Getting Your 1982 Suzuki GS850GL Ready for Winter Storage
Shop parts for a 1982 Suzuki GS850GL Motorcycle.
A 1982 Suzuki GS850GL that goes into winter storage properly prepared comes out of it in spring ready to start. The GS850GL is a carbureted, electric-start, air-cooled machine, and understanding that configuration is the starting point for the checklist below: some sections apply to this bike and some do not, based on whether it has electric start, a cooling system, and what type of fuel delivery it uses. Work through the applicable sections before the bike goes away for the season.
What Happens to the GS850GL’s Carburetor Without Proper Fuel Prep
The fuel in the GS850GL’s tank and carburetor is the first thing to address before putting the bike away for winter. Modern gasoline, particularly ethanol-blended fuel, degrades more quickly than traditional fuel because the ethanol fraction separates from gasoline when the blend sits and absorbs moisture. Fuel left in the tank without stabilizer over a winter layoff loses its combustion quality, deposits varnish in the fuel system, and allows moisture to accumulate at the tank bottom.
After running the treated fuel through the GS850GL’s carburetor, shut the petcock off and allow the engine to run until it stalls from fuel starvation. This empties the float bowl of the treated fuel and leaves the bowl and jet passages essentially dry rather than filled with stabilized fuel that can still slowly varnish over a long winter.
Keeping the GS850GL’s Tires in Shape During a Winter Layoff
Set the tire pressure on the GS850GL correctly before storage and plan to check it at least once or twice during the winter. Tires that are noticeably low when the bike comes out of storage have been sitting under full load with reduced pressure, which increases the risk of flat-spotting and can stress the sidewalls where they repeatedly flex against the rim edge.
Storing the GS850GL on a paddock stand—particularly a combination of front and rear stands that lifts both wheels completely off the ground—eliminates the flat-spotting concern entirely and is the preferred approach for longer storage periods. Without a stand, placing the GS850GL on a smooth, hard surface rather than on soil or grass that may settle or shift under the tires reduces but doesn’t eliminate the flat-spot risk from sustained weight in one position.
The Battery Step That Makes Spring Startup Far Easier on the GS850GL
Battery maintainers are designed specifically for the storage use case that motorcycle riders face, and using one on the GS850GL’s battery throughout winter is both inexpensive and effective. The key distinction between a maintainer and a standard battery charger is the charging logic: a charger applies current continuously until the battery reaches full charge, then stops—which can overcharge and damage a battery left connected for weeks. A smart maintainer monitors voltage continuously and applies short charge pulses only when voltage drops, keeping the battery topped off without overcharging.
Clean the battery terminals on the GS850GL before winter storage regardless of whether a maintainer will be connected or the battery will be disconnected. The white or blue-green corrosion that forms on terminal posts adds electrical resistance that compounds during storage, and a terminal that is borderline acceptable before storage may be significantly corroded by spring. Remove the cables, clean the post surfaces and the inside of the clamp contacts with a wire brush or terminal cleaner until bare metal shows, and reconnect securely.
Changing Oil Before Winter: What It Protects on the GS850GL
The pre-storage oil change on the GS850GL is one of the most consistently recommended winter preparation steps, and the reason is specific: combustion byproducts that accumulate in the oil during the riding season continue to cause slow damage to engine surfaces when the bike sits with that oil in it over winter.
The oil filter is worth replacing at the same time as the oil on the GS850GL before storage. A filter that has accumulated sediment and trapped particles during the season will slowly leach some of those contaminants back into the fresh oil during the static winter storage period, partially defeating the benefit of the oil change. Starting storage with a new filter and fresh oil ensures the entire lubrication system is as clean as practical at the beginning of the layoff.
Clean and Covered: The Last Step in Winterizing the GS850GL
The pre-storage wash on the GS850GL is the step that preserves the finish quality the rider will see when the bike comes out of storage in spring. Contaminants that are merely unattractive during the riding season become damaging given the months of static contact that winter storage provides. Tar spots, insect residue, and chain lube overspray on painted surfaces all have the opportunity to bond more firmly to the finish during a long storage period than they would in normal riding use.
The storage cover choice for the GS850GL is worth a moment of consideration. A breathable motorcycle cover in a dry, sheltered location is the ideal combination: the cover keeps dust and environmental debris off the bike while the breathable material allows moisture vapor to escape rather than accumulating inside the cover where it has nowhere to go but onto the bike’s surfaces.
Before You Put the Cover On: Final Checks on the GS850GL
Lubricating the GS850GL’s drive chain before storage is a step that is easy to do now and prevents rust from forming on the chain’s side plates and rollers during the winter layoff. A chain that goes into storage with fresh lubricant between the side plates and on the rollers is far better protected against corrosion than one that stored dry or with old, dried lubricant that has cracked away from the metal surfaces.
With the winterization checklist complete on the GS850GL, a brief written note of what was done and when makes the spring startup far more straightforward. Knowing the oil was changed before storage, the fuel was treated with stabilizer, and the battery has been on a maintainer eliminates guesswork about what preparation was done when the bike comes back out in spring.
Related Shopping Categories
Shop Fuel Stabilizer for a 1982 Suzuki GS850GL Motorcycle.
Shop Batteries & Battery Chargers for a 1982 Suzuki GS850GL Motorcycle.
Shop Oil and Fluids for a 1982 Suzuki GS850GL Motorcycle.
Shop Tires for a 1982 Suzuki GS850GL Motorcycle.
Shop Motorcycle Covers for a 1982 Suzuki GS850GL Motorcycle.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace your motorcycle's official owner's manual. Always refer to your manufacturer's documentation for model-specific instructions, torque specifications, safety procedures, and maintenance requirements. If you are unsure or inexperienced, consider seeking assistance from a qualified mechanic or technician.
