Plastics need to come off. Some of my friends go with just using stabil in the fuel. I don't trust relying on Stabil with modern fuel. Todays pump gas seams to go bad faster. Considering the amount of work it takes to clean the carbs; I always drain the float bowls. I also pull the battery and give it a full charge and them bring it in the warm house. After you get use to pulling the plastic it does not seem like a big deal anymore. Good luck.

I throw a cover over it and park it in the corner of the garage. I use Startron fuel enzyme treatment year round and it seems to keep the fuel in good shape through the winter. I use it for all my small engines and haven't had a problem yet.

I think most people here recommend not draining the float bowls. Just some Sta-bil in the gas run for 5 minutes to get in carbs. Pull battery and put in house. I also put my seat in the house. I think the seat will last longer if not exposed to constant Sub zero temps.

I have yet to winterize myself, but removing the plastics is really easy. You run very little risk of damaging the fairings when removing them.

Put sta-bil in the tank when it is filled up, go for a quick ride to get it in the carbs. bring it home, park it, I recommend putting it on a swing arm stand or something to get the weight off the tires if possible so they don't "dent" the tires from sitting on one spot too long (you can ruin new tires quickly). Then pull the battery and bring it inside and put a float charger on it, (depending on the batt don't leave it on the ground, put it on a piece of wood or table so it doesn't discharge to the ground. My friend stores his race cars with nothing in pump gas fuel and hasn't had a problem but I use sta-bil just for ease of mind.

You want gas in the carbs and tank so that everything stays wet and you don't get rust in the tank. AS long as the fuel doesn't varnish your good to go. Make sure your petcock isn't leaking tho! Spring rolls around, pull tank and plugs and squirt some 10w40 in the cylinders and start it up!

Thankfully my Shoria battery doesn't need to be charged over winter as it can be stored for a full year and not lose any charge.

I havent winterized yet, still riding woohoo!

Dump in gas treatment, ride around for a while, fill tank to the top, attach tender, put bike on stands, turn out the lights.

^ Yup

I just put TX in the tank, pull the battery and wait until April comes around