In the summertime, you will have probably taken your motorcycle across the country on countless road trips, felt the wind in your hair and met a lot of new friendly faces. But as the fall and winter seasons draw in, the prospect of riding out into the wilderness doesn’t hold quite the same appeal. Driving is always dangerous in the colder months, with the increase of ice on the roads and chilly conditions it can be hazardous for all road users.
Today we are going to take a look at a few ways you can prepare your motorcycle for the winter so that when you come back to it in spring, it looks and feels like new.
Clean The Surfaces
Once you’ve ridden out for the last time this year, make sure that you take the time to thoroughly wash your bike with water and mild detergent. You can use a pressure washer to get into those hard to reach places and get rid of dirt, leaves and bugs along the way. Leave your motorbike feeling shiny and new as you clean out the alloys, chains and radiators. Once you are done, make sure that you dry the bike completely. Because if you don’t get rid of all the moisture you run the risk of mold forming during the winter.
Do Final Checks
As you would at any other time of the year, make sure to check the oil level of your vehicle. It is a good idea to change the oil before you store it for a few months as old oil can begin to corrode your seats and gaskets.
Once you’ve done that, fill up the fuel tank and check your other fluid levels. Even though you won’t be riding it for a while, it’s nice to be able to come back to it in the spring and get straight on.
Maintain The Battery
Before you store your bike, check that the battery is fully charged and healthy. Top up any fluid level and make sure that the cables and clamps are tight enough. You can also hook up the battery to a tender to keep it charged through the winter.
Prepare Your Tires
Before you put your bike into storage, check the state of your tires. If they are underinflated, make sure to inflate them to the maximum pressure to try and prevent them from deflating as the air becomes colder and condensed. Alternatively, store you bike on a stand. This will keep you bike suspended off the ground which will prevent any flat spots forming from the weight of your bike on the tires.
Cover and Store Your Bike
Once you’ve done all of the checks, cleaned the bike and placed it on a stand, you can cover it to protect it from moisture and cold. You can also cover your exhaust pipe with a plastic bag to prevent small rodents from making a nest inside your bike over the winter.
