Tips for Storing Your Bike This Winter

As Seen in Midwest Motorcyclist Magazine

I hate to admit it, but it’s that time of year again: time to start prepping our bikes for storage over the long, cold winter. Proper long-term storage of your bike is one of the most important parts of proper motorcycle maintenance, so I thought I would share some tips and tricks to make sure your ride is ready for you come springtime. 

• Insurance: Some people who store their motorcycles in their personal garage will cancel their motorcycle insurance policies thinking they will save a few dollars and that their homeowners insurance policy will cover any damage. Be warned: your homeowners insurance policy does not cover your motorcycle. If you cancel your motorcycle insurance and your garage floods, catches fire, the roof leaks, something falls on your bike, rodents chew your seat or wiring, your bike is stolen, or any other damage or loss will not be covered. At the very least, you should keep your comprehensive coverage on your motorcycle when storing it. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage or loss from things like theft, falling objects, storms, fire, and vandalism. However, comprehensive coverage on your motorcycle does not cover you to ride on the road, not even for a short ride on that beautiful day in March before you’ve reinstated your regular coverage. If you get in a wreck then you lack collision coverage, which fixes damage to your motorcycle, and you lack bodily injury coverage, which you are legally required to have if you ride on the street. 
• Pick a good spot: For any long-term bike storage, you need a dry and secure location where your bike won’t be exposed to too much light. Water and moisture can cause rust, and light, even if it’s just sunlight through a window, can damage leather and paint. 
• Keep it covered: Use a high-quality motorcycle cover to protect your bike. Unlike a sheer or a tarp, which can scratch, quality covers are made with breathable material that will keep air circulating and prevent moisture build-up. They’re also soft, so they won’t scratch paint or leather. Wash, wax, and polish your bike before covering up. The wax can protect the bike against moisture and rust.
• Fuel and fluids: Air in your gas tank means room for moisture to accumulate and cause damage. Fill the tank with fresh gas, leaving a little room at the top for the fuel to expand in the spring, and add a stabilizer. Drain your carburetors and fuel lines before you put the bike away. Most experts recommend having your fluids serviced every two years; you should check them every year when you’re getting your bike ready for winter as well. At the very least, change the oil, even if it’s not due yet. Running the bike creates acids in the oil that could lead to damage if left for long periods of time.
• Battery: There is no good reason to leave your battery in your bike over winter. Motorcycles can discharge a battery over time even if the ignition is left off, and a discharged battery is a risk for your bike. A battery left discharged is at risk for sulfation, which can mean it will no longer hold a charge at all, and if the battery leaks or corrodes, you could be looking at serious engine damage. Harley Davidson recommends using a Smart Charger when storing your bike. A Smart Charger runs several processes while the battery is attached, conditioning the battery while making sure it isn’t over- or under-charged. Smart Chargers are worth the investment because they can prolong your battery’s life and save you both time and money. 
• Mufflers: Mufflers and exhausts can rust quickly if you are not running your bike. Spray WD 40 or another light oil into the muffler ends and drain holes. Then, gently stuff the muffler with a plastic grocery bag or other light plastic to keep moisture out of the exhaust. Wrap the mufflers in more light plastic to keep moisture out before you cover your bike. 
• Tires: Rubber is flexible and does not do well when it freezes. The best way to protect your tires is to put a piece of cardboard, wood, or foam under each tire so that it’s not resting on a frozen concrete floor. Inflate the tires to the maximum recommended pressure, and check them occasionally while the bike is in storage to make sure they’re well inflated. Do not use a cleaning or shining product on the tires before storage, because these can make the tires more prone to drying out and freezing. 

Taking the time to store your motorcycle right in the winter will make the start of the spring season better and easier for you. It’s worth going the extra mile for your bike now if you want your bike to go the extra mile for you for years to come.

Attorney Jason A. Waechter is a national attorney specializing in the areas of motorcycle and motor vehicle injury litigation. Mr. Waechter has collected millions of dollars in settlements, awards and verdicts for his motorcycle clients over the past 20 years.  Jason feels a duty to give back to his community. A portion of each case settled goes to educational resources for bikers, funds to help bikers while their cases are being litigated and our motorcycle accident prevention campaign.  Call Attorney Jason Waechter toll free at 1-877-BIKER LAW. Or visit www.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com