[MaxDadAK]

Hey guys,

I’m getting a brand new 09 V-Star 250 (Virago) ! ! Problem is since I live all the way up in Alaska it’s getting shipped up here in November. Right now as I’m writing this we already have an inch of snow on the ground so I obviously won’t be riding till at least late April. My question is about storage of my new bike. She’ll be stored in a heated garage and out of harms way with a cover on till April, and won’t have any dirt to really clean off of her. Is there anything else I should do since she won’t be exposed to the elements and is still brand new?

[Anonymous]

if you have a garage thats heated id do 1 of 2 things id either(my choice) run it every now and then once every couple weeks to keep everything lubricated and the battery charged..put one of those trickle chargers/battery tenders on it so the bettery is not dead in the spring. fill the gas tank to prevent rust. My neighbor even gets his out every now and then in the iwinter and rides it around the block when its reasonable out(no snow on road and in the mid to upper 30’s or warmer) after letting it warm up in his heated garage. check your tire pressures as they will probably go down over extended storage before riding.

[Munch]

Seafoam or similar inhibitors for the fuel tank. Even as much as they would like to claim most gas has trace water in it. You probly want to put something like seafoam in it to dry out that water and also gives the inside a small thin coat of lube to keep things from rust. Cold or warm I would still treat the storage the same. The temperature is only different for you , the bike really doesn’t care. Until you start it :^) .

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Matt]

Put some stablizer in the gas, and take a short ride (if possible) to distribute it evenly and have some sink into the carbs. You definitely want some stabilizer in the carbs.

Disconnect the battery and put it on a tender (or at least disconnect it and top up the charge on a regular charger one or twice over the course of the winter, making sure it is fully juiced when you start the season).

Put aluminum foil over the exhuast pipe ends so no rodents make a home in your mufflers (if there is a chance of it).

A couple of times over the winter put it in top gear and roll it back and forth in the garage to keep the pistons from staying in the exact same spot all winter.

Remember to change the oil in the spring (small amounts of water will condense in the engine over the winter, and you don’t want water in your engine oil).

That should basically cover it I think. There are probably a few other little things I’m forgetting…

—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”

[LongRanger]

IF you are going to store the bike for a while you should follow the owners manual instructions. This is for the 08 model but it will probably be the same as your 09
http://www.starmotorcycles.com/assets/service/manuals/2008/LIT-11626-21-25_VStar250_1477.pdf
My 2000 virago is supposed to have the tank removed and coated on the inside with oil and also remove the chain and store it in a plastic bag with oil in it. At least your manual doesnt go that far.

[Author]

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