Taking the bike out of hibernation

[fineout]

I decided to awaken the bike this afternoon after work. Is there anything specific you guys do when taking the bike out of hibernation after the winter? I put some new gas in her last week and was thinking oil change, chain cleaning tightening and lube, and maybe spark plugs since i think im due per the maintenance guidelines. anything else I should do/check?

[Sheppo]

I make sure the battery is fully charged and check the air pressure in the tires. I have a full tank with Stabil so I'll run the tank out through normal riding. When that's gone and I have fresh gas. I'll change the oil and call it a day. I change my oil in the spring there are different schools on this.

[Manik]

Ride it!

[Chippertheripper]

I like to drop the oil first thing, before starting, in hopes that any sediments will have settled to the bottom.
Battery, tire check, make sure the suspension is still holding its fluid, and game on.

[Billy]

I first thing on my list is to always verify tire pressure and make sure it's at the PSI you want it at. All my other maintenance is done during the winter so when spring comes around, I have nothing to do to get them road ready.

[BSR6]

I check my tire pressures and charge up the battery. After letting it warm up slowly to full temp I go for a short spin. Then I look the bike over carefully and check all the fluids to verify there are no leaks, blown seals, etc.

I always change the oil, clean and lube the chain, run fuel stabilizer through it, and leave the tank full with the treated fuel in the fall so there are no issues needing attention there. I like to be as close to ready as I can in the spring. After waiting all winter I get pretty itchy to ride so the less I have to do the better.

Does anyone fog their cylinders? I've always wondered how necessary that really was. The manual says to, but I never have on any of the toys I owned over the years, and never had any issues.

[Sheppo]

I've only fogged 2 strokes.... never thought to do my street bike.

[BSR6]

The manual for my '04 R6 says to dump a tea spoon of oil through the plug holes and turn the motor a couple of times. I don't remember seeing this for my '08.

[Sheppo]

It's not a bad idea, mine never really get put away. They MAYBE ( this year ) got about a 2.5 month rest.

[AVI8_636]

Ride it!

This!

[fineout]

anyone know if the k&N air filter oil is ok for my bike? it has a sponge like air filter?

[Chippertheripper]

Not a sponge, a paper element.

[fineout]

so what do i use to oil a sponge one?

[Chippertheripper]

Oh my bad...yes, the oil is ok. It's very thin though.
I misread and thought you were asking about the k&n itself.

[R7]

My bike stays in a warm and dry basement, so I honestly don't do anything to it/ I may have put it on a tender for a day once per month, but that's it.

I went out for the first time a couple weeks ago, I pushed the bike up the ramp and out of my basement, put the key it, started it, let it warm up for 5 minutes while I put some gear on and off I went.

[carsick]

anyone know if the k&N air filter oil is ok for my bike? it has a sponge like air filter?

The UNI sponge filters use a very thick tacky oil. Not sure what a universal substitute would be, gear oil? Bar and chain? I would guess the K&N oil is too thin to be effective. The K&N uses cotton gauze between screen as filter media.

[fineout]

balls, oh well, it probably wont hurt it until next time i decide to take it apart right?

sorry for asking such noob questions, this is the first time ive really delved into the nether regions of my bike, thanks everyone!

[stoinkythepig]

balls, oh well, it probably wont hurt it until next time i decide to take it apart right?

sorry for asking such noob questions, this is the first time ive really delved into the nether regions of my bike, thanks everyone!

As long as it's not dry, it should be fine. The tacky, thicker oils tend to last longer but both will grab fine particulates out of the air that passes by them on its convoluted path through the filter media.

[nhbubba]

I went out for the first time a couple weeks ago, I pushed the bike up the ramp and out of my basement..

You wrestle a street bike up a walk-out yourself? You da man.

[R7]

You wrestle a street bike up a walk-out yourself? You da man.

It was only 5 steps before I built the ramp...easy with a short running start

[nhbubba]

How wide is your walk out? Mine sure feels like it is barely wider than the bars. But then maybe that's what I get for riding a fatass v-strom.