Triumphrat

alphamang · 09-27-2009, 07:27 PM

I've done some searching but most results did not pertain to the Street Triple(R).

What's the proper way of doing it?

Is it okay to take the battery out and leave it inside on a tender or a charger or something, or will that affect the odometer/electronics in some fashion?

My plan is to:
- Hand wash my bike down
- Add fuel stabilizer and a full tank of gas
- Put the bike on a tire stand on top of wood planks
- Rotate the front tire every month
- Thoroughly clean the chain and lube the chain prior to storage
- Tarp the entire bike (Tarp wrapping from bottom up)
- Take the battery out, if that's okay, and leave it inside where it's nice and warm

Is there anything that I'm missing?

I'm in Minnesota where it gets nice and frosty so my beast is staying inside the garage all winter (probably won't even start it up at all, since you're not supposed to turn the engine on unless you go riding).

Suggestions or pointing me in the right direction as to how to do it properly would be great!

Thanks,
Dan

Diego · 09-27-2009, 11:55 PM

There is no reason why winterizing the R would be any different from the standard. Your plan looks like a good start. Changing oil is advised just before storage, too, so you don't leave old oil in the engine with acidic compounds in it that could affect bearings.

One other thing you might want to do is cover the exhaust(s) thoroughly to keep moisture out of there, in addition to the general covering. And, others may have some suggestions about protecting the paint from prolonged contact with the tarp.

As for the battery, yes, it's fine to remove it for winter storage...preferable, in fact, for the sake of the battery itself. The ECU stores all its settings in non-volatile memory, so everything will be retained even without power. You might get an engine light for three operating cycles in the spring due to a low-voltage error, but that's OK and will clear on its own.

Pokeyjoe · 09-27-2009, 11:59 PM

Take the bike for a ride after you wash it. Get it nice and hot to dry everything out. Use the brakes a lot to heat them up as well.

alphamang · 09-28-2009, 12:55 PM

Thanks for the info.
It's my first bike and I've never winterized before.

Would putting towels over the paint be a good idea?

It's now around 50F in MN... so I think I gotta get on washing soon so I don't FREEZE when I go to dry it off.

I appreciate the info guys!

Dickie2679 · 09-28-2009, 03:42 PM

I'll be using mine, as long as it's not frosty. I might get some of that acf50 anti rust spray, before they cover the roads in salt.

MacBandit · 09-28-2009, 03:43 PM

Forget about the tarps and buy a good motorcycle cover. $50-$100.

Ogre · 09-28-2009, 05:58 PM

Make sure to run the bike after you put in the fuel stabilizer.

I also take the seat off and store it inside.

Place mouse traps around the bike and check them regularly.
(I had a mouse nest inside an air-filter one time.)

MacBandit · 09-28-2009, 07:56 PM

You can usually just plug the intake with something like a rag or something.

Ogre · 09-29-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacBandit

You can usually just plug the intake with something like a rag or something.

They like rags. Chew up little pieces and make a nice nest.

Sponges and foam are even worse.

Maybe use aluminum foil..................

MacBandit · 09-29-2009, 01:10 PM

That is true but having had pet mice and having grown up on a farm I know that if they don't know there is a nice hole there for a nest they'll just chew a little off the outside and won't try to burrow through it. You have to wad it very tight and jam it in there with no gaps. Since the intake already has a screen on it I'd probably just stick some duck tape across it.