Winterizing the busa

[busa_boy_69]

I just wanted some opinions on this whole thing. I live in Ohio so the winters get pretty nasty and between december and march your riding days are few and far between. Now I didn't wanna break my bike down like the manual says because when I do have a day where I can get out I wanna be ready to go. I go out at least once a week and start it up, let it get to full operating temp, and if nothing else run it down the road and back to circulate the oil in the engine and clutch, and make sure and keep the tank topped off. Do any of you guys see a reason this would be bad? Just wondering if I am pulling a no no.

 

[ICEMANN]

In spfld... Everyone has an opinion. Some say drain the tank empty some say fill it up w/fuel stable. ALL SAY.. battery tender or charger but get it out of the cold. Basically Ive never had a problem. Ive done it both ways w/and w/out stable. w/gas in it and without. Start the bike and let it run every now and again. It wont hurt it but it will keep everything moving. Besides it keeps your thurst thru the winter. Worse case is you replace the battery and spark plugs.

Either way in the spring, clean the chain, check the plugs, start it up and let it warm up real good. Run it for a min then change the oil and give her a good bath. Check the fuel/air filter and slam it!

ICE

 

[busa_boy_69]

Oh believe me she gets maintained like nobodys business. Soon as the weather gets back it'll get a plug check,fresh oil, and chain cleaning. DEFINATELY a bath 2 cuz winters are nasty. I just don't wanna be hurting things by leaving it in the cold. I mean it's garaged all year but it's not heated so it still gets a little exposure. But so far everytime I have hit the starter she has purrrred like a kitten. Well to say that about these bikes is kinda an understatement it's more like roared like a lion. haha

 

[willgetbusa]

I just wanted some opinions on this whole thing. I live in Ohio so the winters get pretty nasty and between december and march your riding days are few and far between. Now I didn't wanna break my bike down like the manual says because when I do have a day where I can get out I wanna be ready to go. I go out at least once a week and start it up, let it get to full operating temp, and if nothing else run it down the road and back to circulate the oil in the engine and clutch, and make sure and keep the tank topped off. Do any of you guys see a reason this would be bad? Just wondering if I am pulling a no no.

doing what you do is fine i.e., warm it up, ride it around the block, etc. i do that about once every two weeks for so and all the bikes i've own has been fine.

 

[jusmoov]

What your doing is fine. Just start it up and run it once in a while.

 

[Charlesbusa]

Not in SoCal ha ha ha ha ha

 

[billbell]

I'm pretty much just starting mine up and letting her run for about 20 min once a week here in Iowa. Now there's snow on the ground, I have to wait for some warmer temps to get her around the block a couple times.

 

[busa_boy_69]

Thanks for the input guys. I have really come to the conclusion that I think Suzuki wants bikes winterized that are seriously gonna sit for like 6 months without the key even being turned. I started mine up this week cuz we had a couple days where I actually could go out and ride and she fired up without a bit of trouble and ran ultra smooth so I think I will just keep doing what I am doing.

 

[thesnake]

good info-- ty all.

 

[Turbo-Torch]

I've never winterized any of my vehicles. If the cars or bikes sit for more than a few weeks I push them forward or backwards a few feet so the tires don't get flat spots.
I haven't had a problem with the Busa draining the battery, although the active displays on the CXT's drain the batteries dead in about 2 weeks so they get the charger.

Even here in northern Indiana we typcially get one warm riding day per month so everything is good.

About the worst thing you can do to a bike during winter storage is starting it and letting it idle for no reason. The temperature changes create huge amounts of condensation in the engine and exhaust system which never gets burned off by just sitting there and idling. Not to mention it's just useless COLD start wear and tear on everything mechanical.

 

[busa_boy_69]

You have a point there I never thought about that. BUT....when I start mine up I take it out for a couple minutes and actually ride. I don't let it sit in the garage and just idle. My whole reasoning for it is to start the oil circulation in the engine and clutch.

 

[rob t]

going for a buzz on mine right now and its 28 out!but works out well.ps salt and sand suck!!!!!

 

[Turbo-Torch]

That's just it, you need to ride it (I'd recommend at least 15 to 30 minutes of normal riding). If you're not going to take it out for a spin leave it be. There's nothing in the engine that's going to be hurt from sitting a few months. However there is plenty that can be hurt by the condensates and acids formed by idling and short 2 minute trips.

 

[rob t]

That's just it, you need to ride it (I'd recommend at least 15 to 30 minutes of normal riding).  If you're not going to take it out for a spin leave it be.  There's nothing in the engine that's going to be hurt from sitting a few months.  However there is plenty that can be hurt by the condensates and acids formed by idling and short 2 minute trips.

fine answer to the topic.