BMW S1000r not ridden for 9 months...
BMW S1000r not ridden for 9 months...
Author
Discussion

WindyCommon

Original Poster:

3,924 posts

270 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
My S1000r has been sat warm and dry in my garage for about 9 months. I've had a knee injury so the bike has not been started, let alone ridden during that time. There are probably a heap of steps I should have taken to look after it better, but I just haven't.

Biking friend #1 says - major problem, will need to have fuel system drained completely (whatever you do don't try to start it) & new fluids all round. Tyres will have perished/deformed. Hoses may need to be changed etc etc etc. Get BMW to come and collect it - they will agree that a whole lot of work is required before it is safe to be ridden.

Biking friend #2 says - rubbish, it's a modern fuel injected bike with modern fluids etc.It's been kept dry and out of harm's way. Just charge the battery, pump up the tyres, brim the tank and take it for a gentle/decent test ride being watchful for any signs of problems.

Both have owned and ridden bikes for years. Neither is a fully trained and time-served mechanic. To some degree their answers reflect their personalities...

In the usual way. I'd be interested in the views and experiences of PH'ers. Thank you in advance...

anonymous-user

85 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
If the garage is warm and dry as you say:

Get it up on paddock stands, blow up the tyres, check the running gear looks good.
Check the oil and fluids
Start it and warm it gently
Fill it with fresh fuel as soon as you can

Ride the bloody thing.

Being inside in the warm and dry is a lot different to leaving a bike outside. If the tyres are getting on, replace them, but I'm sure you can judge from your memory how they feel to the touch and their general condition since laying the bike up.

Gavia

7,627 posts

122 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
Friend 2 should be promoted to best friend. Friend 1 should be sent to play with the other mummies in the school yard.

Just check the tyre pressures and enjoy the ride.

I’ve got a few bikes sitting in the garage that haven’t turned a wheel since October, one has done less than 300 miles and not ridden since July. It started first time last week and is ready to go.

All will get tyre pressures checked and that’s it before ridden hopefully this weekend.

SAS Tom

3,755 posts

205 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
It’ll be fine just ride it. Plenty of bikes are treated the same. Nothing much is going to happen to it sat in a garage.

cat with a hat

1,488 posts

149 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
Friend 1 is giving you advice if it hasn't been ridden for 9 year hehe

Get on the bike, ride it to petrol station, brim the tank and go for a long ride.

RemyMartin81D

6,759 posts

236 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
Assuming your not trolling. Biking friend number 1 is a clueless . 9 months not 9 years. It will be fine, check your air pressures and think about changing oil in the future, petrol may have degraded a bit but not to the point where it's useless, either way just so regular top ups for 150 odd miles if your concerned.

bogie

17,105 posts

303 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
Give it a once over, check tyres, fluids, charge it up, get it out and ride it until the tank is empty ....fill up and repeat smile

Max5476

1,022 posts

145 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
Get on it and ride! I doubt you'll need to charge the battery unless it has an alarm. Worth checking the tyre pressure.

WindyCommon

Original Poster:

3,924 posts

270 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
Thank you all. Seems pretty clear cut!

Charger is running now, although the battery seems to be alive anyway. I'm going to give it a thorough clean and check over in the morning, and then take it out for a ride. If I don't post here tomorrow evening you'll know that friend #1 was right after all.... ;>

Darkslider

3,084 posts

220 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
I returned my K1 GSXR to the road after being stored outside for nigh on 4 years and I didn't have to do half the stuff your first mate is worrying about hehe just ride the thing it'll be fine!

The Moose

23,706 posts

240 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
I'd have tried to start it if there was juice in the battery. Check tires, job jobbed.

poo at Paul's

14,621 posts

206 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
Tell friend 1 he is a mangina and stick to his BMW i3

Tell friend 2 he needs to lighten up a bit and not worry so much.

Get keys, start bike, ride it, be happy.

meridian

324 posts

314 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
You are all being far too polite about the views of Friend 1......

bogie

17,105 posts

303 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
meridian said:
You are all being far too polite about the views of Friend 1......
Yep...its 9 months later, so its fooked...you need to buy a new bike....on the knock, and dont dare own one out of warranty, you never know whats going to go wrong with it .......

or maybe not...modern cars run oil thats good for 2 years and warrantied by manufacturers......perhaps check battery (it starts) and tyre pressures (not flat) then ride it....then give it a good service at your leisure smile

Dog Star

17,645 posts

199 months

Friday 13th April 2018
quotequote all
What everyone else says.

Mate #1 is a dick.

MrGman

1,670 posts

237 months

Saturday 14th April 2018
quotequote all
it's a modern bike, give a once over, do all your checks then take it for a ride.

friend2

Djtemeka

1,987 posts

223 months

Saturday 14th April 2018
quotequote all
My bike hasn’t started in 6 months. Last night I hopped on and rode to the ace cafe. Pushed my thumbs on the tyres before I left to see if they needed air. Oh, and also checked I had fuel to get there biggrin

Krikkit

27,941 posts

212 months

Saturday 14th April 2018
quotequote all
WindyCommon said:
Biking friend #1 says - major problem, will need to have fuel system drained completely (whatever you do don't try to start it) & new fluids all round. Tyres will have perished/deformed. Hoses may need to be changed etc etc etc. Get BMW to come and collect it - they will agree that a whole lot of work is required before it is safe to be ridden.
Can I have this chap's number? I'll be his mechanic, sounds very profitable. smile

wuckfitracing

991 posts

174 months

Saturday 14th April 2018
quotequote all
This bike is a death trap and should be scrapped, you have ruined it. Ill start the bidding at £100.

Walter Sobchak

5,739 posts

255 months

Saturday 14th April 2018
quotequote all
Friend 1 has got to be having a wind up?, no way anyone would do that.
If the battery’s flat charge it up or if you don’t have time just bump start it, modern FI 4s bump very easily, check the tyre pressures then ride it.