Storage questions

[klogan]

Hey Guys,
New to this forum and need to ask a question...Hope this is the right area to do it.
I have 2 months ago bought a 2002 K1200LT...Awesome bike that I have dreamed of owning for sometime... Bit the bullet and bought one before I was unable to get my leg over...

BUT... :(

My job necessitates that I work in Malaysia for 1-2 years...
I do not want to part with the bike and want to be able to use it when I come home on vacation...every 3 mths

Do I simply disconnect the battery and cover it for that time, or is it best to get someone to come round and start the bike....at least keep the battery topped up and the engine turning over...

Any thoughts you guys....
Would love to take the bike over there but not really the right place...so much traffic and they all ride little mopeds everywhere.. Would turn a few heads though.
Same deal with my other bike...Suzuki GSX 750F.... ??? What to do....

[strsout]

If you will be ridding it every 3 months, I would either disconnect the battery, or will ask a friend to charge it every 4 weeks.

[Big_E]

I would leave the battery connected & hook up a battery tender. She'll be ready to go when you get home. Works for me while I'm working in Africa for 4 weeks at a time. It works for one month it'll for longer.

[Morley]

If you are worried about just leaving a battery tender on it and running for 3 months...Put the battery tender on a light timer to come on one hour a day. That should be plenty of charge time for it.

[Big_E]

"Battery Tender" is fully auto, no need for a timer, that's what it's made for. You can buy one $20-$30 or you can pay 6 or 8 times the price for one with a BMW label on it.

[fas]

Since it is an '02 (like I owned), check the battery for design type. My '02 came form Germany with the open style design (pre-gel) that allowed moisture content to escape during charging. Be certain you have the new gel type and put on the BMW trickle charger. My LT ate three batteries in four years. But, I live next door to Canada on Lake Erie and we get really long, cold winters. Due to freezing conditions for months at a time, my '02 LT sat for up to four months without moving. The ignition key lock has a full off position with the bars turned full to the stops. This position takes off the most amperage drain, yet allows your clock to function. The trickle charger keeps it ready to romp.

I also suggest STA_BIL, a fuel additive to help keep your fuel fresh. How long will STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer keep fuel fresh?
For 12 months when mixed into fresh gasoline. Doubling the dosage will keep fuel fresh for up to 2 years.

I also recommend a good cover to keep the critters and grit away.

Well done on your first post.

BTW, heard you have one of the UK bomber Doctors down there. Treat him well and maybe he can join your riding club 30 years from now when he gets out of jail.;)

[jayjacobson]

Hey Guys,
New to this forum and need to ask a question...Hope this is the right area to do it.
I have 2 months ago bought a 2002 K1200LT...Awesome bike that I have dreamed of owning for sometime... Bit the bullet and bought one before I was unable to get my leg over...

BUT... :(

My job necessitates that I work in Malaysia for 1-2 years...
I do not want to part with the bike and want to be able to use it when I come home on vacation...every 3 mths

Do I simply disconnect the battery and cover it for that time, or is it best to get someone to come round and start the bike....at least keep the battery topped up and the engine turning over...

Any thoughts you guys....
Would love to take the bike over there but not really the right place...so much traffic and they all ride little mopeds everywhere.. Would turn a few heads though.
Same deal with my other bike...Suzuki GSX 750F.... ??? What to do....
Greetings! Welcome to our little web site. Excellent first post.

Since you're only going to be gone for 3 months at a time, you don't have to do a thing! I've let both my LT and GT sit much longer with no problems at all upon restart (I also have to be "away" for extended periods of time).

But, if you're just dying to spend a pile of money: get the BMW brand auto charger and you can spend a fortune!

Sta-bil is excellent for long term fuel storage. BUT, not necessary for only 3 months.

Let's see, how else can we blow some money? Climate controlled garage for cold winters?....