Tips and Recommendations for Those Who Want to Winterize Their Motorcycle Correctly
Preventing Storage Damage
It’s not very wise or recommended to park your motorcycle in the garage at the end of the season without minimal care when the first snowfall arrives. Don’t expect it to be as ready to ride in the spring as you left it. Storage-related damage is almost guaranteed.
As for when and how long the motorcycle should be stored, I leave that to your discretion. Recommendation: November to April!
Put Your Motorcycle into Winter Storage
The easiest solution is to bring your motorcycle to your dealer for winter storage. At the same time, you can have modifications, suspension or engine tuning, airbrushing, or bodywork done. Your motorcycle mechanic will appreciate it, taking the time to properly maintain your machine throughout the winter. Your beloved motorcycle will be delivered to your doorstep in spring, fully serviced and professionally stored.
Unfortunately, many have not realized that this benefits everyone. Mechanics have work during the winter, and you won’t have stress in the spring when everyone wants to ride immediately. It saves everyone money, time, and unnecessary hassles.
12 Tips for Properly Winterizing Your Motorcycle
Here’s a quick guide if you’d like to do some of it yourself:
- Thoroughly wash your motorcycle, preferably with a power wash at a car wash, and let it dry. Then apply a preservative spray to all parts to protect them from rust. Vulcanet wipes work excellently (available in our store).
- Fill the gas tank as much as possible to prevent condensation and internal rust over the winter.
- Apply leather conditioner and polish to the saddle and other leather parts. If it’s not leather, use a plastic care product.
- Lubricate the cables; it won’t hurt.
- Increase tire pressure by about 0.5 – 1 bar and place the motorcycle on the center stand, if available, or on a stand to keep the wheels off the ground. This prevents flat spots (imbalance) on the tires. If this isn’t possible, rotate the wheels every 3 – 4 weeks. The goal is to ensure the tires don’t have constant ground contact throughout the winter.
- For motorcycles with a chain: Check the condition and play of the chain. If it’s worn, you might as well replace it. Clean the chain thoroughly with cleaning solvent and a brush. Place a catch tray or newspapers under the motorcycle to collect any dripping liquid. Clean the chain from top, bottom, and sides, as well as the sprockets. Remove any covers, clean them, and when finished, reassemble everything and lubricate the chain again.
- Remove the battery, check the fluid levels for non-maintenance-free batteries, and top up with distilled water if necessary. However, it’s a good idea to invest in a battery charger (such as Optimate). Connect it to the battery and leave it on throughout the winter. It uses very little electricity, extends the battery’s life, and makes you ready to go in the spring.
- If you have a carburetor, empty it. Turn the fuel tap to “Off” and let the engine run until it stops by itself.
- For motorcycles with liquid cooling, add enough antifreeze coolant, even if it’s stored in the garage.
It’s ideal to change the old oil. Drain the oil while it’s hot, replace the oil filter, and add new oil. This way, all the aggressive combustion residues are no longer in the oil system. Dispose of the old oil properly! Any retail outlet will take your old oil when you buy new oil. You can also drop off the oil filter there. - Don’t dispose of any of this in household waste!
- Running the engine periodically during the winter is harmful. Don’t do it!
- Always cover the motorcycle to prevent dust accumulation. In the garage, old sheets, bedding, or a motorcycle cover available in stores work well. If your motorcycle is outdoors, make sure it’s protected from moisture. Remove the cover on sunny days to allow condensation to evaporate. Place the tires on a wooden board to prevent ground frost from affecting the rubber. Refer to point 5.
Don’t forget: A rolling stone gathers no moss. Keep yourself physically fit over the winter and consider taking a motorcycle safety course after the winter break.