BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

R1150R 2002

I smelt the sweet aroma of burning wood and saw smoke belching from many a chimney today in my neighborhood while as I was leaving my house on the bike.

Few more days left to ride. Sigh.

Are there any tips to winterize the bike? I do not like to ride in cold weather.

M Khan

1) Keep the bike out of the elements
2) Place on center stand
3) Change oil and filter
4) Fill tank and add Stabilize
5) Install tricke charger on battery
6) Change antifreeze
7) Change air on tires

Psst....The last two items are there to see if you are paying attention.

"6) Change antifreeze
7) Change air on tires"

I'll have you know I've been changing my antifreeze religiously since 2003 and have yet to have my R's block freeze up each winter, and it always gives heat from the hand warmers and heat thru the knee warmers. I also change the old stale summer air out usually at the end of October and refill with good fresh winter air although I have been reading alot lately about the benefits of adding some of the high altitude air found on the local mountain tops here in Virginia. I might make a ride today up the BRP and get me some of that air.

Wayne

The rarefied air above 9,000 foot is absolutely the best. I need to get up Tioga pass before they close it for the winter, thanks for reminding me of this critical maintenance task that I have failed to do yet this year.
Don

boxermania wrote:1) Keep the bike out of the elements
2) Place on center stand
3) Change oil and filter
4) Fill tank and add Stabilize
5) Install tricke charger on battery
6) Change antifreeze
7) Change air on tires

Psst....The last two items are there to see if you are paying attention.

I agree with the steps above but if you store your bike in an unheated environment you should "fog" or put some oil in the cylinders, along with a good wash and wax

Winterizing update-----

Took a 150 mile ride today and hit the BRP (Blue Ridge Parkway for those of you not in the east)

Hit the highest peak on the loop that we rode ---about 4000' and took the opportunity to stop and vent all that old dirty hot summer air from my tires. Then proceeded to re-fill with nice clean fairly cold BRP air. What a difference new air makes!

Bike ran better, handled better and a slight fuel milage increase. Not to mention the obvious improvement in appearance.
You guys really ought to try the BRP air.

Wayne

boxermania wrote:1) Keep the bike out of the elements
2) Place on center stand
3) Change oil and filter
4) Fill tank and add Stabilize
5) Install tricke charger on battery
6) Change antifreeze
7) Change air on tires

Psst....The last two items are there to see if you are paying attention.

That is about what I do, although I sometimes change the oil in the spring, as to the "air in tires" I think almost any air is ok, as long as it is run through a BMW air filter. Den

Check out my tips in the "longer than winterizing" post -

You're smart to take some time to do those things, makes the bike last lots longer without problems!

I'm still new at this but I'd add a few extra things to do. Sparay some wd40 into the exhaust. Oil various places you don't want to rust. Protect the bike from mice--you can hang some moth balls in a couple of obvious places, including where there is some exposed wiring. I've also heard about deflating the tires about 10psi, but don't really know about that.

I am fortunate. My winterizing consists of putting the handguards on and putting away the perforated riding gear. Add a layer or two. And ride!

Sorry for you guys up north who have no choice!

Van...you are a party pooper,,,,,there is fun to be had in the snow.

boxermania wrote:Van...you are a party pooper,,,,,there is fun to be had in the snow.

Yeah---I have a real nice titanium rod in my leg to remind me of how much fun winter riding is! (not that I won't ride this winter you understand)

Wayne

there is fun to be had in the snow

I agree - on skis or a snowmobile! Not on two wheels!

Do not use a trickle charger as suggested. Use one of the new "smart" chargers such as this

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGu ... ctID=15575

about $30.00.

Trickle charger will over charge and cook your battery dry.