Winter Storage: How to prepare your motorcycle

Why winter storage is crucial for your motorcycle

When the harsh winter weather arrives, many riders choose to garage their bikes until spring. However, simply tossing a cover over your bike isn't enough. Proper winter storage is essential to prevent severe damage to the battery, tyres, and internal mechanical components. Taking the time to winterise ensures your motorcycle is safe from rust and ready to hit the road as soon as the weather improves.

Essential steps: Cleaning and lubrication

Before you store the bike, it is vital to perform some basic maintenance.

• Wash thoroughly: Remove any dirt, dead bugs, and corrosive road salt.
• Dry completely: Use a microfibre towel or compressed air to prevent trapped moisture.
• Lubricate: Lube the drive chain, pivot points, and control cables to protect them from seizing up in the cold damp air.

Battery, fuel, and tyre care

Cold temperatures are the number one enemy of a motorcycle battery. Remove it entirely or connect it to a high-quality smart tender to prevent it from going flat. For your fuel system, fill the tank to the brim and add a fuel stabiliser to prevent condensation and stale petrol. Finally, get the bike off the cold concrete. Use paddock stands to prevent tyre flat spots. If stands are not an option, overinflate the tyres slightly and roll the bike a few inches every couple of weeks.