Parked up for winter.

Washed, cleaned and tucked away for winter. Roll on the summer.

 

Looks well mate.. Warmer weather will soon be upon us

 

Is it best to put it on the paddock stand over winter. Unfortunately I don't have a garage, just a space between a shop front and the shutter.

 

If you have a stand it is better, I use one for my Blade, I leave my other bikes on their side stand, but move the wheels round every 3/4 weeks so that the full weight is not on one area of the tyre for long periods, I also have a battery charger/conditioner that I alternate between all my bikes every week.
When I start the engine after long lay up periods, I turn the engine over a few times with the kill switch off , to shift some oil around.

 

Cheers Hawks but how can you start the bike with the kill switch off

 

Assuming you are not pulling my leg, my blade is a 2007, if I press the start button with the kill switch off the engine will turn over but it does not fire up, I do this for about 5 seconds to shift the oil arround, I then turn on the kill switch, press the start again and she fires up immediately, I only do this after a long lay up, it is probably of no benefit, but it makes me feel good, and that I am taking care of the engine. I am not sure but I think newer models don’t even turn over with the kill switch off, I know some Kawasaki’s are like that.

 

I did the same thing with my 2011 blade and every bike I have ever owned after the winter lay up. I will have to wait till spring to see if the same thing works with Ducati's. It can't do any harm pushing the oil round other then possibly flooding the plugs but a few seconds shouldn't do that.

 

Thanks for the reply Hawks. That's what I needed to know. Cheers and Happy Christmas everyone.

 

No probs mate I expect you already know this but, if you keep your bike outside during winter with a cover over it, make sure you check it regularly as they are prone to sweat

 

Thanks Hawks.
Not outside mate just in a space between a shutter and front of shop that I'm allowed to use but floor isn't flat so not sure about using rear paddock stand.

 

Well, for one reason or another I haven't even looked at my blade since mid December. Went to start it yesterday and was expecting a flat battery as even the dealer reckoned it would maybe last a month if not ridden.

Started first time

Coated everything in ACF50 before putting the cover on it in December and it looks great.

Has a tracker but no alarm and is an ABS model (2012) which iirc has a bigger battery than the non ABS. Not sure if the battery size is relevant but I suppose it might help it keep a charge for longer.

 

These bikes were made for riding you don't know what your missing

 

Yeah, but I'm a bit less keen on cold slippy roads since I lost the front end on a diesel spill this time last year. Very expensive and not nice to see your pride and joy sliding up the road in a shower of sparks ahead of you!