Winterizing Your Motorcycle

Putting your motorcycle into storage for the winter is a necessary evil. No one enjoys resigning themselves to a few months without riding. But the weather is too cold and unsafe to keep tearing up the pavement. The proper storage process involves more than simply putting your motorcycle into the garage. There is a thorough winterization process you'll want to undergo to ensure your bike stays secure and safe during the winter months. The steps aren't difficult, but it can be a challenge keeping all those steps straight.

Here at Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County, we strive to make things easier for you. That's why we created the following guide to motorcycle winterization below. If you have any questions or want to look at motorcycles for sale, visit our dealership. We proudly serve those in Los Angeles, California. 

Clean It Up

You'll want to start with a blank slate. Clean away all the grime and gunk that's accumulated over the riding season. If you let it sit on your frame in storage, it can actually cause damage. After you wash your motorcycle, you'll want to apply a coat of wax. Don't forget to put WD-40 on any exposed metal. 

Change the Oil

Before you put your motorcycle in storage, you'll want to change the oil and replace the filter. Some riders prefer using a winter weight oil so that they can enjoy an easier startup come spring, but that's up to you. 

If you will be putting your bike away for an extended period of time, you'll want to pull your spark plugs. Next, put a little bit of fresh oil in the cylinder. Then, turn rotate your back tire while your motorcycle is in gear. This helps coat the entire inside surface, which works to shield your cylinder from corrosion. 

Lubricate

First, locate any moving parts on your motorcycle. Then lubricate them! This includes your chain, cables, forks, any pivot points in the suspension, and controls. 

Battery

If you leave your battery connected to your motorcycle, it'll likely drain before spring arrives. Instead, you'll want to take the battery off and connect it to a battery tender. Make sure to store it somewhere dry and secure. While you are handling your battery, give it an inspection to ensure the terminals are free of corrosion.

Tires

Without any intervention, your tires will likely end up getting flat spots. After all, your heavy motorcycle bears down a lot of weight on them. The ideal scenario is to store your bike on a motorcycle stand, which helps keep your tires off of the ground. If that isn't an option for you, then you will need to rotate your tires every few weeks. This helps evenly distribute the weight.

Storage Location

Once your machine is ready to be stored, the final step is to figure out where to place it. Find somewhere warm and dry to keep it safe from the elements. If you can, store it out of sight of others. You don't want a potential thief spotting your vehicle and trying to steal it away! If you must store it in the open, you'll want a bike cover and theft prevention methods (such as disc locks).

We hope you found this guide helpful! For all your motorcycle needs, visit Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County. Our friendly staff can help you with whatever you need. If you have any questions about the winterization process, feel free to stop by! We also offer a range of motorcycles for sale if you are looking to upgrade. We proudly serve those in Los Angeles, Inland Empire, and Riverside County, California.