Winter months or cold weather often mean fewer days to enjoy your motorcycle, so knowing how to winterize your motorcycle is vital. When considering the fuel system, you want to make sure there is no chance of damage to your carburetor (sometimes called carbs), petcock, or injectors. Whether you ride a Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Honda or other motorcycle, you want to protect your investment by properly winterizing it. Should you store your motorcycle with a full tank of gas or an empty tank?
Factors to Consider
Period of Time
First, you want to look at what type of storage you need. Will it be winter storage for a long period, or will you be storing your motorcycle for a few weeks during the off-season? How long you will store your motorcycle determines what type of fuel stabilizer or additives you need to prevent the breakdown of your fuel. Long-term storage requires additional steps to protect your vehicle.
Types of Motorcycle Storage
Another important factor is the type of storage you choose: a storage unit or self-storage. When using a storage unit, you want to make sure it is climate-controlled to protect your motorcycle’s overall condition. Come spring you don’t want surprises caused by improper storage. Find out if the storage unit starts the motorcycles stored on a routine basis or if you need to incorporate a trickle charger or battery tender.
Fuel Level
In short, whether you use regular gasoline or an ethanol blend, you should never store your motorcycle with less than a full gas tank. You also want to add an appropriate fuel stabilizer such as Sta-Bil to make sure the fuel does not break down during the cold months. A less-than-full tank can cause water to build up which can cause corrosion in vital parts of your machine. To ensure a full tank of fuel, go to your local gas station and fill up a gas can top off your tank at the storage unit. Follow the octane recommendations in your motorcycle’s OEM guidelines for optimal protection.
Full Winterization
In addition to the fuel, there are other considerations when storing your machine. You want to make sure the pistons and spark plugs will properly fire when you start your vehicle. You also want to make sure you use the proper amount of stabilizer to prevent clogs and other issues. Check the exhaust pipes for holes, the tires for flat spots, and the coolant levels. Fogging oil can also help lube cylinders to prevent corrosion.
Protecting your motorcycle will ensure you have years of service from it, and property winterization can prevent costly repair bills in the spring and summer.
