7 ways to prepare your motorcycle for winter.

 

It's that time of year again. As the days get shorter, temperatures drop and snow is surely on the way. Many riders will be putting their bikes away into storage for this upcoming season. For veterans and newcomers of all kinds, it's essential to know the proper procedures for winterizing their motorcycles for it to run appropriately next season. There are a plethora of ways to store a bike and the storage time will vary with each rider. Here is a list of tasks to perform to winterize your motorcycle for the winter.

 

  1. Properly clean your bike of any surface debris. While this may seem like an obvious step, it is crucial to emphasize it as much as possible. Stains that are left unattended throughout the winter will be much harder to remove in the future. 
     
  2. Lubricate all moving parts. Covering essential parts in a coat of oil will help prevent corrosion and moisture buildup if you plan to store your motorcycle for a few months. 
     
  3. Fill up on a full tank of gas. Filling up your gas tank before storage will help reduce moisture buildup around the walls of your tank. Adding a fuel stabilizer will help with this process as well. An additional option would be to drain your fuel tank completely and add fogging oil for rust prevention. This method is usually for long term-storage spanning over six months. 
     
  4. Add antifreeze, change oil and filter. Change your oil and filter before storage. Old oil may potentially corrode engine components and lead to other problems. Adding an antifreeze coolant system will further ensure that your bike will run properly for next time. 
     
  5.  Remove your battery(optional). You can either remove the battery entirely, or keep it on the bike. Just be sure to turn your bike on every month or so if you decide to keep the battery attached. Otherwise, attach the battery to a trickle charger.
     
  6. Avoid Flats. Use a kickstand. Placing your bike on a kickstand is a great way to reduce the possibility of flat tires. If a kickstand is available to you, make sure to prop your bike on it. If a kickstand isn't available to you, fill the tires to maximum PSI and try to place your bike on a soft surface, such as a carpet. 
     
  7. Cover and store. Everyone has different needs when it comes to storing their bikes. While there are multiple ways to store your bike, the two most common options are renting a storage unit or using a bike cover. These are both quality options that will ensure your bike continues to run in great condition for next season.   

 

Performing these steps will help keep your motorcycle in running condition for years to come. Happy riding and stay safe out there!

 

In the event that you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident, the experienced attorneys of Hupy and Abraham may be able to help you. We will go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that you are treated fairly, provide you with the personal attention that you deserve and use our experience of helping more than 70,000 injured people make successful recoveries. Our personal injury law firm is here when you need us. Contact us anytime--24/7/365--by phone, online chat or through hupy.com to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.

Jason F. Abraham
Connect with me
Helping car accident and personal injury victims throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa since 1993.