EricV
Husqvarna
AA Class
Hi gang. I'm sure some of what I share will get me beat upon, perhaps deservedly so and so be it.
Ultimately I'm asking for some guidance on mothballing the bike for a bit. Here in VA we've had it mild, but I gotta admit I'm a bit of a fair weather rider so once the temps fall/stay below 40 I'll be off the bike until early spring...I usually ride when it's 50 and up.
First off I park outside. I know- gasp you say. I'm not crazy about it, but it doesn't bother me either. The bike stays under an awning and shielded by lattice/vines tucked up next to my house with 3 locks and a cover, good neighborhood.
Now w/ my old KTM and DRZ I'd add a fuel stabilizer for a few months and never had any issues whatsoever (no carb gumming, no nothing.) I'm new to EFI so not really sure if it's a good idea. Seems to me it should be added so that the fuel is kept from going stale and as long as it doesn't hurt the EFI components it seems right. Wondering what your opinions are.
Next- battery. I know, I know....the tender is the answer. Now here's the thing though...w/ the last 2 bikes I never- believe it or not- "tended" them. The DRZ really surprised me as they're known to use up batteries pretty easily. My DRZ had a 4 year old Yuasa battery in it and never had an issue- at the first crank of the season it would start right up (albeit the first turn mildly sluggish, but then off an running again.) Same w/ the KTM. Since my 630 is only 1300 miles old I'm inclined to just park it as I have past bikes and don't see why the battery wouldn't be fine...unless someone brings something to light that says either the battery in these sucks that bad or there's some power draw that's diff on this bike from the others that will ensure it to be toast shortly. I may just go ahead and pull the battery and keep it inside, but not sure if I should then use a tender, or just give it a good charging prior to the start of the next season.
The fuel stabil thing is the main thing I am concerned about, and appreciate anyone's input on both. Thanks!
Eric

First off I park outside. I know- gasp you say. I'm not crazy about it, but it doesn't bother me either. The bike stays under an awning and shielded by lattice/vines tucked up next to my house with 3 locks and a cover, good neighborhood.
Now w/ my old KTM and DRZ I'd add a fuel stabilizer for a few months and never had any issues whatsoever (no carb gumming, no nothing.) I'm new to EFI so not really sure if it's a good idea. Seems to me it should be added so that the fuel is kept from going stale and as long as it doesn't hurt the EFI components it seems right. Wondering what your opinions are.
Next- battery. I know, I know....the tender is the answer. Now here's the thing though...w/ the last 2 bikes I never- believe it or not- "tended" them. The DRZ really surprised me as they're known to use up batteries pretty easily. My DRZ had a 4 year old Yuasa battery in it and never had an issue- at the first crank of the season it would start right up (albeit the first turn mildly sluggish, but then off an running again.) Same w/ the KTM. Since my 630 is only 1300 miles old I'm inclined to just park it as I have past bikes and don't see why the battery wouldn't be fine...unless someone brings something to light that says either the battery in these sucks that bad or there's some power draw that's diff on this bike from the others that will ensure it to be toast shortly. I may just go ahead and pull the battery and keep it inside, but not sure if I should then use a tender, or just give it a good charging prior to the start of the next season.
The fuel stabil thing is the main thing I am concerned about, and appreciate anyone's input on both. Thanks!
Eric