Winterizing:
Change the oil and air filter
Drain the entire system including the float chambers of the carbs. This is recommended by the dealerships rather than adding StaBil.
Remove spark plugs and squirt oil into the cylinders, then crank the engine a few times and reinstall the plugs
Remove the battery, charge every 2 weeks using a trickle charger and store inside.
Wash corrosion with baking soda. Coat the terminals with grease.
Clean and wax the cycle.
Inflate tires and park so that both wheels are off the ground -use plywood planks if necessary
Store in an area with low humidity and avoid daily temp changes to prevent condensation
Spring: Back On The Road
Before you head out onto the highway, there are a couple of things to do.
First, remove the cover and put it where you can find it again.
Locate the (charged) battery and reinstall it connecting the positive (+) cable (red) before the (-) negative and covering the terminals with the plastic covers.
Recheck all fluid levels and turn on the fuel.
Set the tire pressures back to riding specs and you are ready to fire up.
As you don your riding gear, remember that your riding skills will be a little rusty and the road surfaces will have changed a bit since the last ride, so go carefully. Sand/salt deposits on the edge of the road and especially at corners may be hazardous.
After all is said and done, have fun.
General Tips
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When riding in groups, point out/at road hazards for the riders behind you.
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Wet roads, stay away from painted or metal surfaces (incl. steel bridges). If you have to deal with them, increase your space cushion on all four sides. Once on the slippery surface, no abrupt actions like speeding-up or down, steering inputs, etc.
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Riding in the rain, on the highway, stay away from the center divider. A vehicle traveling the other way can splash water up and over said divider.
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On cold days, tires are hard and slippery for the first few minutes of riding.(easy on the gas, especially in turns while leaned over) Applies to new tires too.
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In windy weather, be careful of debris that may get blown into your path of travel. (cones, leaf bags, etc) At night, don't override your headlight, use other cars lights, stay in the wheel paths.
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