If you don’t live in a state where the weather is moderate all year long, you probably won’t need to store your motorcycle during the winter. However, in most cases, the winter is not really suitable for riding a motorcycle. But as many riders are finding out right now, if you don’t take care to store your bike properly, you will have a rude awakening in the spring.
We don’t want your next spring to be ruined by a poorly stored motorcycle, so we’ve put together some tips and tricks that will help you prepare properly. Consider these ideas this winter:
- Change both the filters and oil before storing your motorcycle.
- Prepare the bike for inactivity – check with your manufacturer for the proper procedure when dealing with the fuel delivery system.
- Change both the brake and hydraulic fluids.
- Put fresh coolant in the engine.
- Clean the battery leads and use a battery tender to keep it charged while stored.
- Inflate the tires to the maximum pressure. If the ground in the storage facility might freeze, place the bike on wooden blocks.
- Thoroughly wash the motorcycle and wax it before you store it. Polish all the chrome surfaces.
- Make sure that the motorcycle is covered with a bike cloth or protective sheet to ward off dust while in storage.
- Store the motorcycle in the upright position.
As long as you prepare and store your motorcycle properly, you should be ready to hit the open road next spring!
Jon Huser
