Winter storage? - Yamaha FZ6R Forums - International FZ6R / XJ6 Motorcycle Community Forum

adidaskid810 · 10-11-2009, 02:56 PM

well it's becoming that time here in Nebraska to put the bike up for the winter, we've pretty much skipped fall altogether. I'm new to motorcycles and have no idea what needs to be done when putting the bike away for winter. help!

AfDevin86 · 10-11-2009, 03:08 PM

Well for starters you need to add some StaBil to the gas; this will keep it fresh. I also pull the battery out and take it into the house. =D Past that you can cover it but I don't I just keep it in the dry side of the garage. That's really about it. Well if you want some over kill, pull the spark plugs out and dump a cap of oil down the hole.

FZ1inNH · 10-11-2009, 03:25 PM

Here is what I do for our two bikes. As stated above, add Stabil to the fuel and make sure the tank is topped off as much as possible. Run the bike for a few minutes/miles to be sure the Stabil-ized fuel is throughout the FI system.

You can take the battery inside or you can use a Battery Tender Jr and leave the battery in the bike and plugged in for the winter. I've done this for years. My batteries have all lasted for at least 5 years without running the bikes even once during the harsh NH winters.

If you choose to take the battery out, you should still use the Battery Tender option even while inside.

Thankfully, Yamaha made a very low maintenance bike with the entire FI FZ line.

nlpyle · 10-12-2009, 11:42 AM

Would you bother changing the oil before your let it sit for the winter or would change it before you take it out for the spring and summer? Or just go by your normal maintance schedule? My wifes bike has been sitting for a while but I still ride mine everyday. I am trying to tough it out lol but it is getting a tad bit colder here in WA. I will keep riding until I see ice and snow, but really curious about the oil change so I know how to take care of my wifes bike.

FZ1inNH · 10-12-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nlpyle

Would you bother changing the oil before your let it sit for the winter or would change it before you take it out for the spring and summer? Or just go by your normal maintance schedule? My wifes bike has been sitting for a while but I still ride mine everyday. I am trying to tough it out lol but it is getting a tad bit colder here in WA. I will keep riding until I see ice and snow, but really curious about the oil change so I know how to take care of my wifes bike.

I go by the maintenance schedule but it just happens that I changed the oil on both bikes yesterday. We might get a few more riding days in but the miles from here to parked will be minimal. It's personal preference, but if it were me, and I was close to a change, I guess I'd rather have the clean oil in there for the winter.

Plus, doing so gives you a ready bike when spring comes!

Chip · 10-12-2009, 02:33 PM

I heard that you should store the bike without resting it on its side stand. Is this necessary? If so, how do we do this?

Which battery Tender Jr should I get? 12V or 6V? Thanks

cbzdel · 10-12-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip

I heard that you should store the bike without resting it on its side stand. Is this necessary? If so, how do we do this?

Which battery Tender Jr should I get? 12V or 6V? Thanks

12v battery tender as our battery is 12volts

its best to rest it on stands.. something like this..

They have cheap ones from Harbor Freight, or you can spends $100s on the top quality made in USA kind.. (personally I use the HF ones because they do the same thing for a fraction of the cost)

FZ1inNH · 10-12-2009, 02:47 PM

It is ok to store it on the sidestand, but you should turn the wheels 1/4 turn every 2 - 3 weeks. This is so the tires don't develop a flat spot over the winter.

My FZ1? I store on the center stand and an empty paint can under the exhaust header is perfect for keeping both the front and rear tires off the ground.

cbzdel · 10-12-2009, 02:53 PM

you can support the front from the header??

I want to paint my forks but was told not to jack it by the header because it wont support the weight..

FZ1inNH · 10-12-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbzdel

you can support the front from the header??

I want to paint my forks but was told not to jack it by the header because it wont support the weight..

No, it will not support the bike jacking from the header. But, the center stand on the FZ1 is only marginally weighted toward the front of the bike so a paint can under the header with the bike on the stand isn't applying a lot of weight to the can at all. With the bike on the center stand, I can easily grab the front tire with one hand and lift front until the rear tire touches down.

I would not recommend this for the FZ6R at all. BUT, if you had that XJ6 center stand, you could do exactly this.

10-11-2009, 02:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
adidaskid810 Member Bike: 2009 FZ6R Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Omaha Posts: 34 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Winter storage? well it's becoming that time here in Nebraska to put the bike up for the winter, we've pretty much skipped fall altogether. I'm new to motorcycles and have no idea what needs to be done when putting the bike away for winter. help!

10-12-2009, 02:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
cbzdel Super Moderator Bike: 2009 FZ6R Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 1,061 Thanks: 37 Thanked 222 Times in 105 Posts	you can support the front from the header?? I want to paint my forks but was told not to jack it by the header because it wont support the weight.. __________________ 2009 De-Badged Raven FZ6R Mods: Intuitive Racing Sliders // Competition Werkes FE // Camcorder & GPS Mounts // Motrax Flush Mounts // Pazzo Shorties // K&N Air & Oil Filters // 6000k HID Kit // Red Wheel Stripes // Tank Slapper Kit // Oberon Fuel Tank Cap / /Axio Tail Bag // +1 Front Sprocket // Integrated Smoked LED Tail Light //

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10-11-2009, 03:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
AfDevin86 Member Bike: FZ6R Join Date: May 2009 Location: Louisville Posts: 58 Thanks: 2 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Well for starters you need to add some StaBil to the gas; this will keep it fresh. I also pull the battery out and take it into the house. =D Past that you can cover it but I don't I just keep it in the dry side of the garage. That's really about it. Well if you want some over kill, pull the spark plugs out and dump a cap of oil down the hole.

10-11-2009, 03:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
FZ1inNH Super Moderator Bike: 2009 FZ1 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 569 Thanks: 346 Thanked 321 Times in 152 Posts	Here is what I do for our two bikes. As stated above, add Stabil to the fuel and make sure the tank is topped off as much as possible. Run the bike for a few minutes/miles to be sure the Stabil-ized fuel is throughout the FI system. You can take the battery inside or you can use a Battery Tender Jr and leave the battery in the bike and plugged in for the winter. I've done this for years. My batteries have all lasted for at least 5 years without running the bikes even once during the harsh NH winters. If you choose to take the battery out, you should still use the Battery Tender option even while inside. Thankfully, Yamaha made a very low maintenance bike with the entire FI FZ line.

10-12-2009, 11:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
nlpyle Senior Member Bike: FZ6R Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 104 Thanks: 32 Thanked 32 Times in 16 Posts Blog Entries: 1	Would you bother changing the oil before your let it sit for the winter or would change it before you take it out for the spring and summer? Or just go by your normal maintance schedule? My wifes bike has been sitting for a while but I still ride mine everyday. I am trying to tough it out lol but it is getting a tad bit colder here in WA. I will keep riding until I see ice and snow, but really curious about the oil change so I know how to take care of my wifes bike.

10-12-2009, 02:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chip Member Bike: 2009 Raven FZ6R Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 87 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I heard that you should store the bike without resting it on its side stand. Is this necessary? If so, how do we do this? Which battery Tender Jr should I get? 12V or 6V? Thanks

10-12-2009, 02:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
FZ1inNH Super Moderator Bike: 2009 FZ1 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 569 Thanks: 346 Thanked 321 Times in 152 Posts	It is ok to store it on the sidestand, but you should turn the wheels 1/4 turn every 2 - 3 weeks. This is so the tires don't develop a flat spot over the winter. My FZ1? I store on the center stand and an empty paint can under the exhaust header is perfect for keeping both the front and rear tires off the ground.

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