winter pause: full or empty tank?

[Rhino]

According to pure-gas.org there are a few ethanol free stations in Colorado.
Pure-Gas.org - Colorado

I know of a few ethanol free options in Oklahoma City but it is harder to find than it should be.

Great website! I knew there were a few around but none close to me. The one in Englewood is about the closest and as of 11/14 $4.36/gal. About a dollar more then average.

[sherob]

Great website! I knew there were a few around but none close to me. The one in Englewood is about the closest and as of 11/14 $4.36/gal. About a dollar more then average.

I hit the Conoco station on Santa Fe at lunch every other month or so... just a treat for the Ninja ST. 

[h2oplayer]

If you can fill up with non ethanol gas then I would go this route with a fuel stabilizer added. If you have to fill with an ethanol blend I would still stableize it. Ethanol blends breakdown faster and ethanol is hydroscopic and will literally absorb water from the air and since gas is lighter than water the water collects at the bottom of your tank. As far as the oil goes change it right before storing it.

[maxtog]

Wondering why you are using an ethanol Stabil when the bike uses premium fuel. Around here that means no ethanol. I use the regular Stabil. Should I be changing.

In many areas, it is impossible to obtain ANY gas without ethanol.  I live in one such area...

[VirginiaJim]

You have one in Suffolk, Max, but it's only 87 octane..

[McJunkie]

Since I'm doing the valve check, coolant change and installing the Canyon Cage this winter, I'll be having the tank off the bike. Normally I fill it up put in Stabil and ride it home and call it a winter. This year I'll fill it up put Stabil in it and try to run it close to empty so it's easier to remove the tank.

[TJ]

Forget the stabilizer. It is simply a waste of money and may cause more problems than it prevents. Used it for a couple of years along time ago only to discover a red residue in the gas tank of one of my ATV's that seemed to be a gritty powder.
We store out boats, motorhome, atv's, and motorcycles from about 1 October until mid April. Batteries are disconnected and left in as they will discharge even less when cold. The vehicles are never started and I have had zero rated fuel issues with any of the toys in the last 35 years. Top off the tanks, cover, disconnect the battery and thats it. Most people in Alaska will tell you that stabilizer is a waste of good money.

[C1xRider]

Since I'm doing the valve check, coolant change and installing the Canyon Cage this winter, I'll be having the tank off the bike. Normally I fill it up put in Stabil and ride it home and call it a winter. This year I'll fill it up put Stabil in it and try to run it close to empty so it's easier to remove the tank.

Are you pulling the tank "just for fun"?  It's not necessary for doing any of the things you listed.

[McJunkie]

Are you pulling the tank "just for fun"?  It's not necessary for doing any of the things you listed.

Now that you mention it, I don't need to remove the tank. Last time I did the valve check I also put in the hoses on the throttle bodies so that I could do the throttle body sync. Guess it kinda stuck in my head the association of the valve check with having to take off the tank. Thanks.