How to Winterize a Motorcycle

You should take steps now in order to insure your motorcycle runs smoothly when spring arrives after you've stored it for the winter. Taking care of your bike before you store it is just as crucial as taking care of it the rest of the year. With just a few simple steps, you can winterize your bike so that your first ride in the spring can go smoothly.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Fill your gas tank up. Include a fuel stabilizer to prevent the gasoline from breaking down and causing damage to the fuel lines and various other areas of your bike.

2. To prevent corrosion on the metal surfaces of your motorcycle, it's a good idea to change the oil, transmission fluid and your chaincase fluid. This helps keep everything properly lubed and clean.

3. Keep your throttle and clutch cables lubed to help them stay in good working condition.

4. Focus on the battery attention when you plan to store for the winter, since it gradually loses charge over time. Ideally, you'll want to leave your battery in the motorcycle and attach a battery tender to it. The battery tender is a smart charger that basically turns itself on and off as needed, to prevent overcharging. Take time to clean the posts on your battery now if they are corroded. Add grease to the threads of the bolts to keep them clean all season.

5. Inflate your tires to their ideal level to decrease the risk of flat spots forming on your tires. Take the time to move the bike several times a month--parking on a different section of the tires each time also helps prevent flat spots. To prevent your tires from dry rot, keep them out of direct sunlight.

6. Give your motorcycle a good scrub before putting it up for the winter. Don't leave any grease or bugs on the paint or chromed areas. There are products available that you can apply to the paint and metal areas to protect the finish.

7. Store your motorcycle inside if at all possible. If it isn't possible to store the bike inside, invest in a good form-fitting, breathable cover.