Winterizing in SE Michigan

[MrJimiT]

After reading a few winterizing topics on the other boards (kind of depressing), I was wondering what you other SE Mich people do for winter. Do you do the full winterization or do you have some other plan? I am curious because I have not gone through a winter with my X yet. Quite honestly, I figured I would be ok not doing anything special to it just in case we get those rare nice 40/50 degree days in December and January and can ride some. Is this bad thinking?

[Rickie]

Last winter was mild and hopefully this years will be the same. I had a chance to ride every month of the year.

As long as the roads are clear of snow, salt, and is 40+ degrees, I'm riding.

No winterizing here.

The only thing that I did do when we got a three week really cold spot, was to keep the fuel level topped off and stabalized.

This year will be different. I'm planning on painting (I hope I have the money to paint), and my bike will be in mothballs and stripped down to the frame.

[Bigtodd]

I like to tell the story about the guy who lives in the apartment complex acorss from where I work. I think that the only vehicle he owns is his old Yamaha. During the winter months, he has a small Christmas tree attached to his sissy bar. Ive seen him riding in every type of weather you can imagine in Michigan. He took the cake when I saw him riding the day after the biggest snowstorm we had last season.

I guess it all depends on how much of a MAN you are :D , but I don't see why anyone wouldn't ride year round here as long as the roads were dry and you had the proper clothing to protect you from the cold. I have heard stories about how easily hypothermia can set in while riding and what it can do to your mind, so that would be my biggest concern. Think of how cold it seems when you are riding and the air temp is in the upper 50's and low 60's...

As far as the bike is concerned, I've heard of guys who will wipe down their bike witha rag soaked in motor oil and cover it with a cotton sheet :roll: . I think that a good coat of quality automotive type wax would give the same protection without the messy cleanup in the spring.

Fuel stabilizer (Stabil or Seafoam or any other brand) in your tank is a great idea if you plan on letting the bike sit for a while and it won't hurt anything if you decide to run the engine from time to time.

Despite the fact that I was chided for riding my bike last March (because cage drivers aren't used to seeing bikes on the road... :roll: ) I like the idea of trying to ride at least once every month of the year.

[Puzzel]

My garage is unheated and uninsulated (apt complex), so I pull the battery and add Stabil to the tank. Once a month, I'll put the battery on a trickle charge to keep it fresh. Then in the spring, I change the lubricants.

[Puzzel]

I like to tell the story about the guy who lives in the apartment complex acorss from where I work. I think that the only vehicle he owns is his old Yamaha. During the winter months, he has a small Christmas tree attached to his sissy bar. Ive seen him riding in every type of weather you can imagine in Michigan. He took the cake when I saw him riding the day after the biggest snowstorm we had last season.
I've ridden in snow -- it ain't fun. My first bike was an 84 Nighthawk 450 back in college. I would ride that 9.5 months per year in Thunder Bay, ON (NW corner of Lake Superior). One morning, I rode in under clear, blue, sunny skies -- that evening, I rode home in 6in of slushy snow. Cruising down the road in a single track was easy -- changing lanes, or navigating parking lots was a bitch.

[Extreme]

After reading a few winterizing topics on the other boards (kind of depressing), I was wondering what you other SE Mich people do for winter. Do you do the full winterization or do you have some other plan? I am curious because I have not gone through a winter with my X yet. Quite honestly, I figured I would be ok not doing anything special to it just in case we get those rare nice 40/50 degree days in December and January and can ride some. Is this bad thinking?I have only filled the gas tank and start once a month ,if I cannot ride it. Put away clean and cover,also put a battery tender on . Ride when weather permitts during winter months. VTX Bro Rick Boone :wink: