With the winter months and snowy weather approaching, many riders are getting ready to store their bikes until the spring. While some motorcyclists will ride no matter what the weather is, most of us need to rely on storing our bikes so that they’re ready to go when the weather gets warmer. Making sure that your bike is stored properly ensures that it will be in good riding condition when you’re ready to take it back on the road.
First, you’ll need a proper storage location. You’ll want to find a space that is secure, preferably climate controlled and with enough room to store your bike. Making sure your bike is secure with enough room will help so that it doesn’t incur any damage during the storage period. Keeping your bike in a climate-controlled environment will help keep your motorcycle from getting damaged by moisture build up.
Wash your bike before you put it in storage. Any dirt, grime, bugs or other materials that are left on your bike for long periods of time can damage the paint and the finish. Wash your bike and make sure everything is dry before you store it away. Waxing the bike will add another layer of protection and will make your motorcycle look extra fresh on your first ride of the season. Covering your bike with a proper cover will also protect it from any elements that may damage it during storage.
While your bike is sitting in storage, old fuel can rot out the inside of your gas tank and cause it to rust. Buy a bottle of fuel stabilizer. Adding the correct amount of fuel stabilizer and topping of your fuel tank with gas on the last ride of the season will prevent any problems with fuel or your gas tank.
It's also a good idea to change your oil before you store away your bike. Putting in fresh, clean oil and a new oil filter will ensure that you can take it on the road right away when you’re ready to ride again.
Taking care of your battery is especially important. Your battery can easily drain in storage due to the cold or many other reasons. If you want your bike to start right up when you’re ready to ride it again, make sure you attach a battery tender to your motorcycle’s battery. A battery tender will guarantee that your bike doesn’t lose any charge during the winter and will be ready to go in the spring.
Keep your tires in the best condition possible by using a center stand. If your tires are sitting on the ground during the storage period, they can develop flat spots or dry rot, making them unsafe for the road. If your bike doesn’t have a center stand, it’s a good idea to buy one so that you don’t encounter tire problems in the future. Making sure your tires are in the best shape for the road is key to your safety while riding.
Following all these steps when storing your bike will keep it in top riding condition and ready when you want to take it back on the road. If you have any questions or concerns about storing your bike, contact a motorcycle dealer or shop. Many shops and dealerships offer storage services during the winter, which is a great option if you don’t want to worry about all the details of taking care of your bike.
Hupy and Abraham has been an advocate for motorcycle riders for decades by promoting awareness with our “Watch for Motorcycles” campaign. We’ve even put together a video showing proper winter storage tips that you can watch here. For more important riding news, tips and videos, stay tuned to HUPY.COM.
We’re here to help motorcyclists after an accident as well. If you’ve been injured in an accident, call Hupy and Abraham right away at 800-800-5678. We’ve helped over 70,000 clients receive over $1 billion for their injuries.