Hi gang. I'm sure some of what I share will get me beat upon, perhaps deservedly so and so be it. Ultimately I'm asking for some guidance on mothballing the bike for a bit. Here in VA we've had it mild, but I gotta admit I'm a bit of a fair weather rider so once the temps fall/stay below 40 I'll be off the bike until early spring...I usually ride when it's 50 and up. First off I park outside. I know- gasp you say. I'm not crazy about it, but it doesn't bother me either. The bike stays under an awning and shielded by lattice/vines tucked up next to my house with 3 locks and a cover, good neighborhood. Now w/ my old KTM and DRZ I'd add a fuel stabilizer for a few months and never had any issues whatsoever (no carb gumming, no nothing.) I'm new to EFI so not really sure if it's a good idea. Seems to me it should be added so that the fuel is kept from going stale and as long as it doesn't hurt the EFI components it seems right. Wondering what your opinions are. Next- battery. I know, I know....the tender is the answer. Now here's the thing though...w/ the last 2 bikes I never- believe it or not- "tended" them. The DRZ really surprised me as they're known to use up batteries pretty easily. My DRZ had a 4 year old Yuasa battery in it and never had an issue- at the first crank of the season it would start right up (albeit the first turn mildly sluggish, but then off an running again.) Same w/ the KTM. Since my 630 is only 1300 miles old I'm inclined to just park it as I have past bikes and don't see why the battery wouldn't be fine...unless someone brings something to light that says either the battery in these sucks that bad or there's some power draw that's diff on this bike from the others that will ensure it to be toast shortly. I may just go ahead and pull the battery and keep it inside, but not sure if I should then use a tender, or just give it a good charging prior to the start of the next season. The fuel stabil thing is the main thing I am concerned about, and appreciate anyone's input on both. Thanks! Eric
When I park mine, I just put stabil in the tank and run it enough to get it down into the fuel line/injector. Then it gets parked in the back of my garage and plugged into the battery tender. If you don't have the means to put it on a battery tender, just disconnect the battery and take it indoors.
Can you purchase non-ethynol fuel? If so, drain all the old fuel out and replace it with non-ethynol fuel and then run the bike to ensure that this fuel moves into the fuel injection system and engine. Be cautious with the different fuel stabalizer on the market... ie stabil That is the #1 most important thing IMO.
That's a good question...not sure if there is any non-ethanol in my area but will be keeping an eye out. Thanks. To be honest I can't recall which stabilizer I've used in the past but didn't have any issues either (though that was on carbed bikes.) Tonight I'll do some reading on stabilizers and EFI to make sure that if I use it I'll be using the best stuff for it possible.
As a last resort, you can ship it to me here in sunny California and I'll make sure the battery stays charged No thanks needed, I'm just a selfless and giving individual. This was taken last January...
I prefer Sea Foam to StaBil ;^) "To stabilize fuel for up to 2 years, add 1 oz. Sea Foam® to each gallon of fuel." http://www.seafoamsales.com/motor-treatment.html http://www.webbikeworld.com/sea-foam/ Pull your battery & keep it inside on a Tender until you're ready to ride. Skoal, JJ & http://batterytender.com/motorcycle/battery-tender-junior-12v-at-0-75a.html
Thanks - I'm certainly leaning towards doing it right w/ a tender. Joisey- I've tried Seafoam in the past...hadn't thought of it for this. At a glance it looks good for it...will read more. I did look at the VA ethanol free listing when Fast1 posted...closest is 30 mins away but still helpful to know for future fill ups when out those ways. Thanks again- always good to hear what works for folks.
The good news is the 630 comes with a battery worth saving, a decent Yuasa. A Tender is a good way to go. The 610's Varta would probably eventually leave you in a forest somewhere wondering wtf happened If you put a fuel stabilizer in, top off the tank - keeps moisture out. A cover will keep the elements away. Lots of folks change the oil and filter before putting it up, clean oil doesn't have the acids and contaminants of used oil....sitting in there for months at a time.
