How to Store your Motorcycle for Winter

Ok, you know you should've done it by now. As motorcycle enthusiasts; we often hold off till the snow flies to get our bikes tucked away for the cold season. If you haven't stored yours yet, here are some tips on how to do it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Fill your gas tank and put in an additive to reduce likelihood of condensation. Doing this regularly will extend the life of your tank from rust. While you're out getting gas; take time to wash your bike well. Get all the road grime off your motorcycle before putting in winter storage. Be sure to dry it well before covering.

2. Figure out where you plan to store your motorcycle for winter. Optimally, a heated garage or storage unit would be ideal. An unheated garage with cement floor (not dirt), or motorcycle storage unit (which is a rounded unit with metal ribs to reinforce the poly cover.) These units have at least one, and sometimes, two doors for access.

3. Take out the battery and put it on a slow charger. Keeping the battery on the motorcyle that hasn't been running for several months means you likely won't be starting the bike any time soon when riding season comes around.

4. Unbolt the seat of your motorcycle and store seat in a warm area (like the house). This can be a pain, but well worth the effort if you've paid anywhere between three hundred to six hundred dollars for a custom Mustang, Corbin, or other motorcycle seat. If storage is in a heated unit, or you have stock seats, this step is unnecessary. If you store your motorcycle in the winter time in an unheated area, it's a must to save cracking and other wear on the seat materials.

5. Remove all leather, or leather like, accessories such as fork or windshield bags, tank bra, and sadddle bags. Store indoors.

6. Buy a good quality MOTORCYCLE cover. Let me be clear: this doesn't mean a tarp, piece of plastic, or whatever you have handy around the house or garage. A quality motorcycle cover is breathable and will protect your bike from dust and debris, as well as, the metals being exposed to condensation forming under the cover.

7. Whether you have a Honda or a Harley, sportbike, scooter, or trike; take care of your bike and it will take care of you !

Tips & Warnings

• Many of these tips may appear to be a pain and seem unnecessary, but the results are worth it when spring rolls around and your motorcycle looks good, battery turns over, and you're ready to ride on the first semi-warm day !
• These tips are part of the reason my 1997 Honda looks, and runs, mint !
• Some people advocate changing the oil pre-storage, but I generally wait till the bike goes back on the road again in spring time. It goes to have a complete tune up by an expert. Everything from tires to electrical and everything in between ! Ride safe !

Resources

• Additional tips for winter storage for your motorcycle
• Got a question? VTwinMama has the answer or will find it !
• Complete info. on total motorcycle maintenance throughout the year

[bmerritt]

on 12/9/2008 Great tips. Remember in the summer to go and have the points cleaned and get your bike tuned again, because leaving it sit will clog up the fuel lines. Another cool trick I did with my motorcycle was to have the gas tank chemically etched inside so that it will not rust and so particulates would not mix with my fuel. Great advice!

[DUSTYMILLS]

on 12/8/2008 This is excellent advice if, as you say, you want your bike to look and run good come next spring. This would work for your boat as well.....I do like to take care of the things that I worked hard to get!