You’ve been riding your motorcycle for months. You may have even hit up a motorcycle rally or two over the summer.
Yet there’s no denying the fact that temperatures are dipping. Soon, snow and ice may very well make it impossible for you to take to the open road on your motorcycle.
If you’re lucky, you have enough space in your garage to store your motorcycle during winter. If not, you’ll need to find a place to store your bike. Then you’ll want to make sure to follow these tips when it comes time to winterize your motorcycle.
- Give it a wash. Certain substances can corrode the exterior of the bike. So it’s best to get any dirt and grime off your bike before stashing it away for the winter. Also wax your bike—it helps protect it from rust and moisture.
- Take care of the tank. It’s a good idea to top off the tank with fresh fuel and fuel stabilizer. The stabilizer will help prevent the gas from breaking down. It will also help prevent buildup from forming. Just make sure to run your bike for at least five minutes to ensure that the stabilizer makes its way through the system.
- Change the oil and filter. Old oil can be corrosive, so invest in an oil change before you stash away your motorcycle for the winter.
- Check the coolant. It’s important to make sure your coolant can stand up to freezing temperatures. Use a floating-ball tester to see if your coolant is up to the task.
- Mind the muffler. Mufflers can rust when they’re not in use. Protect yours by spraying a the muffler with light oil. Then, stuff a plastic bag into the muffler before tying another plastic bag around it for added protection.
- Remove the battery. There is a small but steady current drain when your battery is hooked into your motorcycle but isn’t being used. For this reason, it’s best to remove the battery from your bike and store it a cool, dry place. A battery maintainer can help ensure the battery doesn’t run out of juice while in storage. Some battery maintainers have a built in float charger which will prevent the battery from being overcharged. Do not allow a battery to freeze and do not try to charge a frozen battery.
- Inflate the tires to the recommended pressure. Cold air causes tires to lose air.
- Cover it up. A snug-fitting, breathable cover provides a protective barrier.
A final way to protect your bike is to have the right motorcycle insurance. Erie Insurance now offers improved motorcycle coverage for your motorcycle so you can ride easy. Contact an Erie Insurance agent in your community to learn more and get a free quote.
