Rigid_EVO Didn't winterize my bike... am i screwed???

[cc rider]

ok so all i keep reading is how we should winterize our bikes. well im not having a great year, and between working, and my mom having some serious health issues, and me being depressed because of that, i haven't been able to winterize my bike this year. my bikes are garaged but i have done anything to them this winter. so did i ruin them. am i screwed???? hope everyone is well, thanks

[shotgun46]

hook up a tender ! they will be fine

[Lenster]

Itll be fine. My brother has never done any winterizing on his Fatboy, except maybe put it on a tender, and nothing ever happens because of it.

[xllent01]

You' ll fine....mine never gets winterized either, it gets ridden atleast once a week when the weather allows it

[sunchild2071]

What they said. You've done no harm. or at the most, nearly negligible harm.

They blew my ploy with quick responses. I woulda started with some fairy tale about "now the bike is slightly above scrap metal grade and you should sell it to me at 12 cents on the pound".

That's just me and my nature. And generally, I never winterize, really, so I can capitalize on some of the freak weather patterns that might help me break cabin fever and go for a scoot, in the dead of winter.

[dandrumheller]

If you're in trouble, so am I. Mine's been in the (unheated) garage since late November because of the weather here in southern Maine. Full tank of fuel and plugged into the battery tender. That's it.

I keep hoping for a chance to sneak out and ride, but the 3 days since then that have been decent (over 35F and not raining) the roads have been so covered in salt and sand that there was no way I was going for a ride.

This is my first winter with the bike, so I guess I'll find out when spring comes. My buddy put his '13 RK and his wife's Slim in an unheated storage locker, with just a full tank of fuel, around the same time. I don't think he's even gone to the storage place to look at them. He's been riding since the mid '80s, and isn't worried. So I'm going with that plan too, at least until I find out differently...

Good luck, hope your mom gets better soon...

[cantolina]

Originally Posted by cc rider

ok so all i keep reading is how we should winterize our bikes. well im not having a great year, and between working, and my mom having some serious health issues, and me being depressed because of that, i haven't been able to winterize my bike this year. my bikes are garaged but i have done anything to them this winter. so did i ruin them. am i screwed???? hope everyone is well, thanks

Absolutely not.

All you really did was make things a little more difficult for you next year.....that's all....

Batteries get very weak and die (and sometimes burst) often when left in freezing temps...

Fuel system will have to be drained, carbs need to be taken apart and cleaned of varnish and deposits...

[SpartanDen]

There are more serious things in life besides your bike....take care of your mom first...then worry about your bike. Me? I like to change both oils, top off the tank with fuel and sta-bil, and hook up the tender. All this does ( you're failure to prep?!!) Will give you quality time with your scoots come spring!! Don't sweat the bike...all is well. Good luck to your mom!

[cc rider]

Thanks everyone I feel much better. I always drain the tanks and clean the carbs and change the oil anyway in the spring before I start riding. Thanks again.

[HD_XL rider]

Fuel stabilizer and battery tender is all I do. I still ride if the roads are clear enough and it isn't too damned cold. At least to get the fluids cycled and up to operating temp.
I also wait until spring after a good ride to change out the oils.
Hope your Mom is doing well.