End of riding season is coming up here and I'm looking for tips for winter storage. I'm in Chicago and have a 2005 Monster 620. It will be covered and garage kept in a house attached garage. I am planning on going out once every two weeks and running the engine for 10mins. Is that sufficient? Is there another approach I should be taking? I'm also due for an oil change should I change the oil now before it sits all winter or wait till the beginning of next season?
Do a bit of a search - there's plenty of info on storing a bike for the winter.
Why run it? Just prep it properly and let it sit. That's better for it than running it for just a bit, now and again.
Change the oil now.
Before draining the oil get some fogging oil and fog the cylinders by spraying the oil into the throttle bodies while the engine is running.
When the exhaust gets smoky shut it off and don't start until you take it out in the spring.
Store the battery on a tender or charge periodically.
edit...
you could read this thread too.
It's in the FAQ section.
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=4169.msg63017#msg63017 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=4169.msg63017#msg63017)
Quote from: duck soup on September 22, 2011, 07:16:39 AM
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=4169.msg63017#msg63017 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=4169.msg63017#msg63017)
+1
Been using this for the last 4 years to good result. The only new consideration is the expansion of the tank...
Unsure if keeping the tank more empty is better or adding more stabil to a full tank is better.
(I have Caswel coating so doesn't apply to me anymore...)
Quote from: CDawg on September 22, 2011, 07:59:29 AM
+1
Been using this for the last 4 years to good result. The only new consideration is the expansion of the tank...
Unsure if keeping the tank more empty is better or adding more stabil to a full tank is better.
(I have Caswel coating so doesn't apply to me anymore...)
keep it empty.
stabil nor anything else will prevent the tank from absorbing moisture. drain the tank as best you can. it's easiest to use a cheap siphon.. snake the suction end down into the back while the tank is propped up.
http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Siphon-Bulb-Pump-Gasoline/dp/B003NY1WF2 (http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Siphon-Bulb-Pump-Gasoline/dp/B003NY1WF2)
I just can't bear to mothball my bike for the winter. Granted, winter in the Northwest does not compare to winter in Chicago.
I typically get out at least once a month through the winter season for an hour or so... I figure that keeps the kinks out of the bike (so far, anyways).