Posts: 96
Threads: 8
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Aug 2014
This has been an another unusually cold winter here in northwest Nebraska with ice and snow covered ground since mid-November. I haven't had the CB out of the garage since then as our road to the highway has been ice-laden for two months.
Just for grins, I went out on a cold morning (below zero F outside), garage temp was about 5 degrees F and wanted to see if the CB would start. I hadn't put a charger on the battery all year and it had October fuel in the tank.
Anyway, the bike started right up as easily as it does in the summer...incredible! I let it idle for a few moments and then shut it down.
FWIW
Posts: 405
Threads: 16
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2025
Just my two cents , I would not recommend doing that type of start up. If you start it I would let the bike run long enough to burn off the condensation that developed on the start up. Maybe 15 minutes,better if you could ride it. But with the weather in your location probably not feasible .Again your bike your choice . I would look into a battery tender,cheap insurance .
Posts: 2,757
Threads: 26
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2014
(01-19-2016, 02:16 AM)obleo_imp Wrote: Just my two cents , I would not recommend doing that type of start up. If you start it I would let the bike run long enough to burn off the condensation that developed on the start up. Maybe 15 minutes,better if you could ride it. But with the weather in your location probably not feasible .Again your bike your choice . I would look into a battery tender,cheap insurance .
I'm glad to hear (but not surprised) that the CB started right up, but agree with the advice above.
I never start my bikes for the entire five months they are laid up over winter. You're only introducing condensation into the engine and exhaust system - but of course, it's your bike.
Since it looks like you're not going to be able to ride anytime soon, I would put some brand of stabilizer in the gas tank and either remove the battery and hook up a battery charger as obleo suggested, or leave it in place and still use a charger.
My dealer fitted an Optimate lead from the battery so I leave the battery in place and plug my Optimate charger into the lead.
Posts: 3,454
Threads: 129
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,093
Threads: 64
Likes Received: 6 in 2 posts
Likes Given: 7
Joined: May 2013
Getting into the mid to 30's, the Griso was reluctant to start. The CB? Turned over and started no problem. I suspect it's the difference between big twins vs. in line 4's. My old Quota would start in the high 20's, but she was not fond of it.
Posts: 2,590
Threads: 28
Likes Received: 6 in 2 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2013
I'm finding myself riding the CB11 to work most days. The CB750 is bit more difficult to start on cold mornings whereas the CB11 starts up as easily as it did in mid summer. Fuel injection is like magic
Posts: 1,180
Threads: 34
Likes Received: 35 in 10 posts
Likes Given: 15
Joined: Apr 2025
A question for the pros. Isn't it okay to just unhook the battery for storage and not worry about a charger? Won't it hold its charge so long as it is not attached to the wires?
Posts: 405
Threads: 16
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2025
If your going to the trouble of unhooking the cables , just as easy to put on a battery tender. They are cheap ,and extend the life of your battery.I got mine for about $29.00 . Just my opinion .
Posts: 1,180
Threads: 34
Likes Received: 35 in 10 posts
Likes Given: 15
Joined: Apr 2025
(01-20-2016, 02:32 AM)obleo_imp Wrote: If your going to the trouble of unhooking the cables , just as easy to put on a battery tender. They are cheap ,and extend the life of your battery.I got mine for about $29.00 . Just my opinion .
But I don't have power anywhere near my bike and would prefer not to run a cord across the lawn.
I will be riding all winter so the question is purely theoretical. Still, I'm curious. Anyone know whether unhooking the battery will save it for spring?
Posts: 23,403
Threads: 697
Likes Received: 482 in 220 posts
Likes Given: 597
Joined: Apr 2025
Well it's not an either or. Take out the battery, take it in the house and put it on a tender. That's what I do for my riding mower. Next best thing would be to take it out and take it in the house and let it sit on a piece of carpet or cardboard or plywood, not on a concrete floor. Finally I don't see any difference in unhooking it and leaving it in the bike, or just leaving it in the bike hooked up. In either case it's going to get cold, discharge and not receive any refreshing charge for as long at it sits there..
