Winterize question

[Plavanchy]

If I have a full fuel tank with berry mans do I need a fuel stabilizer like sta-bil added as well?

[alantf]

Can't do any harm.

[jonathan180iq]

Agreed. A little fuel stabilizer never hurt anyone.

[Goose51683]

This will be my first winter with a bike, what else should I do as far as winterizing?

[Water Warrior 2]

Get a Battery Tender. They are cheaper than a new battery.
Change the oil if it is anywhere near the due date/mileage. Lube the chain before you put it to bed for the winter. For that matter, lube everything that moves. Shifter linkage, side stand, cables, switches with contact cleaner, levers, all the everyday stuff that make get corroded or dirty. You will be ready to get on and ride in the spring with only a tire pressure check and light check.
Then spend the winter washing or maintaining your riding gear. Riding pants or jacket are washable if textile, just remove the armor first. Clean your boots, water proof them. Pull the liner out of your helmet and wash it out. Lots of stuff to mess with when you are bored and not riding. Read Proficient Motorcycling if you haven't already. Reread it if you already have.
Haunt local bike shops and keep posting here. Life is good.

[Goose51683]

Thanks. If the shed you had planned on keeping your bike in never materialized is there anything else you need to do?

I have a cover for it or I might try to get some of that plastic they use for winterizing boats, the heat shrink kind. Would that be enough?

[Water Warrior 2]

A water proof tarp will do the job. Just allow air to circulate to get rid of moisture. You don't want to trap moisture under a tarp. Don't seal the bottom edges to the ground.

[Goose51683]

well that would have been my initial plan so thank you for setting me straight.

[jonathan180iq]

On a good, dry, and sunny week, just take the tarp out and let the thing air out. I would roll it around too so the tires don't spend 3 months sitting in the same position. Moving the bike semi-consistently will also keep critters from making a home inside of it. Keep and eye of tire pressure too, come to think of it.

...Or you could be a real man and ride through the winter.

[alantf]

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