So question for the masses. This was the first year I had my bike and stored it for the winter. I live in Wisconsin. For those of you in the snowier states, when do you take your bike out of storage for the winter?
I'm from WI but been in MN since 2000. When I was 20, the bike was never in storage. Today I resist the unseasonable early 50°'s because I just don't enjoy getting the bike ready and put the battery in for a day then it sits again for a month but I do hear the bikes on the roads near my house and it makes me rethink this strategy all over again. :grin2: They use so much salt on the roads here and there are literally piles of the stuff in places as well as lots of sand, so I pretty much wait for the spring rains and street sweepers to get rid of that. My son bought a new Yammy FJR last year early spring and I cautioned him to be on the lookout for sand on the ride home from the dealership. He brazenly told me there is no sand out here Dad. He turned left out of the dealers lot, was in sand and down he went. Broken collarbone. YMMV
Usually get the Nomad out in late March to early April. Since it is stored at my brother in laws acerageI have two miles of gravel to ride. I have to wait until that road firms up. I also have a CanAm Spyder. That comes out sooner, because I don't have to worry about sand in the corners. Plus it is fully faired so I stay warm.
We are still Skiing here (Tip of the Mit Michigan) I did get a day in February, we had 60 degrees.
Generally I get out some where between the last week in March to the second week in April. I usually don't worry about sand or salt. We get enough spring rain to wash the salt away. Sand is a constant problem so we just watch for it.
I think it is fair to say I took it out yesterday I skied in the morning. Then took the bike off the maintenance charger, changed the oil, filter, and took a ride around Lake Charlevoix. Blue Sky and up to 60 degrees. Wahoooo! :grin2:
I just took my ride out for the first for this season this morning. I live in northwestern Montana, up close to glacier National Park. It was in the low 50's today and not much wind, so a very nice day for a short ride. Saw a few other riders out today also. I'm about a month earlier than I was last year, hope it continues with the nice spring weather, but not counting on it, not this far north.
Storage for me consists of a little corner of the garage and my rule of thumb for getting ready is April 1st. Like most Wisconsinites, that rule is broken in early March when we have a 60 degree day. Then, it sits again. Went for a little ride today (52 degrees, light unexpected drizzle) and nearly slid out in a sandy corner. Luckily I hit clean asphalt just as my board started scraping, throwing me into an upright position again. Early season riding fun at its best.
I am in Nova Scotia and mine is coming out of storage this coming Sunday. We have a lot of snow still piled up and another 10cm over night tonight but heavy rain Thursday through Saturday. Sunday the temps are supposed to be 12c and next week pretty well 12 to 15c all week so a few rides will be in the plans for a couple afternoons.
Most bikers store theirs during the winter rainy season here, but I ride year around so my bike is not stored. Best time is not during summer when we are inundated with tourists and lots of bugs, but I also try to avoid riding in rain and fog, no matter what time of year it is.
I don't put mine up ever. I have heated Coat, Gloves and seat so I ride year round. I belong to BACA> (Bikers Against Child Abuse) so when we go to help kids we ride
No such thing as storage! I keep a battery tender on my bike and I keep fuel treatment in the gas tank and every chance I get I ride. Between my two bikes I put over 10,000 miles on since May and I will keep it up as long as I can!
This is my first year with my Vaquero but I've been riding since I was 10 years old and I am 52 especially when I had my Honda VTX 1800 I will ride all winter long and long as there is no ice on the ground and that is a fact my friend! Very rarely is it -20 here in southeast Wisconsin.
It is amusing to me that you seem to know when I am or am not riding my bike? Or that you know if I have it stored? Lol
I'll chime in ... I store my VN800B Bobber and my 79 KZ650SR from about November to March, the former in a cycle shell with a tender, the latter under a cover with the battery removed and on a tender in the house. The wife's Harley sits in a cycle shell, too, with a tender hooked up in case she wants to ride. Fuel stabilizer in all 3.
The Vaquero, on the other hand, sits out front under a cover, with tender connected, and ready to rock and roll should there be a decent riding day (or I'm climbing the walls since I haven't ridden in too long).
I live very close to you and yes it can get to -20 and for the most part always has snow.
The fact that you would take your bike out when its freezing, or melting snow plies, and with all the salt on the roads tells me a lot!
And again you talk about something you do not understand what makes you think I can't wash my bike when I come home? I told you I wouldn't ride on icy Streets if there's no snow piles on the streets what does it matter. The fact that you think you know anything about my situation tells me a lot about you. I think it's probably best if you take care of your own situation instead of worrying about someone else's. Incidentally I have been riding motorcycles for over 40 years and also have worked as a motorcycle mechanic for a Time. Not that I needed to say that but whatever I'm pretty well done having a conversation with you, you just can't get some people to think before they talk.
Have a good day.
Remember you made the personal attack especially by saying you know what kind of rider I am, but see I'm a rider who rides my bike as much as I possibly can because I get out of this motorcycle what no woman child or therapist could possibly give me so yes I ride my bike every time I can what does that make you? Did you buy a motorcycle to just keep in your garage so the neighbors think you're cool? Is it something that you only ride when the weather is perfect and sunny you're not too afraid to get on it? Humm I wonder.
Saddle up and feel the wind in your Helmet! ATGATT
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