Motorcycle Winter Storage Winterize Riding Maintenance
Every rider has his or her own method of "winterizing" their own motorcycle. As a disclaimer, if you happen to be riding a brand new bike, and are a fair weather rider (meaning that you only ride when the weather is perfect warm, and sunny), follow whatever the owner's manual for your particular make, model, and year of bike says to do.
There are literally hundreds if not thousands of products on the market that can help you keep your motorcycle safe and sound throughout the nontraditional riding months. Many of these don't do exactly what they advertise, just plain don't work, or cause you extra work (and possible damage) when spring time comes. That is not to say that all the products are bad for the motorcycle. Actually just the opposite, most of the products have great track records and do the job they are suppose to do perfectly. There are always exception to the rule. Before you put anything into or on your baby, do your homework. Read all the fine print as well as reviews that other users have written about any particular product. This is a simple precaution to protect your bike, whether it is expensive, priceless to you, or just a mode of transportation.
For many riders, the transition to winter only brings about a few changes in the motorcycle world. If you are lucky enough to live where the weather stays nice all year, there is nothing different that you will have to do. Keep doing the routine maintenance that you would usually preform (or have it done at a shop).
If you live in a climate where winter brings weather that is unfriendly to a motorcyclist, you have to make some choices. Most people think that the fun is over until the flowers bloom in the spring. Others see this change in the weather as a minor set back. They continue to ride year around. While it is a little more uncomfortable to ride when it is cold and dangerous when it is wet (and suicidal if there is ice on the ground), this doesn't mean that you can't ride. You just need to change your riding habits. This can be as simple as changing the clothes that you wear. Remember, no car around you. That means no protection from the elements or heat.
As far as winterizing your bike, you can skip all the chemicals that were mentioned earlier. All the preparations and everything else that have been used for years can easily be skipped without causing any harm to your bike. Not only will it not harm your bike, it can make a bleak winter a little more exciting for you.
What is this amazing secret way to winterize? Don't. You shouldn't leave your motorcycle out in the elements. Rain and snow, especially that wet cold snow, sitting on the chrome, leather, seals, electronics, and other exposed metal parts is a recipe for disaster. If you have the facilities, put your motorcycle into the garage (which is something that most people would do anyway). If you don't have a garage, anything that will keep it out of the weather will work. A storage shed, carport, even an overhang. You can cover it with a tarp but you have to remember that this will not keep out the water. Covering the motorcycle doesn't not mean you are done, not by a long shot. After it snows, or rains, you need to uncover the bike and remove the exess water.
The big secret is the fact that you are not going to store the motorcycle for all those months. Because of snow or ice, you may not be able to ride everyday the way that you would in the summer, but that doesn't mean that you can't ride at all. During bad weather, keep the bike safe. Whenever the weather clears, go out and uncover the motorcycle, take it out of the garage, do all the things that you would normally do when you would be going for a great summer ride.
If the roads are safe and the temperature is the only problem, it is an easy problem to solve. You are not going to be able to dress like it was summer time. You will need to have warm clothing, a leather jacket, leather chaps or pants, warm boots, winter gloves (warm but still allowing you to operate all the hand controls), helmet (full face is better in cold weather) and definitely eye protection. This ride doesn't have to be an all day cruise to enjoy the winter wonder land (although if it is a warmer day, enjoy while you can), just a short ride will do the trick. Don't over exert yourself, especially if you are not use to cold weather riding. It is much more tiring to ride a motorcycle when you are uncomfortable. Remember, this is for the bike, not for you ( OK, maybe a little bit for you). Riding for 30 minutes or more should be more than enough. Try and do this at least once every couple of weeks.
If the weather just won't let up or you live in an area where winter really means winter, it may just be impossible to ride. This doesn't mean that this form of winterizing is impossible. You will just have to alter it slightly. If you can't actually ride, start the motorcycle (if in a garage, roll it outside due to exhaust fumes) and let it idle up to temperature and let it run for a little while. If it is an air cooled bike, don't let it overheat. The fact that the air is already cold will work in your favor in this scenario. If you are doing this, you can start the bike at least once a week. With this method you also don't have to worry about freezing while you ride (although it will make you appreciate summer rides all the more if you take a winter ride). One thing that you do have to take into consideration with the idle method is the fact that you are not moving the tires the way that you would if you were riding. If this is the way you have to do it, store the bike on it's center stand and put a block under the front wheel. Having the tires sitting on the ground for weeks on end will cause damage to the tire itself.
What is the reason for all of this? Isn't it more work? In a way, yes it is more work but you get to play with your baby all year long. More than likely you will get to ride more often through out the year. After a few rides in December, a sudden rain storm won't petrify you nearly as much as it use to. Another benefit, as if you need anymore other than getting to ride more often, is that when spring does come, all you have to do is a usual routine maintenance procedure and you are ready to join all the "fair weather" riders.
Remember, just because it is cold it doesn't mean that the motorcycle doesn't get dirty. Throughout the winter you still need to wipe it down and keep it clean. This is not just for looks. Water and dirt can damage vital components on a motorcycle. Take special care of any leather accessories that you have on the bike. They will be a lot more brittle in the cold temperature. Just like a car, the chemicals and salt on the road are detrimental to the motorcycle. After a ride, it is important to clean off any kind of road grime.
Yes, it is a little more work. Yes, it is a little more fun. Winterize your motorcycle? All that should mean is that you may not get to ride as often, take extra precautions when you do and have your bike on the road come springtime long before any of your friends.
