Winter Storage of Your Motorbike

Winter Storage of Your Motorbike

Winter storage of a motorbike is a common practice for most two-wheel enthusiasts. With the arrival of winter and bad weather, many bikers choose to park their bikes and wait for spring and the return of milder weather before getting back on the road. This means that during the colder months, the motorbike will remain stationary. During this downtime, it’s essential to carry out proper winter storage to avoid unpleasant issues that may arise, such as a dead battery, tire flat spots, rust formation, and component deterioration.

If you’re among those motorcyclists who suspend their insurance during the winter months, it's crucial to be aware of how to perform a correct winter storage process. Whether your motorbike is stored in a garage or outdoors, it’s vital to perform basic but crucial operations to ensure that, when warmer temperatures return, everything is in optimal condition and functioning properly.

Where to Keep Your Motorbike in Winter?

It goes without saying that, for those who have the option, it’s preferable to park the motorbike in a closed space, like a garage, to avoid exposure to the elements. However, it’s also essential that the garage is well-ventilated and dry. A dry environment minimizes the buildup of moisture and condensation, thereby reducing the risk of rust formation.

For those forced to leave their motorbike parked outdoors, we recommend covering it with a specific motorbike cover designed for this purpose. Choose a cover that is highly waterproof and breathable. We strongly advise against using a plastic or cellophane cover, as these materials can cause condensation, leading to rust.

Now that we’ve understood the importance of properly storing your motorbike during its inactive period, let’s look in detail at all the steps and tips to perform effective storage and protect your motorbike optimally.

Preparation Before Storage

Before storing your motorbike, it’s essential to prepare it adequately for inactivity to ensure everything is in order when you take it out again. Here are some preparatory steps to follow carefully:

Cleaning the Motorbike

Start by thoroughly washing the motorbike to remove dirt, insects, and debris from all surfaces. This can be a good opportunity to focus on areas where dirt tends to accumulate and that are often overlooked during regular cleaning, such as wheels and fairings. Once the motorbike is clean, make sure to dry it completely to prevent rust formation during the storage period.

Perform a General Checkup

Check that everything is in good condition before leaving the motorbike idle, so you can plan any component purchases or maintenance for the upcoming season. First, check that the tires don’t have nails or punctures. Next, examine the wear condition of the grips.

Proper Battery Storage During Winter

One of the most common issues during storage is battery maintenance. Our recommendation is to disconnect the battery and remove it from the motorbike to avoid energy drains during storage. The ideal solution is to use a battery maintainer during the idle months. These devices are affordable and consume very little energy while keeping your battery in perfect condition.

Smart battery maintainers detect the charge level and provide only the necessary energy to keep it at an optimal level. If you can’t use a maintainer, disconnect the battery from the motorbike and store it in a dry, room-temperature location to prevent exposure to cold. Cold temperatures are the main enemy of any battery.

Motorbike Idle: Empty or Full Tank?

Another big question for motorcyclists when it comes to storage is the fuel level in the tank during the idle period. Some recommend emptying the tank completely and leaving it open to dry out any remaining fuel. Although modern tanks are treated to prevent such issues, leaving the tank empty and open could cause oxidation problems.

Our advice is to fill the tank and, if possible, add a specific fuel additive that prevents fuel degradation. A full tank will leave no room for condensation or rust formation, while a stabilizing additive will prevent the fuel from deteriorating and forming deposits in the engine, as well as help prevent condensation buildup inside the tank.

Chain Cleaning and Lubrication

Before storage, it’s very important to clean and lubricate the chain using a dedicated spray, paying close attention not only to the inner part but also to the sides. One of the best products available for this purpose is R&G Racing chain lubricant.

Protecting the Fairing and Metal Parts

During motorbike storage, it can be very helpful to apply a thin layer of WD40 spray on the fairing and metal parts. This product acts as a protective film for the bike, preventing rust and corrosion.

How to Cover the Motorbike in the Garage?

As we’ve already mentioned, a motorbike cover is almost essential when storing the motorbike (especially during winter storage) outdoors. This is particularly common in large cities where not everyone has a garage. In such cases, it's essential to purchase a technical motorbike cover, waterproof but highly breathable, to avoid condensation and moisture buildup. We also highly recommend using a motorbike cover even if you store it in a closed, dry space like a garage, as this will protect the bike from dust and dirt. In this case, opt for an indoor motorbike cover, which is softer and more flexible than waterproof covers.

Positioning the Motorbike

How you position your motorbike during storage has a significant impact on its proper preservation. For optimal storage, it's best to use two stands to elevate the motorbike. This way, both the front and rear wheels will be off the ground and won’t bear the continuous pressure of the bike’s static weight, preventing the tires from flattening or deforming.

Periodic Checks

Even during the storage period, it’s important to carry out periodic checks to ensure everything is in order. At least once a month, perform a general visual inspection of the motorbike and ensure there are no issues.

Conclusion

Planning to park your motorbike for a few months as winter approaches? Don’t worry, it’s perfectly understandable, and especially in colder regions, it can be a wise choice. After reading this guide on how to perform proper winter storage, you no longer need to worry about your bike deteriorating. As we’ve seen, motorbike storage is a crucial step to keep your two-wheeler in optimal condition during periods of inactivity.

Now that you’ve read our tips, you’ll be able to store your motorbike correctly, protecting it from rust, battery issues, and other problems that can arise from extended inactivity. Follow this guide, perform proper motorbike storage, and be ready to hop back on without a hitch when the time comes.