[Live_on_Standby]

Hello Monster 821 drivers,

as winter is coming up here in Germany I have a view questions regarding the winterization process of especially this bike.

• First of all I want to know if the gas tank should be empty or not? In the manual it says the gas tank should be empty but I prefer a full one with fuel stabilizer. Is this ok as well?

• Are there some parts of the bike which might rust and should therefore be protected against it?

• Do you connect the battery tender all the time or just from time to time. (FYI the bike is stored in a non heated garage).

Thank you for your answers.

 

[King Luis]

i'm in a heated/non freezing temperature garage, so here's my list. i'll try and get a video posted of my process...but:

- tires off the ground and at or near max psi.
- battery connected to battery tender. (still not sure if i'm going to have it all winter or when the warm weather comes around).
- i like to have a good amount of fuel in the tank with stabilizer. it will prevent any rust or sediments from building up on the tank.
- plug the exhaust and if you can the intake.
- lube up the chain.
- give the bike a good wash.
- make sure the suspension is in good working condition and not leaking or anything.
- put a nice cover on it. soft non abrasive inside and hard shell outside.


i think there is a few other things that i may have forgot.

 

[Peter Krynicki]

I keep fuel in the tank since here in the states you never know when you will get a chance to ride. Some winters it snows and the snow stays on the ground until near spring, but other winters there are several clear, dry days, and I'll go out down to about 28 degrees F.

Pjk

 

[Dmitriy5099]

I keep fuel in the tank since here in the states you never know when you will get a chance to ride. Some winters it snows and the snow stays on the ground until near spring, but other winters there are several clear, dry days, and I'll go out down to about 28 degrees F.

Pjk

That's way too cold to go out in. I can't if it's below 50

 

[RogueTS1]

I keep my bikes' tanks full with non alcohol fuel and stabilizer. Bikes are washed and lubed. Sometimes I elevate the rear wheels but mostly I just keep them parked on the side stands in the climate controlled garage and hook them each up to the batter tender from time to time.

I simply start them up from time to time and roll them back and forth a bit. If weather allows I take them quickly up and down the street, after warming them up, for a little exercise and then pack them away back in the garage.

Have never had a problem.

 

[Live_on_Standby]

Thank you for your replies! I will use fuel stabilizer in a full gas tank. Unfortunately, I will not be able to drive as the temperatures here are already around 39 degree F with snowfall.
The bike is of course lifted with both wheels up.

i'm in a heated/non freezing temperature garage, so here's my list. i'll try and get a video posted of my process...but:

@King Luis : If you have a video online let me know.

 

[King Luis]

Thank you for your replies! I will use fuel stabilizer in a full gas tank. Unfortunately, I will not be able to drive as the temperatures here are already around 39 degree F with snowfall.
The bike is of course lifted with both wheels up.



@King Luis : If you have a video online let me know.

i'll be sure to post a thread linking to the video. weather here (Toronto) is still on and off regarding riding weather. so i hope to get out on it a couple more times. also waiting for a proper cover and battery tender.

 

[RDT]

What is this Winterize..?

Out here in Northern Ca we get to usually ride year round. granted it rains a bit. However, we are in a very bad drought at the moment.

 

[West]

Guys I'm new on this forum and I 'm glad to find other passionates about the M821!
I got my bike about a year ago When I lived in FL. Now I'm NYC and saw that all those steps to keep the bike in well conditions. Do you think is very necessary to lift both tires in a non heated but covered garage?
I have the original lubricant in the chain, should I use any other one?

I would probably not ride it in this freezing weather...

Thank you in advance!

 

[King Luis]

you want to try to stop the tires from getting cold/frozen. so if you can't raise it, then put some carpet under the tire.

 

[Jack308]

You definitely want to keep the chain lubed, its an "O" ring chain so use something for O-ring chains. I always take a quick look at the chain but I think the manual recommends every 500 miles or so to lube chain

 

[West]

King Luis and Jack308, thank you so much for the heads up!!

 

[Live_on_Standby]

@West
I do lift up my bike with both tires up. I am not that much concerned for moisture or cold tires. But if you like some carpet (as mentioned) or pizza boxes will do the job.
Lifting up both tires should relieve the suspensions and prevent tire damage.

 

[five55]

hey guys, my 821 has been in storage for a bout a month now. one thing ive notice is that sometimes when i start my bike and play around with the gear shift lever, its almost impossible to find neutral and ill have to kick REALLY hard from 1st to 2sc gear, its seems so abnormal. Way worse than the time during my "break in period", but when the bike is turned off it shifts perfectly fine. anyone else experiencing the same problem?

 

[Live_on_Standby]

hey guys, my 821 has been in storage for a bout a month now. one thing ive notice is that sometimes when i start my bike and play around with the gear shift lever, its almost impossible to find neutral and ill have to kick REALLY hard from 1st to 2sc gear, its seems so abnormal. Way worse than the time during my "break in period", but when the bike is turned off it shifts perfectly fine. anyone else experiencing the same problem?

When the bike is cold, shifting and especially finding the neutral is hard. See here for the thread: http://www.ducati.org/forums/ducati-monster-821/64735-new-821-hard-gears-shift.html

 

[Hold Fast]

None of that is normal. Whether the bike is cold or warm, on or off, you should not have to struggle with neutral. However, when the bike is stationary, you might have to move it slightly either forward or backward to find neutral.

I find it hilarious that Ducati claims how much technology is there in these bikes but people are having same problems I have with a bike from 1972 ...

 

[five55]

When the bike is cold, shifting and especially finding the neutral is hard. See here for the thread: http://www.ducati.org/forums/ducati-monster-821/64735-new-821-hard-gears-shift.html

This is extremely bizarre as i have never experienced this on my previous bikes. And to refer to that post I am experiencing the same problem, however my 821's got 3000kms on it and it has gone through the first service with the dealer. during break in period umm ya? but come on, its got 3k on it, definitely gonna tow it to the dealer and have it checked. anyone else having the same problem please share. Thanks!

 

[Jack308]

I just hit the 500 mile mark during the break-in period and no real problems with neutral. I find it much easier going into neutral shifting down from second than shifting up from first. I previously had a Suzuki RF900, that was a real clunker transmission, sometimes neutral would be between first and second and the next day I'd find it between fourth and fifth, it kept moving around. Challenging!!

 

[JohnR]

I have 2,600 miles and when the bike is cold below 65 degrees it has the same problem. Usually putting it into first..slipping the clutch to roll it forward about two feet then back solves the problem. At times I find the bike is actually in neutral but the neutral light didn't go on. Either way it is only during cold starts. Others I know with Ducati s have the same issue....

 

[West]

I have a similar issue finding the neutral. However if I shift it either from first gear or second in a light way I will get to the N. It doesn't matter if it is cold or warm weather it always gave me this little issue.