Tips for motorcycle winter storage
If you are a motorcyclist who puts their motorcycle away for the winter-don’t let it be ‘out of sight, out of mind’. Your pride and joy is going to need some TLC over the winter months.
- Pick a good place to store it and cover up
Make sure you think carefully about where you store your motorcycle – a corner in the back of the garage, away from a common walk-way is a good option as you don’t want people/kids brushing past it or leaning their cycles against it. If a garage is not available, a sheltered spot with a specialised outdoor motorcycle cover will help keep out the elements.
- Use paddock stands – if you can
An excellent option for keeping your motorcycle in a solid, sturdy position and to keep the bike’s weight off its tyres is to use one (or two) paddock stands. If you do not have the luxury of paddock stands, it is not a bad idea to slightly over-inflate your tyres over winter to help them keep their shape. Place an old piece of carpet between the tyre and the ground and move their position every few weeks to avoid flat spots. Just remember to return them to the correct pressures in spring.
- Tickle charge your battery
Batteries hate the cold, which is why winter is such a busy period for recovery services. You can either choose to totally remove the battery from the motorcycle or simply install a connector to the terminals and use a trickle charger to keep it topped up. If it’s possible, go for the trickle option as it means you don’t have to break out the tools every few weeks when you want to start the motorcycle.
- Counter corrosion
Exhausts and silencers can start to corrode quite quickly when a motorcycle is not being used so make sure they are properly protected for winter. Before putting your motorcycle away just after final use, (when cool enough to touch) spray a light oil or better still, a specific corrosion protectant into the ends and drain holes, then cover with an open weave cloth or rag to let it breathe.
- Start your engine
Condensation in the air always finds its way into the exhaust pipe, causing it to rot from the inside out, so it is always a good idea to start the motorcycle and give it a good warm up every few weeks. You don’t have to take it out of your garage, (just ensure there is good ventilation) and let it get up to temperature. A good tip is to let it tick over until the fan kicks in, that is more than warm enough. Remember to allow the motorcycle to cool before re-applying corrosion protectants and covering it up again.
- Top up the fuel
There are two schools of thought when it comes to petrol tanks – full or empty. A full tank will prevent the inside of the tank rusting over winter however some insist that it is better to drain it completely. A full tank is the best option as long as you start the motorcycle regularly. Modern petrol quickly loses its octane and leaves a gunky mess that can block injectors or carbs if you don’t flush it through by starting the motorcycle up. Fuels with little or no ethanol have less tendency to go stale and block fuel lines. Silkolene One Shot fuel stabilizer is available and will also help prevent blocked injectors or carburettors in the Spring. If you are running the bike’s motor every few weeks, you will be fine.
- Lock it up!
If your motorcycle’s not being used for a while, it’s vulnerable. Fit a good lock (preferably with a ground anchor) and, ideally, an immobilizer/alarm. As well as using a lock, you may want to look into getting some surveillance around your motorcycle so that you can get an alert if there’s movement detected close by. Removing one of the wheels and storing it elsewhere can also prevent theft.
- Stay insured
Just because your motorcycle is off the road doesn’t mean you can cancel your insurance. Thieves are still active at winter and the cold weather can cause roofs to fail. It’s better to be safe than sorry and stay insured.
- Do the odd jobs you’ve been meaning to get done
Finally, remember that spare key you have been meaning to get cut. That hugger you have thought would be a good idea to invest in. The taller screen to make the commute easier. Now the bike is off the road it is a great time to do those jobs that you never get around to doing in summer.
Source: MCIA