Live in Connecticut. Couple weeks of riding left. Going to put her away but want to do it right. It's a 2012 with 5,600 miles. She will be in my unheated garage.

What I know to do:

Oil Change
Oil/Clean Chain
Battery Tender
Air filter (maybe)

Not sure:

Drain gas or fill her up? Water condensation in empty tank? Bad for seals?
Okay for tires to be on cold cement?

Missing anything else to do?


If there is a thread already please let me know.

Full or Empty? The ethanol debate

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

I see no reason to do anything with the air filter. As for the battery, my opinion is the best thing you can do for it is to take it out for the winter. That way there is ZERO drain on it. Still use the charger occasionally to keep it "topped off". Oil change is a good thing. Make your own decision on fuel level. I don't think the fuel injected engines are as prone to gumming up as the old carburetor systems. I do like to put fuel stabilizer in, not sure if it helps for 3 months but shouldn't hurt. The worst thing you can do is occasionally start the bike for 5-10 minutes and shut if off . Park it and leave it alone. Put the max air pressure in your tires stated on sidewall. This helps to avoid flat spotting ( should go away on first ride ). A couple layers of old carpet under the tires is good for this also. A centerstand takes almost all the bikes weight off the tires, but not everyone has one. Oil the chain real good. If you have a cover for it or an old sheet put it on. Keeps people from using it for a storage rack!

I don't worry about this stuff in Houston anymore, but I sure had to go thru it in WV!

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'12 DL 650- '04 DL 650- '03 DL 1000- '04 R 1150 RT

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I live in Minnesota, and here's what I did, just yesterday. Rode to work (not very often you get to to that here, in December), stopped on the way home and topped off the fuel. When I got home I added a few ounces of Sea-Foam to stabilize the fuel, drained the crankcase and refilled with fresh oil. Done.

I haven't pulled a battery for winter storage in years, and I haven't had a battery fail. Fuel injected bikes seem to start on the first crank or two even after sitting for a long period and even if the battery may not be 100%, I've never had a problem with them starting.

Why change the oil before putting it away for a few months, instead of changing the oil to start the next riding season?

Used oil has contaminants from combustion byproducts in it that can combine with condensation to form acids. Change the oil before storage and ride on it come Spring.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

North of you on Mass/NH border. Suggest oil change and filter (since it'll be due at 6K, anyway). A few ounces of StarTron in tank, fill 'er up, take her for a spin, return to garage and top off tank. Clean/lube chain, wash bike if so inclined. Put 'er up on centerstand, slab o' wood under front wheel and remove battery to warmer indoors (where you can periodically give it a few-hours zap with a Tender/charger). Stuff oily rag in exhaust port. To discourage mousies, I stuff those horrid-smelling dryer sheets all over the bike where there is wiring and potential chewables. Finally, I put a full-cover on for her long winter sleep.

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2013 Northeast V-Strom Rally!

2011 pearl white DL650A
58 y.o.
6'2", 270 pounds

I rolled it into the shed today -- just as easy to roll it out. I don't do anything special to it except gas stabilizer and one is as good as another -- just use it.

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-Tom (DL650AL2) (KA1TOX) (E-I-E-I-O)

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I can occasionally get in a ride on the weekends athough it is usually short. Why is it bad to NOT winterize the bike, and try to run it once a week ? I use Sea Foam in the gas, keep everything oiled.....

here is an interesting article on the subject.......

http://www.soundrider.com/archive/ti...terization.htm

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2012 DL650 Adventure

Its a common mistake to think the battery should be in a warm place, but its better to leave it in the cold, just unplug one of the two wires.