Thankfully, here in east texas there are plenty of winter days that are warm enough for a fun ride (even in this bad *** winter). There is no reason for me to store the bike cause I can get in enough riding to keep every thing in good shape.
I don't know about twinkies, but my EVO has oil pressure after 2 kicks, whether the engine starts or not.
When I lived in Chicago, many years ago, I would put a 100 watt bulb under the crankcase at night. Worked pretty good, atleast I could easily kick it in freezing weather.

 

Everyone has their opinion on this. What I do in the northeast is put stabil in the tank in December, keep a battery tender attached & once a month or so take it for a 10-12 mile ride when & if the temp gets above 32 & there's not too much Salt on the roads. This winter has been particularly difficult to do this, but I have been able to by choosing the right day. I definitely wouldn't start the bike & run it without riding it. It's better to get all the fluids heated up & moving. I have been doing this for 30 years in Harley's & metric sport bikes with no ill effects.

 

....just go sit on it and make vroom vroom sounds.

Spring is just aroung the corner.

 

True that this is one of the coldest Winters, for an extended period, that we've had here, but it's still not that bad. You can ride most of this next week even if you want to. Plug in the tender and leave it alone. The only time I'd worry about changing oil, and all that other stuff is if it was going to sit for three or four months straight. Our winters aren't that bad. And don't start it just to run it for a few minutes. If you're not going to get it out and let it heat up good, leave it alone. Won't hurt a thing.

 

Thanks everyone as this thread has been very helpful for me. I had the oil changed in November for the 20,000 service and did ride the bike for about 40 miles 6 weeks ago. So this makes me reassured that sitting for 6-8 weeks without running is not an issue to worry about. Danny, I am going to try and get the big hog out tomorrow. Finally a reasonably warm weekend here. I am still ready for spring. Thanks guys.

 

Change the oil before storage, but some Stabil in the gas tank, put it on a battery tender and leave it alone until you can ride it.

 

I never put mine away for winter. As long as the roads are clear I ride. Just make sure to give the bike a good washing to get the salt off.