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How to prepare your motorcycle for winter storage
Updated: Wednesday, 24 May 2023
When the nights start to get colder and the weather becomes more extreme, it’s time to start thinking about storing your motorbike away until the roads become safe again. You need to take care of your motorbike throughout the winter so that it is ready to go for your next motorcycle road trip.
If you are wanting your bike to look in just as good condition as it did before you put it into hibernation, then it’s not as simple as putting it in the garage and forgetting about it until next year. Store your motorbike safely over winter and you won’t be disappointed.
When the nights start to get colder and the weather becomes more extreme, it’s time to start thinking about storing your motorbike away until the roads become safe again. You need to take care of your motorbike throughout the winter so that it is ready to go for your next motorcycle road trip.
If you are wanting your bike to look in just as good condition as it did before you put it into hibernation, then it’s not as simple as putting it in the garage and forgetting about it until next year. Store your motorbike safely over winter and you won’t be disappointed.
Give your motorbike a good clean
Give your motorbike a good clean
We mean a thorough clean, not just a quick rinse down. This is vital to make sure nothing corrodes your bike that’s been left on from the road, especially if there is salt on the roads when you are preparing it for storage. You must also make sure that it’s completely dry before storing it away.
We’d advise using a spray on anti-corrosion protectant as well, this should help you avoid any damp. If you are unsure of which one to use then take a look at some of the reviews on the internet, but from experience we’d use something like the WD-40 specialist Corrosion Inhibitor or the XCP Rust Blocker.
After you’ve washed, cleaned and sprayed your motorbike, remember to re-grease any parts that would normally need grease to move. This includes things such as cables and linkages as you may have washed the lubricant off and you don’t want them to seize up!
We mean a thorough clean, not just a quick rinse down. This is vital to make sure nothing corrodes your bike that’s been left on from the road, especially if there is salt on the roads when you are preparing it for storage. You must also make sure that it’s completely dry before storing it away.
We’d advise using a spray on anti-corrosion protectant as well, this should help you avoid any damp. If you are unsure of which one to use then take a look at some of the reviews on the internet, but from experience we’d use something like the WD-40 specialist Corrosion Inhibitor or the XCP Rust Blocker.
After you’ve washed, cleaned and sprayed your motorbike, remember to re-grease any parts that would normally need grease to move. This includes things such as cables and linkages as you may have washed the lubricant off and you don’t want them to seize up!
Top up all your motorbike's fluids
Top up all your motorbike's fluids
It’s not just the metal parts and the frame that needs attention, but the fluids.
Brake fluids can attract damp, and this can lead to bubbles in the braking system. Some motorbike owners decide to strap the brake lever to the bar to keep bubbles out of the system, but this can often damage the seals. We’d suggest re-bleeding the system before you take your bike back out again.
As with any vehicle if unused fuel is left in it for a while then the octane level decreases which will affect your motorbikes performance. You also need to be careful of fuel standing for too long as it can clog up the system and cause mechanical issues. However, you can put special additives such as Silkolene Pro FST into the fuel to try and stop this from happening.
We’d also advise to change the oil before storing your bike away for too long, as old oil contains acids and much like fuel the dirt will settle over time.
It’s not just the metal parts and the frame that needs attention, but the fluids.
Brake fluids can attract damp, and this can lead to bubbles in the braking system. Some motorbike owners decide to strap the brake lever to the bar to keep bubbles out of the system, but this can often damage the seals. We’d suggest re-bleeding the system before you take your bike back out again.
As with any vehicle if unused fuel is left in it for a while then the octane level decreases which will affect your motorbikes performance. You also need to be careful of fuel standing for too long as it can clog up the system and cause mechanical issues. However, you can put special additives such as Silkolene Pro FST into the fuel to try and stop this from happening.
We’d also advise to change the oil before storing your bike away for too long, as old oil contains acids and much like fuel the dirt will settle over time.
Take care of your motorcycle's battery
Take care of your motorcycle's battery
Batteries can go flat if they are unused or get too cold. As dead batteries are the #1 reason that recovery services get called out in the winter, we would suggest removing the battery completely to store it in a warm and dry place. You could also use a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up.
If you do decide to remove the battery to keep it somewhere warmer, please be aware that any alarm or immobiliser won’t continue to work whilst the battery is out.
Batteries can go flat if they are unused or get too cold. As dead batteries are the #1 reason that recovery services get called out in the winter, we would suggest removing the battery completely to store it in a warm and dry place. You could also use a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up.
If you do decide to remove the battery to keep it somewhere warmer, please be aware that any alarm or immobiliser won’t continue to work whilst the battery is out.
Prepare your motorbike's tyres
Prepare your motorbike's tyres
Firstly, slightly inflate them so that they keep their shape and stop them from going too flat. We would say only to increase them by about 3psi for storing them.
You also want to, if you can, lift both wheels off the ground. You can do this by using the main stand or two padlock stands. This might not be possible for everyone so try and find something you already have to lift them, an old carpet, a couple of small stools or steps or even blocks of wood can do the trick. Place them under each wheel to prevent the tyre’s from touching the cold ground.
It’s also a good idea to periodically rotate the wheels and also check the tyre pressure to make sure they aren’t getting too flat, and that they are ready to tackle your next motorbike destination.
Firstly, slightly inflate them so that they keep their shape and stop them from going too flat. We would say only to increase them by about 3psi for storing them.
You also want to, if you can, lift both wheels off the ground. You can do this by using the main stand or two padlock stands. This might not be possible for everyone so try and find something you already have to lift them, an old carpet, a couple of small stools or steps or even blocks of wood can do the trick. Place them under each wheel to prevent the tyre’s from touching the cold ground.
It’s also a good idea to periodically rotate the wheels and also check the tyre pressure to make sure they aren’t getting too flat, and that they are ready to tackle your next motorbike destination.
Stop damp getting to your motorcycle
Stop damp getting to your motorcycle
I know we’ve mentioned it before, but damp is a big issue when storing your bike throughout the winter. This can cause rust and stop things from working how they should.
One way to stop this is by stuffing all air intakes, such as exhausts, with rags or something similar and equally as soft. Don’t forget to block the airbox too, some small animals have even been known to hibernate in there over the winter months.
Regular checks
To stop the cold condensation that can sometimes get into the pipes of the motorbike, it’s a good idea to start your motorcycle every few weeks throughout winter. Let it run for a few minutes each time to warm up the pipes and it should stop the cold air from causing them to rot. However, if you have stuffed all the air intakes in your motorbikes as mentioned above, then this is not needed, and may drain the battery for when you come to use your motorbike again.
I know we’ve mentioned it before, but damp is a big issue when storing your bike throughout the winter. This can cause rust and stop things from working how they should.
One way to stop this is by stuffing all air intakes, such as exhausts, with rags or something similar and equally as soft. Don’t forget to block the airbox too, some small animals have even been known to hibernate in there over the winter months.
Regular checks
To stop the cold condensation that can sometimes get into the pipes of the motorbike, it’s a good idea to start your motorcycle every few weeks throughout winter. Let it run for a few minutes each time to warm up the pipes and it should stop the cold air from causing them to rot. However, if you have stuffed all the air intakes in your motorbikes as mentioned above, then this is not needed, and may drain the battery for when you come to use your motorbike again.
Storing a motorcycle without a garage
Storing a motorcycle without a garage
To keep your bike in it’s best condition, you should always store your bike indoors or in a decent shed or garage. This will help to stop the cold and most importantly the damp getting in. If you can, make sure it’s covered or out of direct sunlight, as sunlight can fade the paint which could devalue the motorbike drastically.
If you have to use a bike cover to store your bike, then you will have to repeat the above advice more regularly. Giving your bike a once over every few weeks will help you to keep your bike in the best shape it can be.
If you are storing your bike inside, then you will still have to use a cover to stop the dust and damp getting in. If you haven’t already bought a good bike cover for storing it inside, then try using old blankets as they work just as well!
To keep your bike in it’s best condition, you should always store your bike indoors or in a decent shed or garage. This will help to stop the cold and most importantly the damp getting in. If you can, make sure it’s covered or out of direct sunlight, as sunlight can fade the paint which could devalue the motorbike drastically.
If you have to use a bike cover to store your bike, then you will have to repeat the above advice more regularly. Giving your bike a once over every few weeks will help you to keep your bike in the best shape it can be.
If you are storing your bike inside, then you will still have to use a cover to stop the dust and damp getting in. If you haven’t already bought a good bike cover for storing it inside, then try using old blankets as they work just as well!
Keeping it safe
Storing your bike throughout the winter also means it’ll be left unattended for a while, so if you can afford to and don’t already have one, consider having an alarm or immobiliser fitted.
Keeping it in a garage or a shed is also the safest way to store your motorcycle as you can lock all the windows and doors to protect it from thieves.
Is it safe to store a motorbike in the house?
Storing a motorcycle indoors is the best way to keep it protected from the elements throughout winter. Keeping it in a garage or a shed is preferred as you can keep the doors locked, with no direct sunlight as well as space to move about should you want to work on it during the colder months.
If space is an issue you can keep it in your house, although it is strongly not advised to keep a motorbike in a flat or a small house. If you decided to keep it in your house then you must find a spot where it’s not in the way, not near a heat source and somewhere where there is ventilation to protect you from the fumes.
Ideally the best way to store your motorcycle over winter is to first find a suitable garage or shed, and if not find a suitable cover that can protect it from the elements. Only then if you still feel the need to bring it inside your house then you can, but it is definitely not the most suitable way to store your motorcycle.
Keep it taxed and insured
Last but by no means least, you should always keep your motorbike taxed and insured. Even if you aren’t intending on using your motorcycle any time soon, you will need it insured in case anything happens to it whilst it’s stored away.
Whether you keep your motorcycle taxed is only a legal requirement should it be on the public road. You can look into getting a 6 month tax period for your motorbike and declare it as off the road, SORN, for the other 6 months, with your motorcycle status changing as soon as you pay tax again. However if you do this then your motorbike will not be covered for fire and theft on your insurance, and it most likely wont save you all that much money. If you were also to use your motorbike accidentally without it being taxed then this would be breaking the law.
During the winter months, you could even start planning your next motorcycle road trip with our UK motorbike map, showing all the routes, destinations, pitstops, events and much more in the UK!
Keeping it safe
Storing your bike throughout the winter also means it’ll be left unattended for a while, so if you can afford to and don’t already have one, consider having an alarm or immobiliser fitted.
Keeping it in a garage or a shed is also the safest way to store your motorcycle as you can lock all the windows and doors to protect it from thieves.
Is it safe to store a motorbike in the house?
Storing a motorcycle indoors is the best way to keep it protected from the elements throughout winter. Keeping it in a garage or a shed is preferred as you can keep the doors locked, with no direct sunlight as well as space to move about should you want to work on it during the colder months.
If space is an issue you can keep it in your house, although it is strongly not advised to keep a motorbike in a flat or a small house. If you decided to keep it in your house then you must find a spot where it’s not in the way, not near a heat source and somewhere where there is ventilation to protect you from the fumes.
Ideally the best way to store your motorcycle over winter is to first find a suitable garage or shed, and if not find a suitable cover that can protect it from the elements. Only then if you still feel the need to bring it inside your house then you can, but it is definitely not the most suitable way to store your motorcycle.
Keep it taxed and insured
Last but by no means least, you should always keep your motorbike taxed and insured. Even if you aren’t intending on using your motorcycle any time soon, you will need it insured in case anything happens to it whilst it’s stored away.
Whether you keep your motorcycle taxed is only a legal requirement should it be on the public road. You can look into getting a 6 month tax period for your motorbike and declare it as off the road, SORN, for the other 6 months, with your motorcycle status changing as soon as you pay tax again. However if you do this then your motorbike will not be covered for fire and theft on your insurance, and it most likely wont save you all that much money. If you were also to use your motorbike accidentally without it being taxed then this would be breaking the law.
During the winter months, you could even start planning your next motorcycle road trip with our UK motorbike map, showing all the routes, destinations, pitstops, events and much more in the UK!
For a better road ahead
Moneybarn is a member of the Finance and Leasing Association, the official trade organisation of the motor finance industry. The FLA promotes best practice in the motor finance industry for lending and leasing to consumers and businesses.
Moneybarn is the trading style of Moneybarn No. 1 Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 04496573, and Moneybarn Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 02766324. The registered address for these companies is: Athena House, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3LJ.
Moneybarn’s VAT registration number is 180 5559 52.
Moneybarn Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702781)
Moneybarn No. 1 Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702780)
