A recent email from HD featured winter storage tips. It’s been several years since I posted winter storage tips, so I thought it would be timely for your review. Here it is. If you need any supplies, check the BIKE section on our menu. We have it all. 

Motorcycle Winter Storage Tips

Clean Your Motorcycle

It might seem counterintuitive to clean your motorcycle before putting it away, but dirt, bugs, and road grime can harm your bike's finish over time. Plus, it will be that much more of a treat to find it looking ready for the road as soon as better weather rolls back around.

Give your bike a comprehensive clean before storing it for the winter by following these steps:

• Prep your bike: Allow your motorcycle to cool before rinsing or washing. Spraying water on a hot bike can lead to unsightly water spots and mineral deposits. Plug all exhaust holes, secure wires and electronics, and remove any of your motorcycle’s bags or luggage that can’t be washed.
• Rinse your bike: Using cool water, spray your bike from the bottom up, focusing on getting rid of dirt, dust, and grime that’s built up. For hardened dirt or dried bugs that don’t come off with a simple rinse, you can soak the surfaces under a damp towel.
• Clean your wheels and tires: Rinse your wheels and tire surfaces, while taking care to avoid splashing any gnarly brake dust on your bike’s chrome and painted parts. Use a wheel and tire cleaner, letting it set for one minute after application, then clean the wheel. A specialized wheel and spoke brush can help you reach tough spots while avoiding scratching. Once you’ve rid your wheels of brake dust and your whitewalls are shining bright, give them a good rinse.
• Wash the rest of your bike: Moving up to the rest of your bike, start by getting rid of any bug splatters with your handy bug remover spray. Fill a wash bucket with clean water, add bike soap, and soak a wash mitt or sponge. Starting from the top and working your way down now, gently scrub your bike. Finish with two rinses: one from the bottom up and another from the top down.
• Take care of the details: Leave your bike looking like new and protect every part of it before long-term storage by caring for all of the details, parts, and accessories—from the denim and leather to the windshield and chrome. Adding a coat of wax to your bike, too, will help shield it over the course of storage, too.

 Check and Change Your Fluids—All of Them

Over time, the chemicals in your motorcycle's fluids can break down and become acidic, potentially causing damage. If you haven’t changed your fluids in the (very) recent past, replace all fluids, including brake and clutch fluid and coolant, before storage to prevent any corrosion or other issues.

Also, avoid draining your fuel tank, as this can leave it susceptible to corrosion. Instead of draining the tank, fill the tank before you stow your bike away and add a high-quality fuel stabilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This additive will help keep fuel from breaking down and clogging parts while making sure your fuel tank can stay full.

What Is Motorcycle Oil and Why Is It Important?

In short, oil is the lifeblood of your bike’s engine. Oil is not only responsible for lubricating its moving parts, but also for cooling, cleaning, and flushing away the byproducts of combustion.

Motorcycle engines are capable of achieving incredible speeds, but to continue running smoothly—without parts coming into contact with one another and creating friction that can slow the engine down (or, worse, stop it altogether)—the engine relies on the lubrication provided by oil. As it lubricates parts of the engine, oil also carries heat away from and cleans everything it comes into contact with in order to keep the engine in tip-top shape. Because of its importance in improving the function and longevity of a bike’s engine, motorcycle oil should be changed at regular intervals.

Take Care of Your Battery

The last thing you want on the other side of storage is a dead battery and a bike that won’t start. But that doesn’t mean you need to turn your bike on and let it run every week of winter. Instead, simply use a battery charger. An extremely helpful tool year-round, hooking a tender up to your battery will keep a low-level charge running to your battery and greatly extend its life. Our dual mode battery chargers are ideal for short- or long-term motorcycle battery charging needs.  These chargers are completely automatic.  You can leave these chargers plugged in 24/7 with no worries of overcharging.

If you do decide to take out your battery though, be sure to consult your owner’s manual for guidance on proper removal and storage.

Prepare and Check Your Tires

Take the time to inspect your motorcycle tires before storage. Overly worn tires might not make it through the winter—and in any case, they certainly won’t be safe for long come spring. Meanwhile, ensure that tires are properly inflated, balanced, and otherwise undamaged.

Check out our guide on when to replace motorcycle tires. 

To protect your tires during storage and prevent the formation of flat spots, store your bike on a center stand during the winter. If you don’t have access to a stand, be sure to move your bike and rotate your tires at least once per month to avoid these spots.

   Buy a Motorcycle Cover

Last but not least, you need something to cover your motorcycle. Of course, that’s where the best Harley-Davidson® motorcycle covers come in. No matter where you’re storing your bike, go with a motorcycle cover that’s made from durable and breathable material to prevent the build-up of moisture that can harm your bike over time. That means avoiding low-quality materials and items not intended to be used as motorcycle covers, like tarps.

Some riders, in an attempt to avoid moisture build-up or save on costs, will opt to forgo a cover altogether. This approach, particularly when done outside, leaves your bike exposed to the elements as well as accidents. Instead, we highly recommend investing in a quality motorcycle cover—it’s a simple way to help protect your investment for more than just one season.

Where to Store Your Motorcycle

When you’re winterizing your motorcycle, you need to consider not just how to store your bike but where. Ideally, you’ll have a place to store your bike that’s indoors and well-ventilated—whatever it takes to stop moisture and condensation from settling underneath your bike’s cover.  It’s also important to store your bike away from fertilizers and chemicals that can also cause corrosion, as well as any flames, pilot lights, sparks, or electric motors that create a fire hazard.

Not everyone has a spacious garage that offers a comfortable wintertime home for their bike, though. While it can be safe to store your bike outside in wintry conditions, going this route will make your investment in a proper protective cover and security options that much more important.

Of course, there are other options to protect your investment. In some areas, a storage space can be rented at an affordable price—and even shared amongst your riding friends. Meanwhile, many local Harley-Davidson® dealers offer storage services. At a location near you, you’ll have a one-stop shop to get your bike ready for storage and then keep it safe for the season. 

Attribution: Harley-Davidson® Parts & Accessories