i start my bike about once a week and let it run for 5 minutes.

 

Bad idea. I'll let others explain why.

 

That's not good practice for the motor. You'll introduce more condensation in the crankcase and not allow the oil to get hot enough to boil it out.

You are far better off running it at less frequent intervals and for a longer period under load - i.e. take it for a ride if you can.

I do not run my bike all winter. Battery stays installed and hooked to a tender.

 

Stabil and battery tender. Never start it.

 

thanks for the advice jags

 

Battery Tender all the time here!

 

Battery tender yup, I dunno if the old wives tale about battery leaking thru the kickstand is the reason why people disconnect. Google it its not true....

 

I didnt read all the post, but yes if you want to store the bike you can disconnect the negative terminal and this will prevent the drain on battery...seems it used to say that in the manual years ago....

 

What is this "winter storage" you speak of?

 

If you take the load off a lead acid battery for the winter granted a fairly fresh battery may start your bike next spring.It wil howeverer shorten the life of the battery. The plates slowly sulfate which is irreversible.Even not fully charging a lead acid battery is detremental.If a brand new battery goes dead it may take a charge but you've probably lost 30-40% of it's CCA right there.A $50 batt. tender is well worth the price.