Winter impacts our lives in many ways. You have to prepare to adapt to the cold weather. There are probably many preparation routines you undertake during this season. However, have you ever asked yourself, how can I effectively winterize my motorbike?
It is an exceptional decision to winterize your motorbike. Winter month is extremely harsh on any motorcycle model, especially if left outdoors.
Winterizing will help prevent rust and keep your bike clean. You don’t want your motorbike to depreciate and end up paying more on motorcycle insurance.
If it’s your first time to winterize your motorbike, you may find it daunting and taxing. However, if you can do-it-yourself, then you can help others learn how to winterize a motorcycle. You will learn new methods as you enlighten others.
Step by Step Guide on How to Winterize a Motorbike- What to Know
If you want to have your motorbike ready to ride when the weather gets better, here is a detailed step-by-step guide to follow. Have a look:
Work on the Fuel System
Your motorbike’s fuel system is essential, and there is a lot to do and keep it in the best condition during winter. The first imperative thing to do is mix fuel additives into the fuel. And there are several effective ways to do this.
Many motorbike owners like to drain the fuel system entirely during cold weather. They entirely drain the fuel tank and the carbs. It is an exercise that helps check whether there is anything in the tank that can clog the carburetors.
The latest motorbike models are fuel-injected and don’t have a petcock. Hence, there is no easy way to drain the fuel. You don’t want to waste time emptying your fuel tank.
Fill-up the tank with the right fuel and do a couple of things. You will be driving out air space and water vapor inside the tank. Water and oxygen wind up and cause motorbike fuel to go bad. You will need to treat the fuel in your fuel-injected motorbike.
One incredible thing to do is mix up regular gas and fuel stabilizer, and you will have treated fuel to use during winter. Just run your motorbike for a few minutes and get the treated fuel running through the fuel system.
Clean and Lubricate Your Motorbike Chain
Winter is an ideal time to clean and lubricate the motorbike chain. This step will help protect your bike from rust and salt during the cold weather.
You will remove all the crap that has accumulated on the chain from your last ride. Don’t forget to replace some fluids, especially if you still want to use the bike during winter. If you are going to store your motorcycle, don’t drain the fluids for later use when the weather is favorable.
Drain the Coolant
Draining your motorbike coolant is a maintenance routine you should regularly undertake if you can do-it-yourself. If you ride a cool motorcycle, take the initiative to drain the coolant out of the radiator. You don’t want the radiator coolant to go acidic, and cause damage to the bike.
Drain The Drive Shaft If Your Motorbike Has One
Shaft drive systems are not only expensive but also heavy and require more torque to work efficiently. If your bike has a shaft, drain it and fill-up the rear end.
Fog Engine cylinders
Fogging a cylinder is all about lubricating the inside of your motorbike engine. You can do it by getting rid of a spark plug and the spray oil into the cylinder.
Fogging forms a cloud of lubricant that helps protect motorbike cylinders against rust. Hence, you protect the internal parts of your cylinder that are hard to clean and lubricate. If you don’t want to use fogging oil, opt for plain old motor oil that effectively fights corrosion.
Wash And Wax Your Motorbike
If you have been using your motorcycle regularly, don’t just store it during winter. Take the initiative to wash and wax it. It is an impeccable step that will help get rid of the odd bug, grime, and oil.
Washing will help get rid of all grease and dirt. Go on and rewax it again after it has dried up. Waxing helps seal in the finishes on your bike. Wax will protect the chrome and polished aluminum found on the wheels.
Your bike will look great after winter. Significantly, if you plan to ride your motorcycle during the cold weather, the wax will help protect it against salt-water and corrosion.
Properly Store the Battery
Traditional motorcycle batteries with lead-acid quickly self-discharge with time. They don’t store electricity and will fail to ignite your bike after winter if not properly stored.
During winter, store the battery in a safe place and hook it up to a smart charger to maintain sufficient voltage. You can purchase the best battery charger and maintainer and keep it in the best condition.
If your bike uses a lithium-ion battery, disconnect the negative terminal. This battery model has a low self-discharge rate, and you can efficiently use it after the cold season.
Block the Exhaust
Blocking your motorbike’s exhaust will help keep rodents away. It helps seal out moisture that could corrode the cylinder walls and valves.
Pay Attention to the Tires
Before you store your motorbike during winter, inflate the tires. You will stop dry rot and flat spots. If your bike has a center stand, you don’t need to invest in stands. The in-built center stands aids in regular maintenance of your motorbike.
Prevent any moisture underneath the tires by investing in cardboard or an old carpet. You will prevent the delicate polished chrome surface from rust and damage.
Cover Your Bike
Finally, use a comfy cotton bed sheet or blanket to cover up your motorcycle. However, keep in mind cotton attracts moisture that is not good on your motorbike surfaces.
Alternatively, invest in a hardy synthetic bike cover. You will, without a doubt, winterize your motorbike hassle-free.
With these simple steps, you can winterize your motorbike stress-free. And it will not cost you a fortune to keep your motorcycle in good shape and maintain its value.
