Winterize Your Motorcycle

If you've chosen to store your bike for the winter, follow these tips to protect it, so you'll be ready to ride on the first day of warm weather.

Prep the gas tank.
There are two ways to do this. You can fill the tank completely, which will prevent condensation, and treat the gasoline with a stabilizer, such as STA-BIL^®, so it doesn't go bad. Or, you can empty the tank and treat it with gas soluble oil to prevent rust.

Change your oil and filter.
This prevents acid contaminants in the used oil from harming your engine. Run the engine to circulate the new oil. Also, if you have a water-cooled bike, make sure the antifreeze you use will resist freezing.

Drain the float bowls, if necessary.
If you own a motorcycle that has a carburetor, this helps prevent the fuel from thickening. To drain them, turn on the engine and shut off the fuel, which runs through the fuel in the float bowls, or use the drain screws (if your bike has them) to release the fuel. Be careful—draining the bowls could be messy—and make sure to dispose of the fuel properly.

Remove and store the battery.
Keep it in a warm, dry area, and charge it monthly. If you prefer to keep the battery on the bike, use a trickle charger to keep it charged. Check the battery's water level and top off the cells if needed. If you see corrosion on the battery posts, clean and grease them lightly to prevent any more corrosion.

Check the tire pressure.
Then, inflate them, if necessary.

Clean and cover your bike.
Remove built-up debris, wax the tank, polish the chrome and use a protector to moisturize the rubber tires and parts so they won't dry out in storage. Then, cover your bike with breathable fabric, which helps prevent rust. Finally, lock it and bring important papers, like your registration, home with you.