Let's talk storage.

[Seeker]

Unfortunately, I cannot think of a legitimate reason for taking my bike out so I'm resigned to it sitting idle for a few months. So should I:
1) just leave it and hope for the best
2) take a plug out of each cylinder and squirt some Redex in
3) run it for a few minutes every 3 weeks or so.

It's in a humidity controlled garage on a stand with both wheels off the ground and the battery is on a tender. It has fully synthetic oil which was changed about 2k miles ago, a full tank of fuel with stabiliser added.

I was concerned about the cylinder walls rusting although the AL7 has plated cylinders (SCEM in Suzuki speak) and also worried about the clutch plates drying out for the part not sat in the oil. I'm leaning toward #3 or is it OCD?

[DJ123]

mine bike sits in a normal garage, no electric or humidity controlled. If I am not using it for weeks on end I run it every 2 weeks for 10 minutes or so. Enough time to get fluids up to temperature and usually give it a slow ride up and down the road to route the wheels and use the brakes.
so long as you don't have an aftermarket alarm system the bike should be fine. Most modern systems (inc cars) have a hibernate/shut down mode when left for a period of time.

[R1ffR4ff]

Pretty much same as last post but usually once a week and also go through the gears carefully on the Paddock stand with the engine running.

My SV is on a Battery tender as well.

I like to leave the engine running long enough for the Thermostat to open so I know the coolant has moved around the engine.

You can know this by the Rad pipe getting warm as the coolant flows.


I always have some REDEX or Fuel cleaner in the petrol so have never suffered from non-use bad starting and also no problems that may be related the the 5% ethanol blends which my 99 carbs might be prone to. This also means my Fuel lines etc are always clean.

I Also take the Bike off my Paddock stand/s and move it and use the brakes and try not to leave the tyres in the same static position if ever left on side-stand. I also operate all electrical switches so some current goes through them as Electrical Contacts need TLC as well

At this time of year I usually go through all my Block connectors and bulb holders and treat with Switch Cleaner and then ACF50


HTH

[Bibio]

my bike sits outside in all weather without a cover. i put the key in at the beginning of the season and thumb the starter. if it wont start i charge the battery and it usually goes within 5 starts.


no fuel stabiliser added or other preserving measures.


i have been recovered three times since my 10 years ownership and that was for buttons coming out of the disc, a corroded RR connector and crashing into a deer at 60mph.



my bike still looks blooody good for its age and you can ask anyone who knows me. ooohhh and its lucky to get a wash 3 times a year.


so a bike sitting in a garage for a few months is not going to do fek all damage... none.... nada.... your being paranoid.

[Biker Biggles]

I would just leave it as is for that sort of time scale. As long as the battery is looked after and the bike is dry I would not worry. I definitely would not start it up and run it just to warm it up as this wasts fuel and causes "cold start" wear to the engine for no reason.

[Sir Trev]

Leave it be as above. Hugh is in an unheated, bog standard garage all winter on an Optimate and starts no problem every spring after being untouched for at least five months.

[Craig380]

I'm in the 'leave it alone' camp, especially as it's inside, hooked to a tender, etc. I never like to start my bike unless it's going to be ridden.

@Bibio - I've never heard of buttons coming out of the discs before, did it lock the wheel?

[zsv650s]

Can't you do a "essential" shop on it?

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by zsv650s

Can't you do a "essential" shop on it?

only if I find a way to eliminate my conscience.

[zsv650s]

Originally Posted by Seeker

only if I find a way to eliminate my conscience.

I mean actually do a Shop not pretend to do a shop.