How to Winterize your Motorcycle

The weather is getting colder which means the snow is just around the corner. Illinois roads in particular can be rough for motorcyclists, and as a result, many riders will be putting their rides away for the winter. Before you do, you’ll want to make sure the time in storage doesn’t damage your bike. There are important steps to winterize your motorcycle and if you don’t want to make a trip to the mechanic when you take it out of storage, make sure you’re following all of these steps. Stop by Illinois Harley-Davidson® to make sure your bike won’t have any festering issues over winter. We’re located in Countryside, Illinois near Chicago, Burbank, Oak Park, Oak Lawn, and Westmont, IL.

Fill up your Fluids

Make sure all your engine’s fluids, including brake, clutch, and coolant, are fresh and full. You may even consider draining them completely and refilling. Because it gets cold in our area, you’ll want to check the antifreeze to prevent engine freezing. Also, remember to lubricate the throttle, kickstand, shifter, and clutch cables. Finally, fill your gas tank and add fuel stabilizer to avoid damage from old gasoline. Don’t forget to ride around the block once or twice so the fuel stabilizer has a chance to work through the carburetor.

Conserve your Battery

Batteries in particular do not do well in cold weather. Make sure yours is prepared for the long winter. If you want to leave it on your bike, make sure you fully charge it once a month as it will experience some slight drain. You can also remove it from your bike and hook it up to a trickle charge or battery maintainer. Just make sure it’s stored at room temperature and away from conductive surfaces.

Tend to your Tires

Fluctuating temperatures and excessive sitting can wear on the motorcycle’s tires. A great way to prevent uneven wear is to suspend your bike so the tires are off the ground and not taking the weight of your motorcycle. If you can’t do that, fill your tires to the maximum recommended volume and rotate the front tire once a week to prevent flat spots.

Check the Oil and Filter

If your bike is in need of an oil change, make sure that happens before you walk away from it for several months. If you’re unsure, check the oil using your usual methods. Old oil can corrode engine parts if left unattended. Even if it’s in a questionable state, change the oil and filter just to be safe.

Fog the Engine

While some consider this step unnecessary, it certainly doesn’t hurt anything. It prevents corrosion by coating the internal workings of your engine with a light oil. Just make sure you’re in a ventilated area, that any spark plugs that need replacing are dealt with before you start, and that you remove the air filter. Start your bike and spray the fogging oil as you increase the idle speed to 2,000 rpm. Stop spraying when the engine stops.

Critter-proof your Ride

Mice and other critters like to burrow in small dark places and your mufflers and air cleaners are ideal homes for them. Block their entryway by stuffing a sandwich bag with steel wool and pushing it into the air intake and tailpipes. The bag keeps strands of steel wool out of the engine, but just don’t forget to remove it in the spring.

As tempting as it is to ride your motorcycle during winter, we’re glad you’re making the choice to store it away. The weather can be dangerous for all commuters and being on a motorcycle can be particularly hazardous. If you’d like your bike looked at before putting it in storage, stop by Illinois Harley-Davidson®, located in Countryside, Illinois, proudly serving the area of Chicago, Burbank, Oak Park, Oak Lawn, and Westmont, IL.