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**xvrider** · 03-09-06, 11:27 AM

Since this is my first year breaking out the bike in the spring...What do I need to do?

As far as spring maintence???

I wanna ride this weekend...

**chr|s sedition** · 03-09-06, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by xvrider
Since this is my first year breaking out the bike in the spring...What do I need to do?

As far as spring maintence???

I wanna ride this weekend...

at very least, change oil and filter.

**xvrider** · 03-09-06, 12:01 PM

Thanks..oh yeah I forgot to tell you that I put fuel stabilizer in before I put her away..

**HBerry** · 03-09-06, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by xvrider
Thanks..oh yeah I forgot to tell you that I put fuel stabilizer in before I put her away..

Turn gas on, let oil cycle through engine for minute or two. Turn bike off. Change oil and filter. Turn bike on, let oil cycle through engine until up to normal operating temp. Check to ensure proper oil level. Ride bike

**Awesome** · 03-09-06, 12:51 PM

Put key in, start, ride. That's how I've always done it. Sometimes requiring jumpercables to the truck...which of course get left on the ground in front of the truck until my day of riding is over.

**mikeb** · 03-09-06, 01:29 PM

Originally posted by chr|s sedition
at very least, change oil and filter.

why if you changed it before you put it in storage like you should. just ride the thing untill its at 3000 or whatever milage you change it at normally. i changed mine in the fall and there's no way i'm dumping new synthetic because it sat in my crankcase unused for 4 months.

give the battery a good charge, check the air pressure in the tires, make sure your chain is lubed and hit it!

**HBerry** · 03-09-06, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by blackvfr
why if you changed it before you put it in storage like you should. just ride the thing untill its at 3000 or whatever milage you change it at normally. i changed mine in the fall and there's no way i'm dumping new synthetic because it sat in my crankcase unused for 4 months.

give the battery a good charge, check the air pressure in the tires, make sure your chain is lubed and hit it!

Because the oil is now old and shitty. Your $8000 bike is worth more than the 20 bucks you spent in oil. Change it.

**Awesome** · 03-09-06, 02:31 PM

Originally posted by HBerry
Because the oil is now old and shitty. Your $8000 bike is worth more than the 20 bucks you spent in oil. Change it.

says you.

**bigred875** · 03-09-06, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by HBerry
Turn gas on, let oil cycle through engine for minute or two. Turn bike off. Change oil and filter. Turn bike on, let oil cycle through engine until up to normal operating temp. Check to ensure proper oil level. Ride bike

if the oil is junk then it is stupid to start it..only to change it...

either change the oil then start it and ride ...or just start it and ride it....

**Awesome** · 03-09-06, 02:53 PM

Originally posted by bigred875
if the oil is junk then it is stupid to start it..only to change it...

either change the oil then start it and ride ...or just start it and ride it....

Owners manual on any bike will tell you to start the bike and warm it a little before changing the oil. just watch out for hot engine parts headers included. those heat up quick. it just need to run for a few seconds to get some heat in the oil and cycle it.

**HBerry** · 03-09-06, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by hessogood
Owners manual on any bike will tell you to start the bike and warm it a little before changing the oil. just watch out for hot engine parts headers included. those heat up quick. it just need to run for a few seconds to get some heat in the oil and cycle it.

+1

**Tabby** · 03-09-06, 03:03 PM

I think the reason they want you to cycle the oil before you change it is to stir up any sediment that has settled over time, and maybe let some moisture cook off. Then when you drain it, the sediment will still be mostly suspended in the oil, and go out the drain with it. Kind of makes sense. But if I change my oil when I put it away for the winter I will do that anyways. The new oil in the engine will still be pretty darn clean come spring time.

**OreoGaborio** · 03-09-06, 03:10 PM

indeed... i'll start it up & let it run for a bit & do fresh oil in spring, but I don't bother putting new oil in for storage.

**FireFly** · 03-09-06, 03:20 PM

Originally posted by bigred875
if the oil is junk then it is stupid to start it..only to change it...

either change the oil then start it and ride ...or just start it and ride it....

Starting it, warming the engine up to normal operating temps will give u a better drain, hence, removing more of the junk oil as apposed to just draining it without startin it up

**oreo_n2** · 03-09-06, 03:21 PM

this probably isn't so true anymore with modern synthetics, but according to the oil bible, as oil ages it turns acidic which is bad for seals.

**bigred875** · 03-09-06, 03:22 PM

interesting....

**OreoGaborio** · 03-09-06, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by bigred875
interesting....

don't pretend

**mikeb** · 03-09-06, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by HBerry
Because the oil is now old and shitty. Your $8000 bike is worth more than the 20 bucks you spent in oil. Change it.

what do you work for an oil company? there's nothing wrong with the brand new oil in my bike. i'll run it from spring till 2500 miles then change it. if it was dino oil maybe i would change it after the first hard ride. good oil lasts a long time just needs to be clean hence a good filter.

**LuvDog** · 03-09-06, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by OreoGaborio
indeed... i'll start it up & let it run for a bit & do fresh oil in spring, but I don't bother putting new oil in for storage.

you'd rather let your bike sit all winter with old oil in it... oil that has moisture and other acidic properties? That's the oil that "can" be damaging to you gasket and seals.

I'm with blackvfr... I change the oil before winter storage and then ride it out in the spring.

I don't start it during the winter... so why would it break down sitting in the bike? It doesn't break down sitting in the bottle on the shelf?

Back on topic though..

Check tire pressure
Check oil level
Check lights, brake lights, turn signals, etc.
Check brakes

**xvrider** · 03-09-06, 06:28 PM

Thanks guys .....I just want to ride again...

AND FYI my bike hasn't even hit 3000 miles yet and I changed the oil right before I put it away...

What about the fuel stabilizer??? Do I need to drain the gas?? Or just run it and refill??

**LuvDog** · 03-09-06, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by xvrider
Thanks guys .....I just want to ride again...

AND FYI my bike hasn't even hit 3000 miles yet and I changed the oil right before I put it away...

What about the fuel stabilizer??? Do I need to drain the gas?? Or just run it and refill??

You don't need to drain it... just run it out.

Some people may suggest that you ride and burn off a half tank and then top off with fresh.

**OreoGaborio** · 03-09-06, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by LuvDog

you'd rather let your bike sit all winter with old oil in it... oil that has moisture and other acidic properties? That's the oil that "can" be damaging to you gasket and seals.

meh.. it wasn't that old... think it's only got one 350 mile group ride & one or two trackdays on it.

Though I suppose next year i'll put new in it before the end of the season as opposed to the begining.

**HBerry** · 03-09-06, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by blackvfr
what do you work for an oil company? there's nothing wrong with the brand new oil in my bike. i'll run it from spring till 2500 miles then change it. if it was dino oil maybe i would change it after the first hard ride. good oil lasts a long time just needs to be clean hence a good filter.

Do YOU work for the oil company?

I change my synthetic out at the end of the season and put cheap oil in for the winter. Then I start it up for 2 minutes and drain the oil out and put new synthetic in.

**HBerry** · 03-09-06, 07:51 PM

1st rule of motorcycle forum: Don't talk about oil

2nd rule of motorcycle forum: Don't talk about oil

**reiobard** · 03-09-06, 09:32 PM

one last thing to do to get ready for riding, If you had a b-day over the winter and didn;t register the bike so you could save some $ then make sure you get it registered....... i have to remember that before i go wake mine up tomorrow

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