Just like the title... I'm putting the bike away (sadly) for the winter here in CT. It will be stored for about 5 months I'm assuming. It will be in a garage, and covered. Is it best to put it on a rear stand or on its kickstand? Would the rear stand make the front suspension dip for too long of a period since its raised in the rear?
I'm just looking at what the best option would be to store it on... thanks in advance.
Well your best option would be to get a head lift stand along with the rear stand.
That being said.. I personally wouldn't leave my bike on it's kickstand for 5+ months.
Not sure if it's urban legend or not but my understanding is that left on the side stand for long periods will flat spot the tires. I use a rear stand regularly as it is so easy to do and I think helps prevent the wife / kids from potential accidents. You don't need anything expensive, I use the cheep Harbor Freight Tools one.
Not sure about your front suspension question though, wouldn't think it would be a problem.
Thanks guys. I got a trackside stand that seems good and heavy duty from cyclegear. I'm just wondering if the rear stand or kickstand would be better for storage...
FWIW, you could always move the bike around in the garage so the tires aren't in the same "exact" spot during the entire storage period if you do not have stands.
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Ya, I could move it every once in a while. I was more wondering if actually storing it on the rear stand was bad since both suspension wasn't being used equally or if too much was on the front.
i live in ny and never winterize: don't want to miss out on those warm winter days we get sometimes, when the mercury climbs into the 50s. i keep it covered, on the kickstand. once a week i'll start it up and let it run for 10 mins, and nudge it a few inches to roll the tires a bit. haven't had issues yet.
past 2 winters i've left mine on its kickstand from nov-march/april (depending on snow). this year i've got a rear stand, so i'm going to put it on that. remove the battery, fill tank, add sta-bil and never start.
far as the tires and "flat spots" i have always rolled the bike and checked my tires condition before i go out on a ride. never seen or had any problems
__________________ 2003 CBR600RR - 21,250 MILES
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Either way is fine. I put mine on front and rear stands, put a little bit of sta-bil in the tank, cover the bike, and connect to a battery tender. I attached that battery tender plug to my battery and ran the wire through the passenger seat so its easy to plug and unplug the battery tender. This way if I get a warm day I can just unplug, take it off the stands and ride.
I did get flat spots on a bike after leaving it in a shed for a while but that was a long time ago and the tires were shot anyway.
One thing I DON'T recommend is what was posted above about starting it every week. You're better off not running the bike at all unless your actually going to use it. Starting it every week is actually worse than not starting it until you're ready to use it.
thanks guys. I've heard starting it up a few times a month is actually bad because it risks getting condensation or something in the cylinders?
Looks like New England is in for some bad weather this coming week. I might need to store it tomorrow dammit!
Yeah the motor heats up and when you shut it off it can cause condensation in the exhaust usually but could also be in the crankcase/cylinders. Also, why subject the motor to unnecessary cold starts?
I doubt that starting the engine every week would really do any real damage but it definately doesn't have any benefits.
I'm gonna try to ride this weekend before this stupid storm hits.
Do you guys have a link or article I can read up on that "starting up once a month is bad" for a bike/car/engine..?
I'm curious on how that's any worse than a first start up and or a quick run to the liquor store after sitting for a few weeks... And how moving the fluids and moving the machanical parts is a bad thing aside from revving the piss out of it on a cold start..
I've been a project car/gun hobbiest for a little while now and the worst enemy for an engine or anything machanical is gumming fluids or libricants to seize the mechanism or motor. And fluids sitting and either eating away at a part or breaking down creating huge problems.. Obviously this is worse over more time stored but I don't see how a quick start up and putting the bike into each gear is bad for an engine and or parts..
but that would be a first of hearing this from everything ive heard or read about engine/machanical rebuilding and aging and even my grandfather and father with storing the family lawnmower for the off seasons.
Both stands, one stand or the kick stand are all fine. I use a rear stand daily since I'm from Cali and used to worry about earthquakes.
That was good for a laugh. Aside from being paranoid about earthquakes, one that would knock your bike off a kickstand would probably leave you with larger concerns than a tipped bike.
I set mine on front and rear stands and covered all winter here... Ontario Canada. Take the battery out, keep it in the basement... and give her a little tickle.... oops .. trickle.. for 6 hours or so once a month. A quick test with the multi-meter and ur good to go. I also believe its hard on the engine to do a cold start during the winter. Better off to just wait till spring to turn it over.
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That's a benefit of living in GA. The off season doesn't last more than a month or two. I usually ride until mid December, then take the bike back out in late February.
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That's a benefit of living in GA. The off season doesn't last more than a month or two. I usually ride until mid December, then take the bike back out in late February.
What are you talking about bike season never ends in GA (at least if that's your only transportation) lol I'm in Columbus though so of course further north in GA would be a little different.
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That's a benefit of living in GA. The off season doesn't last more than a month or two. I usually ride until mid December, then take the bike back out in late February.
Sissy! j/k
I live in Norcross, not too far south of you, and I ride year round. It does get a little nippy at times but my commute isn't that bad.
I do have to store my M3 for the first time this winter because I'd rather take the bike out. I'm with CK_32 about leaving a vehicle "cold" for long periods of time. Planning on driving the car around the neighborhood one a month so I'm real interested in reading more about damages caused by infrequent starting/running. Documentation of this would be much appreciated.
__________________ 2012 CBR600RR
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i put mine up on front and rear stands, fill tank, throw some stabil in, pull the battery and cry til march/april when i can ride again.... damn wisconsin winters!!!
I live in Norcross, not too far south of you, and I ride year round. It does get a little nippy at times but my commute isn't that bad.
I do have to store my M3 for the first time this winter because I'd rather take the bike out. I'm with CK_32 about leaving a vehicle "cold" for long periods of time. Planning on driving the car around the neighborhood one a month so I'm real interested in reading more about damages caused by infrequent starting/running. Documentation of this would be much appreciated.
I'll have you know when I still lived in Roswell, GA I rode year round on my Kawasaki Ninja 250R. ;) I think there were maybe one or two weeks I didn't ride. And THAT'S because there was ice on the road
Last edited by UBCS Wraith; 11-06-2012 at 12:58 PM.
I put mine on front and rear stands, I also change the oil and fill the tank with 93 gas along with fuel stabilizer. I start the bike at least 1x a week to keep the fluids from gumming up and just to let the engine warm up.
I'll have you know when I still lived in Roswell, GA I rode year round on my Kawasaki Ninja 250R. ;) I think there were maybe one or two weeks I didn't ride. And THAT'S because there was ice on the road
Like I said, Sissy!
j/k buddy.
__________________ 2012 CBR600RR
OEM: Solo Seat Cowl ; CBR1000RR Turn Signal Lenses (for Fronts & Rears) Akrapovic: Slip-On (Open Version) TechSpec: Snake Skin Tank Grips ; Tank Pro #2 Tripage: LED Pegs (40 per peg) ; Knight Rider Third Light ; Brake Flasher
2012 CBR600RR
