Winter Storage - again

[ush1000]

Sorry I know this comes up a few times but my question is slightly different to those I've seen - I am lucky enough to have a brick built detached garage with good security. I also have a winter hack for my commute to work. So the 06 GS will not be used for about 4 months. Its just had an annual service, hardly any fuel in it, the service book says simply to get the tyres off the ground, cover it up and remove the battery - is this ok? What I have done in the recent past with other bikes is to start them up every 2 weeks, run until really hot, work the brakes, lights, indicators, put it in gear, bounce up and down on the suspension - and thats it. Any thoughts?
Andrew

 

[karnevil]

Why not just use it and wash it regular?

 

[Wapping]

the service book says simply to get the tyres off the ground, cover it up and remove the battery - is this ok? Any thoughts.

Simple things first.

Why would BuMW go to a lot of trouble telling you how not to do it?

If you don't want to remove the battery and you have power in the garage, stick it onto a battery tender (Optimate or BuMW's own charger, for instance) 24/7 - It will be fine.

Job done.

 

[ianboydsnr]

Sorry I know this comes up a few times but my question is slightly different to those I've seen - I am lucky enough to have a brick built detached garage with good security. I also have a winter hack for my commute to work. So the 06 GS will not be used for about 4 months. Its just had an annual service, hardly any fuel in it, the service book says simply to get the tyres off the ground, cover it up and remove the battery - is this ok? What I have done in the recent past with other bikes is to start them up every 2 weeks, run until really hot, work the brakes, lights, indicators, put it in gear, bounce up and down on the suspension - and thats it. Any thoughts?
Andrew

do non of that, run iyt for 30-40miles to make sure theres no moisture in the oil,the petrol should last untill spring, put it on an optimate overnight once a fortnight, if your anal, when you optimate it turn the wheels to a different bit, spray the engine with wd-40 or something similar, spray the suspension sliders with silicone spray, cover the brake discs with a dry cloth, then it should be fine

 

[Jon P]

I stored mine in the shed last winter here in Vermont from November until May. The temp here is as low as -30oC and during Jan and Feb it often only gets up to -10oC for several weeks at a time. I had the BMW charger plugged in. I did try a couple of times to start it but instantly gave up as the motor would not turn over due to the thickness of the oil.

Anyway - by May when the snow had gone I had no problems putting another 10,000 miles on the speedo.

 

[blackbird]

Just use it over the winter but wash it once a week then come April if any parts have rusted pop it back to your dealer & get the parts changed under warranty after all it is a BMW

 

[ush1000]

Thanks Ian, I'll do as suggested - as I said in my post, I don't need to ride it through the winter,
Andrew

 

[mpdouglas]

You'd rather ride a hack for 4 months than a bike that is more than capable of standing up to British "winters" because ????!!!

My K1200R has been through 2 winters, daily commuting with only a wash at the weekends. ACF50 treatment at the start of the season and regular top ups means it still cleans up like new (and I mean new! - showroom fresh - not a hint of corrosion on even a single bolt head).

It'll come to more harm sitting idle!

 

[GSmonkey]

If you're really not going to use it at all for 4 months, as above leave everything connected, but connect it to an optimate or similar. Also resist the temptation to start it up and rev it, you'll only induce wear and corrosion. Only thing I do is occaisionally turn the wheels to stop corrosion of the disc where the pads sit.

If you can manage it, get out on it every month for a good ride. As long as you wash it down after + a bit of scotoiler stuff it'll be OK.

 

[Dellis]

Why not just use it and wash it regular?

+1 Does them no harm - only use mine for pleasure but use it all year July '06 with 41,000 miles and only minor signs of use

 

[ush1000]

Thanks. Perhaps I should have said the winter hack is a VFR800 VTEC which is a blast to ride. I've rediscovered my biking MOJO with this bike after going astray with an FJR1300 - I thought I wanted a big touring bike for big mileage but the inline 4 jap rocket just left me flat. The Honda V four has a real character to it. I've only had the GS for a month so it'll be totally new to me in the spring.
Andrew

 

[Ali-bear]

Hehe the Crask Inn - been there!

Only a few things really:

clean it first
cover any polished metal parts with some kind of oil or grease (apart from the brake discs)
don't let it get damp
don't let the battery go flat
don't keep starting it up and attempting to warm it up (you'll only manage to add moisture to the engine)
turn the wheels every now and then
stop worrying