Another complete season has flown by, making it an inevitable moment for many. It's time for a break. Instead of dressing up for the cold, you decide to put the motorcycle out of sight. After everything you've been through, it deserves the necessary TLC. In this blog, I will give you tips on how to prepare your motorcycle for winter. This way, you will be back on your motorcycle at the start of the season, as if it had never been any different.
The maxim "standing still is going backwards" certainly applies when you let your motorcycle hibernate without taking the necessary measures. Take the time to prepare your motorcycle for winter and both you and your motorcycle will benefit. Your motorcycle will remain in good condition and you won't face any unpleasant or expensive surprises later.
7 tips to prepare your motorcycle for winter:
- Winterizing your motorcycle with a full tank
- Winterizing your motorcycle with a battery charger
- Winterizing your motorcycle to prevent rust
- Make sure the motorcycle chain is also winterized
- Winterizing your motorcycle with new coolant
- Winterizing your motorcycle for your tires
- Winterizing your motorcycle with fresh oil
1. Winterizing your motorcycle with a full tank
Before you cover your motorcycle for good, make sure it has a full tank of gas. This will prevent the gas tank from condensing and, in the case of a metal tank, rust from forming. In addition, the quality will be better if you choose premium gasoline, such as BP Ultimate or Shell V-Power. Add a fuel additive to the tank to prevent deposits from forming. The Putoline Fuel Stabilizer has been specially developed for motorcycles that will be idle for long periods. It offers protection for both the fuel tank and the entire injection system. In addition to Putoline, Forté is also a well-known manufacturer of fuel additives.
2. Winterise your bike with a battery charger
It is equally important to connect the battery to a trickle charger or battery charger. The motorbike battery is continuously monitored and recharged to keep it in optimal condition. Particularly when the engine is stationary for long periods of time.
3. Winterise your motorbike against rust
When your bike has been stationary for months, it is wise to preserve it. Treat it with a silicone spray or carnauba-based wax. Prevent your tyres and brake discs from coming into contact with your maintenance product. Furthermore, you can treat paint parts, the engine block, swingarm and other frame parts. As well as the exhaust and exhaust pipes.
While injecting the engine, it is wise to grease the movable parts to preserve them. Think of your stand, steps, ignition locks, hinges, etc.
4. Make sure the motorcycle chain is also winterized
A well-maintained chain lasts much longer than a dry, rusty chain. Good maintenance means tensioning the chain if necessary every 1,500 km, lubricating it every 500 km, and preferably cleaning it every 1,500 km.
Before storing it, it's a good idea to clean your chain thoroughly, you can use a specialized cleaning spray like chain cleaning product or diesel or petroleum. You can get your chain perfectly clean with a sturdy brush like a toothbrush. Then dry the chain and spray it with chain spray. To protect the chain even better, you can use a separate pot of chain grease and a brush to keep the chain well lubricated.
5. Winterizing your motorcycle with new coolant
If your motorcycle is a little older and the coolant has not been replaced recently, it's a good time to do it before you store the motorcycle. New coolant prevents internal corrosion or contamination of the cooling system. Replacing the coolant is easy if you're a bit technically inclined. If not, a local motorcycle dealer can do it for you.
6. Preparing your motorcycle for winter to preserve your tires
During the winter storage, lift the motorcycle off the ground with the tires. You can use paddock stands at the front and rear or use your center stand and a jack. This will prevent a flat contact patch from forming. If you don't have access to these, you should inflate the tires harder than usual to reduce the risk of a flat spot.
7. Winterizing your motorcycle with fresh oil
If your oil is more than 10,000 km old, it's advisable to change it. The combustion process creates acids and moisture in the oil that are not good for the engine in the long run. The condition of the oil depends on several factors, such as the mileage, the age/condition of the engine, the fuel used, and the type of rides taken on the motorcycle. To ensure a longer lifespan for the engine, it's important to change the oil within the prescribed interval period and before the motorcycle will be idle for a while. Always replace the oil filter during an oil change, as it will be ineffective otherwise.
Check these points before putting your motorcycle into its winter sleep and you'll see the benefits in the following season.
