In areas where motorcycle use is limited during winter, proper storage is necessary to avoid damage to the bike. Cold starts and exposure to salted roads can cause corrosion, while motorcycle tires offer poor traction on wet and snowy roads.
To avoid these risks, many people choose to store their motorcycles during the winter months. However, inadequate winter storage preparation can also damage the bike. To ensure safe storage until warmer weather returns, it is important to follow these steps:Winter Motorcycle Storage Checklist
Perform these tasks before storing your motorcycle.
To ensure the longevity of your motorcycle during storage, several steps should be taken. Firstly, a motorcycle battery that remains inactive for extended periods will lose its charge, leading to permanent damage. Therefore, connecting a battery tender to your motorcycle’s battery is necessary to maintain its charge while in storage. Additionally, tires that remain in the same position can develop bald spots from the bike’s weight continually pressing down on one spot. To prevent balding tires, it is recommended to remove all the weight from the tires, with the center stand (if equipped) or motorcycle stands. Finally, investing in a good motorcycle cover is necessary to protect your motorcycle from dust and moisture abrasion. If you are searching for a place to store your motorcycle, storing it in your garage is one of the safest and most convenient options. However, the only disadvantage is that it can take up a lot of space you may not be willing to sacrifice.
Storing a motorcycle on a driveway provides easy access for maintenance and inspection, but exposes it to possible weather damage and theft. Portable motorcycle shelters offer an affordable solution, protecting the motorcycle partially from the elements and ensuring security in the backyard. However, outdoor storage provides less weather protection compared to indoor storage and portable shelters come with additional expenses. If you choose not to store the motorcycle at home, a storage unit can keep it safe from inclement weather and theft. Yet, storing your motorcycle in a storage unit incurs additional cost and may not provide convenient inspection or maintenance opportunities. Properly preparing a motorcycle for storage can be time-consuming, but it is necessary to avoid damaging the motorcycle and incurring costly repairs when the riding season returns.
SCI-style translation:
Storing a motorcycle on a driveway is a convenient method for maintenance and inspection but leaves it vulnerable to weather damage and theft. Portable motorcycle shelters are an affordable option to store motorcycles at home, protecting them from the elements and theft when stored in a backyard. Nevertheless, outdoor storage provides less weather protection compared to indoor storage, and portable shelters are an additional expense. Alternatively, storing a motorcycle in a storage unit can prevent damage from inclement weather and theft. However, this method incurs additional costs and may not provide convenient inspection or maintenance opportunities. Proper preparation for motorcycle storage is necessary to avoid damage and costly repairs during the riding season.
