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Winter Motorcycle Storage: A Necessary Evil

Summertime is easy for motorcyclists, but winter motorcycle storage can be a real hassle for most bikers. Fortunately, you can't simply forget about it and hope that your bike will take care of itself.  No, it is simply too risky to leave your bike exposed to the elements during the long winter months.  Proper storage is the only solution.

If you live in the deep South, where even January and February are mild and pleasant, with not even a hint of snow, then winter motorcycle storage won't be a big issue to you at all.  But for the rest of us, the job of safely stowing away our bikes through the winter months is critical to keep it in good condition.

It's easy to find a motorcycle storage facility, but many of us feel uneasy about leaving our "pride and joy" in a facility like this for months at a time.  There is always the fear that your motorcycle will return to you damaged in some way.

The alternative is to store your bike yourself, and this requires a little bit of basic knowledge and diligence in order to do properly.  First, you will need to purchase a motorcycle battery charger.  Without a charger, even a new battery will go completely flat within two or three weeks.  A battery charger can eliminate this possibility, ensuring that your bike will emerge from storage ready to hit the road.

The Chargers normally attach to your battery semi-permanently, and will recharge the battery only as needed to keep it in optimum condition.  This is important because overcharging a motorcycle battery can be just as damaging as undercharging it.

Another big issue when storing your motorcycle is the fuel tank and fuel lines.  If left unchecked, the gasoline in your fuel tank will go flat with time, and build up a tar-like consistency that will clog up your fuel lines.  Fortunately, this problem is easy to rectify.  There are a variety of fuel additives that can be used to protect your fuel system during storage and prevent a gunky "old gas" build up.

Temperature is also an important issue to consider when storing your motorcycle for the winter.  Many commercial storage areas are not climate controled, and as a result, your bike could be exposed to extremely low temperatures.  This will potentially cause all manner of problems, including cracks in the fuel line, leather seats and trim.

While it is possible to find climate controlled stores units for your bike through the winter, these tend to be more expensive, and luckily, there is a cheaper solution to protect your bike from cold weather.

Using a protective thick cover will keep the cold out, and protect your bike from extreme temperatures.  In addition, a quality cover will protect your motorcycle from scratches or other damage while it is in storage.

Finally, it is important to inspect your motorcycle thoroughly before putting it into storage.  Be sure to thoroughly check the electronics, lights, breaks, power ignition, and all other vital systems.  That way you will be ready to hit the road immediately when winter motorcycle storage is over.