GSA in storage?

[Deleted account 200502001]

Apologies for the slightly vague question guys, but how log would you say a GSA could be parked in dry storage (garage) before any issues arose? Lets say it was parked for say 6-12 months, what service/maintenance would be needed before using it again, and what bits would need checking/replacing?

Cheers

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Both my GSAs are parked up in Oct and come out in April, each year

Been doing it for years, no issues

Checked the tyres, fire it up and ride

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

Thanks

I was fearing there would be a long list of things to check/replace etc.

 

[Wapping]

The owner's handbook has a bit about it right at the back.

As JB says, don't worry about it. If the garage has power, stick it on an Optimate and leave it. Fanum will tell you that you will die if you do but it's just not true. Put some air in the tyres when you roll it out again, fire it up and all will be well. Trust me.

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

Brilliant

Its not mine, its one I might be going to look at to purchase. Im new to biking so wasn't sure. I guess bikes are designed to be stored over winter as thats what most people do.

Cheers guys.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The owner's handbook has a bit about it right at the back.

As JB says, don't worry about it. If the garage has power, stick it on an Optimate and leave it. Fanum will tell you that you will die if you do but it's just not true. Put some air in the tyres when you roll it out again, fire it up and all will be well. Trust me.

I don't favour the 'constant' Optimate, I just put my bikes on it for about a day every month overwinter and I never, ever start them for the 4-5 months they are laid up as it does them no good

Just leave them be

Service them once a year, every summer and over winter, I leave a dehumidifier on, in the garage and remove about 3 gallons per week

 

[wobbler65]

the alternator sometimes sticks when laid up for a period so watch for any squeal, apparently this is a common fault so I have just found out . If it does squeal check the belts condition and make sure the alternator is ok , Got to do that job myself this weekend grrr

 

[Bendy toy]

Not used over winter should mean less corrosion but check anyway for any creeping under paint on wheels ans alloy parts.

 

[Micky]

I don't favour the 'constant' Optimate ....

Agree JB ... 'Constant' Optimate kill's 'em

Just stick 'em on charge for a few hours once a month ... that'll do nicely thank you

 

[arrybash]

i agree leaving an optimate on a battery permantly seems to kill the the battery. My solution is to plug the optimate into a timeswitch set for just 1 hour per week.

this should be sufficient time to recharge the battery before the optimate shuts down.

Chris

 

[Sgt Bilco]

If you buy it, a full fluid change would be well worth the cost but as stated, get teh battery charged and just fire up and she'll be good to go.

 

[Delboy777]

I can vouch for the Alternator seizing up, my GS did it, luckily it was under warranty and was fixed by BMW.

 

[Rushy]

Italian Bikes

My allegedly unreliable Italian v twin started instantly first push on the button last Saturday after almost a 5 month lie down due to me not being able to ride it....as with JB ,and others, I charge the battery up o/night once a month or so rather than leave the Optimate on. My GS battery lasted 6 yrs like that. My MG has a plastic tank so I when I stored it I left very little fuel in and filled her up with a jerry can of fresh stuff before starting her. Someone told me you should fill a metal tank to prevent rust from condensation , sounds reasonable

 

[Captain Black]

On the optimate subject I alternate every couple of weeks between my bikes. The orange gel battery ( forgot the name but the good one) has been on since 2006 and is fine. All my bike batteries are a good few years old, apart from the HD.
My cars have Bosch S5's and they're all over 5 years old at least, and are all good. My Porsche 993 S2 stays on for six months at a stretch.
The optimate cycles from charge, to trickle to discharge to charge, so its a maintenance system.
I think it would be different if you just left them on a standard charger, maybe that would screw them up.

 

[Captain Black]

I can vouch for the Alternator seizing up, my GS did it, luckily it was under warranty and was fixed by BMW.

What model bike Delboy ?

 

[Delboy777]

What model bike Delboy ?

It was my 2010, twin cam GS. It had symptoms much like a flat battery so i went and bought a new one. Fitted it and it made no difference . So in desperation i jump started it and the feckin belt snapped !! They are prone to seizing if there has been a lot of crud thrown up from the wheel and its not cleaned off somehow it gets into the bearing and seizure follows if the bike is laid up for a long time (mine was for about a year before i bought it) in the dealership But the warranty covered it and a new Alternator and belt were fitted.