Winterize Your Motorcycle, Its almost that time

Winterize Your Motorcycle


What you need to know to winterize
In the northern climates motorcyclists have two choices when winter approaches:

Continue riding

Winterize the motorcycle and put it away until spring
So if you are fortunate to live where it's warm year-round or you choose to ride during the cold winters, there is no need to be concerned about winterizing your motorcycle.

For those in the second group, there are many opinions on what should be done to winterize your motorcycle. Here is a basic set of steps to winterize.


Check over the motorcycle for any mechanical problems.

Change the engine oil and oil filter.

Fill the gas tank, add stabilizer according to the instructions on the can, and run the bike for a few minutes.

Check the battery, clean the battery terminals, and connect a Battery Tender or similar trickle-charger.

Clean and wax the bike.

Cover the bike. If possible, keep the bike in a warm garage.

Make sure the bike is locked up and the registration and other papers are removed in case the bike is stolen.
Winterizing is a personal choice for motorcyclists. Many approaches work. The tips provided here will get you back on the road next spring ready for new adventures in our mutual motorcycle obsession.

we may have crappy roads here in florida, but atleast the bike never has to be stored. plus winter is prime time for trackdays since it not hellaciously hot outside

How funny, I was just thinking about getting ready for winter . . . . were pretty fortunate here in so cal, but rainy season keeps me off the streets on 2 wheels for a little while. Come another month or so, it's sleeping time for my bikey bike

Yeah im in PA so were not so lucky we get some nice snow and ice, but thats why I have my ATV

The short dirt road I live down gets too muddy and icey in the winter to ride. Almost time to rotate the toys. Snowmobile season soon.

Here in MI, we have no choice but to store, unless you equiped the front with a ski and spikes in the rear. The boat is winterized and stored, wife's bike is ready for the winter, still hoping for a couple of 60 degree days to hop on mine before the long winter.

In CT, my bike will definately be stored. As much as I would like to ride all winter, I don't mind earning the extra money snow plowing for the town at OT rates. BRING ON THE SNOW!!!!

In Oregon it rains a lot and gets plenty cold, but it usually doesn't snow, but every several years. This is my first winter with a bike and I am not sure how it will work out, but I will try to ride through this one and see how it goes.

It would be a good idea to put the bike up on stands front and rear so the tires don't get out of shape. and rat bait pellets to keep the mice from chewing on your wiring & making there home there.

do you guys reccommend starting it and letting it run for a few minutes
about once a week or so while its in winter storage?

No not if you have a battery tender on it and follow the advice given.