[Parker]

I'm leaving my bike at home for 4-6 months while I go to sea for work.

My original plan was to...
1. Disconnect the battery (because I have no available power for a tender)
2. Fill tank and add fuel additive.
3. Store on wheel lifts to save tire wear.

However an engineer I was recently talking to suggested that the additive wont last 6 months and the fuel will go ''gummy'.
He also said that it not a good idea to have the bike stored especially as Its not even reached it break-in mileage.

He said its best to lone it to someone who can ride it around the block once a week. But is it worth the extra insurance hassle, risk of theft and even worse... DAMAGE to the bike!

What do you guys think?

 

[DaveTheCanuck]

Your engineer friend is misinformed.

With good stabilizer, your fuel will not become "gummy". In Canada, we have to store our bikes 4-6 months every year and have little to no problems. I would suggest using a stronger marine-grade stabilizer and that's about it.

The fact that the bike isn't broken in yet doesn't change anything. It's not like the engine will rot if you don't break it in within X months lol. It will be just as you left it when you return.

Other than the steps you mentioned, also do a full oil change (and replace the filter), a good wash and coat of wax, and keep the bike covered.

 

[ghost3772]

I see no reason to even upgrade to a marine grade stabilizer to be honest, i think your plan is solid. Never had an issue before.

However if you have a week to spare before you leave i would order one of these battery maintainers. there solar, so you dont need a power source

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200578629_200578629

or the better one

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200578631_200578631



either would do nicely, I always say, go big or go home, only because then you can use it on larger batteries too, but I have a couple of the small 17 buck ones and they work well. just put them on the side of your building that gets the most sunlight, otherwise they dont get enough to charge. If there is no sun, they dont charge, since they dont store power, they either on or off in relative, if there is sun.
anywas, they work well lol cords are a little short, so i cut them and soldered on a longer cord on, but thats what i needed to do lol

 

[Toaster_Chicken]

Or you could take the battery out and hook it up wherever with a battery tender. That's what my friend is doing with his CBR250RA tomorrow.

 

[Westy]

Your engineer friend is misinformed.

With good stabilizer, your fuel will not become "gummy". In Canada, we have to store our bikes 4-6 months every year and have little to no problems. I would suggest using a stronger marine-grade stabilizer and that's about it.

The fact that the bike isn't broken in yet doesn't change anything. It's not like the engine will rot if you don't break it in within X months lol. It will be just as you left it when you return.

Other than the steps you mentioned, also do a full oil change (and replace the filter), a good wash and coat of wax, and keep the bike covered.

This is pretty much spot on, having your bike stored for 6 months is stuff all, obviously it will be in a garage i would assume. All i would do would be sit it up on paddock stand so tires do not sit in the one spot and always good to keep unsprung wait of the suspension, spray a good amount chain lube on the chain. and you can also spray some inox or wd40 on any metal parts you may be concerned about rusting except of course do not spray anything on the brake disc and do not spray anything on the tyres, use a good fuel stabilizer with the tank fuel which just gives it no room inside for air which will cause moisture which will cause rust. Once your home first thing you want to do is check over all brakes and tyre pressure's then warm the bike up until its at full operating temperature and dump the oil, put in the fresh oil and then you are right to head off on another awesome ride on a enjoyable little sports bike.

 

[old3]

I've bought new bikes that stood on their tires for a few years in a showroom. Don't sweat the tires, add more air if you are really worried, like 45 PSI. Bring the battery inside and chagre it and change the oil before you leave it. Full tank + stabil and run it 10 minutes or so.

 

[Lienmarine]

I've also done fogging oil in the past, but then i've stored bikes for almost a year without it and it didn't make a difference. Oil change, chain lube, wheel stand, keep the battery warm if you can't do a tender, and Stabil in the tank should do it. Never had a problem taking a bike out of storage from 4 months to a year.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[Parker]

Thanks for all the helpful advice guys.

 

[Mike]

The bike should be fine the way you mentioned. Charge the battery before reconnecting it.

If I am not there I actually prefer to leave it with a good trustworthy friend. When I got called up for active duty I left my CBR in a friends garage. He rode it about once a week maybe 10-15 miles. He's a cruiser guy though so I know he took it easy on the CBR, he hates sport bikes.