Modern Vespa

I bought a new GTS this summer, but haven't been able to ride it
too much, 200 miles.
I plan to be away shortly for 5 months and plan to take the battery
out. Should I take the battery with me and keepit charged, or just
store it sitting on a piece of wood. When I return, should I get an
oil change right away or wait for my 600mile service. I plan to keep
stored over the winter covered, in a storage unit.

NOOO Not a winterizing thread yet!!! I'm not ready to give up riding yet!!!!!

Seriously, there's lots of info here on winterizing if you do a search.

Oil change is almost always a good idea.
Battery Tender
A good bath
Cover it up
Give it milk and cookies.

I think you should ship the bike to me, I'll store it over the winter for you. 8)

You beat me to it! This was exactly what I was going to say.

You might want to add some STA-BIL to the gas as well.

I'm living in denial about this whole MN winter thing just moving from California and plan on riding as long as I can - yah right, it was cold Sat a.m. (about 30 degrees outside) and am hoping to last until November but we'll see it's warm and humid again so maybe...

anyways, will continue to watch the thread for any tips on winterizing the scoot

What is this thing, "winterizing"?

NO not yet lets not even think about it, still riding every day to work my co-workers are shocked. I keep telling them not until Nov will I give it up.

Winterizing is for sissies and sensible folks. It's much more practical to just ride year-round.

Sure, coming from someone that lives where it might vary 20 degrees all year 'round!

It hit 100 this summer and I guarantee it will go to -30 this winter. It's the thermal cycling that makes Minnesotans live longer than the rest of the states!

What's winterizing?

We don't need no stinking winter. Let's face it we in the northern climate are just in denial. I have to admit I did shudder when I saw the subject header.

Hats off to all late season riders!

Rode right up to Christmas Eve last year, and plan (hope) to do the same this year. Now I know not to put the baby to bed after the inevitable October snow scare!

I'll stay in denial if ya don't mind I don't wanna stop riding!!

Yes. This is important if you plan to store it. Ideally, fill the tank, then add Stabil. You can ride it safely with the Stabil in the tank, too, should you decide to take it out.

The rain can't stop me now. Desea el vespa vivo!

Since Ron-C asked for help on a specific question, why don't the replies address his question rather than going off on tangents? If I were storing the scooter for a long time unattended, I would follow the recommendation to add some Sta-Bil and let it run through the engine for a bit; I would run it empty then add a little more stabil and try to crank it over just for safe measure. I would certainly have it empty if storing in some kind of storage unit. The biggest problems with storing are almost always gas / carb related and can be very frustrating to get corrected. Remove the battery and store it indoors or at least on a block of wood in a location that does'nt freeze. I wouldn't use a bat. tender if you're not going to be around to keep an occassional eye on it, just put a trickle charge on it in the Spring when ready to reinstall. As for oil.. I like to change my oil each winter Before storing, but if I only had 200 miles on the current oil, I would probably just wait. Come Springtime, fill up the tank and ride away.

sounds like my situation (bought LX 2 months ago, now i'll be gone for 4 months).

Get a battery tender and charge it. (what i'm doing)

Deb:

Is the other way around:
1. Add two ounces Stabil to fresh gasoline, run the bike to make it flow through the system to avoid gumming up the carburetor,
2. Change the motor oil and filter, let it cool, take the spark plug away, pour 125 cc of motor oil inside the cylinder, crank the motor with the pedal to spread the oil, put back the sparkplug,
3. Disconnect the battery, have it charged before storage with a slow charge,
4. Wash, dry and wax the motorbike,
5. Cover the exhaust to curtail humidity condensing inside the muffler,
6. Cover the motorbike with a cover that will not trap humidity,
7. Put the motor bike in the center stand and lever the front wheel so it doesn't touch the floor,
8. Check the tire pressure cold and inflate to the required pressures.

I guess that is all I would do in case another Ice Age hits Costa Rica and the winterizing proceedure its outlined in the owner's manual of Vespa.

Regards,

Robert

The coldest I rode in last Winter was in February when it reached about 12 degrees out. that was a f*cking cold ride.

Still, my idea of winterizing was pulling the battery every night so I'd be damn sure that the scoot would start in the morning.

Battery + Cold Temp = Less Charge

So, I'm new to the Vespa life and started reading the threads on Winterizing and noticed a bulk of the responses are from areas that actually get snow and the like. Is it really necessary to do this in California? Or what exactly will go wrong if you don't Winterize. I still have to get my hands on the manual and go through it (aka need to print from MV still)

I wouldn't worry about it here. If you have a garage, just park it in there when you're not riding, which won't be all that often, like maybe when it rains.

I've had 3 bikes I've treated this way without any problems at all. If it's going to be a few weeks, you might put a battery tender on it, but you don't really need anything else. The winterizing you're reading about here is if you're putting the bike away for 3 or 4 months and not going to touch it at all.

Hey, thanks for the response so quickly. I mentioned it to my dad, who is a lil old'school and tends to take short cuts. He said that I didn't have to deal with any of that, but just wanted to make sure from a current scooter owner. Thanks a bunch )

I would run Sta-bil in the correct proportion every once in a while to keep the fuel system and specially the carburetor from accumulating water, gumming up and keeping it from starting correctly in cool weather!

Winterizing? That means more layers right???

Whats Winter?

Steve, did you ever know that you're my hero?

This year, winterizing for me means a lap apron, and handle bar muffs.

No disrespect intended to those who are garaging for the winter, the serious advice here is good. Just ignore the rest of us wise-acres.

The one thing you should think about is topping up your tank and adding the fuel stabilizer Stabil, and running the engine a bit to circulate, if you plan to garage for more than a few weeks. It's cheap. You can get it at any autoparts store. And it will keep your engine from getting nasty varnish-like residues while it sits.

Cheers,

--Deborah

Winterizing means warmer coats, gloves long underwear and extra socks in boots. Make sure crashbars are tight. Go slower then usual. Don't even try doing tricks on the halfpipe at the skateboard park after the snow flies.

Punkelf: You can do better for a hero than me. I come across much better on my blog than in real life.... 8)

Seriously though, winter is an option if you are prepared for the cold and you make the right road surface choices. I've done a fair amount of snow riding and probably won't do anymore unless I absolutely have to. There is so much more risk to manage and additional skills to master.

I will ride through the winter though when the road is not snow or ice covered. For anyone considering this as an options I'll make two observations:

1. Look out for ice even on clear sunny days. There always seems to be some yo-yo washing a car and the water runs across the road and freezes. In rural areas there are springs. An liquid manure that freezes solid. Straight lines are not a problem but finding it on curves is another thing. Slow down. If the speed limit sign says 35 MPH go 20 in a curve. Give yourself time to make some decisions.

2. If you are going to ride in the winter where salt is used accept that your scooter will no longer be pristine. If you shine and polish it like it's fine furniture then you may want to reconsider. Even on dry roads the salt particles get into things and the corrosion starts fast. From the beginning I decided to treat my scooter like a transportation machine and assume there will be an impact. In 7 to 10 years I expect my GTS will be ready to trade or junk much in the same way I have handled my four-wheel vehicles.

I sure love to ride!