How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Winter Storage

As temperatures continue to drop, storing your motorcycle for the season becomes the dreaded reality. To ensure your motorcycle is well protected and ready to go in the spring, follow these simple storage tips.

Give Your Motorcycle a Synthetic Oil Change

Before putting your motorcycle away for the winter, be sure to give it a synthetic oil change. You may think it's a waste to get rid of your old oil and replace it just before your motorcycle is idle for a few months, but this is very necessary. Your motorcycle's old oil will develop acids that can cause damage to the internal metal parts in your oil system. To prevent this damage from occurring, it's best to replace your old oil with fresh oil. While you're at it, be sure to also change out your old oil filter. If you're taking care of this at home, don't throw out your old oil. Old oil should be recycled, so be sure to dispose of it properly.

Maintain Your Fuel

Before storing your motorcycle, the two main things to focus on when it comes to fuel are that your tank is full and that you use a fuel stabilizer. A less than full tank will allow condensation in and will then be more susceptible to rust and corrosion. Once you've filled up on fuel, add a fuel stabilizer to your tank. To ensure it properly mixes into the fuel allow your motorcycle's engine to run for a few minutes. Taking care of this step will help ensure that your fuel doesn't become stale and thick. Without a fuel stabilizer, your fuel can become thick and even gummy. At its worst, gummy fuel can cause passages in the carburetor to get plugged. Avoid damages during storage by consulting your owner's manual for the right stabilizer.

Protect Your Battery

If you leave your battery in your motorcycle while it's stored for the winter, this can become a problem in the spring. Although your motorcycle won't be in use, the battery will still lose charge and drain. A drained battery may lose its ability to sustain any charge, leaving you searching for a new battery in the spring. Instead, remove your battery and charge it every couple of weeks. This will ensure that your battery doesn't get drained and that it will be ready to go once temperatures start to heat up. To find the best synthetic oil for your motorcycle, contact ALF Marketing in Chambersburg. Contact them at (301) 416-0575 or stop by their online shop to place an order.

Keep an Eye on Your Tires

Before storing your motorcycle, check the tire's air pressure. As temperatures drop, your tires will lose pressure, so it's best to check on these every few weeks. If you're storing your motorcycle at home, consider investing in a stand that will keep your tires off the ground. This is ideal because it will prevent flat spots on your tires caused by them resting on the ground all season long. If you don't have a stand, simply rotate your tires every few weeks to prevent these flat spots from developing.

Replace Old Fluids

You may not be worried about your motorcycle's performance this season, but replacing old fluids is still necessary. Fluids like your brake and clutch fluids tend to absorb moisture which then causes internal corrosion. Avoid these issues by draining old fluids and replacing them with new ones. It's also very important that you ensure your motorcycle has the right type of antifreeze because the wrong mix can freeze in cold temperatures and cause damage. If you're not sure what needs to be changed or how to do it, take your motorcycle to the shop to get it serviced.

Where to Store Your Motorcycle

Where you store your motorcycle and how you prepare it are both very important for the wellbeing of your ride. Taking the proper steps can help ensure your motorcycle stays in prime condition and is ready to go in the spring. Store your motorcycle in an indoor space that will stay dry and that is not near a window. Direct sunlight can cause paint to fade and may cause damage to plastic parts. Wash your motorcycle to remove any corrosive substances and give it a wax to protect it from moisture while it's stored. Invest in a proper motorcycle cover that will allow your motorcycle to breathe without trapping in moisture. These are just basic tips to get you started, so be sure to do your research and provide your motorcycle with the best care while in storage.

Get a Synthetic Oil Change in Chambersburg

As temperatures dip to their lowest, protect all of your engines with the best synthetic oil around, AMSOIL Oil. Contact ALF Marketing at (301) 416-0575 to find the best AMSOIL Oil products for your motorcycle, car, or any other engine that needs taking care of. To place an order, give them a call or visit their online shop.