-month Caribbean cruise, spending some time now can save hours of frustration in the spring.
Here are some tips for storing your Honda until it's time to ride again. You'll need the proper tools, your service and owner's manuals, and of course, the expertise required to do it. If you're short on time, don't worry. We've also provided some information on alternatives to doing it yourself.
Choosing a storage location
Protective covers
Preparing your vehicle
Bringing it back
Alternatives to doing it yourself
Choosing a storage location
You'll need a place that is dry, out of the weather and out of the way.
Remember that once you've prepped the motorcycle , you don't want to move it any more than you have to. Also keep in mind that you may need to check it periodically, so don't "bury" it in the back of the garage under a pile of storage cartons and lawn furniture.
If at all possible, choose a location away from windows. The ultraviolet rays from sunlight can fade paint and plastic parts. Open sunlight can raise the ambient temperature of the storage area, so it's a good idea to cover plain glass windows with some sort of opaque material.
Protective covers
Wherever you store your Honda for the winter, it's a good idea to cover it with a specially designed cover. There are several reasons for using a special cover as opposed to an old sheet or tarp:
A tarp is designed to prevent moisture from getting from one place to another; this means although moisture can't get in, it can't get out either. Moisture trapped under the tarp will condense on your motorcycle as the temperature drops, which can lead to rust.
Plain cotton sheeting doesn't trap moisture like the tarp does, but it can absorb moisture and hold it against metal surfaces, causing rust. Also, damp fabric is a great breeding place for mildew, which can damage materials like seat covers.
Your Honda dealer offers a complete line of Hondaline® covers and is sure to have one to fit your machine. These special covers are made from a mildew-resistant material, and are vented to allow moisture to escape before it can cause rust.
Preparing your vehicle
Following are the basic steps you'll need to take to prep your Honda for storage. Refer to your Owner's Manual or ask your dealer for detailed step-by-step instructions.
Drain the oil and add fresh oil.
Prepare the fuel tank and drain the carburetor(s).
Lubricate the cylinders
Remove the battery and store it where it can be charged at least every two weeks.
Service the hydraulic brake and clutch systems.
Service the cooling system.
Clean, dry, and polish all surfaces.
Now you're ready to cover it up and wait for spring thaw!
Bringing it back
When the weather turns back from lion to lamb, it can mean only one thing - it's spring, and time for a ride on your Honda! If you've faithfully followed our guidelines, you're practically there already.
After you pull off the cover, there are a few things that you should check before you go for your first ride of the season:
Check the tires for cracks or splits on the sidewalls. Normal "weather checking" shouldn't be a concern, but if you see large cracks or splits, see your Honda dealer about replacement tires. If the tires look OK, make sure the air pressure is at the recommended level (see your Owner's Manual).
Check metal parts for possible rust, and remove it with Pro Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish.
Check the drive chain and lube it (if applicable) with Pro Honda Chain Lube
Check final drive oil level (if appli
Joined: Jul 2005
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RE: Winterizing
^^^^ Damn that sounds like a lot of work!! I am sure that is the best way to care for the bike over the winter, but it also may be a little over-kill. Here is what I have done the last three winters. Just so you know, I was living in Michigan's Upper Peninsula where the winters can't get much worse anywhere else in The States [:'(]
Anyways, I made sure there was a full tank of gas in the bike at the end of the season. Guess I just feel that there is less chance for water to build up when there's 3+ gallons of gas in there. I never changed the oil at the end of the season unless my odometer said it was time - NOT Old Man Winter! I left the battery under the seat (even when the temperature in the garage dropped into the -20's). But when it got that cold, I hooked up the Battery Tender. Another thing I did was put my bike on stands - this helps prevent dry rot in the tires. If you don't have stands, park the bike on a couple pieces of lumber (2x8's or something) - get the rubber of the cold concrete floor of the garage.
The biggest thing I did though - and probably the only thing that has saved my bike thus far - is start it up once a week for about 15-20 minutes. This keeps the fluids/lubricants circulating through the bike. Just remember to keep the tank topped off with fuel. One thing I will try this year is adding a few ounces of Sea Foam to the gas tank - heard it helps the winterizing process.
Anyways, I made sure there was a full tank of gas in the bike at the end of the season. Guess I just feel that there is less chance for water to build up when there's 3+ gallons of gas in there. I never changed the oil at the end of the season unless my odometer said it was time - NOT Old Man Winter! I left the battery under the seat (even when the temperature in the garage dropped into the -20's). But when it got that cold, I hooked up the Battery Tender. Another thing I did was put my bike on stands - this helps prevent dry rot in the tires. If you don't have stands, park the bike on a couple pieces of lumber (2x8's or something) - get the rubber of the cold concrete floor of the garage.
The biggest thing I did though - and probably the only thing that has saved my bike thus far - is start it up once a week for about 15-20 minutes. This keeps the fluids/lubricants circulating through the bike. Just remember to keep the tank topped off with fuel. One thing I will try this year is adding a few ounces of Sea Foam to the gas tank - heard it helps the winterizing process.
Joined: May 2006
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From:
RE: Winterizing
The biggest thing I did though - and probably the only thing that has saved my bike thus far - is start it up once a week for about 15-20 minutes. This keeps the fluids/lubricants circulating through the bike. Just remember to keep the tank topped off with fuel. One thing I will try this year is adding a few ounces of Sea Foam to the gas tank - heard it helps the winterizing process
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,505
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RE: Winterizing
What's a tender? I'm hoping to have a winter like last year with no snow so I can ride it in December. Snowboarding in WI blows so I couldn't care less if we had snow or not, plus I have an aunt and uncle who live in UT. =D
Mike
Mike
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,018
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From: Middletown OH
RE: Winterizing
Yup start it up about once a week and let it run.....keep a full tank of gas and I am investing in a Battery Tender this winter.....This is what most people do that live in coolers areas...and sometimes you just have to take it for a spin when the weather permits.....
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