As the weather gets cooler, is your motorcycle ready to be put up for the winter? Regardless whether you plan to ride your bike in the nippy cold of winter or not, we have some tips for you. Then again, you may have your own reasons for abstaining from riding - it may be due to travel, or maybe your wife or boss thinks you're a Hell's Angel and wants you to stop. The good news is that this shouldn't take more than a few hours of work to be sure that your motorcycle will remain in tip-top condition in terms of looks, mechanical condition and trouble free riding.
First, you want to check your fuel and make sure it is drained and Winterized properly. The best way to do this is to get the level as low as you can, then add a fuel stabilizer additive. After mixing in the additive, give your bike a spin - ride it for a few miles as the additive integrates itself into the fuel system. And when you're ready to take an actual ride, you can then gas the baby up and you're all set.
The next step would be to divest your motorcycle of any grime accumulated over the past few months. When choosing degreasing products, don't skimp - significant amounts of buildup can only be cleaned thoroughly with the best products. Don't forget to work on your suspension system and the brakes. Clean out the brake calipers with a brake cleaner and re-lubricate.
Make sure that your bike is completely dry. Compressed air would work especially well.
Next re-lubricate the motorcycle. Aside from cleaning the calipers, make sure that both calipers and discs are protected while re-lubricating. Be sure to get all of the joints and pivots points. You can lubricate your brakes simply with ordinary, garden-variety chain lubricant. While you wouldn't want to use these with your brakes, corrosion treatments are strongly suggested.
Use a good wax to coat and polish the surfaces. Again, avoid the brakes.
Get the tires up and off of the ground. If you own a center stand for this, that's brilliant. If not, invest in a pair of stands to get the bike up. This is a sound buy no matter how you look at it.
A battery tender can spare you of the anguish that usually follows when you realize your batteries need replacement in the spring. Like getting the tires up, this investment will pay for itself over and over again.
Finally, invest in a cover for your motorcycle. Make sure it breathes so condensation won't occur.
These are just a few ideas to keep your bike in great shape when not being ridden for an extended period. A small amount of time and investment will result in a huge time and money savings later.
First, you want to check your fuel and make sure it is drained and Winterized properly. The best way to do this is to get the level as low as you can, then add a fuel stabilizer additive. After mixing in the additive, give your bike a spin - ride it for a few miles as the additive integrates itself into the fuel system. And when you're ready to take an actual ride, you can then gas the baby up and you're all set.
The next step would be to divest your motorcycle of any grime accumulated over the past few months. When choosing degreasing products, don't skimp - significant amounts of buildup can only be cleaned thoroughly with the best products. Don't forget to work on your suspension system and the brakes. Clean out the brake calipers with a brake cleaner and re-lubricate.
Make sure that your bike is completely dry. Compressed air would work especially well.
Next re-lubricate the motorcycle. Aside from cleaning the calipers, make sure that both calipers and discs are protected while re-lubricating. Be sure to get all of the joints and pivots points. You can lubricate your brakes simply with ordinary, garden-variety chain lubricant. While you wouldn't want to use these with your brakes, corrosion treatments are strongly suggested.
Use a good wax to coat and polish the surfaces. Again, avoid the brakes.
Get the tires up and off of the ground. If you own a center stand for this, that's brilliant. If not, invest in a pair of stands to get the bike up. This is a sound buy no matter how you look at it.
A battery tender can spare you of the anguish that usually follows when you realize your batteries need replacement in the spring. Like getting the tires up, this investment will pay for itself over and over again.
Finally, invest in a cover for your motorcycle. Make sure it breathes so condensation won't occur.
These are just a few ideas to keep your bike in great shape when not being ridden for an extended period. A small amount of time and investment will result in a huge time and money savings later.
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