Winterizing your motorcycle

As more and more bad weather fronts dominate the weather map and the days get shorter again, the time has come for most bikers to send their motorcycles into a well-deserved winter rest. However, for many motorcycle owners, winterizing the bike is often already on the agenda at the end of October.

If you want to start the next season with peace of mind, you can bring forward the inspection and MOT dates. Winter is also the ideal time for conversions and repairs.

Winterizing your motorcycle - it's all about the right preparation

Don't take winterizing your bike lightly. Bad weather, rain and snow cause temperatures to plummet to basement levels and at the same time drive up the humidity. If the motorcycle has to spend the winter improperly, it can be damaged. If it doesn't start next spring, the joy of the start of the season may be dampened. Furthermore, hidden damage is possible, which only becomes noticeable during the ride. In the worst case, they can even cause an accident.

Maximum protection from the elements: storing the motorcycle safely

If the bike gets wet and freezes, this is the ultimate cause of damage. When water freezes, it expands with impressive force. You should therefore protect your motorcycle from getting wet during the winter.

Ideally, your bike should be stored in a garage, protected from the wind and weather. Heating is not necessary. However, the parking space should be dry for optimum moisture protection. If you don't have your own garage, it is advisable to look for another storage option to make it winter-proof. Motorcycles take up less space than cars. This means that the costs associated with parking are usually manageable.

Does your motorcycle insurance cover theft? Then check in advance whether the cover also applies at the new location.

If you don't have any of these storage options, you will have no choice but to leave your motorcycle outside for the winter. In this case, a good, weatherproof tarpaulin is an indispensable helper. It must be waterproof. It should also be fitted in such a way that it protects your bike from moisture from above and from the sides.

Winterizing your motorcycle: Preparing motorcycle technology - what to do?

Winter is the ideal time to subject your bike to an intensive analysis of its technical condition. If you want to winterize the bike yourself, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions in the operating and repair manuals.

If you prefer to leave the maintenance work to your trusted specialist workshop: Motorcycle workshops usually have less to do in winter. In order to fill the "order gap", they often offer special deals for winterizing motorcycles. Do you have a seasonal license plate? That's no problem either: many dealers offer to transport your bike to and from the workshop.

Get your bike ready for winter: Increase tire pressure

The start of your "winter cure" takes you to the filling station. Fill your tank to the brim with fuel. This prevents moisture from forming inside and the metal tank from rusting. If there is water in the tank, a fuel system cleaner can bind it. Then it's time to check the air pressure column. To avoid a flat tire during the winter rest period, increase the pressure in the tires. 0.5 bar above the manufacturer's specification is sufficient.

The oil change

Back in the garage at home, the engine is still warm - perfect for an oil change. Used oil contains aggressive substances. During the service life, they can attack bearings, pistons and running surfaces. In engines with hydraulic tappets, there is a risk of gumming up. It is also important to replace the oil filter together with the oil.

Freshly cleaned and preserved for winter rest

The next item on your to-do list is to thoroughly clean the motorcycle. Pay particular attention to areas that tend to be hidden:

- under the tank
- under the seat
- under/behind the fairing etc.

This way, rust doesn't stand a chance

For optimum protection, the bike should be treated very carefully with preservative spray. Use a good hard wax preservative for painted parts to prepare the fairing, side cover, rump, tank and windshield for winter storage.

Next, take a corrosion protection spray and spray the engine, exhaust (including painted "bags", wax can lead to unsightly discoloration due to heating) and the entire chassis. Pay particular attention to the weld seams and other remote areas. Don't forget when winterizing: Shock absorber rods and fork stanchions. Even the smallest rust spots can cause leaks.

Help rust spots!

Have you discovered rust spots during cleaning? Simply grind them out thoroughly. Then paint the bare area with a spot or spray paint. This provides no surface for new rust to attack and prevents the corrosion spot from expanding over the winter months. Please note: Always apply rust protection primer first and then the top coat.

In the next step of the anti-corrosion treatment, carefully grease all levers and joints. For classic cars, also put a little engine oil in each spark plug hole. This prevents the piston rings from rusting to the cylinder. To prevent moisture from seeping into the exhaust, plug it with an oily cloth. Caution: The vehicle must be completely cooled down for this.

Once you have cleaned the chain with a special chain cleaner, treat it with fresh chain spray. To do this, take the weight off the rear wheel and spray the liquid onto the inside of the chain. Turn the wheel slowly by hand.

Protect the fuel system

Engines with fuel injection systems benefit from the addition of a suitable additive such as a fuel system cleaner. It is added to the gasoline and has a cleaning effect. It can also bind condensation in the tank. To allow the refined fuel to enter the system, run the engine again.

Emptying the carburetor

For engines with a carburetor, empty the carburetor's float chambers. If fuel evaporates, it leaves behind resinous residues. This can cause starting difficulties and uneven engine running. Set the fuel tap to the "OFF" position so that no fuel runs out. A vacuum tap remains in the "ON position". Caution: In the "PRI" position, the fuel runs through permanently.

Remove the battery and deflate the tires

To ensure that you can start the new season with a fit battery, it is best to remove it and store it in a frost-free room for the winter. An automatic charger ensures a regular and low charge. Don't forget to check the acid level of standard lead batteries and top them up with demineralized water to the maximum mark.

Now jack up the motorcycle to take the load off both wheels. An air-permeable indoor cover is sufficient to protect the motorcycle from dust etc. when wintering in the garage. A weatherproof, waterproof and breathable cover is required for outdoor winter storage. Alternatively, it can have appropriate ventilation openings. For long-term storage, use a so-called VCI corrosion protection folding garage. This special agent prevents any corrosion on metallic surfaces for up to two years in the fully closable folding garage.