XP & Touring Winter Storage?..

[golf12]

I hate to be the one to kick off a discussion about putting the atv's away for the winter and I know the die hards are gonna say they never put their machines away.. But for me, my trails close at the end of november and there's really nowhere else to ride.. Its just gonna sit anyway so I figure I'd better do it right..
What do you guys do for sure and what are the "myths" about winter storage that don't need to be done?.. Do I really need to put it up on jack stands? - do you fill the tank to the top and add stabilizer or do you prefer to run it dry and empty the lines?.. Besides oil, what fluids would you change now rather than in the spring if any?.. Any other tips?..

2010 850 Touring

[Hawkeye 007]

Battery tender, fuel stabilizer, and I like to start mine and run it around a little bit just to keep things oiled.

[cwlongshot]

Personally,
Yes I would get it just off the ground. Most machines have bias ply tires and they take a "set" when allowed to sit for long periods of time.


Battery tender is great idea. One extra step is to remove battery and bring it in house where its warm and put it on the battery tender. (NOTE, KEEP IT INSULATED from the floor!!)


Oils will be fine. But This is the rime of year I change them all out as it should be done at least yearly, regardless of hours/mileage.


Filling the tank to avoid condensation, very good. Ethanol fuels are basically alcohol added and alcohol attracts moisture...moisture allowed to sit is a very bad thing in machines that done get run every day, like our ATVs and other small engines. GOOD fuel stabilizer (IN ALL OF THEM!) also very much suggested. I much prefer Sea Foam.

Good luck,

CW

[blueline15]

I would absolutely fill the tank full and have it mixed with a fuel stabilizer. And, here is something very very important to not forget. Mix the fuel stabilizer in the tank, the ride the machine around, or at least let it idle (I do 10 minutes to be safe) before you shut it off in the winter. We want that stabilizer mixed fuel to make it all the way through the fuel rails, through the injectors, and burning in the cylinder. Many people mix the tank, then have dirty injectors in the spring and do not understand why.

Also, its not good to run an EFI system empty on fuel. It will be difficult to start in the spring because it will have to rebuild up all of the fuel pressure. Its not so bad on a gravity fed carb like a lawnmower.

My sportbike has a steel tank, so for me, its even more important to make sure the tank is plum full. Otherwise, condensation as CW said can form where there is no fuel. If the tank is full, there is no room for condensation to build.

Oils, you can change them now or in spring. I usually change them in spring so they are really fresh for the riding season. Whatever you do, just dont forget. If you think you will forget, change them now.

I would change oil and tranny, and diffs at least yearly. Coolant and brake fluid every 2-3 years.

And a battery tender for you battery. Why? Here is why

Also, especially for storing, ethanol free fuel would be very helpful. Here is a website that lists stations that are suppose to carry E free fuel. -->>Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

[Thebeatontrack]

CW and Blueline are given you great advice, only other thing I do so my other toys is touch up paint on the frame. I also spray down the underside with Fluid Film - but everything rusts here..

[golf12]

outstanding guys.. you've provided me a perfect road map for proper storage.. much appreciated!

[North Branch]

My ATV runs all year, so I don't "winterize" it. However, if I did (like I do with my John Deere garden tractor), I would change the oil and filter "before" putting it away. Letting somewhat dirty oil, with the acids and other contaminants sit in there for a few months is not the best thing... at least in my opinion.

If you change it now, and don't run it at all during the winter, the oil and filter will be fresh in the spring.

The guys have given you some other great information.

[WilliamBos]

Very informative thread.

Is there a preferred brand of Stabilizer?? Sea foam? Stabil??

[jordaman17]

most here prefer sea foam

[North Branch]

Either is fine. However, as always, I never go with the crowd.

I prefer to use Star Tron on a regular basis (every time I fill em up) in all my power equipment. I've seen what it can do, and it's mild enough to be used on a regular basis.

I also use one of my "Mr Funnel" funnels when I put fuel in my ATV, John Deere garden tractor and lawnmower.