As the summer winds down into a damp squelchy autumn, you may be thinking that it’s nearly time to put the ol’ motorbike back in the garage, tucking it away until the sun decides to return.
However, before you do that, there are a few things you may want to check over to make sure your two-wheeled baby is comfy while in storage and avoid any unnecessary wear.
Storing it
The first thing needed to ensure that your bike stays in pristine condition throughout the autumn and winter months is to check that you’re storing it in the best possible way. Much like with anything of value, the more meticulous you are at the beginning, the less time is wasted later on.
Clean it!
Before storing your bike, you absolutely need to make sure that it is spick and span. Leaving any muck to fester for months could leave your bike unusable when you next try go for a ride. This is doubly important if you’ve been taking your bike out for any winter rides, as the grit from the road could cause serious damage if left undisturbed for any length of time.
Once your bike is spotless, you might also want to coat some of the more rust vulnerable spots, such as the bike’s engine and metal parts, with some WD-40 – this will prevent any build-up of moisture and is especially important when storing the bike during the colder months.
Suspend it
If it’s possible, try and store you bike off the floor. Leaving your bike resting on its wheels for months can cause the tyres to deflate from the constant pressure and produce flat spots, something that you absolutely want to avoid if you want a quick turn-around for your next ride. Using a motorcycle scissor stand, or paddock stands is the easiest way to achieve some off-the-ground storage, but don’t worry if you don’t have access to these.
Parking your bike on some carpet, or really just not on cold hard concrete, can help alleviate the issue. Over-inflating your tyres can also help protect the tyres for longer (though we do recommend leaving a note for your future-self to remind you to adjust the pressure before taking the bike out again).
Fuel tank
There is currently quite the discussion raging on what the best course of action is for your fuel tank. Some say that a full tank is better, as it helps protect the fuel tank from rusting, while others say leaving the fuel for months will cause it to go bad and potentially damage your bike’s engine next time you take it out. Both sides have their merits and their downsides, so at the end of the day it’s up to you which you would prefer to do.
Personally, I ascribe to the keeping it full ideology, not least because it’s much easier to do.
Block holes
While it is admittedly a very rare occurrence, there is the possibility that some entrepreneuring rodent may take a liking to your bike and make a home out of it. To help prevent this, make sure to block up any potential holes, such as the air intake box and exhaust. Some reckon just stuffing it with cloth is enough, though there is the argument this just provides some comfy padding. To make sure it’s protected, cut out some plastic shapes and keep them in place using a little bit of tape.
Cover it up
Your standard cloth sheet, or motorcycle cover can work to prevent dust while your bike is in storage – but be careful about it trapping moisture in the colder months. A dehumidifier can help combat this but can be expensive to have running for long periods of time. Use a motorcycle dry storage kit, which creates a hermetically sealed environment, to ensure perfect protection, though it is quite a battle getting it in and out of all that plastic wrapping.
What to do while it is in storage
With your bike safely tucked away, you might think your job is all done until you need to take it out again. Well, sad to say that, while the hard work is certainly all done, there are still a few bits you’ll need to do during your bike’s stay in storage to make sure everything stays in perfect condition.
Start it up
While a few months of no activity won’t cause any issues, if you’re planning on keeping your bike in storage for the long haul, you will want to start the engine up occasionally – just to keep things ticking along. Turning the engine on and letting it warm up should be enough.
Getting the oil flowing and the engine warm is important to keep things healthy, though you should be careful about doing this in the colder months. A warm engine will attract condensation as it cools down in very cold environments, which could encourage rust and other issues.
Top up tyres
As previously mentioned, the best way to protect your tyres is to have the bike suspended off the ground, but, of course, that isn’t always possible. A soft parking spot and slightly over-inflated tyres are also very good options to help protect your tyres, but it does require some extra maintenance. Make sure to check your tyres from time to time and use a tyre inflator to ensure that the tyres are at your desired pressure.
Battery protection
For any vehicle that isn’t being used regularly, the battery running low is a major concern – especially during the winter months where the cold can affect batteries. To help address this, you may want to invest in a trickle charger or even a battery tender. This will keep the battery from completely depleting and becoming permanently damaged.
Some say just a trickle charger is sufficient, but there is the concern that there is no real protection from overcharging, so it might be best to invest in a battery tender instead. This will keep your battery at an optimal charge all winter with no worries about damaging it.
Best practice if you go for a ride
Of course, you may not want to store you bike all winter. With a little preparation and a healthy dollop of common sense, there is no reason why riding through a winter wonderland isn’t possible. If you do decide to take your bike out during the darker months, make sure you remember some important facts.
Warm clothes
Incredibly obvious perhaps, but it bears repeating that if you are going out for a ride in the winter, you are going to need some warm clothes to help combat the cold conditions. Also, keep in mind that most of this cold will be coming from wind chill, so always make sure to check the weather report before heading out on your bike, even if the day looks ideal.
Luckily, Autoparts has a fantastic selection of biking gear that will keep you protected and toasty warm, so make sure to check it out here.
The dangers of moisture
While moisture is always a concern for motorcyclists, it should cause particular worry during the winter months. Any moisture that makes its way into the inner workings of your bike might then freeze, causing irreparable damage to crucial components.
To avoid this, make sure to check, clean, and lubricate your drive chain on a regular basis. It is also an excellent idea to make sure there is plenty of anti-freeze in your liquid-cooling system – if your bike is equipped with one.
Check your tyres
It’s a good idea to incorporate this into your routine all year round, but checking your tyres during the winter months is especially important. If your bike has been in storage, then the tyres may have deflated or, if you over-inflated them to protect them, they may need to be returned to their optimal pressure.
It is also a good idea to double check your tyres tread and general condition. Winter roads can be especially slippery, so it’s best to make sure that your tyres are able to provide as much grip as possible.
Drive slow and keep your distance
Speaking of wet, slippery and icy roads, remember to give extra care while you are out and about on winter rides! Road surfaces may not be entirely trustworthy during the winter, so it pays to be extra diligent while enjoying a winter ride.
This means take things a little slower if you’re not 100% sure, and always give other road users that little bit of extra space to avoid any… complications.
Clean your bike after every ride
Finally, when you’ve finished enjoying your wintry excursion, you must make sure to clean your bike thoroughly before storing it away. Something to keep in mind: it’s best to clean the underside with cold water, as warm water may just dissolve the salt crystals from the road grit and allow it to access key components in your bike’s engine.
For a comprehensive clean, we recommend the BikeRight Motorbike Wash, which will help cut through any grime and make the whole wash much easier.
Once your bike is back to a pristine state, you’re ready to store it away.
So, that’s everything you need to know to keep your bike in its best condition over the colder months and ready for immediate use come springtime! Don't forget to check out our website for more parts, consumables, accessories and motorbike apparel and valeting products.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy reading ...
- Motorbike season is here: top tips
- How to look after your motorcycle
- The ultimate MOT checklist and guide
- Changes to the UK Highway Code
Header image credit: Razvan Mirel via Unsplash.com
