Put to bed for winter... [Archive]

bobolinx

11-20-2011, 07:06 PM

So fun to read about all the successes and trials of fellow newb's. I took my bike out for a beautiful ride, then gassed it up, put in fuel stabilizer, and put it in the shed for winter. The battery is still there, just in case we have a warm week-end in the near future, but...probably have to wait until spring. It is hard to stop, since I feel that I am just getting the rhythm of the bike and enjoying it more and more. What about the rest of you? Are you riding through the winter or putting your bikes into hibernation? Are you feeling good about your first riding season? I am still at the advanced beginner level, but ended with a positive ride and feel good about that. Will have to be content with reading about those in warmer climates enjoying their bikes for a few months. Happy Thanksgiving to All.

zukilady

11-20-2011, 07:47 PM

Hi Bobolinx! I too am at the end of my first riding season and yes, the zuki is full of gas & stabilizer, got hooked up to a trickle charger, and is covered up in the garage...so sad!

I too feel as though I'm having to stop just when it's getting good...when it's not so much work. It seems like not that long ago I was wondering when exactly this point would come. It's actually been about two months now for me, that I have really felt like I turned the corner and the cloud started to lift (if you know what I mean)!

But, just think how next season will be for us. Now that we have climbed that mountain of learning, all we will need is one or two rides in the spring to pick up where we left off, and then we will have all those months to just enjoy. Can't wait! :D:

Dualsport Chic

11-20-2011, 07:55 PM

Gave my XT a good two hour spa treatment yesterday (sorely needed bath), got the stabilizer in, drained the carb, rolled him into the upstairs of the barn and put on his trickle charge, covered him with his blanky (flannel sheet), tucking him in with a kiss for the winter. Sweet Dreams XT Momo - see you in the Spring. . . .:sleep:

But Pearl (my Tiger 800) still wishes to ride so hoping we can take a couple more jaunts before the inclement weather settles in.

Rottiedog

11-20-2011, 08:38 PM

How sad, you all (insert crying smiley). The seven-day forecast where I live shows highs in the 60's and lows in the 40's. Our lowest low of the whole years is usually thirty. Of course, I think that's cold but probably not really.

Cyclone67

11-20-2011, 08:44 PM

Our low today was 79!! I'm under a blanket right now, believe it or not!!

Rottiedog

11-20-2011, 08:47 PM

11-20-2011, 08:54 PM

and to think I thought the 32 wasn't too bad to start.:lol:

ImaSoftT

11-20-2011, 09:39 PM

Bad joke of the day: If you crash on your bike in Hawaii does that mean you lei it down?:slaphead:

:rofl:

Cyclone67

11-20-2011, 10:27 PM

OMG cyclone! And I thought it was warm where I lived. Do you ever put your bike away for the winter? It doesn't snow or anything here. How about there? Does it snow in Hawaii?

Bad joke of the day: If you crash on your bike in Hawaii does that mean you lei it down?

:slaphead:

I ride year round, just wipe the salt off every few months. on Oahu, a really cold day would be mid 60s and a low of 58-60. That would be freezing and people would be wearing winter coats. Most days in the winter here the highs and lows are in the 70s.

It does snow on the Big Island and gets really chilly on parts of the Island. the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea are at about 14,000 ft and get snow. I think there are slopes somewhere over there. Volcanoes National Park is chilly!!! Gets down into the 40s. :brr:

sweptwingnut

11-20-2011, 11:12 PM

Bobolinx,

I think ending on a good note for the season is the best! :thumbsup:

No one likes to feel the riding season is over. For some climates it is not. For others it is. Ours are in the garage on the trickle chargers as the ski resorts open. From one joy to the next. They will be ready and willing.

ridingAK

11-20-2011, 11:17 PM

Yup, you can go skiing on Mauna Kea (http://www.hawaiiinfoguide.com/hawaii_skiing.htm) in the morning and play on the beach in the afternoon.

indianscout

11-21-2011, 12:32 AM

All my bikes are put away for the winter. The ones with batteries have trickle chargers on them and the ones with magnetos are left with the points left open. Tires are aired up and everything has been greased. The only bike that has not been tucked away for now is the project bike I am building. Parts have been delayed for some time now but have been informed they are to arrive next week. Since my shop is not insulated or heated I will have to haul it to a friends shop to work on it. Unfortunately his shop is full right now with fall projects that we need to finish up on, then I can get back to business of bike building again.

Gave my XT a good two hour spa treatment yesterday (sorely needed bath), got the stabilizer in, drained the carb, rolled him into the upstairs of the barn and put on his trickle charge, covered him with his blanky (flannel sheet), tucking him in with a kiss for the winter. Sweet Dreams XT Momo - see you in the Spring. . . .:sleep:

DC, I have always been told not to drain the carb but to make sure treated fuel remains in the bowl so any rubber components don't dry out and crack causing big problems the next riding season. Have you ever had any problems draining your carbs?

Dualsport Chic

11-21-2011, 05:59 AM

DC, I have always been told not to drain the carb but to make sure treated fuel remains in the bowl so any rubber components don't dry out and crack causing big problems the next riding season. Have you ever had any problems draining your carbs?

IS - This will be my third year draining the carb as despite the fuel treatment, it got gummed up the first year I stored it over the winter - even with the stabilizer in the fuel. Never thought about the rubber components drying out - which is a good point.

Luna Tique

11-21-2011, 08:03 AM

ImaSoftT

11-21-2011, 08:24 AM

Don't you just love a naughty bike that refuses to go home :yahoo: Glad to hear you're getting in some saddle time, any pictures you might want to share with us, huh?

ridingAK

11-21-2011, 09:50 AM

Our roads are too icy for riding at the moment, but I'm still hopeful! :):

kari-star

11-21-2011, 10:33 AM

Not crying Uncle quite yet.( if at all ) :D: Got out for a nice scoot yesturday. Temps reached 60 +.

They say we should climb back up to the high 50's again next Sunday. :wootrock::yahoo::ecstasy:Our weather pattern for the last three weeks has been in the 30's and low 40's week days then warmed up enough that each Sunday we are able to get out.........so :redface1: we go to gas up to get ready to add fuel stablizer but then we use all the gas.:D: I have found it is IMPOSSIBLE to go straight to the gas station and then turn around and head home.:shrug:

I'm not giving up yet either!

It's a gorgeous day today but I have a late meeting so can't ride to work. :shrug:and tomorrow it's supposed to possibly snow in the morning, and rain in the evening, but I will probably give it a sporting chance to get out another time. next weekend looks great, with a high near 60 at our house! fingers crossed!

kamilshka

11-21-2011, 10:50 AM

Wow, such a variety of temperatures! It's maybe 65 at the moment, but December will get down as low as 30. I was riding my bike last year at 31 (a skiff of snow fell as i got to my destination too!). I will ride all Winter. We did get thick snow last year and will again this year, which hasn't happened for over 15 years in this part of the world, but i'll leave the bike under the cover for the week or so that it snows and then start riding again as soon as the roads aren't slippery/snowy.

I'd hate to have to put the bike away for Winter, my sympathies to all your folks with weather that makes biking completely out of the question!

VStar

11-21-2011, 05:45 PM

All buttoned up for me too in N.E. Ohio, took care of it yesterday, no cold weather riding for me. Hubby keeps his ready to go all the time, with clean roads and 50's, he'll venture out in the winter.
I'll spend the winter planning possible adventures for next year, I'll travel thousands of miles in my imagination.

phoenix63

11-21-2011, 06:55 PM

Don't you just love a naughty bike that refuses to go home :yahoo: Glad to hear you're getting in some saddle time, any pictures you might want to share with us, huh?

yes, ma'am... I certainly do love a naughty bike that wants to keep going. I won't get another long ride in before I move (home for Thanksgiving to do some pre-hire stuff for the new place and look for a condo... then the first weekend of December is moving time).

But, I may get another commute or two in before I leave. At any rate, I'll be putting the fuel stabilizer in next week, putting my brand new battery tender to work, and covering Bebe up until moving day. Once I get to Chicago, I think my first riding season will officially be in the books.

And I"m already chomping at the bit for Spring. BUT, we have the TWF gathering in January... and the International Motorcycle Show in Chicago (February)... so I'll keep busy.

And, I'm going to have a friend help me move Bebe's turn signals from their insanely silly place directly under the pillion seat, to the rear of the bike. That way, I can put some hard cases on her, so that when Spring DOES get here, we're ready to take some longer trips.

opaque_machete

11-21-2011, 08:22 PM

I haven't cried time out either. Today was miserable, rainy, 50s, and cold winds. Especially at 55 mph. :D: I put over 150 miles on the bike and got only one picture...

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-prHPMfszrK8/Tsr4vsxDy3I/AAAAAAAAAhc/muvbix4GpEA/s576/tag.JPG It's a bit washed out, but I only had my old smartphone with me at the time. It was supposed to be a new tag for ADV, but I never made it to the old tag to pick it up. My new Vega Touring Waterproof boots, weren't. :gaah:

Dualsport Chic

11-21-2011, 09:35 PM

Flight49

11-21-2011, 10:40 PM

Might have one day this week that will be 50 and I will be riding. Rode last week when it was 48 and was freezing after an hour and had to head home. Unfortunately, this will probably be the end of my first season on my Black Rose since the sand/deicer combination will make the roads hazardous on two wheels.

As some of you said, I finally feel a level of comfort that is nice and know that come Spring, I will have to go through that "break in" period again. I took MSF 15 months ago but have only had about 11 months of riding so I consider this the end of my first year. Next week we will fill the tanks, put in the Stabil, hook up the trickle chargers and then start dreaming about those beautiful Spring rides.

opaque_machete

11-21-2011, 10:48 PM

Good for you in getting out there in the elements O_M!

Sorry to hear about your malfunctioning boots however.

My XT (that's been put to bed for the winter already) will just have to live vicariously through yours . . . :lol:

I'll be sure to rig me up a dry bag to carry my camera with me everywhere and to take lots of pics for your little XT, DSC. :lol:

ImaSoftT

11-21-2011, 11:29 PM

and then start dreaming about those beautiful Spring rides.

Hey Flight, have you given any thought to joining us for the W/SW ride in Colorado next year? We (but especially me) would love to meet you and your Black Rose. Just something for you to think about this winter.

Dualsport Chic

11-22-2011, 07:25 AM

I'll be sure to rig me up a dry bag to carry my camera with me everywhere and to take lots of pics for your little XT, DSC. :lol:

XT Momo sending out a big :hug2: to your XT in thanks!

We can't wait to see all your pics! :riding:

KansasKawboy

11-22-2011, 12:43 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkIM4_O5ilA

Astir

11-22-2011, 12:58 PM

:rofl: I love this one!!

sweptwingnut

11-22-2011, 01:24 PM

:lol:

opaque_machete

11-22-2011, 01:48 PM

That is hysterical! Especially "next March". Now I don't feel so bad. :lol:

indianscout

11-22-2011, 04:47 PM

:lol:

Dualsport Chic

11-22-2011, 06:15 PM

:lol: Scary - because I've already taken command of the recliner just like the Hibernator!!!!

opaque_machete

11-22-2011, 06:23 PM

DC: :lol:

bobolinx

11-22-2011, 08:16 PM

Love the video! Richard Attenborough is one of my favorite narrators! What a clever spoof! I'm going to look for the earlier videos- now that I'm like the hibernating rider.

indianscout

11-22-2011, 09:07 PM

:lol: Scary - because I've already taken command of the recliner just like the Hibernator!!!!

Ya, same here..........:shrug:

.

Flight49

11-22-2011, 11:14 PM

Hey Flight, have you given any thought to joining us for the W/SW ride in Colorado next year? We (but especially me) would love to meet you and your Black Rose. Just something for you to think about this winter.

Don't know much about it. It would be great to meet some of the wonderful ladies on the forum though. Where would I look for more info about the ride?

phoenix63

11-23-2011, 01:00 AM

That video was funny, KK... thanks! I had to 'borrow' it for my Facebook wall. :lol:

VStar

11-23-2011, 06:15 AM

Threatening 67 degrees for Saturday, might have to drag those 2 wheels out of bed.

Luna Tique

11-23-2011, 06:25 AM

Thanks KK I have seen that one before and it still makes me laugh.

Don't know much about it. It would be great to meet some of the wonderful ladies on the forum though. Where would I look for more info about the ride?

Check your PM's :thumbup:

ImaSoftT

11-23-2011, 09:57 AM

Don't know much about it. It would be great to meet some of the wonderful ladies on the forum though. Where would I look for more info about the ride?

Where have you been girl, I thought everyone knew about the big ride plans for next year. I think this will take you to the thread

http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6237

The current route is at entry #106 on page 11. We will have a great weekend with lots of socializing and sight seeing time. We have several that have already indicated they will be there with several others still trying to work their schedules out. Hope you can make it too.