Community Forums

scottkeen · 11-07-2018, 12:44 PM

Is it safe to store my motorcycle for the winter (the next 5 months) in my toy hauler garage?

The motorcycle doesn't leak. But I'm concerned if there are issues with fumes building up.

I could open the 2 side vents in the garage if that would make it safe. I would prefer not to, since that allows moisture into the rig.

Thanks.

wildcatter · 11-07-2018, 12:57 PM

When I had my TH I did no issues, is your bike fuel injection or carb? If it is fuel injection then you shouldn't have issues with fumes, I didn't. With a Carb you may, you should also run the carb out of gas with the fuel shut off valve closed.

Ndrorder · 11-07-2018, 12:59 PM

I've stored several dirtbikes and gas cans in an enclosed utility trailer without worry as there wasn't an ignition source and the fumes weren't that bad. If you can control the ignition sources, then go for it. I'd be more concerned with the gas smell getting into the upholstry and foams and would drain the tank via the fuel line.

scottkeen · 11-07-2018, 01:40 PM

Thanks for the replies!
Good point about carb vs FI

My 2008 Suzuki SV650 is fuel injection.

I'll try and drain the gas tank (3 gallons) before I store it. Maybe then I'll idle it with the tank empty until it dies, to drain whatever fuel is still in the lines? Good idea? I'm pretty sure that I hear the pump priming when I first turn the key before I start the engine, so priming it after I refill the tank should be OK (I think).

Dfrnt · 12-03-2018, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottkeen

I could open the 2 side vents in the garage if that would make it safe. I would prefer not to, since that allows moisture into the rig.

Thanks.

And it also lets condensation out, which is why I leave mine open all winter. I do cover the entire rig though.

Wild Card · 12-04-2018, 04:33 PM

Running your tank dry and engine dry is a bad idea. An empty tank will condensate alot. Dry lines will leave residue and corrosion left behind.

Your best for storage is a full tank treated with Sta-bil or the like and to make sure you have run the treated through the engine.

Just put it your hauler and crack a vent open

xrated · 12-04-2018, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Card

Running your tank dry and engine dry is a bad idea. An empty tank will condensate alot. Dry lines will leave residue and corrosion left behind.

Your best for storage is a full tank treated with Sta-bil or the like and to make sure you have run the treated through the engine.

Just put it your hauler and crack a vent open

+1 on that ^^^^^

jlckmj · 12-04-2018, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Card

Running your tank dry and engine dry is a bad idea. An empty tank will condensate alot. Dry lines will leave residue and corrosion left behind.

Your best for storage is a full tank treated with Sta-bil or the like and to make sure you have run the treated through the engine.

Just put it your hauler and crack a vent open

Plus 2 on that.

Jim

TripleEEE · 12-04-2018, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Card

Running your tank dry and engine dry is a bad idea. An empty tank will condensate alot. Dry lines will leave residue and corrosion left behind.

Your best for storage is a full tank treated with Sta-bil or the like and to make sure you have run the treated through the engine.

Just put it your hauler and crack a vent open

^^^^^^^^^This is how to do it.

ijon · 12-09-2018, 05:04 AM

I have a Spyder in mine. With a battery charger on

ready to go to Florida.

Brentw · 12-17-2018, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleEEE

^^^^^^^^^This is how to do it.

Yep yep

grindstone01 · 12-17-2018, 07:50 AM

I would drain the gas and carb and store it dry. Water in a fuel tank comes from the fuel itself, if you think about it a tank full of air is not going to make water. Even saturated moist air would at most hold 1/2 a drop of water in a small 3 gallon tank. New vehicles and equipment are shipped from the factories with only a 1/2 gallon of gas until sold which may be many months. Storing a full gas tank is a fallacy, I stopped doing that 20 years ago in Mich with my antique tractors and mc.

RiverBurt · 12-17-2018, 08:07 AM

Fuel line gaskets and o-rings do NOT like to be dry. They may swell back up and work next season - or not.

timekeeper · 12-17-2018, 08:35 AM

I store 5 Motorcycles every year here in the cold Northeast. One of them I leave in the enclosed bike trailer. 4 of them have carbs but the one in the trailer is fuel injected. I have done storage may different ways over the years ( one bike is a 64 BMW R69S) . Based on past history the best way is to fill the tank with NON-ETHANOL gas with the proper mixture of stabilizer (Sea Foam is my choice). Run the mixture for circulation for about 10 minutes and top tank so no air is present in tank. As someone said previously if there is no spark and you are lightly venting the area, all is fine.
I actually leave the battery in the bike and trickle charge it (Battery Tender) all winter.
My biggest concern is the ethanol gas which will separate with water at the lowest points over the Winter. My second biggest concern are mice which just love to nest in the air cleaner or where ever. I set traps with peanut butter and check every so often.
All this is IMO....everyone has there own procedure on this.
I am VERY confident in my routine as 2 of my motorcycles are kick start and if they are not starting (and they do start on 2nd or 3rd kick) my hip-leg takes a toll. I know I was wordy here put there is not a short answer when storing any transportation device.