Storage

Always store the vehicle in a cool, dry place. If necessary, protect it against dust with a porous cover. Be sure the engine and the exhaust system are cool before covering the vehicle. If the vehicle often sits for weeks at a time between uses, the use of a quality fuel stabilizer (Fuel Med RX) is recommended after each fill-up.

  • Storing the vehicle in a poorly ventilated room or covering it with a tarp, while it is still wet, will allow water and humidity to seep in and cause rust.
  • To prevent corrosion, avoid damp cellars, stables (because of the presence of ammonia) and areas where strong chemicals are stored.
Long term storage

Before storing the vehicle long term (60 days or more):

  1. Make all necessary repairs and perform any outstanding maintenance.

  2. Follow all instructions in the Care section of this chapter.

  3. Fill up the fuel tank, adding fuel stabilizer according to product instructions. Run the engine for 5 minutes to distribute treated fuel through the fuel system.

  4. For vehicles equipped with a fuel cock: Turn the fuel cock lever to the off position.

  5. For vehicles with a carburetor: To prevent fuel deposits from building up, drain the fuel in the carburetor float chamber into a clean container. Retighten the drain bolt and pour the fuel back into the fuel tank.

  6. Use a quality engine fogging oil (YAMALUBE Stor-Rite Engine Fogging Oil) according to product instructions to protect internal engine components from corrosion. If engine fogging oil is not available, perform the following steps for each cylinder:

    1. Remove the spark plug cap and spark plug.

    2. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil into the spark plug bore.

    3. Install the spark plug cap onto the spark plug, and then place the spark plug on the cylinder head so that the electrodes are grounded. (This will limit sparking during the next step.)

    4. Turn the engine over several times with the starter. (This will coat the cylinder wall with oil.) WARNING! To prevent damage or injury from sparking, make sure to ground the spark plug electrodes while turning the engine over.

    5. Remove the spark plug cap from the spark plug, and then install the spark plug and the spark plug cap.

  7. Lubricate all control cables, pivots, levers and pedals, as well as the sidestand and centerstand (if equipped).

  8. Check and correct the tire air pressure, and then lift the vehicle so that all wheels are off the ground. Otherwise, turn the wheels a little once a month in order to prevent the tires from becoming degraded in one spot.

  9. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag to prevent moisture from entering it.

  10. Remove the battery and fully charge it, or attach a maintenance charger to keep the battery optimally charged. NOTICE: Confirm that the battery and its charger are compatible. Do not charge a VRLA battery with a conventional charger.

    • If the battery will be removed, charge it once a month and store it in a temperate location between 32-90 °F (0-30 °C).
    • See page for more information on charging and storing the battery.