Tips for Winterizing Your Motorcycle

With winter right on the horizon, soon it will be time to put your motorcycle into storage. But you can't just simply toss your bike into the garage and call it good. You need to go through the winterization process to help ensure the cold months don't damage your motorcycle and to ensure it'll be ready to ride again come spring. We rounded up everything you need to do below, so read on to learn more.

Motorcycle Fluids

Motorcycles require plenty of fluids to run. You'll want to make sure your engine's fluids are full, such as the brake, clutch, and coolant. Some riders even use antifreeze to help prevent engine freezing. You'll also want to lubricate various aspects of your bike, such as the throttle, kickstand, shifter, and clutch cables. Remember to fill the gas tank and add a fuel stabilizer. This helps avoid damage from old gasoline.

Take Care of Your Battery

Motorcycle batteries are not well-suited for freezing temperatures or being left unattended, which are two common aspects of winter storage. If you can, you'll want to take your battery off your bike and hook it up to a trickle charger. If you don't have this option, then you’ll need to fully charge the battery monthly so that it isn't dead when you're ready to ride in the spring.

Proactive Tire Care

Winter storage can be tough on motorcycle tires. One proactive strategy you can take is to suspend your motorcycle off the ground. That way the tires are off the ground and the weight of your bike isn't pushing down on them. If that isn't an option, fill your tires to the maximum recommended air pressure and then rotate the wheels on a weekly basis. This step will help prevent flat spots.

We hope you found this motorcycle winterization guide helpful! For all your motorcycle needs, visit The Cycle Exchange in Andover and Ledgewood, NJ. Our friendly staff is ready to answer all your questions and assist you with whatever you need. We proudly serve all those in New York, NY, and Philadelphia, PA.