Author Topic: Snowbirds - educate me (Read 2835 times)

Steve in Sunny Fla · « **on:** March 10, 2017, 01:42:23 am »

I'm in Fl, I don't do winter storage

But for those of you who DO store your bike for the winter, can you tell if the performance is off when you burn out the old fuel? and if it was stabilized, can you also tell if the performance is off?

Another way to ask this would be - does your bike run better when you put in the first new tank of fuel for the season?

Thanks, Steve

jwh20 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2017, 02:27:54 am »

Quote

I'm in Fl, I don't do winter storage

Rub it in smart guy! Seriously though, I'm in central Indiana (Indianapolis area) and I don't do winter storage here either. Today it was 60F and great for riding. I generally ride 12 months out of the year but there are some stretches where I might have to go 2-3 weeks without riding.

I try to keep E0 in my bike all the time during the winter months.

I have noticed my mower, which does go unused for several months, runs crappy until I burn off the stabilized fuel and refill with unstabilized fuel. I assume that's due to the gasoline being either diluted or somehow inhibited by the stabilizer.

It wouldn't surprise me if someone has published some research on this topic. You might try your Google-fu and see what you come up with.

RodWpg · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2017, 02:34:21 am »

stabilizer used, usually try to make the last tank premium, I don't feel any difference

Jeff Kerkow · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2017, 02:42:29 am »

Yes I use stabilizer. In my opinion the first tank does not run as good as the next tank. Exhaust kind of stinks. Idles a little rough. I may be putting to much or not enough in. I almost always burn Non-Oxy premium.

PeteTN_zgtr · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2017, 03:16:41 am »

I try to use pure gas toward the end of the riding season with Stabil. Same with my mowers. I don't notice any performance degradation. I don't think the Stabil causes any issues.

Throttle 8 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2017, 03:18:54 am »

My bike is stored from mid November to early May every year. My ritual is Shell hi test gas (no ethanol). Put in fuel stabilizer, shake bike side to side to mix it in; then start and fire up and let run for 10 minutes to get right thru the entire system. Then battery tender and cover when cool. There may be a little degradation by spring, but it is not noticeable to my butt as I am usually just so happy to be riding again!

TimR · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2017, 06:06:10 am »

I winterize and yes I use stabilizer. I try really hard to put in as much pure gas in as I can. (alcohol free) It's about a 35 mile run one way for pure premium on a mountain road. Up hill going and down hill coming back. If the low fuel light is flashing when I get there all the better. Then in goes the Stabil when I get home. I've found the bike runs pretty good on that winter tank in the spring. Not earth shattering but no hiccups either. If the place had pure midgrade I probably would put that in in stead of the premium.

Sailor Rich · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2017, 10:55:33 am »

Hi test fuel and stabal. I never notice a difference in the first tank as my riding skills are stale in the spring and I don't push things.

I second the Shell high test when I can get it. A noticeable fuel mileage improvement.

turbojoe78_MA · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2017, 12:50:50 pm »

Quote from: RodWpg on March 10, 2017, 02:34:21 am

stabilizer used, usually try to make the last tank premium, I don't feel any difference

Same here.

Classvino · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2017, 01:04:24 pm »

Quote from: Throttle 8 on March 10, 2017, 03:18:54 am

...There may be a little degradation by spring, but it is not noticeable to my butt as I am usually just so happy to be riding again!

Exactly what I was just thinking... I use Stabil + Premium. Actually, that first tankful might be better off generating a little less power for me, as it takes a few rides for me to get back up to "riding form" anyway, after a (minimum) 3 month hiatus...

But to answer the original question : No noticeable difference, for me.

Jamie

Jeff · « **Reply #10 on:** March 10, 2017, 01:08:41 pm »

I am the same with most here, non ethanol and stabile. never had problems. I also start my bike every time we have a bit of a warm spell, close to 32. I think it is important to move fuel through the system, especially carburetors. Gas tends to hold up better during the colder months. Where I have more problems is summarizing my winter stuff. I believe gas breaks down at a much faster rate in warm temperatures. It is usually quiet noticeable when I refuel snowmobiles and snow blowers with fresh gas.

mr t · « **Reply #11 on:** March 10, 2017, 02:11:17 pm »

Steve- I double dose with blue Sta-bil a full tank of non ethanol 91 octane, ride a few miles and then drain the carbs. In May, I prime the carbs, it starts and runs well immediately. There is a slight odor from the exhaust which I think is from the Sta-bil. Same program with the C10 I leave in FL for 8 months.

Tom Taylor COG#7173

BigK · « **Reply #12 on:** March 10, 2017, 02:26:46 pm »

I don't normally winterize either, live in Indiana. do put some stabilizer in tank during winter only because I do have some extended non-riding time due to weather. I also know that they have what they call a winter blend that comes from the refineries during the winter months. Haven't really notice much of a power difference but have noticed a fuel mileage difference (lower MPG) especially if it sets for one of those extended rests. I think the winter fuel is made to vaporize easier put I am not a fuel expert or chemist. Just giving my untested observations.

RWulf · « **Reply #13 on:** March 10, 2017, 02:57:03 pm »

Steve I have switch to Star-Tron from Sta-Bil. I find less to no white of that white
stuff in the float bowls. I am here in Traverse City Mi where we get some cold
weather, right now it's 16. Back to topic, I top off with REGULAR from the Holiday
station and use the recommend amount of Star-Tron. I also plug the tank vent and
both sides of the gas line. This is usally in Noverber. Yes first tank I can tell it's
stail gas.

RWulf · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2017, 03:02:18 pm »

Steve sorry for the mis-spelling of previous post. I also wanted to
thankyou for your post on changing ABS brake fluid. I have a BMW
in the shop waiting for the owner to come up with the $1200 for
a new/used ABS pump. Never changed the fluid.

jonathan · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2017, 03:17:41 pm »

My bike sits for 6 months. I always use premium gas and have never used stabil. I don't notice any difference on the first ride.

walter · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2017, 05:41:33 pm »

The most mine will sit is two months as there is usually a break in the weather when I will take it out. With that in mind I run premium with no stabil and don't notice a difference. I would think to really notice something you would have to at least double or triple that time frame unless its stored in a high humidity area.

BiggusDekkus · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2017, 07:36:30 pm »

I ride the motorcycle enough during the winter that fuel stabilization is not necessary. However, I have two JetSkis, one fuel injected 4-stroke and one carbureted 2-stroke. These sit for about 6 months with ethanol fuel and the Sta-Bil Marine stabilizer. I notice no difference on the old fuel with stabilizer for my fuel injected 4-stroke JetSki. I notice a slight difference (drop) in performance for the 2-stroke with the old fuel.

Bob · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2017, 11:31:19 pm »

C-14 gets put to bed Nov 1 and back on the road March 15. Use E0 and stabil for winter storage. First spring ride the exhaust stinks funny but haven't noticed a drop in performance.
BUT, in the fall the temperature and humidity are higher and first spring ride temperature and humidity are usually lower. Sooo, was there really a performance or environmental difference? Don't know.

Bob Skinner

cuda · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2017, 12:28:37 am »

Polish potato Vodka

Keeps the tubes clean

rrsperry · « **Reply #20 on:** March 11, 2017, 12:36:09 am »

No difference at all.

RWulf · « **Reply #21 on:** March 11, 2017, 02:56:19 pm »

Is the Polish potato Vodka for you or the bike??

cuda · « **Reply #22 on:** March 12, 2017, 11:53:40 am »

The bike of course ,

been 30 years since I've had a bloody Mary

screwdriver, or a Russian.

I'm a wine-O ... red wine fruit of the vine ...

Brant Bandit · « **Reply #23 on:** March 12, 2017, 01:01:15 pm »

My bike could normally sit from December 1 to April 1 (that would be the longest). I don't do much "winterization" because I will take it out weather permitting.

I simply add some stabil, connect my tender, get both wheels off the ground (center stand and a block of wood under the header).

There is no difference in idling or performance for me.

Jorge · « **Reply #24 on:** March 12, 2017, 04:43:07 pm »

Steve,
I have no idea how crudded up my carbs may have been when you did them last year, but I did not send them to you because they needed work, I just wanted the performance improvement (and got it).
I did have some problems after I'd had the bike about a year, but I'm going to blame that on the PO; he'd ridden the bike 10,000 miles in 5 years.
My routing was that in early November, I would carry a small bottle of Sta-Bil, and I would put some in every tankful. Since I never knew when my last ride was coming, I wanted it to he all the way through the fuel system. If bad weather caught me with a less-than-full tank, I would add more Sta-Bil at home, and use the mower/tractor fuel carrier to fill it up.
I never noticed a difference, either when I started using Sta-Bil, or when I stopped.

Jorge