Winterizing 20 Tracer 900 GT

[Falta CZ]

When I was a motorcycle mechanic in the 70's we would see bikes come in in the spring with won't kick start or battery won't turn the engine over. Pistons had rusted into the cylinders. Since then I typically remove the spark plugs and add a few drops of oil to the cylinders before storing for the winter. I have seen some of the videos and have had experience trying to remove the spark plug cap with the integral coil. No fun if you can accomplish it. Anyone out there think this is really necessary? The bike will be in a garage attached to the house (cold but not as bad as outside...down to -10C at times). 

[knyte]

I've stored mine covered, but outside, with temps dropping to around -35 deg C at times - battery out and on a tender, of course, and a bit of stabilizer & Seafoam in the tank (stabilizer is probably unnecessary because I try to fill up with Shell premium - meaning 0% ethanol), as well as a bit of methyl hydrate.  The methyl hydrate is probably all it really needs.  Stored for ~4 months, give or take 2 or 3 weeks.

Fresh oil change (synth) in the fall before covering it up.

Anyway, come spring - install battery, turn the key and it fires right up like nothing happened.

[Falta CZ]

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking it would be fine. I run fuel stabilizer for about 5 minutes and have all of the bikes I look after on trickle chargers. I'm sure the metallurgy has changed a great deal in pistons, rings and cylinders since the 70's. No more iron liners in finned aluminum for the most part.

[knyte]

Where are you in BC?

[Falta CZ]

Invermere. 

[knyte]

Beautiful area, Dad and I rode through there this summer.  Just gorgeous, and twisties everywhere

So your winter should be close to mine...eh you should be fine

[johnmark101]

These bikes are so well made they can be stored for extended periods with no issues as long as you do a few basic things.  A little fuel stabilizer in the tank and then fill it with good quality gasoline.  Change the oil and let it run just enough to get the treated fuel past the injectors.  Connect to a battery tender.  You can leave the battery in place but many prefer to remove it. If you can put it up on stands so the tires are off the ground.