GZ250 Sluggish, hesitates, slower than normal????

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by DENTHEMAN

The owners manual does say to fill the crankcase COMPLETELY with fresh oil for storage, then drain it and add fresh oil to the proper level before riding. I didn't see a length of time considered storage, but I would say 'over the winter' seems like a long time for it to not be run. To me 4-5 months is pretty long-term for an engine not to be run..

Ah, so THERE is the culprit. :roll:

Anything up to 6 months really is not "long".

If you are that concerned about it, about the 3 month point, fire it up and run it long enough to get it hot. We usually have a couple of days in January when it warms up enough for a short ride and that is even better.......unless there is still ice or salt on the roads.

A few months of non-use does NOT constitute "storage".

[mrlmd1]

I have had many boats over the past 40 years and either did all the maintenance myself, or had the yard do it on occasion- everything from innumerable outboards, to 350cid gas engines, to a 50 hp VW based diesel, to twin 450hp turbocharged Detroit Diesels. I always changed the oil in the Fall before winter layup, NEVER changed the oil again in the Spring, never saw that recommended in any owners manual or diesel course I took, and I never had any problem with any mechanical breakdown of any engine, especially not due to oil problems. The oil was analyzed spectroscopically in both engines of my big boat every year and there never was any engine wear problem or any premature wear detected over a 14 year period I owned the boat. IMO, changing the oil again before Spring startup after doing it in the Fall is a complete waste. Boats, stored in a marine environment, are also subject to much more moisture in the air than would be a motorcycle. The manufacturer (Suzuki) is telling you to do that to cover their ass for whatever reason, maybe making it easier to deny a warranty claim or some such thing. I have also had cars stored for prolonged periods, like for a year or two, and also never had any engine problems by not changing the oil again prior to putting them back in service. Moisture really shouldn't collect in the engine anywhere and condense in the crankcase or cylinder if the engine is stored properly. It's also a lot easier to pull the plugs and spray some oil into the cylinders if you want, or spray fogging oil into the carb - there's no need or reason to change the engine oil again .But if that's what you want to do and it makes you happy - have at it.

[Water Warrior 2]

Filing the crankcase to the very top when taking a machine out of service is probably a military or industrial standard. A bike parked for the winter is not really out of service, it is just waiting for spring. If our bikes are going to be parked for a few weeks I just make sure the tires are rolled a bit to avoid flat spoting and there is reasonably clean oil in the crankcase. A battery tender is a must of course. This from a lazy bastard who killed 2 batteries in 2 years by not using the tools for storage.