[Lawhogg]

I live in Cleveland, Ohio. I have been trying to get my bike into storage, just while there is snow on the road, but every weekend it snows. I am at work from before the dealership opens until after it closes during the week.

My garage is brick and is insulated, but not heated. this morning it was 46 degrees inside the garage and 11 degrees by the time I hit the bottom of the driveway. It doesn't typically get much colder than that here (at least without wind chills).

If that is as cold as it's going to get in the garage, do I need to store my Ultra somewhere warmer? If not, do I need to go through the whole battery tender deal and winterizing the bike or can I just start and run it for a while once a week. Ideas?

 

[Dan Smith]

Put a cover over your bike and get a battery tender and you will be fine. -2$en#e-

 

[berserker]

Put a cover over your bike and get a battery tender and you will be fine. -2$en#e-

Just bring the battery inside. I would do a full winterization. My bike has always been stored in a cold garage, as millions other have too.

 

[swmnkdinthervr]

Just bring the battery inside. I would do a full winterization. My bike has always been stored in a cold garage, as millions other have too.

Mine is stored in a cold outside under a cover...I do bring the battery in when it gets real cold...

 

[berserker]

Question is it going to be rode. If its going to sit till spring I would put some stabil in, and cover end of pipes.

 

[Peck]

I don't know what it is like in Ohio but here in northeast Kansas there is always a day here and there above 40 although I will ride in the 20s, usually during the winter my bike will not sit more than 3 weeks before I ride it so I don't do anything with the battery or gas my version of winterization is riding it just like what I bought it for. But if I wasn't going to ride it all winter I would put the battery on a battery tender fill up the tank and put some stabil in it and run the bike a little so the stabil gets into the whole fuel system. It is no different than leaving a car in the garage all winter. I would not start it during the winter because that will just put condensation in the oil, don't start it unless you plan on running it long enough to get the oil hot enough to burn off the condensation.

Peck

 

[Rock]

Winter Parking in Mansfield, OH

The lights look really cool flashing on the chrome :brows:

But doesn't it smell like gas in the house?

 

[ciginia1972]

Just bring the battery inside. I would do a full winterization. My bike has always been stored in a cold garage, as millions other have too.

long as that battery has a full chrage you dont need to pull it out of bike like the other guy said throw a batt tender on it

 

[berserker]

long as that battery has a full chrage you dont need to pull it out of bike like the other guy said throw a batt tender on it

I've let batteries sit in the cold for weeks too. Probably best to either pull it or put tender on. I don't use tenders. I just bring it in. To me it doesn' take long to bring, so I do that. Some people don't like to take the time, so they use tenders. Both are good.

 

[LongRide]

But doesn't it smell like gas in the house?

Only when he starts it up to circulate the oil. :hystria:

 

[MadCity]

Originally posted by Lawhogg
can I just start and run it for a while once a week. Ideas?

Don't do that. That will just cause condensation to happen inside the engine. The bike shouldn't be ridden in winter weather unless you ride long enough to bring the engine temps up to full operating temperature to blow out the condensation through the breather.

 

[MilesToGo]

Lot of good advice here already
- battery tender
- top off fuel tank and use gas stabilizer
- DON'T start the bike unless you plan on riding it for more than 20 min

Nothing wrong with storing it in a cold garage. One caution though...if you park your cage in the garage along with the bike then you may create a condensation problem. The warm vehicle will mix with the cold air in the garage and cause condensation to form on your bike. This repeated condition may cause some parts on your bike to rust. If you find this condition exits then you have two solutions. Either park your cage outside or get yourself a bubble for the bike.

 

[berserker]

I am not sure how much of a problem it would be bring car into garage. I've asked this question, becuase of using heater in garage. Someone told me, winter is so dry wouldn't matter. Not sure. I plan on using heater in garage this winter. Leaving bike uncovered to cool down. Have to keep an eye on it.
In the past have worked on my sled with wtih bike in back of garage. Was little nervous, but didn't really notice any moisture on bike.

 

[msocko3]

Winter Parking in Mansfield, OH

The lights look really cool flashing on the chrome :brows:

Wow, if I did that I'd be a dead man. The wife would kick my azz each day it sat there. But then if your single or have an understanding wife that a good thing. I see alot of good ideas, I store mine with a full tank of stabilized gas under a nice soft cover in a heated garage on a battery tender. The garage is sequestered to the point that the only thing it is used for is storing my bike, my dads bike and my blazer, kind of nice having a dad thats into bikes and has a large garage. :thumbsup:

 

[EGUC3]

For those of you that park your rides in an attached garage that is not heated, do you put anything on the concrete floor under the bike? I heard (a long time ago) that you should put cardboard or an old piece of carpet (what is the H-D part number?) under the tires to keep the moisture out of the tires.

Ride Safe.
Walt

 

[BOUTYM]

Just take it out for about an hour now and then. Rode mine to work today. It was about 20 degrees when I left the house, but with the UnderArmor, a sweatshirt, leather jacket and balaclava I was snug as a bug in a rug.

 

[NodakGus]

Quote: Those of you that park your rides in an attached garage that is not heated, do you put anything on the concrete floor under the bike? I heard (a long time ago) that you should put cardboard or an old piece of carpet (what is the H-D part number?) under the tires to keep the moisture out of the tires.

Ride Safe.
Walt[/QUOTE]

Fortunately in St. Louis the weather swings wildly over the winter. It is not uncommon to have 60 degree days in January. But it can stay below 32 for serveral days too. Snow we get usually melts off.

Nonethess, not knowing how long before I can ride again I observe the following:
1. Stored insider an attached, unheated garage
2. Bike cover
3. Old rug underneath the tires
4. Battery tender
5. Stabil for you gas

Gas it all up and Stabil. This will keep your gas from getting corrupted through a whole host of chemical events.

Thus, when we get those 40+ degree days, I ride. I will ride if the morning temp is not below 32 and the afternoon temp expected to be up in the 40's. Having the proper cold-weather gear makes cold-weather riding very comfy. I can stay warm all over. In the summer, however, we are at the mercy of the sun and clouds. :thumbsup:

Anybody hear when the Gold Wing is coming out with an automatic climate control system? :laugh:

 

[jockeyshift]

But doesn't it smell like gas in the house?

Nahhh. I have three in the house. Two in the living room and one in the kitchen. Never know they are there.

 

[sfarson]

Don't do that. That will just cause condensation to happen inside the engine. The bike shouldn't be ridden in winter weather unless you ride long enough to bring the engine temps up to full operating temperature to blow out the condensation through the breather.

You know I make sure the bike gets up to operating temps, having read/heard about the condensation warnings, but FWIW, I know many who just start it up in the garage, let it idle for a few moments, have done this for years and yet they have no problems. :hmmm:

 

[apache36]

i'd agree with the satbil, and the tender. by the way easy ed...i too agree that the lights look good against the chrome.