boboneleg Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 So this is something I've never done before as I've always ridden my bikes through winter, but with the Ducati there is no way I'm letting that out on salty roads. I talked to my boss first and taking his advice I've filled the tank with race fuel (higher octane) and fuel stabilizer, covered all the metal parts with GT-85 (after washing and drying it) and then covered it up with sheets and a bike cover. The one thing he told me NOT to do was start it up very so often and let it run (which I probably would have done ) as it attracts condensation. This video more or less says the same things but what do you do, any other helpful tips ? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yen_powell Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 Aren't you supposed to get the tyres off the cold ground? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted December 10, 2022 Author Share Posted December 10, 2022 18 minutes ago, yen_powell said: Aren't you supposed to get the tyres off the cold ground? Hmmmmmmmmmmm, I don't think it's going to get that spoilt 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 I often go on the garage and tap it on the tank or seat, just so it doesn’t feel lonely. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTreme Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 2 hours ago, boboneleg said: Hmmmmmmmmmmm, I don't think it's going to get that spoilt In Britain I always put mine on carpets! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catteeclan Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 1 hour ago, XTreme said: In Britain I always put mine on carpets! Yes to carpets and a battery conditioner. I too never normally bother with all that but it seems so much more unlikely they'll be emerging from the sheds over winter so I should consider some measures. Mandis CBF and my tracer both need MOTs but it's a bit chilly out there so might let them expire and sort later. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTreme Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 1 minute ago, Catteeclan said: Yes to carpets and a battery conditioner. I too never normally bother with all that but it seems so much more unlikely they'll be emerging from the sheds over winter so I should consider some measures. I did use carpets for a while here......but there's no real point because it's rare that the bike doesn't go anywhere for more than 2 weeks. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catteeclan Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 Just now, XTreme said: I did use carpets for a while here......but there's no real point because it's rare that the bike doesn't go anywhere for more than 2 weeks. I knew a local builder who had some classic cars many moons ago. He'd cut squares of carpet to put under each tyre, he said to stop the contact with the cold concrete. Don't really understand why but it seems lots of people do it. Prob more important now with the modern less resistant compounds. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted December 10, 2022 Author Share Posted December 10, 2022 2 hours ago, XTreme said: In Britain I always put mine on carpets! Gay 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busabeast Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 4 hours ago, XTreme said: In Britain I always put mine on carpets! And you gave it magazines to read too by looks of it, wheres the tissues though? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busabeast Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 I generally just wash and dry it and put it up on stands with an optimate plugged in though I too used to ride through the winter too but I don't think I want to take the busa out in this kinda of weather its slippy enough in the car. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yen_powell Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 Every thread on any bike forum I read that has a bike that won't start always has the words, 'it's been plugged into an Optimate at all times' in it. I can't be the only person seeing a pattern emerging here. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busabeast Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 3 minutes ago, yen_powell said: Every thread on any bike forum I read that has a bike that won't start always has the words, 'it's been plugged into an Optimate at all times' in it. I can't be the only person seeing a pattern emerging here. So what do you suggest? I thought an optimate was the thing to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcel le Moose Fondler Posted December 10, 2022 Share Posted December 10, 2022 Fill the tanks.. Some fuel stabilizer.. Put the charger for 24 hrs every month or so... Garage is heated... I didn't get around to washing them yet... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yen_powell Posted December 11, 2022 Share Posted December 11, 2022 15 hours ago, busabeast said: So what do you suggest? I thought an optimate was the thing to use. I just let the bike sit and if the bike didn't want to start come the day I would take the battery off and charge it normally like they did back in the 20th century. I think it's drip feeding day in day out that kills them, but it's only a theory. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 18 hours ago, yen_powell said: I just let the bike sit and if the bike didn't want to start come the day I would take the battery off and charge it normally like they did back in the 20th century. I think it's drip feeding day in day out that kills them, but it's only a theory. I put the tender on for about 12 hours every couple of weeks. My bike gets used on good days over winter though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted December 12, 2022 Author Share Posted December 12, 2022 20 hours ago, yen_powell said: I would take the battery off and charge it normally like they did back in the 20th century That's what I'm going to do as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 My battery is now in the (warm) spare room.......scoot would be in there too if I could be bothered to make a new ramp to get over the patio door sill and step. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busabeast Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 5 hours ago, Buckster said: I put the tender on for about 12 hours every couple of weeks. My bike gets used on good days over winter though. So even your admitting its not a motorcycle.....but a steam train eh 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busabeast Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 2 hours ago, Clive said: My battery is now in the (warm) spare room.......scoot would be in there too if the wife would let me. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 10 minutes ago, busabeast said: Scoot was in there last winter...she don't object as we hardly use that room. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YamaHead Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 You guys should try bump starting a bike in the winter....used to do that EVERYday with my 550 Seca Electric starters are for pussies! 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 28 minutes ago, YamaHead said: You guys should try bump starting a bike in the winter....used to do that EVERYday with my 550 Seca Electric starters are for pussies! Can't bump my auto ......no kick-start either..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyrider Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 11 minutes ago, Clive said: Can't bump my auto ......no kick-start either..... and you cant bump my serow either i have tried down a very long steep hill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted December 12, 2022 Author Share Posted December 12, 2022 2 hours ago, skyrider said: and you cant bump my serow either i have tried down a very long steep hill Are you serious @skyrider , that huge 223cc motor has got that much compression has it 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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