Hi Diane: I live close to you in Ptbo, my bike doctor/dealer told me to "Store it, don't ride it in winter what are you nuts". ??? So I had it winterized. They did it.I have the battery on a trickle charger.

It's my first winter with Suziq so I took his advice, I am kinda sorry now because we have had some really good days I coulda gave her hell. I am now forced to take my agressions out on my drum kit.

I store her indoors. I sit on her occasionally, crack a beer and wonder "what if" as she leans over so sadly next to the hot tub :'(

I will NOT winterize again. I was a real noob this year.

I now realize the dealers agenda, winterize your bike pal and look.....at these new ATV's we just got

Question to the Savages if I put my battery back in and ride her are there any special rituals I must also do? Cheers

Experience is the best teacher, harsh in it's reality. I have missed several weekends lately to get a good run in. So this past weekend I took the bike on a 6 hour trip (two hours in a warm resturante) in Northern PA. I dressed properly, wore leathers, and saw scenary that is beyond my ability to put in words. To me that's what it's about.
I don't know the particulars of the effects of bitter cold Canadian weather on equipment. But I know why I ride and I have to aggree with some of the wisdom of this site......
Ride On. Enjoy! And use your God Given Sense about when to ride. Lots of good sense here. Seems to me your already there.
Mavrik- Sorry to hear of your (Ahem) situation. You could take this time to get to know Suziq. Maybe some MODS if your feeling risky. She could only benefit from a partner who knows here well enough to liberate her from the "winterization" experience put upon her by those who wish to exploit her at any opportunity. Free Her MAVERIK!!!
I don't know what they do to WINTERIZE , other than over charge me.

I live in New Brunswick and just got my first bike yesterday, a 2006 GS500F.  Im so riding it whenever the roads arent full of ice.

Our winters have been odd the last few years with the snow not lasting more than a week.  It snows then warms up.  Then snows again then warms up.

So as long as the roads are clear and there is no ice/black ice about Ill be on them.

Was 72 today. Did have to wear a long sleeve t-shirt though.....

Thanks for all of your input!!!  

Well, the temps. here have been a lot milder than usual, but in the mornings it's been below zero and frosty...so I haven't been on my bike this week, but I'll see what it's like in the morning Friday.  I have to admit, I'm kind of a chicken to ride my bike, if I have to scrape frost off of the car windows to take my kids to the sitter's house, because the roads likely have the same icy frost on them.  Definately don't want to slide on any black ice!!! Yet, when it warms up by 10 degrees over the morning, I get ticked off for not riding the bike into work.
As it was, I saw several bikers out this afternoon.

I'm still planning on riding it throughout the winter months, maybe not the hour to work (each way), but at least for a 15-20 min. run around the neighbourhood to keep the battery charged up.  

Mavrik, last winter I did the winterization (oil change, drain carb, and top up fuel with stabil etc), but whenever I rode it in the winter, I would top the gas back up with a can in our garage.  I didn't pull the battery out, nor do I own a battery tender.   So, chances are you wouldn't need to do much prep at all to fire up your bike and ride it, if you want to.

Matter of fact, I haven't winterized my bike yet this season because the temps have been mild, and I know it won't go below 0 in my garage.  I guess one of these days, I'll put some stabil in the gastank etc - when I get some time.

Oh, I have noticed a lot more grit and stuff on the roads, that I will avoid if I bike tomorrow.  Plus on my own road, there's a lot of mud from farm tractor tires too.  There's a few places near my work where they've had road construction and I've spotted some gravel too.
I always keep an eye out for road hazards when I drive my car, so when I take the bike I'll know what to what out for.

Thanks for the advice Savage Rob.

I did ride today since the temps. were above freezing when I checked outside.  The roads looked slick in spots, so I was a bit nervous, but I got to work without sliding at all.  It was a bit chilly though, even with my winter gloves and balaclave underneath my FF helmet.  
I seem ok for the first half-hour, and then the chill sets in a bit.  Guess I need to add more layers.  The temps. went up to about +8 Celcuis by the pm, so the ride home was much nicer!!!!

I will put stabil in the tank tomorrow, when I go to fill it back up with gasoline.  I also want to give it a good washing.   The forecast, surprisingly enough (remember I live in Ontario, Canada) is still very mild for most of next week, so I'm planning on riding it more.

As for a battery tender, I don't own one - but I was looking at them a few weeks ago in the store.  Our regular battery charger may be suitable, but I haven't checked it out yet.  I believe the battery is the original one from '2000 and it's been fine so far.  I never charged it at all last winter - and the occasional ride in the winter seemed enough to keep it charged up - which was nice.  

DianeS.

DianeS. wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:


Nice Diane!!!

I've ridden the last 3 days without fail.  I am so glad the weather has been fairly nice the last week.  I am also glad you created this post being that I am across the bridge from you and will be experiencing the same type of weather at just about the same time.  I haven't put Stabil in the tank yet.  I've had some people tell me to run it, while others have warned me against it.  It is a gorgeous morning so I'll probably be riding the "Tangerine Dream" to church shortly.