don't kick me...time to winterize.

[cavsfan2703]

I know some of you may feel this is the best time of the year to ride, but with snow predicted for the NE Ohio area, I think it may just be time to hang the gloves and boots up for another season...I am a weather wuss. :o

This is my first winter with the LT. I have had many other bikes and vehicles that required winterization, but I am just wondering if the LT requires anything out of the ordinary?

Stablizer in the tank, trickle charge on the battery, bike on the centerstand and a piece of wood under the front tire, and throw the cover on were my thoughts...any that I may have missed?

Thanks
Mike

[hoodoodrum]

Down here in Mansfield, I ride until the salt hits the pavement. I assume you have a garage for the LT. Fill it up with gas, add some SeaFoam gas treatment, put the trickle charger on the battery, put it on the centerstand, and BE SURE to put some mouse poison bars under the bike. The varmints love all the nooks and crannies behind the tupperware. Fire up the snowmobile and get ready for winter.

[Florian]

Down here in Mansfield, I ride until the salt hits the pavement. I assume you have a garage for the LT. Fill it up with gas, add some SeaFoam gas treatment, put the trickle charger on the battery, put it on the centerstand, and BE SURE to put some mouse poison bars under the bike. The varmints love all the nooks and crannies behind the tupperware. Fire up the snowmobile and get ready for winter.

Cmon Cavs, Im in N. OH as well.. ride it until the salt hits as well. Theres PLENTY of days left.



F

[Velocityguy]

Boy, not to brag, but I'm glad I live and ride in Southern Arizona. Sunday it reached 85 degrees, clear skies and no wind. Awesome riding weather and we can expect to ride 365 more or less here unless we see the occasional downpour during monsoon season. :)

[DaveDragon]

Winterizing in Florida consist of taking your Non-mesh gear with you ride just in case. http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

[cfell]

Winterization, Texas style..

Step 1- add "liner" to summer jacket
Step 2- upgrade to winter jacket
Step 3- add "liner" to winter jacket

[messenger13]

But I can fully understand storing a bike for a few months during winter. Sometimes, it's just not that fun. But, we do get those warm, snowless days when riding is all too possible, and a nice escape from the winter blahs. Food for thought. In other words...don't winterize it too too much.

Since I have a heated garage, all that I do is run some StaBil in the fuel and keep the batteries on the Tenders. Also, put the bikes up on the centerstand and get the front wheel off the ground. Or, remember to rotate the front wheel every few days. It's easier just to elevate. I always change the oil before winter. And don't start the bike unless you plan on letting it run for quite awhile (at least 20 minutes).

My http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/images/smiles/twocents_smilie.gif

[rkirker]

Cmon Cavs, Im in N. OH as well.. ride it until the salt hits as well. Theres PLENTY of days left.
F
Few more weeks left. Allthough it is snowing in Painesville this morning
What about the Browns !!! o wait theres always next year :D

Started the winterizing precoces though. Changed out the coolant on Sunday.Will change ou the oil in a few weeks and stabil the remaining gas in the tank.
Man that stuff taste funny. I also have one heck of a headache today and can't see out of my left eye :D Looked like blueberry koolaid.

[banditbiker]

Boy, not to brag, but I'm glad I live and ride in Southern Arizona. Sunday it reached 85 degrees, clear skies and no wind. Awesome riding weather and we can expect to ride 365 more or less here unless we see the occasional downpour during monsoon season. :)

I live in SW. Pa and ride all winter. I rode through Az. this July and it was 107F. I'll take a couple months of cold riding vs. two of 100+.

[rjhammetter]

I'm in the snowbelt as well. When people ask me about riding when it's 40F out, I've always replied "it's always possible to bundle up and ride. when it reaches 95F + 80% humidity in the midwest, riding is miserable, and there's no way to beat that sort of heat. I'd take brisk, chilly weather over scorching heat anyday."

I rode from Madison to Purdue (Indiana) this weekend for the Big Ten matchup in W Lafayette. Not a great weekend to ride, but I'm glad I did. Fri ride down was 55 + sunny = awesome ride. Sunday ride home wasn't so nice: 35 + drizzle. Had 3 pairs of pants on, 3 long sleeve Ts, a jacket, helmet, gloves, seat heat on high, grips on high, windshield up, and I could've stayed on the freeway for hours (bladder couldn't hold up). I kept thinking how great this bike was and how much I don't want to park it for winter.

Guy at the Interstate rest stop says, "Wow, are you a trooper!" I've heard that sort numerous times in the last week "You're either crazy to be riding or you don't own a car! HAHA" "You must be miserable out there today."

I usually shrug and say "I love riding too much to park it for the season" - now, if I can just replace my rear tire, I'll ride it until the snow hits...

[vernvernvern]

The only thing that keeps me in the garage is a slick road surface!

The temp isn't a factor with the heated grips. I got'em so I'm going to use them.

28 degrees Sunday morning and I rode the bike to Church. 30 mile round trip. Wore my suit and tie under my leathers. LOL Yep, I'm a nut!

Love this bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Winterize?................not for me. :eek:

I am going to renew all the fuids this winter..IE, antifreeze, brake fluid, clutch fluid. Bike is 3 years old! Might save me some grief later on.

:bmw: my.02 cents! :bmw:

[hoodoodrum]

What about the Browns !!!


I braved the stadium yesterday. I should have stayed home and watched last year's LT video over and over again since the weather was just as stinky.
Cavs and Bucks.......

[cavsfan2703]

All of these replys made me think of the bag tag on my golf clubs...."I shoot in the 60's...anything colder, I stay home".

Yes...I am a fair weather rider. Admitting it is the first step..correct? I feel much better :bmw:

For those of you brave enough to ride below 40...30...20...my hats off to you, but we won't be passing each other on the hwy.

Everyone enjoy (what is left) the season.

Mike

[hschisler]

Why do we need to keep the front tire off of cement, if stored for a long time?

32 degrees on our ride Saturday to Cleveland for the dealer's open house. Gerbing gear makes that possible! I rode last winter whenever there wasn't snow or ice on the road, or a chance of precip. and below 32.

Stopped at my friend's house (has an '06 Gold Wing) yesterday during our ride. It was in the 40s. His comment: "You're nuts!" My unspoken reply: "You have a similarly-capable bike; get out there and ride it for heaven's sake!" He'll park it until April or May now.

[bibleman]

Upstate NY here.

Last year, the only month I didn't ride was December (didn't crack 30 all month).

Rode the Vermont mountains a couple of times in January.

Best way I know to winterize a bike: Ride it.

[BlackBMW]

Boy I hated the rock salt. I am originally from Chicago where they use salt, too.

Since moving to Colorado nine years ago, they use magnesium chloride (kind of a granulated sand product). More for traction because it really doesn't melt the snow and ice as effectively as salt. The sunshine usually does that job here in the Mile High City.

With 300 days of sunshine per year, I also ride year round. However, you can't really ride in the mountains due to snow and ice (and 20 degree drop in temps), or an unexpected snowfall. Just have to stay down at lower altitudes.

Each year, I still tend to go 2-4 weeks without riding either in January or early February. So I do fill up and put in some StaBil during that period.

I do envy you sun-belt riders for your winter riding.......but I don't envy you in those high summer temps and humidity! :rolleyes:

[katnapinn]

I live in SW. Pa and ride all winter. I rode through Az. this July and it was 107F. I'll take a couple months of cold riding vs. two of 100+.
Try 30+days over 100 that will take it right outa you :p

[Florian]

Few more weeks left. Allthough it is snowing in Painesville this morning
What about the Browns !!! o wait theres always next year :D

Started the winterizing precoces though. Changed out the coolant on Sunday.Will change ou the oil in a few weeks and stabil the remaining gas in the tank.
Man that stuff taste funny. I also have one heck of a headache today and can't see out of my left eye :D Looked like blueberry koolaid.

Thats funny....hope the Browns didnt ruin your weekend. Snowing on the west side too...but 50s by the weekend.


F

[cavsfan2703]

I gave up on the Browns years ago....as I think most Clevelanders did. This is my time of the year for Cleveland sports...Go Cavs!

[messenger13]

Let me know when the Cavs win 'the big one'. I won't hold my breath. :sleep:

[Velocityguy]

In Southern Arizona we have short-term memory loss. I can't seem to remember my near misses with heat exhaustion! We try to emulate the desert creatures here in summer. We do our riding very early in the morning with the goal to be home before 10:00 am. Wait! Now it's coming back to me..... high noon could mean being fried alive! :sun:

[sbrooten]

In the summer all you folks from AZ come up to our cool NM mountains. In the "cold" winter months I like to ride down your way. My only real winterizing is zip up the vents and wear a vest under the jacket. Haven't ever had the lining in it yet! :)

[Jmkinniell]

Winterization, Texas style..

Step 1- add "liner" to summer jacket
Step 2- upgrade to winter jacket
Step 3- add "liner" to winter jacket

Let me know, for I might sleep throught it.!:sleep:

[Motomadman]

Rode up the central coast today. Got past Santa Barbara and the temp was mid 70s and went inland to encounter temps in the 90s. Came back out to the coast at a place called Jalama Beach. My buddy is out from Norfolk just could not believe his eyes. Could not have been a better day to take a right coaster for a ride just a week before Thanksgiving... And think the wife almost had me convinced to cash in my Califonia gold and buy a farm in Mount Olive North Carolina....I think I'm staying put....Traffic and smog is a pain in the ass at times butt it beats not riding at all.

[UncleRock]

I live in SW. Pa and ride all winter. I rode through Az. this July and it was 107F. I'll take a couple months of cold riding vs. two of 100+.
Exactly
Rock