Don't forget that modern fuel now in 2020 has a higher Ethanol content which can cause corrosion in metal tanks over time,so I always put some 'Fuel Stabiliser' in my 2009 Street Triple R tank over the Winter,also I over- inflate the tyres by 10-15psi each and at least store the bike on carpet,if not off the ground,plus,of course,a trickle charger for the Battery is a must,then after Winter I change the Oil & Filter,lube & adjust the Chain,check Brakes, Suspension,etc.before my first ride- my Battery still has an excellent charge when checked with a meter,and it's now 9years old!( 2nd Battery fitted after the Triumph Rectifier Warranty mod.As you say,a really fantastic bike all round- still not bettered,AND yes,I have ridden the latest 765RS!
Great video as usual. One of my best investments was to buy an optimate charger about 5 years ago. I leave it permanently connected and then switch the power once a week for about an hour. No more problems. More harm comes to the battery if you allow it to go dead flat. What is sometimes called deep discharge. If you are not fortunate to have power to your garage / shed I recommend you remove the battery and charge it about every two months. A slow trickle charge is much better for your battery than a fast charge.
My Honda 2002 CBR600F was left in a garage total untouched for 13 YEARS! From 2003 to 2016. Only damage was corroded fuel tank and new battery. Now running as smooth as new :)
I just make sure to start mine once a week, move it around a bit or keep it on stands to prevent flat spots on tires and a trickle charge. Not much else needed. Modern, fuel injected bikes are pretty stable over the winter. Thanks for this.
Very clean bike. Perhaps do a video on your cleaning methods? Wouldn't suit everybody I accept, but you keep them in good order and it would be nice to see just how you do that. Products / Methods etc.
I never actually take bikes "off the road" by sorning them but in Winter when rides could be few and far between (dirt bike excepted), I just brim the tank, get the weight off the tyres with a stand(s) and keep the battery topped up. I'm in the same fortunate position as yourself in having a dry warm garage to keep them in so no damp/corrosion problems. Your point about plastic tanks is a good one. My FE570 has one and you can smell the fuel by pressing your nose against the tank, due to vapour migration. Not really a problem for me though as it gets used all year round.
Sadly, my bikes are sitting for many weeks between rides. Using 90/0 (no ethanol) in both bikes with excellent results and I always top off the batteries, check tires, etc. before my rides. Bought some new riding gear that I hope to check out ASAP. Have been attempting to self treat flu like symptoms (contracted after visiting with my daughter!) for the last 10 days or so - seeing the doc monday! Keep up the good works.
Another nice video, and another coincidence. Yesterday I took my battery off and charged it with the Oxford charger - thankfully it needed very little current, and was fully charged after about 10 minutes. But more critically I had (about 6 weeks ago) put some Briggs and Stratton Fuel Fit in the tank, and I can happily report the bike started easily first time (just before removing battery) in an ambient temperature of only about +3C. The petrol will last quite a while you are right there - in fact I did my research on this too (YES, I AM AN ANORAK........). Fuel tends to lose some of its octane value but it is still quite viable. When I was younger, and a lot dafter, I would regularly leave my bike approximately 4 months (Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb) before starting up again. Surprisingly, it fired up first attempt in mid-March. Mind you, this is NOT RECOMMENDED, probably had an element of good luck anyway, and I would not do it again. Still, we are all older and wiser nowadays aren't we ? KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !
good point about petrol not going off! I didnt realise it would last so long these days! wont please the missus though, during winter I have been syphoning the tank on my adventure and putting it in her car!
Fuel with ethanol (in the US) absorbs water and turns to shellac. My Speedy sat unused in the garage for 2 years (I won't discuss why) and subsequently required major service, including fuel pump replacement and other things, altogether costing over a thousand "quid", as you call them. Although I connected a battery tender, I neglected to drain the tank or add fuel stabilizer when the bike went into hibernation. When I took it back home from the Triumph hospital last week, I found that the charging system was not working, despite the fact that they verified it. The bike is now back at the shop, they said the stator is ok, but the rectifier / voltage regulator module is toast. I wonder if I might have been overzealous with jump-starting attempts before taking it to the shop, thereby burning the rectifier/regulator. Moral of story -- run your bikes often, treat or drain the fuel if they sit unused, and follow storage protocols recommended by the manufacturer (check your owner's manual) as well as by reputable RUclipsrs and bloggers -- don't be lazy, or you'll have to pay dearly later! The whole business of adding ethanol to fuel is fraudulent and purely political. It takes more gasoline to produce the ethanol than had you used the gasoline directly.
Glad to see she started after all. My Streety is parked in an underground garage for almost four months now (seasonal licence plate). I usually fill up the tank so no rust can build on the inside and disconnect the batterie and put it on a charger. Every now an then I start her up and ride in the garage so the moving parts are actually moved ;) Another issue I read about could be the tires as they are standing in one spot for a considerable time. But have never actually noticed any problems so maybe these are problems of the past with new tire compounds or so.
+lookert Yes, if you know you are leaving the bike for a while then I agree with your approach (and would move the wheels from time to time to stop any flat spots occurring) - the issue I had here is that I wasn't intending on not riding the bike, I try and ride all my bikes at least every week or so if I possibly can....cheers for stopping by and thanks for the comment - TMF
The old petrol goes stale myth again 😜. I put a charged battery on my mum's deauville last week that hasn't ran since 2009 and it sparked straight into life. Safe to say it's petrol didn't go stale.
I have a 1979 puch magnum x scrambler that is now being used by son. It's had literally nothing done to it in 30 years i kid u not! Petrol has been left in it for years without use and it would still kick into life with no probs. I took the carb out a few years ago and it was spotless!!!. It has a metal tank mind you.... My CBR600 stays on trickle charge all the time and can be layed up for months ive had no probs with it either. ....just recently subbed ur channel ....im liking that triumph!! 👍
Yes funnily enough I used to have a share in a puch moped that had been laying around for about 20 years - cleaned the spark plug, put in some fuel and off she went! Welcome to the channel and thanks for the sub!
Because I've worked abroad mainly for the last 20 years or more and won't ride in the winter due to the salt my bikes have been garaged for 6 months or more at a time. I keep mine connected permanently to an optimate and always ensure the tank is full and I've never had a problem, first press of the starter everytime.
In the mid nineties, a despatch rider friend had an engine fail on him. He needed to keep earning but only had an old Yam XS1100 at his disposal that hadn't been started for 15 years. He gave the plugs a coat of looking at and swapped the battery over from his daily bike to the Yam, and with the same engine oil and petrol still in the bike got it to fire up first time. He ran it until warm, while checking the levers and spraying a bit of lube on the cables, then ran it to the local garage, filled it up and used it for work until he fixed the other bike. All I'd read about acids in engine oils and petrol destroying internals like blood in the Alien movies if you didn't add fuel stabilizers and pay someone to service the fluids in your bike every five minutes, to maintain your warranty, quickly got added to my 'urban myth' list! If you've got an old bike that has been stood years, I would recommend draining the petrol, doing oil and filter changes and applying a wire brush and feeler gauges to the plugs if easily accessible, prior to trying to start it. But ultimately it's probably not needed. And IMPO winterizing a bike (i.e. draining fluids and turning tires, not sensible tasks like cleaning and oiling cables) just because you won't use it for the next four months say, is a complete and utter waste of time IMPO! Just keep it on a battery trickle charger - the type that won't over-charge, like an Optimate, and come the spring, you should be good to go again,
Clutch plates can stick, making it impossible to start in 1st or set off. Sometimes you can rock the bike in 1st gear with the clutch squeezed to brake them loose. Use a quality oil and this doesn't occur as much.
Stevie DieselBlood compared to past covers the Oxford is by far the best one I ever had. The only problem I had was after three years some of the material around the stitching started to become undone and the vinyl window that the solar charger slides into developed a small crack. In regards to moisture or chain maintenance my Ducati 848 was perfectly dry and the chain was normal. I currently have a Harley-Davidson V Rod with much more metal work for the past eight months and it has been absolutely waterproof.
Great comment worthy of more likes. These days lithium batteries are common in jump starters and so not only are they relatively cheap but also quite small, they can be not much larger than a mobile phone and capable of starting a car
+Andrew Nichols Glad to be of service Andrew, I feel your pain!! Have you seen the new Tiger Sport Triumph have just announced? Looks like a nice machine......
Due to ill health and work commitments my poor BMW K1200rs sat in my garage all covered up for 10 years!! (Since 2011!) Pull it out pumped the tyres up, checked everything, put new battery on and it started first push it the button and ticked over nicely. Didn't even change the fuel! It also passed the mot with no referrals. Out on it most days now.
nice honest review. Makes a change to see someone show our machines when they don't start etc. I loved riding my STR but typical triumph build quality niggles put me off eventually and she had to go. I use an optimate and rotate it round all my bikes if they have a few weeks rest. Sage advice.
+alwyn mcmath Hi Alwyn, thanks for the kind comments - I've had a couple of "Modern" Triumphs and in the main have been very pleased with the general build quality, the new machines (Thruxton and T120 in particular) have really upped the ante again in the quality stakes....
+max bull Thanks Max, appreciate the kind feedback - I am a bit OCD when it comes to looking after my bikes, pride of ownership and all that. Cheers for stopping by - all the best - TMF
If I left a bike standing for longer than three months I always did an oil change first before starting her up. On a bike with a carburettor I would remove the plugs to remove the compression and turn the bike over for a while on the starter to get the oil flowing around and stop moving parts binding because the oil had drained away from them. If the bike had stood for a very long time (More than six months) I would inject a few squirts of engine oil into each cylinder before putting the plugs back in. Just to provide some good slippage in the bores. A quick clean up of the plugs and nine times out of ten she would fire right up in a cloud of burning oil smoke. Once the oil was burnt away I would take her out on the road.
I bought a new C50 boulevard in 2007 and rode it for a year then I forgot to pay the rego so I just left it. Put a new battery in January 2017 and it started first go but gradually started running poorly. I eventually took the tank off and there was about a kilo of some hideous red mud in the tank which I think is old fuel sludge mixed with tank rust. I cleaned it but it’s still not right. I suspect the injectors might be a bit clogged. The motto is don’t leave your bike parked for 9 years with half a tank of fuel and ride it without cleaning the tank out first.
Agree with the US poster about ethanol: add a fuel stabilizer or drain your tank. Otherwise, you'll be dealing with a service especially if you're running a carb engine.
If you have a carburated bike that you're storing for the winter, I've noticed that adding a bit of "small engine gasoline" that's meant for chainsaws and lawnmowers works great. It has less ethanol so it doesn't clog the tiny carb vents. Just adding a few liters will do.
Add a fuel stabiliser if you're leaving ethanol-mix fuels in tanks for any long period - or if your tank is nylon like my Triumph drain it completely as it causes it to expand over time.
Fuel stabiliser dose not work with ethanol fuel. This is a proven fact. I know many fuel stabilisers make claims that they do help. These claims are completely false.
I used to own an Aprilia Tuono 1000R with a nylon tank.It was a bit of a pain refitting it due to expansion.But I read that the real problems came if you ever had to remove the fuel pump from inside the tank.It was very difficult to line up the holes in the base plate and get a good seal.And a new tank for that bike cost nearly £3000!I am not kidding.Now I own a 2006 Speed Triple with a nylon tank which has also expanded.To refit it I have had to leave out the two metal tubes the fixing bolts go through at the front and back.Even so it's a tight fit.The bad news is they are putting more ethanol in the petrol every year or two.
I have left the Harley in mothballs this winter but do run it up to temp about every fortnight or so and recharge the battery just after. The Hornet 900 gets a good ride out once or twice a week followed by a good clean and mist over with water repellant spray.
Hi TMF, Great to see the Street Triple once again 👍🏻 Looks great in black with gold wheels. Eight weeks you say, I haven't ridden my Speed Triple since October 😕
+SBKPete Oops - Good luck with that then! ...and yes I reckon the black and gold was/is the best colour combination for the STR. Good to hear from you again, I hope all is well??
A good topic for discussion........ I keep my bike in a lock-up away from the house.....no charging facility, which worries me a bit over the winter months To keep things working I ride as often as possible with a maximum of 4-6 weeks between outings Always ride for a minimum of 50 miles which I read somewhere is good for a full battery charge-up..... Seems to have worked OK for a while......the only reasons not to ride being snow and ice or wet salty winter roads......
Not so much of a problem for me now, but when I had 3 or 4 bikes at a time, a battery tender/conditioner helped tremendously. They would start just like I rode the day before, after a long hiatus. Some models of tender support multiple bikes at the same time.
I dont see a problem keeping it standing for a bit, my little Honda CBR125R stood still for 6 months due to personal stuff, started first time as always after a quick charge, even longer should be fine, if battery is charged there should be 0 problems.
Petrol goes off in 3 to 6 months, drain it off and run the carburetors dry, if the bike is stored in a dry garage it will be fine for years, petrol will not last.
I had been wondering if the little STR had been neglected recently!!! Understandably with the new toy however! Really pleased that it hasn't lost its appeal though, looking forward to some warmer weather so i can get out on the bike myself!!!
+Jonathan Davies Here here to that Jonathan! ....and I would never neglect the Street Triple, just 'cos I hadn't ridden it don't think I haven't been talking to it and patting it on the seat every now and then - it's a well loved machine...
My old Harley doesn't get used November to March. Always starts and runs sweet after a battery charge.!! My old 1200 Bandit however is a different kettle of fish altogether, Leave it a couple of weeks and it coughs, farts, runs on 3 "never the same pot" and generally miss behaves until properly warmed through then runs ok. Will run superbly if used daily but really doesn't like being sat in the garage. :-)
Yeah it's odd isn't it - my little Honda CRF can sit for 2 months and then always fires up first shot - where as my Ducati and BMW both need trickle charging all the time if I'm not to get caught out! Thanks for watching Tim, good to have you along...all the best - TMF
I have the exact same bike as you, same color, same pipes and and same year it seems (2012).. I've recently fitted a Puig screen and it really helps on the highway as I use the bike to commute every day.
Certified master technician here. To clear up mistakes in the video. Ethanol fuel should be used or replaced within 30 days before it starts to separate. After 90 it starts to do damage. I have done countless repairs caused by storage of ethanol fuel. Fuel stabiliser dose not work with ethanol fuel. This is a proven fact. I know many fuel stabilisers make claims that they do help. These claims are completely false. Now about oil. If you use mineral oil it should be changed before you put it in storage because of sulfates mix with accumulated hydrocarbons then turn into acid that eat away at parts. If you use synthetic oil then you nothing to worry about.
The Ethanol content (which is now around 10% in many brands of petrol) is very hygroscopic and petrol stored in a vented container (like your fuel tank) will attract moisture. the best bit of the fuel is the first to evaporate, leaving an ever increasing percentage of the less volatile stuff. Add to that the bacterial growth that the Ethanol supports and any such fuel is rubbish after about three months and virtually useless after six. Some of the super unleadeds contain no Ethanol and so don't suffer in the same way. The problems are less noticeable on a modern fuel injected engine but can be a monumental pain if you've got carbs, particularly old ones with brass components which get eaten by the modern stuff. During the winter months when my SV doesn't go out much, once a month I take it out for a hundred miles or so and then top it up with super unleaded.
+DukeDyson Hey DD, good to hear from you - I wondered where you had got too, time for some new videos eh? I was quoting from an article from John Rowland, Silkolene's top automotive research chemist - but I have also read articles that back-up your theory that it's the good stuff that goes first and it generally becomes harder to ignite over time. In my own experience, I've never known petrol to not ignite even when I've stored it for years (albeit that refers to my moped days and my old petrol lawnmower!!). Great to hear from you again, hope you're keeping well, all the best....TMF
+TheMissendenFlyer So much conflicting evidence eh. Vids have been a bit thin on the ground here, work is taking up far too much of my time. Loving your output, very well produced. Take care and ride safe, summer's coming :)
+Bucks Biker Funnily enough I passed the gritter yesterday evening too (in my car) and was thinking I was glad I wasn't on the bike as it was flinging masses of the stuff - lovely out there today, the roads were pretty dry by late afternoon.....
This is my second winter without winterizing the bike in New England. I make sure to ride her at least every other week (and I make sure I catch every chance to ride because you don't know when the next forced two-week off-period will start), and I only fill the tank halfway so I get to fill up more often. No problems so far, last year on the F800GT, this year on the Multistrada 950.
I bought an old Kawasaki zephyr some time ago (lovely looking bike) turned out to have a petrol leak (in spite of its new MOT 😱) it had spent a few years not being used and the ethanol they put in petrol (I have been told) attracts moisture and caused the tank to rust through from the inside. My conclusion is drain the tank if it’s not going to be used for a long time.
When I was working on vintage aircraft, whenever we put an engine in storage we'd remove the oil, rocker covers, camshafts and plugs and spray the internals with inhibiting oil (it's really waxy and thickly coats surfaces so no oxidation can occur). Obviously though this is more of a concern for engines that are being stored for years (maybe decades!). If I was going to ever be in a situation where I was leaving my road vehicle unused for ages though I'd probably put it through a similar procedure - but obviously not for just a month off like this case. Maybe if I ever get a "summer" vehicle that ends up in the garage for the winter...
+d1rcwill Sadly our aeroplane currently has it's engine inhibited in exactly that way, it's been 18 months since she ran and I have a nasty feeling she won't be running anytime soon :0( ...but yes I agree, this bike lay-up wasn't planned or so long, so no such measures required - I just think I have a battery on the way out - thanks for stopping by, all the best - TMF
Bugger! Always worth renting a bit of time in a microlight once in a while to remind yourself what it's like up there ;) Enjoy the bikes and keep making videos! Cheers
+d1rcwill ...don't think because our aeroplane is grounded I'm not still flying!! Helps to have pals with PA28's going spare :0) Thanks for the kind words and will do (though I've pretty much given up making the flying videos as it transpired very few people watched 'em....!)
A wee tip flyer do not attempt to start triumph with low battery you will do sprag clutch in and is a big job to fix a engine out jobby,so would advice leave on a smart charger.keep up good work
I obviously can't speak for your location but here in the States it's quite the opposite with gasoline. Gas that has sat for 20 years run in just about anything, this ethanol blend fuel we have now turns to green fuzzies in no time.
+Hi-Viz Smiley ...yes I think you're much more into your ethanol than we are :0) Thanks for watching and stopping by, love it that I have viewers from around the world....all the best - TMF
I leave the battery on the Ultimate charger all the time. During the winterstop i add some stabilizer to the fuel. Don't know realy if that has any positve effect on the fuel, but hey, we like to spend a few bucks on our precious metal to give us that good feeling 😁😁
I didn't start or ride my 1999 cbr for 14 months, took the battery off when I put it away, put it back on after a quick charge and with a bit of choke she fired straight up on the old fuel and on carbs, no stuttering at all and hasn't missed a beat all month
Fuel left in the tank can lead to rust in the tank. That is why fuel stabilizers exist. There is also a lot of different petrol fuels in the world that react differently. Would not risk gas in the tank for over 3 months without stabilizers.
I'm not sure where you are based but here in the UK I personally am satisfied that petrol is fine for longer than 3 months in the tank (mine usually is!)...
@@TheMissendenFlyer My point is that it is probably true in the UK, but not in all countries. If you store the bike in a place with temperature changes it may also differ. In Norway some store their bikes outside for half a year in a garage without insolation or heating. It is probably ok, until it's not. Fuel stabilisers are cheap, and rusted tanks is a pain.
wrt to petrol, not so important with bikes, but say if you had a performance car that required 98 RON, you might be more inclined to brim the tank again to rejuvenate the octane level. Sure it will start after a few weeks, but I know I notice the difference in performance if I haven't filled up for month.
Just got a 2008 street triple 675 I have to flush the coolant and oil and oil filter . I forgot about the air filter need a battery charger. It's my for bike good video
Always best to use a proper charger/conditioner like an Optimate, especially for BMW twins which don't suffer weak batteries at all well. The ECU/clock and alarm if fitted all create a very small but constant drain on the battery. (check that any charger is CAN-BUS compatible if like BMWs your bike uses CAN-BUS)
Yeah, I do use an optimate on all my bikes...just remembering to do so regularly if I've not ridden a particular bike for a while is the issue! Thanks for watching and for stopping by - TMF
I thought about this as well, ideally for me it would be a month as my bikes live outside and I don't want things (levers, pivots bearings etc) to seize or corrode in place. That being said I like to start the bike up so the oil circulates around the engine head again before going back to the pan to help keep the internals good condition. Yes super overkill in reality but I really hate using the train.
You only spoke of fuel and battery charge, how about (with very long term lay offs) oil stasis in engine/gearbox and suspension? Of course we don't always plan for these things but I believe new oil and a suspension service prior to storage is a good precaution. I have seen some pretty gungy crud come out of the sump and forks/shock after years of inactivity! Also flat spots on old tyres if the bike is not on a stand.
Nice video! (but around 4:40 you're doing over the speed limit a bit mate 🏍️. I know it's only by a bit in this case, but I want to remind everyone -- speeding kills. Ride safe and have fun folks).
Still can't get over seeing my local routes being ridden! I always blat down there towards chequers haha. My bikes currently sat dead in the workshop too.. have a new battery and trickle charger to do this weekend!
+TheMissendenFlyer Honda Hornet 07' plate, all black and black leathers and black Shoei lid! No doubt give you a flash at some point. Not that kind of flash!
Ducati monster 2009 was left for about 4 years and my fuel had turned to sticky tea and parts of the fuel system needed replacing. I always fill up with high quality fuels so i think if your bike is left for years you would be wise to make an inspection
Nice bike mate, i leave my Multistrada for 3 months at a time due to work overseas. I always try and leave it on the centre stand to stop flat spots on the tyres. Or use some carpet under them if you haven't got one.
+Jason Stevens I didn't realise they made an "official" set - will certainly look these out as potential for freezing hands is one of the things that does stop me riding this bike over my others with heated grips....thanks for the kind words, all the best - TMF
good video,,,my gripe with Triumph,,,,my speed triple is when you turn ignition on both headlights are on,, before you start the bike ,,,not good for a low battery ,,this didn't happen on my zx10r the headlight came on once the bike had fired up,,minor criticism but annoying cheers shane
Don't know if it's possible on the Triple, but rewiring the main lights from battery to alternator should fix that issue. In that case, you'd obviously need a voltage regulator hooked up so you don't fry them.
Hi, TMF. It's been 8 weeks since I've had the R1200GS out, but that is normal for upstate New York. I did a little bit of riding in December, which was unusual in itself. I almost got the bike out yesterday but the driveway was all ice so I kept it parked. I put a "smart" charger on my bike once or twice a month over our winters, which are longer than yours.
+Harold Clark Hey Harold - it's been a while, good to hear from you again! I went for a quick ride on the GS today - actually made 15 degrees C here today.....don't much like the sound of your ice!! Roll on Summer eh?
+TheMissendenFlyer Yes, indeed. I need to schedule the 6K service, but can't count on the weather allowing me to ride the 75 miles to the dealer until...late March? Mid-April for sure...
+Harold Clark Crikey - I didn't realise it as so cold in NY State - thank goodness I'm in balmy ol' England...actually a fair bit further North than you (but protected by warm ocean currents)...
I am an Englishman living in the USA and I can tell you I have fired up bikes that have sat on tenders in my garage for years, one of my bikes is a 2004VMax. I hardly ride it, love it, just ride my others. That sucker lives on a tender as do all my bikes and it starts right up every time I go to start it old gas or not. Same for my boat, always fires and I always leave the gas in it. I live in ATL GA and all this stuff about gas going off and not starting is all old info from years ago. Nowadays, not a lot to worry about at all here in the USA. Funny enough a lot of a petrol station around me have started selling Ehtanol free gas, at a premium of course. Never had the need to use it, never had a old machine not fire after standing due to bad gas. Shoot, if there is someone out there to buy it, they will sell it to you lol. Never had a problem from any of my toys from old gas. EVER!
haha, nice one mate you got the spelling right. You know small world. I live 5 minutes off Allatoona and was schooled at the Misbourne! Lived in Prestwood and Great Missenden until I was 36 then moved here. Love watching you ride around my old stomping grounds. Great vids mate. Keep it up.
Love coincidences - my kids go to the Misbourne and we have family friends in Kennesaw. Love GA, had a great time flying out of Cobb County McCullom Field many years ago....enjoy the lake and give my mate Keith a wave if you see him on his Bonneville!
Left my 650 Deau for 7 weeks once. No charging, no nothing as I was out the country. Came back, 2 seconds on the starter, wait 30 seconds for the carbs to refloat, then straight in and off it went! I suppose it has no gadgets other than the basic passive HISS immobiliser and the LCD clock to drain the battery. Got a Sprint ST now, so might need to consider an Optimate for it. RS!!
+Lurch OnABike That's the way to do it! Love the Sprint ST - I used to lust after a red one with white powder coated wheels, gorgeous bike....enjoy (and good to hear from you again!)
Very nice of the manufacturers to put the headlamps on when you turn on the ignition to make sure a weak battery is dissipated before starting. That’s the first thing that needs bypassing.
Nice looking bike! Got me dreaming again lol Grab (or better still buy!) a lithium jump starter from amazon. They'll turn over a small car engine so should cope with a bike and they're small and light enough to carry on the bike or put in a backpack. I carry one in my car's glovebox, just charge it every so often from a USB phone charger.
Just left a comment and it failed so ill try again! haha Good stuff man! Thanks for the tips and reminders, I should prob get a battery tender on my crf250l when I go a few weeks without ridin it, just in case :) Keep it up budday!
+Ramblin'Rider Cheers RR - yes I have one of those battery tender leads on my CRF as well (just in case) - although I have been riding that a fair amount of late so hopefully I won't have a repeat of this issue....thanks for stopping by!
I thought you were going to talk about flat spots on tyres. Should try to avoid leaving it sitting there on the tyres for extended periods and move it from time to time.
when not in use, you just start your bike and idle for around 5 min and give some throttle, that will be no problem, even you keep your bike for 5 years not in use, if you do it everydays
Triumph's should ALWAYS be on an Optimate (or similar), low battery cranking power will make that sprag clutch slip in no time...even better is when the sprag clutch kicks back and takes the teeth off of the starter gears and starter motor pinion, had it happen to a friends Speed Triple 1050 = £1100 in parts!
Great video TMF! Sucks when you can't ride a bike for a prolonged time. Quick question: have you ever done a video/tutorial on how you clean your bikes? Would love some tips, as yours are always spotless :) EDIT: ....just saw the very popular comment below hahaha Well it seems, it is an appealing topic!
i'm in saudi my bike [cbr500r] is in thailand, i just spent 4 weeks riding it after it stood for a year due to me not being able to get there. my wife ran it for 10 - 15 minutes every week and it was fine, it will be november before i can get there again!
I installed a Motobatt in my 2010 Triple last summer after the original battery finally gave up the ghost and left me stranded at a petrol station 30 miles from home. I tucked the bike away at the end of last November and when I wheeled it out of hibernation yesterday, it fired up on the first crank. Ok, so the alarm was in winter mode but there was no trickle charge so I thought it was pretty cool. p.s., your bike is way too clean. ;-)
How long do you think bikes sit in the dealers? Second hand bikes can go unstarted for many months if it’s a sticky stock number. Unless it’s a Triumph battery eater. I’ve had 3 Triumphs and they have all been the same.
It seems as though the formula of gasoline varies quite a bit from continent to continent. The quality of gas here in the US may be lower than in Oz, GB, or Europe. According to this article www.sunoco.com/quality-fuels/gasoline-facts-and-tips/ by US oil company Sunoco, gas only lasts a few months before breaking down, and they recommend adding a fuel stabilizer. I really enjoy watching your videos. Keep them coming! :-)
I start my unused bikes at least once a week for a couple of minutes to run oil through the motor.Battery is unimportant in my view.I believe you need to get on the bike regularly so that brakes,hydrolics etc are used.Just my take,thks for video.
+Bruce Kendall Yes I don't disagree - if I was going for the start up routine though I'd make sure and keep it running for a good 10 minutes or so to get the engine up to normal operating temperature to so I know I'm getting rid of any condensation that may be in the internals. Thanks for watching, all the best - TMF
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6 weeks a long time? We park our bikes for 5-6 months every winter in the north
You do know many people park up for 4-6 months over winter? 8-9 weeks is a non issue.
Don't forget that modern fuel now in 2020 has a higher Ethanol content which can cause corrosion in metal tanks over time,so I always put some 'Fuel Stabiliser' in my 2009 Street Triple R tank over the Winter,also I over- inflate the tyres by 10-15psi each and at least store the bike on carpet,if not off the ground,plus,of course,a trickle charger for the Battery is a must,then after Winter I change the Oil & Filter,lube & adjust the Chain,check Brakes, Suspension,etc.before my first ride- my Battery still has an excellent charge when checked with a meter,and it's now 9years old!( 2nd Battery fitted after the Triumph Rectifier Warranty mod.As you say,a really fantastic bike all round- still not bettered,AND yes,I have ridden the latest 765RS!
Great video as usual. One of my best investments was to buy an optimate charger about 5 years ago. I leave it permanently connected and then switch the power once a week for about an hour. No more problems. More harm comes to the battery if you allow it to go dead flat. What is sometimes called deep discharge. If you are not fortunate to have power to your garage / shed I recommend you remove the battery and charge it about every two months. A slow trickle charge is much better for your battery than a fast charge.
My Honda 2002 CBR600F was left in a garage total untouched for 13 YEARS! From 2003 to 2016. Only damage was corroded fuel tank and new battery. Now running as smooth as new :)
I’m on the same boat 2008 CBR600rr, did you by any chance replace chain brakes etc.
I just make sure to start mine once a week, move it around a bit or keep it on stands to prevent flat spots on tires and a trickle charge. Not much else needed. Modern, fuel injected bikes are pretty stable over the winter. Thanks for this.
Some say that starting the bike in winter storage does more harm than good because of the condensation in the engine that occurs.
Very clean bike. Perhaps do a video on your cleaning methods? Wouldn't suit everybody I accept, but you keep them in good order and it would be nice to see just how you do that. Products / Methods etc.
Sounds like a plan to me, would be great to know what his cleaning process is.
+jmcphee7 Yea great call :-)
+jmcphee7 Crikey by popular demand it seems! OK chaps, I'll add it to my list of videos to make.....stay tuned!
+TheMissendenFlyer Excellent. Mine is clean TMF but quite like this. It would be interesting to see how you do it.
Oh and a cheeky mention too? ;-)
+TheMissendenFlyer I'm off to get the popcorn 😁👍🏻
I never actually take bikes "off the road" by sorning them but in Winter when rides could be few and far between (dirt bike excepted), I just brim the tank, get the weight off the tyres with a stand(s) and keep the battery topped up. I'm in the same fortunate position as yourself in having a dry warm garage to keep them in so no damp/corrosion problems. Your point about plastic tanks is a good one. My FE570 has one and you can smell the fuel by pressing your nose against the tank, due to vapour migration. Not really a problem for me though as it gets used all year round.
I tend to spend more time trying to recognise the roads the flyer is on as I live in the same area.
Sadly, my bikes are sitting for many weeks between rides. Using 90/0 (no ethanol) in both bikes with excellent results and I always top off the batteries, check tires, etc. before my rides. Bought some new riding gear that I hope to check out ASAP. Have been attempting to self treat flu like symptoms (contracted after visiting with my daughter!) for the last 10 days or so - seeing the doc monday! Keep up the good works.
Another nice video, and another coincidence. Yesterday I took my battery off and charged it with the Oxford charger - thankfully it needed very little current, and was fully charged after about 10 minutes. But more critically I had (about 6 weeks ago) put some Briggs and Stratton Fuel Fit in the tank, and I can happily report the bike started easily first time (just before removing battery) in an ambient temperature of only about +3C.
The petrol will last quite a while you are right there - in fact I did my research on this too (YES, I AM AN ANORAK........). Fuel tends to lose some of its octane value but it is still quite viable. When I was younger, and a lot dafter, I would regularly leave my bike approximately 4 months (Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb) before starting up again. Surprisingly, it fired up first attempt in mid-March. Mind you, this is NOT RECOMMENDED, probably had an element of good luck anyway, and I would not do it again. Still, we are all older and wiser nowadays aren't we ?
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !
+HartfordHD125 Sure thing - good to hear from you again my friend, thanks for sticking with the me!
Love how original your videos are dude, always a pleasure to watch, keep it up!
+adzski920 Thank you - much appreciated and will do!
This needs updating, we now have E10 petrol, which ought not to be left in the tank. Instead, only use E5 filled to the top, and a fuel stabiliser.
good point about petrol not going off! I didnt realise it would last so long these days! wont please the missus though, during winter I have been syphoning the tank on my adventure and putting it in her car!
+stuart fillingham Glad to be of use! ...and sorry to the Mrs....
Fuel with ethanol (in the US) absorbs water and turns to shellac. My Speedy sat unused in the garage for 2 years (I won't discuss why) and subsequently required major service, including fuel pump replacement and other things, altogether costing over a thousand "quid", as you call them. Although I connected a battery tender, I neglected to drain the tank or add fuel stabilizer when the bike went into hibernation. When I took it back home from the Triumph hospital last week, I found that the charging system was not working, despite the fact that they verified it. The bike is now back at the shop, they said the stator is ok, but the rectifier / voltage regulator module is toast. I wonder if I might have been overzealous with jump-starting attempts before taking it to the shop, thereby burning the rectifier/regulator. Moral of story -- run your bikes often, treat or drain the fuel if they sit unused, and follow storage protocols recommended by the manufacturer (check your owner's manual) as well as by reputable RUclipsrs and bloggers -- don't be lazy, or you'll have to pay dearly later!
The whole business of adding ethanol to fuel is fraudulent and purely political. It takes more gasoline to produce the ethanol than had you used the gasoline directly.
Glad to see she started after all. My Streety is parked in an underground garage for almost four months now (seasonal licence plate). I usually fill up the tank so no rust can build on the inside and disconnect the batterie and put it on a charger. Every now an then I start her up and ride in the garage so the moving parts are actually moved ;)
Another issue I read about could be the tires as they are standing in one spot for a considerable time. But have never actually noticed any problems so maybe these are problems of the past with new tire compounds or so.
+lookert Yes, if you know you are leaving the bike for a while then I agree with your approach (and would move the wheels from time to time to stop any flat spots occurring) - the issue I had here is that I wasn't intending on not riding the bike, I try and ride all my bikes at least every week or so if I possibly can....cheers for stopping by and thanks for the comment - TMF
The old petrol goes stale myth again 😜. I put a charged battery on my mum's deauville last week that hasn't ran since 2009 and it sparked straight into life. Safe to say it's petrol didn't go stale.
I have a 1979 puch magnum x scrambler that is now being used by son. It's had literally nothing done to it in 30 years i kid u not! Petrol has been left in it for years without use and it would still kick into life with no probs. I took the carb out a few years ago and it was spotless!!!. It has a metal tank mind you.... My CBR600 stays on trickle charge all the time and can be layed up for months ive had no probs with it either. ....just recently subbed ur channel ....im liking that triumph!! 👍
Yes funnily enough I used to have a share in a puch moped that had been laying around for about 20 years - cleaned the spark plug, put in some fuel and off she went! Welcome to the channel and thanks for the sub!
Because I've worked abroad mainly for the last 20 years or more and won't ride in the winter due to the salt my bikes have been garaged for 6 months or more at a time. I keep mine connected permanently to an optimate and always ensure the tank is full and I've never had a problem, first press of the starter everytime.
Damn dude you should have so many more viewers, your vids are such great quality and the bikes are bloody lovely!
+GummyBoar That's very kind of you to say so sir!
In the mid nineties, a despatch rider friend had an engine fail on him. He needed to keep earning but only had an old Yam XS1100 at his disposal that hadn't been started for 15 years. He gave the plugs a coat of looking at and swapped the battery over from his daily bike to the Yam, and with the same engine oil and petrol still in the bike got it to fire up first time. He ran it until warm, while checking the levers and spraying a bit of lube on the cables, then ran it to the local garage, filled it up and used it for work until he fixed the other bike. All I'd read about acids in engine oils and petrol destroying internals like blood in the Alien movies if you didn't add fuel stabilizers and pay someone to service the fluids in your bike every five minutes, to maintain your warranty, quickly got added to my 'urban myth' list! If you've got an old bike that has been stood years, I would recommend draining the petrol, doing oil and filter changes and applying a wire brush and feeler gauges to the plugs if easily accessible, prior to trying to start it. But ultimately it's probably not needed. And IMPO winterizing a bike (i.e. draining fluids and turning tires, not sensible tasks like cleaning and oiling cables) just because you won't use it for the next four months say, is a complete and utter waste of time IMPO! Just keep it on a battery trickle charger - the type that won't over-charge, like an Optimate, and come the spring, you should be good to go again,
+Richard Dunn I completely agree Richard!
Clutch plates can stick, making it impossible to start in 1st or set off. Sometimes you can rock the bike in 1st gear with the clutch squeezed to brake them loose. Use a quality oil and this doesn't occur as much.
I have the Oxford solar charger because I keep my bike under cover outside and it’s been working beatify. Thanks for another informative video review
charlie ryan do you have issues with damp or rain rusting the bike? Rusty kick stand, chain etc
Stevie DieselBlood compared to past covers the Oxford is by far the best one I ever had. The only problem I had was after three years some of the material around the stitching started to become undone and the vinyl window that the solar charger slides into developed a small crack. In regards to moisture or chain maintenance my Ducati 848 was perfectly dry and the chain was normal. I currently have a Harley-Davidson V Rod with much more metal work for the past eight months and it has been absolutely waterproof.
Nice video
I recommend a battery jump starter to a bikers. I own the Noco and it fires the bike right up
Great comment worthy of more likes. These days lithium batteries are common in jump starters and so not only are they relatively cheap but also quite small, they can be not much larger than a mobile phone and capable of starting a car
With inches of snow/ice outside, here in Michigan, I'm glad I can go on a ride on your bike! I'm missing riding my Tiger 1050 now...
+Andrew Nichols Glad to be of service Andrew, I feel your pain!! Have you seen the new Tiger Sport Triumph have just announced? Looks like a nice machine......
Great video, shame more people don't see it as I think your videos are very well produced and informative.
+Rob Johnston Well that's very kind of you to say so Rob, thanks....
Due to ill health and work commitments my poor BMW K1200rs sat in my garage all covered up for 10 years!! (Since 2011!) Pull it out pumped the tyres up, checked everything, put new battery on and it started first push it the button and ticked over nicely. Didn't even change the fuel! It also passed the mot with no referrals. Out on it most days now.
Brilliant!
nice honest review. Makes a change to see someone show our machines when they don't start etc. I loved riding my STR but typical triumph build quality niggles put me off eventually and she had to go. I use an optimate and rotate it round all my bikes if they have a few weeks rest. Sage advice.
+alwyn mcmath Hi Alwyn, thanks for the kind comments - I've had a couple of "Modern" Triumphs and in the main have been very pleased with the general build quality, the new machines (Thruxton and T120 in particular) have really upped the ante again in the quality stakes....
lovely machine, great vids, the care you take looking after your bikes is military like...a credit to the two wheeled community, ride safe.
+max bull Thanks Max, appreciate the kind feedback - I am a bit OCD when it comes to looking after my bikes, pride of ownership and all that. Cheers for stopping by - all the best - TMF
If I left a bike standing for longer than three months I always did an oil change first before starting her up. On a bike with a carburettor I would remove the plugs to remove the compression and turn the bike over for a while on the starter to get the oil flowing around and stop moving parts binding because the oil had drained away from them. If the bike had stood for a very long time (More than six months) I would inject a few squirts of engine oil into each cylinder before putting the plugs back in. Just to provide some good slippage in the bores. A quick clean up of the plugs and nine times out of ten she would fire right up in a cloud of burning oil smoke. Once the oil was burnt away I would take her out on the road.
+InTheNameOfJustice Sounds like a good plan - thanks for stopping by, good to hear from you again!
I bought a new C50 boulevard in 2007 and rode it for a year then I forgot to pay the rego so I just left it. Put a new battery in January 2017 and it started first go but gradually started running poorly. I eventually took the tank off and there was about a kilo of some hideous red mud in the tank which I think is old fuel sludge mixed with tank rust. I cleaned it but it’s still not right. I suspect the injectors might be a bit clogged.
The motto is don’t leave your bike parked for 9 years with half a tank of fuel and ride it without cleaning the tank out first.
Agree with the US poster about ethanol: add a fuel stabilizer or drain your tank. Otherwise, you'll be dealing with a service especially if you're running a carb engine.
If you have a carburated bike that you're storing for the winter, I've noticed that adding a bit of "small engine gasoline" that's meant for chainsaws and lawnmowers works great. It has less ethanol so it doesn't clog the tiny carb vents. Just adding a few liters will do.
Always original and actual reviewes in your videos... thanks.
no sir thank you. some of your video's have helped me an saved me money keep em coming
Great to hear, thanks...and will do!
Add a fuel stabiliser if you're leaving ethanol-mix fuels in tanks for any long period - or if your tank is nylon like my Triumph drain it completely as it causes it to expand over time.
Fuel stabiliser dose not work with ethanol fuel. This is a proven fact. I know many fuel stabilisers make claims that they do help. These claims are completely false.
I used to own an Aprilia Tuono 1000R with a nylon tank.It was a bit of a pain refitting it due to expansion.But I read that the real problems came if you ever had to remove the fuel pump from inside the tank.It was very difficult to line up the holes in the base plate and get a good seal.And a new tank for that bike cost nearly £3000!I am not kidding.Now I own a 2006 Speed Triple with a nylon tank which has also expanded.To refit it I have had to leave out the two metal tubes the fixing bolts go through at the front and back.Even so it's a tight fit.The bad news is they are putting more ethanol in the petrol every year or two.
I have left the Harley in mothballs this winter but do run it up to temp about every fortnight or so and recharge the battery just after.
The Hornet 900 gets a good ride out once or twice a week followed by a good clean and mist over with water repellant spray.
Hi TMF,
Great to see the Street Triple once again 👍🏻 Looks great in black with gold wheels.
Eight weeks you say, I haven't ridden my Speed Triple since October 😕
+SBKPete Oops - Good luck with that then! ...and yes I reckon the black and gold was/is the best colour combination for the STR. Good to hear from you again, I hope all is well??
That quick shifter combined with your exhaust sounds great.
+The33JAYJAY Thank you - I agree ;0)
A good topic for discussion........
I keep my bike in a lock-up away from the house.....no charging facility, which worries me a bit over the winter months
To keep things working I ride as often as possible with a maximum of 4-6 weeks between outings
Always ride for a minimum of 50 miles which I read somewhere is good for a full battery charge-up.....
Seems to have worked OK for a while......the only reasons not to ride being snow and ice or wet salty winter roads......
Only subscribed a few months ago, you keep your bikes looking mint, only way to go, have a good weekend 👍 😎
Thank you Geoff - if my bikes are left too dirty it troubles me.......
Not so much of a problem for me now, but when I had 3 or 4 bikes at a time, a battery tender/conditioner helped tremendously. They would start just like I rode the day before, after a long hiatus. Some models of tender support multiple bikes at the same time.
I dont see a problem keeping it standing for a bit, my little Honda CBR125R stood still for 6 months due to personal stuff, started first time as always after a quick charge, even longer should be fine, if battery is charged there should be 0 problems.
Petrol goes off in 3 to 6 months, drain it off and run the carburetors dry, if the bike is stored in a dry garage it will be fine for years, petrol will not last.
Carburettors! How quaint! ;0)
I had been wondering if the little STR had been neglected recently!!! Understandably with the new toy however! Really pleased that it hasn't lost its appeal though, looking forward to some warmer weather so i can get out on the bike myself!!!
+Jonathan Davies Here here to that Jonathan! ....and I would never neglect the Street Triple, just 'cos I hadn't ridden it don't think I haven't been talking to it and patting it on the seat every now and then - it's a well loved machine...
My old Harley doesn't get used November to March. Always starts and runs sweet after a battery charge.!! My old 1200 Bandit however is a different kettle of fish altogether, Leave it a couple of weeks and it coughs, farts, runs on 3 "never the same pot" and generally miss behaves until properly warmed through then runs ok. Will run superbly if used daily but really doesn't like being sat in the garage. :-)
Yeah it's odd isn't it - my little Honda CRF can sit for 2 months and then always fires up first shot - where as my Ducati and BMW both need trickle charging all the time if I'm not to get caught out! Thanks for watching Tim, good to have you along...all the best - TMF
I have the exact same bike as you, same color, same pipes and and same year it seems (2012).. I've recently fitted a Puig screen and it really helps on the highway as I use the bike to commute every day.
You are a man of great taste obviously Andrew!
Same here, I am a tad OCD with detailing & I like it so makes it easy ay mate 🖒😎
Certified master technician here. To clear up mistakes in the video. Ethanol fuel should be used or replaced within 30 days before it starts to separate. After 90 it starts to do damage. I have done countless repairs caused by storage of ethanol fuel. Fuel stabiliser dose not work with ethanol fuel. This is a proven fact. I know many fuel stabilisers make claims that they do help. These claims are completely false.
Now about oil. If you use mineral oil it should be changed before you put it in storage because of sulfates mix with accumulated hydrocarbons then turn into acid that eat away at parts. If you use synthetic oil then you nothing to worry about.
The Ethanol content (which is now around 10% in many brands of petrol) is very hygroscopic and petrol stored in a vented container (like your fuel tank) will attract moisture. the best bit of the fuel is the first to evaporate, leaving an ever increasing percentage of the less volatile stuff. Add to that the bacterial growth that the Ethanol supports and any such fuel is rubbish after about three months and virtually useless after six. Some of the super unleadeds contain no Ethanol and so don't suffer in the same way. The problems are less noticeable on a modern fuel injected engine but can be a monumental pain if you've got carbs, particularly old ones with brass components which get eaten by the modern stuff. During the winter months when my SV doesn't go out much, once a month I take it out for a hundred miles or so and then top it up with super unleaded.
+DukeDyson Hey DD, good to hear from you - I wondered where you had got too, time for some new videos eh? I was quoting from an article from John Rowland, Silkolene's top automotive research chemist - but I have also read articles that back-up your theory that it's the good stuff that goes first and it generally becomes harder to ignite over time. In my own experience, I've never known petrol to not ignite even when I've stored it for years (albeit that refers to my moped days and my old petrol lawnmower!!). Great to hear from you again, hope you're keeping well, all the best....TMF
+TheMissendenFlyer So much conflicting evidence eh. Vids have been a bit thin on the ground here, work is taking up far too much of my time. Loving your output, very well produced. Take care and ride safe, summer's coming :)
+DukeDyson Thanks DD, work always gets in the way of fun eh? Roll on Summer.....
As said you need the Optimiser on 24/7. I have both mine connected up. Brave going out today, I followed the gritter through the village last night.
+Bucks Biker Funnily enough I passed the gritter yesterday evening too (in my car) and was thinking I was glad I wasn't on the bike as it was flinging masses of the stuff - lovely out there today, the roads were pretty dry by late afternoon.....
Good question :/ I hate leaving my street triple in the garage for months but the weather sucks..
+TripleObsession Yep, sure does! .....I share your pain!
This is my second winter without winterizing the bike in New England. I make sure to ride her at least every other week (and I make sure I catch every chance to ride because you don't know when the next forced two-week off-period will start), and I only fill the tank halfway so I get to fill up more often. No problems so far, last year on the F800GT, this year on the Multistrada 950.
Nice one!
I bought an old Kawasaki zephyr some time ago (lovely looking bike) turned out to have a petrol leak (in spite of its new MOT 😱) it had spent a few years not being used and the ethanol they put in petrol (I have been told) attracts moisture and caused the tank to rust through from the inside. My conclusion is drain the tank if it’s not going to be used for a long time.
When I was working on vintage aircraft, whenever we put an engine in storage we'd remove the oil, rocker covers, camshafts and plugs and spray the internals with inhibiting oil (it's really waxy and thickly coats surfaces so no oxidation can occur). Obviously though this is more of a concern for engines that are being stored for years (maybe decades!). If I was going to ever be in a situation where I was leaving my road vehicle unused for ages though I'd probably put it through a similar procedure - but obviously not for just a month off like this case. Maybe if I ever get a "summer" vehicle that ends up in the garage for the winter...
+d1rcwill Sadly our aeroplane currently has it's engine inhibited in exactly that way, it's been 18 months since she ran and I have a nasty feeling she won't be running anytime soon :0( ...but yes I agree, this bike lay-up wasn't planned or so long, so no such measures required - I just think I have a battery on the way out - thanks for stopping by, all the best - TMF
Bugger! Always worth renting a bit of time in a microlight once in a while to remind yourself what it's like up there ;) Enjoy the bikes and keep making videos! Cheers
+d1rcwill ...don't think because our aeroplane is grounded I'm not still flying!! Helps to have pals with PA28's going spare :0) Thanks for the kind words and will do (though I've pretty much given up making the flying videos as it transpired very few people watched 'em....!)
A wee tip flyer do not attempt to start triumph with low battery you will do sprag clutch in and is a big job to fix a engine out jobby,so would advice leave on a smart charger.keep up good work
Thanks for the tip (off to look up what a sprag clutch is now)....
I obviously can't speak for your location but here in the States it's quite the opposite with gasoline. Gas that has sat for 20 years run in just about anything, this ethanol blend fuel we have now turns to green fuzzies in no time.
+Hi-Viz Smiley ...yes I think you're much more into your ethanol than we are :0) Thanks for watching and stopping by, love it that I have viewers from around the world....all the best - TMF
Peter Rabot I do but it’s more of a “better save than sorry” step to winterising your bike
Fuel with more ethanol does not last it collects water....
I leave the battery on the Ultimate charger all the time. During the winterstop i add some stabilizer to the fuel. Don't know realy if that has any positve effect on the fuel, but hey, we like to spend a few bucks on our precious metal to give us that good feeling 😁😁
Yeah I need to buy more trickle chargers!
I didn't start or ride my 1999 cbr for 14 months, took the battery off when I put it away, put it back on after a quick charge and with a bit of choke she fired straight up on the old fuel and on carbs, no stuttering at all and hasn't missed a beat all month
Brilliant...some bikes just work don't they....
Fuel left in the tank can lead to rust in the tank. That is why fuel stabilizers exist. There is also a lot of different petrol fuels in the world that react differently. Would not risk gas in the tank for over 3 months without stabilizers.
I'm not sure where you are based but here in the UK I personally am satisfied that petrol is fine for longer than 3 months in the tank (mine usually is!)...
@@TheMissendenFlyer My point is that it is probably true in the UK, but not in all countries. If you store the bike in a place with temperature changes it may also differ. In Norway some store their bikes outside for half a year in a garage without insolation or heating. It is probably ok, until it's not. Fuel stabilisers are cheap, and rusted tanks is a pain.
For sure...
wrt to petrol, not so important with bikes, but say if you had a performance car that required 98 RON, you might be more inclined to brim the tank again to rejuvenate the octane level. Sure it will start after a few weeks, but I know I notice the difference in performance if I haven't filled up for month.
Yes good point, my understanding is the fuel does loose it's oomph (by which I mean its readiness to ignite) if left for a period of time....
Just got a 2008 street triple 675 I have to flush the coolant and oil and oil filter . I forgot about the air filter need a battery charger. It's my for bike good video
Always best to use a proper charger/conditioner like an Optimate, especially for BMW twins which don't suffer weak batteries at all well. The ECU/clock and alarm if fitted all create a very small but constant drain on the battery. (check that any charger is CAN-BUS compatible if like BMWs your bike uses CAN-BUS)
Yeah, I do use an optimate on all my bikes...just remembering to do so regularly if I've not ridden a particular bike for a while is the issue! Thanks for watching and for stopping by - TMF
I thought about this as well, ideally for me it would be a month as my bikes live outside and I don't want things (levers, pivots bearings etc) to seize or corrode in place. That being said I like to start the bike up so the oil circulates around the engine head again before going back to the pan to help keep the internals good condition.
Yes super overkill in reality but I really hate using the train.
+Bikers Quest ...I like your style BQ!
Bikers Quest 7 to the UK AND IRELAND
.0
Its at times like those I'm glad most of my bikes still have points and kickstarters.
You only spoke of fuel and battery charge, how about (with very long term lay offs) oil stasis in engine/gearbox and suspension? Of course we don't always plan for these things but I believe new oil and a suspension service prior to storage is a good precaution. I have seen some pretty gungy crud come out of the sump and forks/shock after years of inactivity! Also flat spots on old tyres if the bike is not on a stand.
Yes very good points both!
Here in Canada when I put my bike away for 5-6 months for the winter, I plug it into a battery tender and the bike and battery are no worse for wear.
I leave my bike on a maintainer at all times when I am not on it. works a treat, always a topped off battery!
Yes good idea, I have one maintainer that I swap between each of my bikes when I'm not riding...as you say, works a treat. Cheers - TMF
Nice video! (but around 4:40 you're doing over the speed limit a bit mate 🏍️. I know it's only by a bit in this case, but I want to remind everyone -- speeding kills. Ride safe and have fun folks).
Still can't get over seeing my local routes being ridden! I always blat down there towards chequers haha. My bikes currently sat dead in the workshop too.. have a new battery and trickle charger to do this weekend!
+Mrbikertomtom Yes it's a good road that one - just remind me what bike you ride? I'll look out for you....
+TheMissendenFlyer Honda Hornet 07' plate, all black and black leathers and black Shoei lid! No doubt give you a flash at some point. Not that kind of flash!
Ducati monster 2009 was left for about 4 years and my fuel had turned to sticky tea and parts of the fuel system needed replacing. I always fill up with high quality fuels so i think if your bike is left for years you would be wise to make an inspection
Nice bike mate, i leave my Multistrada for 3 months at a time due to work overseas. I always try and leave it on the centre stand to stop flat spots on the tyres. Or use some carpet under them if you haven't got one.
+Simon Foster Thanks Simon, great tip! Thanks for watching and for stopping by - TMF
Great vid, I put the triumph heated grips on mine a few weeks ago and they are a revelation. Tricky to install but very good.
+Jason Stevens I didn't realise they made an "official" set - will certainly look these out as potential for freezing hands is one of the things that does stop me riding this bike over my others with heated grips....thanks for the kind words, all the best - TMF
I leave my STR RX on charge permanently, job done, keep the videos coming :)
Yes I might have to start thinking about doing the same...and will do - cheers- TMF
good video,,,my gripe with Triumph,,,,my speed triple is when you turn ignition on both headlights are on,, before you start the bike ,,,not good for a low battery ,,this didn't happen on my zx10r the headlight came on once the bike had fired up,,minor criticism but annoying cheers shane
+shaneweightman Yes it is a weird one that, the lights were bright too, sucking all that energy and preventing me starting the thing!!!
My ZZR1400 is the same. Side lights first then headlights once the engine has fired.
Don't know if it's possible on the Triple, but rewiring the main lights from battery to alternator should fix that issue.
In that case, you'd obviously need a voltage regulator hooked up so you don't fry them.
Hi, TMF. It's been 8 weeks since I've had the R1200GS out, but that is normal for upstate New York. I did a little bit of riding in December, which was unusual in itself. I almost got the bike out yesterday but the driveway was all ice so I kept it parked. I put a "smart" charger on my bike once or twice a month over our winters, which are longer than yours.
+Harold Clark Hey Harold - it's been a while, good to hear from you again! I went for a quick ride on the GS today - actually made 15 degrees C here today.....don't much like the sound of your ice!! Roll on Summer eh?
+TheMissendenFlyer Yes, indeed. I need to schedule the 6K service, but can't count on the weather allowing me to ride the 75 miles to the dealer until...late March? Mid-April for sure...
+Harold Clark Crikey - I didn't realise it as so cold in NY State - thank goodness I'm in balmy ol' England...actually a fair bit further North than you (but protected by warm ocean currents)...
I am an Englishman living in the USA and I can tell you I have fired up bikes that have sat on tenders in my garage for years, one of my bikes is a 2004VMax. I hardly ride it, love it, just ride my others. That sucker lives on a tender as do all my bikes and it starts right up every time I go to start it old gas or not. Same for my boat, always fires and I always leave the gas in it. I live in ATL GA and all this stuff about gas going off and not starting is all old info from years ago. Nowadays, not a lot to worry about at all here in the USA. Funny enough a lot of a petrol station around me have started selling Ehtanol free gas, at a premium of course. Never had the need to use it, never had a old machine not fire after standing due to bad gas. Shoot, if there is someone out there to buy it, they will sell it to you lol. Never had a problem from any of my toys from old gas. EVER!
Lucky man Jason, I love boating on lake allatoona! (Or however it’s spelt)
haha, nice one mate you got the spelling right. You know small world. I live 5 minutes off Allatoona and was schooled at the Misbourne! Lived in Prestwood and Great Missenden until I was 36 then moved here. Love watching you ride around my old stomping grounds. Great vids mate. Keep it up.
Love coincidences - my kids go to the Misbourne and we have family friends in Kennesaw. Love GA, had a great time flying out of Cobb County McCullom Field many years ago....enjoy the lake and give my mate Keith a wave if you see him on his Bonneville!
Very good, well if your mate one day tells you of some guy on a GSA waving like a maniac at him remind him of our chat lol.
Will do!
Left my 650 Deau for 7 weeks once. No charging, no nothing as I was out the country. Came back, 2 seconds on the starter, wait 30 seconds for the carbs to refloat, then straight in and off it went! I suppose it has no gadgets other than the basic passive HISS immobiliser and the LCD clock to drain the battery. Got a Sprint ST now, so might need to consider an Optimate for it.
RS!!
+Lurch OnABike That's the way to do it! Love the Sprint ST - I used to lust after a red one with white powder coated wheels, gorgeous bike....enjoy (and good to hear from you again!)
I was hoping to find a red one, but the late ST with the GT nose seemed to be hard to find.
Very nice of the manufacturers to put the headlamps on when you turn on the ignition to make sure a weak battery is dissipated before starting. That’s the first thing that needs bypassing.
Yes good point - an "off" button for the lights would be handy on occasions like this....
You're wrong about one thing: lead acid batteries discharge faster in warm weather than in the cold.
Nice looking bike! Got me dreaming again lol
Grab (or better still buy!) a lithium jump starter from amazon. They'll turn over a small car engine so should cope with a bike and they're small and light enough to carry on the bike or put in a backpack. I carry one in my car's glovebox, just charge it every so often from a USB phone charger.
Love riding this time of year-No Bugs!
Yes good point Paul - I don't miss those either!
Triple sounds mint 👌🏼
That Striple sounds lovely.
+Antonio Russell Thank you - they are rather tuneful to my ears too :0)
Just left a comment and it failed so ill try again! haha
Good stuff man! Thanks for the tips and reminders, I should prob get a battery tender on my crf250l when I go a few weeks without ridin it, just in case :)
Keep it up budday!
+Ramblin'Rider Cheers RR - yes I have one of those battery tender leads on my CRF as well (just in case) - although I have been riding that a fair amount of late so hopefully I won't have a repeat of this issue....thanks for stopping by!
I'm gearing up to head back home to where my 64 plate Thruxton has been sitting dormant since November 2015... Good to know the fuel should be ok.
+Matt Dennis .....battery may need a charge though!
+TheMissendenFlyer It has the Thacham alarm fitted... so it would have been flat after about a week!
+Matt Dennis Eek!
I thought you were going to talk about flat spots on tyres. Should try to avoid leaving it sitting there on the tyres for extended periods and move it from time to time.
Yes good point - should have mentioned that....
when not in use, you just start your bike and idle for around 5 min and give some throttle, that will be no problem, even you keep your bike for 5 years not in use, if you do it everydays
You have to get the engine to running temp though (ie the fan cuts in) otherwise you risk condensation forming within the engine.....
Triumph's should ALWAYS be on an Optimate (or similar), low battery cranking power will make that sprag clutch slip in no time...even better is when the sprag clutch kicks back and takes the teeth off of the starter gears and starter motor pinion, had it happen to a friends Speed Triple 1050 = £1100 in parts!
+James T Ouch!
A healthy, fully charged battery loses 1% of it's charge per day, and that's without allowing for any power draw like an alarm etc.
The triumph looks fantastic 🇬🇧👍
Thank you...
Great video TMF! Sucks when you can't ride a bike for a prolonged time. Quick question: have you ever done a video/tutorial on how you clean your bikes? Would love some tips, as yours are always spotless :)
EDIT: ....just saw the very popular comment below hahaha Well it seems, it is an appealing topic!
+Ace Teller Well spotted - the "cleaning" video is on the to-do list - cheers, TMF
i'm in saudi my bike [cbr500r] is in thailand, i just spent 4 weeks riding it after it stood for a year due to me not being able to get there. my wife ran it for 10 - 15 minutes every week and it was fine, it will be november before i can get there again!
Beautiful clean bike, thanks for making this video
Thanks for watching Charlie...
I installed a Motobatt in my 2010 Triple last summer after the original battery finally gave up the ghost and left me stranded at a petrol station 30 miles from home.
I tucked the bike away at the end of last November and when I wheeled it out of hibernation yesterday, it fired up on the first crank.
Ok, so the alarm was in winter mode but there was no trickle charge so I thought it was pretty cool.
p.s., your bike is way too clean. ;-)
+triumphrider Nice one, my Street Triple let me down again last week - time to install a new battery me thinks.....
You'd do a lot worse than a Motobatt.
They cost more but the confidence and peace of mind is well worth it.
How long do you think bikes sit in the dealers? Second hand bikes can go unstarted for many months if it’s a sticky stock number. Unless it’s a Triumph battery eater. I’ve had 3 Triumphs and they have all been the same.
I don't mean this as a complaint - but wouldn't it have been easier/quicker just to bump start it? (Great video as always)
+Emlyn Washbrook Not when you've got my knees! ;0)
Ah fair enough!
It seems as though the formula of gasoline varies quite a bit from continent to continent. The quality of gas here in the US may be lower than in Oz, GB, or Europe. According to this article www.sunoco.com/quality-fuels/gasoline-facts-and-tips/ by US oil company Sunoco, gas only lasts a few months before breaking down, and they recommend adding a fuel stabilizer.
I really enjoy watching your videos. Keep them coming! :-)
Thanks Michael, will do! All the best - TMF
I start my unused bikes at least once a week for a couple of minutes to run oil through the motor.Battery is unimportant in my view.I believe you need to get on the bike regularly so that brakes,hydrolics etc are used.Just my take,thks for video.
+Bruce Kendall Yes I don't disagree - if I was going for the start up routine though I'd make sure and keep it running for a good 10 minutes or so to get the engine up to normal operating temperature to so I know I'm getting rid of any condensation that may be in the internals. Thanks for watching, all the best - TMF
Love those gold wheels.... great looking bike.... I'll keep a look out for you..... Me , I'm on and MT 01 ....Happy Vlogging Flyer..
Cheers!