Storing a bike for 2 months, how often to run it?

[racefactory]

Hey guys, will be storing a bike for 2 months, I know it's not long but want to know how often i should get someone to start it to avoid gumming up of lines and carbs etc?

Thanks

[CookMySock]

Once a month should be ok. The fuel will be pretty crap at the end of that, and unfortunately you will have to leave the tank full, so you will have a whole tank of shit fuel to ride off..

Steve

[Paul in NZ]

Depends on the bike and its current condition. I'm a bit of a prick so my advice is questionable but...

Change the oil and take it for a good run in the dry, really warm the whole thing up, fill it with fresh gas and park it up. try to keep it in the shade and cover it with an old sheet etc that breathes.

If its over summer, prob just disconnect the battery although I doubt it will matter.

DON'T get someone to start it unless they take it for a good ride (like 30km) or else you will just introduce condensation to the engine and exhaust.

Remember to pump the tyres when you get back.

[YellowDog]

Depends on the bike and its current condition. I'm a bit of a prick so my advice is questionable but...

Change the oil and take it for a good run in the dry, really warm the whole thing up, fill it with fresh gas and park it up. try to keep it in the shade and cover it with an old sheet etc that breathes.

If its over summer, prob just disconnect the battery although I doubt it will matter.

DON'T get someone to start it unless they take it for a good ride (like 30km) or else you will just introduce condensation to the engine and exhaust.

Remember to pump the tyres when you get back.

Sounds like good advice to me. The full tank thing is important.

The only other thing I would suggest would be raising the stand so that both wheels are off the ground.

[george formby]

Hooking it up to a battery conditioner / trickle charger can be a big help, particularly if the battery ain't to fresh. Just warming it up once a month can do more harm than good.

[FROSTY:Me]

2 months for a late model bike really aint an issue. just keep the battery charged

[Flip]

Yep, full tank and a battery conditioners all you will need.

[smoky]

don't bother doing anything

2 months is nothing, you may have to jump start it at the end of the 2 months depending on how good a condition the Battery is in

I had a bike that sat for 2 years without being started, took a bit time, fresh fuel and a jump start later - all good

[FROSTY:Me]

don't bother doing anything

2 months is nothing, you may have to jump start it at the end of the 2 months depending on how good a condition the Battery is in

I had a bike that sat for 2 years without being started, took a bit time, fresh fuel and a jump start later - all good

Actually you just reminded me. I sold a CB250RS that hadn't been on the road for 10 years. I dont remember when the gas changed but for fun I cleaned out the carby.changed the oil and tried to fire it up. It started and ran almost perfectly -or as perfectly as a bike that hasn't been started in 10 years will. I rode it around for a couple of days then changed the plug.

[F5 Dave]

my poor YZF sat for ~ 9 months when I broke my clavicle & I couldn't do anything about it. Thought I'd have been up for carb strip or at least a change of gas.

hit the button, gave it some squirts with the accel pump & it started up fine.

And even ran fine.

My RF on the other hand hated old gas, but got started eventually & was fine running on it.

Wouldn't worry about 2 months

[AllanB]

Not a big issue - other than the battery (get a battery tender to look after this). Just think of how many bikes have been sitting in NZ bike shops this year for well over 2 months .........


Give it a really good clean over and polish/wax before storing too - if you like you can give any bright work etc a bit of a spray and wipe with WD40 or silicone to avoid any corrosion. Just don't spray the brake rotors ........

[racefactory]

Excellent, thanks!