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How to Winterize Your Motorcycle

Last Update: 18 October 2023

How To Winterize Your Motorcycle - MOTORESS
How To Winterize Your Motorcycle

As the winter season draws near and the cold weather sets in, it’s essential to winterize your motorcycle for the dormant months ahead.  Of course, there are many riders who continue on through the winter months by winter-proofing their motorcycles and keeping warm with heated gear. For most of us, myself included, the cold is just uncomfortable to ride in and with it’s chilly temperatures comes hazardous conditions.  If you’re choosing to store your motorcycle for the winter, it’s advisable to adhere to the necessary precautions and preparations required to effectively winterize your bike for the extended period of inactivity ahead.

How To Winterize Your Motorcycle - MOTORESS
Cold Temperatures Come With Hazardous Conditions.

Winter storage, whether it’s indoors within a protected garage (whether heated or not) or outdoors, can have significant consequences if your motorcycle is left idle for an extended period without adequate preparation. This oversight may lead to unnecessary expenses on replacement parts or repair services, or even more serious issues that could prevent your motorcycle from running altogether. Therefore, by following the steps outlined below for winterizing your motorcycle, you can ensure proper maintenance and set the stage for a smooth start to the upcoming riding season.

GIVE IT A GOOD WASH AND CLEAN

How To Winterize Your Motorcycle - MOTORESS
GIVE IT A GOOD WASH AND CLEAN

Give your motorcycle a thorough wash and wax to not only make it gleam but also to inspect its components like fasteners, bolts, and cables for any signs of looseness or wear. Once your bike is dry, apply a protective lubricant like WD-40 or a metal-preserving spray like lithium grease to shield the undersides of your chassis and exposed areas. A light coating of silicone lubricant on rubber connections, hoses, and don’t forget the  chrome and metal parts is essential for preventing rust from corroding these surfaces. For your cables and switch gears, opt for a high-quality lubricant. Don’t overlook the fork seal areas and fork lowers; a quick spray of WD-40 will keep them from deteriorating.

CLEAN AND LUBRICATE YOUR CHAIN

Winter Chain Care- How to Winterize Your Motorcycle - MOTORESS
Winter Chain Care : clean and lube your entire chain

For those with a chain, it’s essential to start by cleaning off the accumulated grit and grime before applying lubrication for the extended winter period. Once it’s thoroughly cleaned, ensure you generously lubricate the entire chain. Opt for a high-quality, thicker grease instead of your typical chain lube, as it provides excellent water repellency. This preventive maintenance will help keep your chain in top shape during the winter months.

CHANGE YOUR OIL AND OIL FILTER

Regularly changing your motorcycle’s oil, along with the simultaneous replacement of the filter, is a crucial step to eliminate sludge and dirt before they start causing harm to your bike’s internal components. Since you’ll also be changing the oil again in early spring, there’s no need to invest in the most expensive, top-of-the-line oil available. However, it’s important to ensure that you select the correct oil weight specifically designed to withstand the low cold temperatures pertinent to your region. This practice will help keep your motorcycle’s engine running smoothly and protect its vital parts.

FILL OR EMPTY YOUR FUEL TANK

When it comes to taking care of your gas tank during winter storage, you have two options to consider: leaving the tank full of fuel or draining it. The choice depends on your specific storage situation. Some riders prefer to completely drain the tank and then run the bike until it’s out of fuel. However, an empty tank can develop rust inside due to condensation. To prevent this, you can use specific substances to coat the interior of the tank.

Most commonly, is the option to leave the tank full, adding a “fuel stabilizer” into the mix. This stabilizer should be properly mixed with the fuel. Personally, I prefer the brand STA-BIL , as it’s easy to measure and gets the job done, but there are other similar products available as well.

Without a fuel stabilizer, after about 21 days, the fuel in your tank can go bad, leading to nasty stuff like oxidation and varnish that can mess up your fuel system. Don’t worry; it’s an easy fix. Just follow the directions on your chosen fuel stabilizer, add the recommended amount according to your tank size, and make sure your tank is full of fresh fuel. Take your bike for a spin (the longer, the better – 10 minutes is perfect) to get that treated fuel moving through the system. After your ride, power down your bike and that’s it, you’re all set for winter! Note: If you have an older or carburetted motorcycle check if your fuel tap is off, and consider draining the carburettors if needed, depending on your bike’s model and year.

ANTI-FREEZE

For those of you with liquid-cooled motorcycles, you’ve got a radiator to tend to. Ensure it’s filled with the appropriate coolant for summer use or, in the winter, antifreeze. It’s worth noting that if you’re a track enthusiast, this is a crucial check because some track rules prohibit traditional antifreeze and allow alternatives like “Water Wetter.” However, these substitutes are not suited for typical winter use and can freeze in colder temperatures. As water expands when it freezes, it can potentially exert enough pressure to damage your engine’s internal components. So, use antifreeze to keep your engine safe in the winter chill.

REMOVE /MAINTAIN YOUR MOTORCYCLE BATTERY

It is easy to remove your battery when you winterize your motorcycle. Just be sure to store it in a warm, dry environment. You can also instal a permanent quick charge connector to your bike battery and simply attach the battery tender /charger. You can schedule a full charge once a month or simply keep it plugged in all season depending on the charger you have. If it’s not a sealed battery, keep an eye on the electrode levels in each battery cell and fill them with distilled water if they get low.

INFLATE YOUR MOTORCYCLE TIRES

Before you tuck your motorcycle away for the winter, make sure your tires are properly inflated, and consider adding a bit more air than usual. This precaution helps prevent damage that can occur due to low tire pressure during the cold months. If you’re storing your bike in extremely cold conditions, consider elevating it to reduce the load on the tires and avoid “flat” spots. Double-check that your motorcycle is securely anchored and that your chosen storage method is reliable for long-term standing. If your bike has a centre stand, use it and place wooden blocks under your tires to ease some of the weight off the stand.

PLUG YOUR EXHAUST

To deter small rodents from making your motorcycle their winter home, stuff old clothes into the exhaust. Ensure you do this effectively, so there are no gaps, as mice are quite resourceful at finding their way into exhaust pipes, air-boxes, and even the foam of your motorcycle seat. Additionally, you can scatter mothballs around the air-box or other suitable areas (like under the seat storage) to further discourage these unwanted visitors.

COVER IT UP

How To Winterize Your Motorcycle - MOTORESS
Covers designed specifically for motorcycles are the best!

When storing your motorcycle, whether indoors or outdoors, opt for a breathable cover, preferably one specifically designed for motorcycles. This choice helps prevent the trapping of moisture on metal surfaces. It’s essential to avoid condensation and maintain good ventilation. Avoid using plastic covers, as they can lead to condensation during temperature fluctuations. Make sure the cover you select is waterproof rather than just water-resistant to provide optimal protection for your bike.

A LITTLE EXTRA TLC

Lube the cylinder(s) – Another important task is to lubricate the engines cylinders. Gasoline is an excellent solvent and removes most oil from the cylinder walls if the cylinder wall is left unprotected for a long period of time it can rust causing premature piston and ring wear. It may be easier for you to have this done by your mechanic if you are not set up to do this yourself.

Remove the spark plugs and fill each cylinder with a teaspoon of oil. Screw the plugs back in only tightening by hand. Avoid attaching your plug wires to remind you to change the plugs first thing in the spring. You may want to kick the bike over with the kill switch engaged to spread the oil throughout the cylinders.

Operate your Controls. Try to flex your levers every once in a while and rotate (if on centre stand) your rear wheel.

When indoors, avoid placing your motorcycle near heating or hot items. Heat will dry out and harden your tires.
TIP:   I’ve wrapped my tires with cooking foil to deflect heat and protect them from light.

DEALERSHIP MOTORCYCLE STORAGE PACKAGE

If you really haven’t got the facility to store and winterize your motorcycle it properly, nearly every dealership provides a winter storage package. These include most all procedures above and/or simply a warm dry space for your motorcycle. Costs vary for the season – some have a flat rate, others charge by the week.

OUT OF STORAGE AND BACK ON THE ROAD

When the warm weather arrives once again, and before you head out, it is important to perform a thorough safety check to ensure your motorcycle has not sustained damage through the winter.

  • Check all fluid levels and if applicable, turn on the fuel.
  • Check for anything wrong on the motorcycle (cracked tires, broken parts/plastic, leaking oil, etc.).
  • Set tire pressures back to usual riding specs.

Remember that your riding skills will be rusty so your first ride is best done straight to a parking lot or traffic-free open space. Take yourself through small sharp right and left turns; emergency braking and push steering manoeuvre exercises. It will all come back to you quickly!

And on that first ride, watch out for dirty, slippery road surfaces- especially at corners. There’s usually a lot of debris and sand left on the roads from clearing the snow over the winter. This is a risk until after the first spring rain showers wash debris from the roads.

 


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1 comment

Brisn 9 November 2020 at 23:55

Thank you

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