For motorcycle enthusiasts, one of life’s great joys is cruising down the open road while straddling a 200-horsepower high-performance machine as the stresses of life whiz past you like so many trees and road signs. Unfortunately, that feeling is only relegated to three seasons out of the year, as motorcycles must be stored in the winter for safety, performance, and aesthetic considerations. After all, it should be obvious that properly storing motorcycles protects them from damage and ensures peak performance when spring returns. To help you achieve the optimal conditions for motorcycle storage for winter, Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde has compiled a list of tips and advice for winterizing your ride, including a thorough cleaning, prepping the fuel system, protecting the battery, placing and removing tires, choosing the right storage option and creating a final storage checklist.
Thorough Cleaning Before Storage
The first thing you’ll need to do in motorcycle storage for winter is wash and dry your vehicle completely. Remove the dirt, grime, mud, and dead insects from the chassis that can corrode your paint job and damage the metal of your bike. Now’s not the time to get squeamish- get in every crevice you can with a toothbrush if you have to, as a clean bike is a long-lasting one. Also, dry your motorcycle thoroughly to prevent any chance of rust.
Next, you’ll want to wax the paint and chrome; applying this protective layer to prevent rust and maintain the bike’s shine will not only keep it looking showroom-new but also help safeguard against rust and corrosion. Lastly, you should lubricate moving parts to protect them from rust and also have them ready for action in the spring. This includes parts like chains, cables, clutches, and brakes.
Prepare the Fuel System
Neglecting your engine during preparations in motorcycle storage for winter is a good way to end up with a damaged or non-functional machine come spring. As soon as your motorcycle is clean and dry, you should begin work on winterizing your engine. Start by filling the gas tank with fuel, as this will help prevent the interior lining from corroding. Also, you should add a fuel stabilizer to your tank to help avoid fuel degradation, prevent moisture build-up, and avoid the formation of rust within the tank itself. To ensure the fuel stabilizer has had the opportunity to circulate through your motorcycle’s fuel system, it’s advisable to run the engine for a few minutes.
Finally, you should make a point of checking all your other fluids before you store your motorcycle for the winter. Top up your antifreeze if your bike is being stored in a cold space and double-check your brake, clutch, and coolant fluids before you lock up your bike for the winter. If your motorcycle is an older model, you should drain your carburetor (if applicable) to avoid fuel varnishing.
Protect the Battery
Aside from the engine, the next essential motorcycle part you’ll want to ensure is winterized properly is the battery. After all, if it becomes cracked, corroded, or damaged, you won’t be able to provide the electrical power you need to start your engine effectively, or at all.
Prepare for motorcycle storage for winter by removing the battery completely and storing it in a cool, dry place to avoid freezing. This way, you can avoid the battery cracking and seeping acid into your motorcycle, potentially ruining vital parts and mechanisms through corrosion.
As your battery sits in your home through the winter, use a battery tender or charger to maintain its charge until you’re ready to reinstall it come spring. Doing so will keep your battery revved and ready to go. Additionally, it will help you avoid sulfation from setting in and lessening your battery effectiveness.
Finally, you should check your terminals and connectors for any corrosion. Clean them thoroughly with water and baking soda and apply dielectric grease to prevent any further deterioration from occurring.
Tire Care and Placement
Although perhaps not as vital as an engine or a battery, tires are still an essential part of your motorcycle that needs assiduous preparatory care during winter storage to ensure their peak functional capacity when you can ride again during the spring.
First, you should inflate your tires to the recommended pressure and check for any leaks. This will help avoid any distortion that may occur by the vehicle’s weight pressing down on the tires during long months of storage. Of course, you can avoid this problem altogether by using your motorcycle stand to keep your tires off the ground and reduce wear. Keeping your tires off the ground will also help prevent the development of flat spots during storage, keeping the surface of your tires taught and uniform. Also, avoid direct contact with concrete by placing a mat or piece of wood under the tires. This will help prevent the tires from collecting moisture and possibly growing mildew and grime.
Choose the Right Storage Option
Deciding where to have motorcycle storage for winter is just as important as knowing how to store it, and can contribute to the overall longevity of your vehicle. First and foremost, you should keep your motorcycle in indoor storage, as a garage or storage facility will protect your bike from harsh and frigid weather conditions and damaging elements like snow, ice, and rain. Even though it’s indoors, you should use a quality cover to shield your bike from dust, moisture, and invasive pests, which can damage your motorcycle beyond repair. Of course, for optimal storage protection, you can rent a climate-controlled storage unit. This type of premium protection against temperature fluctuations and humidity can guarantee your motorcycle will not suffer any rust or corrosion while it is stored away for the long winter months. For the best and most affordable climate-controlled storage units, check out Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde!
Final Checklist Before Storage
Before you lock up your motorcycle for the winter, it’s wise to do a final check of your bike and take care of some last-minute items.
First, give your bike a thorough inspection for repairs, addressing any maintenance issues before you place it in storage. After all, it makes more sense to take care of repairs at this point than in the spring when you’re itching to ride. You should also plug or cover your exhaust pipes to keep dust, debris, and vermin from making a home there during your motorcycle’s time in storage. Exhaust plugs are available at a wide variety of retail outlets for very affordable prices, however, covering them with a bag can do in a pinch.
Once these final, spot-check items are completed, you can confidently place your motorcycle in storage for winter!
The Need for Motorcycle Storage for Winter
When done properly, motorcycle storage for winter can help ensure the longevity and performance of your vehicle. It’s never too late to start the process early, and it’s also very important to stay diligent and not give in to laziness once you’ve begun! Of course, you can always contact Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde for a safe and affordable spot to store your motorcycle for the winter months!
Ready to store your motorcycle for winter? Follow these steps to keep it in top shape and hit the road confidently next season!