Motorcycle Winter Storage Tips
Motorcycle Winter Storage Tips
Schedule Your Winter Tune-up at BMW Motorcycles of Detroit!
Owning a motorcycle is about far more than just buying and riding, especially for those of us here in Michigan who have to deal with brutally cold winters that never seem to let up. Our goal here today at BMW Motorcycles of Detroit is to provide you and all of our customers with the information you need to store your motorcycle for the winter months. This is key to ensuring that your bike is able to withstand the cold and remains in perfect condition for when the weather is ripe for riding again. Don't know where to start? You can always trust us and our service center to keep your bike in the condition that it should be. We can't wait to help, and you can always give us a call if you have any further questions!
What are common mistakes for winterizing bikes?
The first thing we want to do is point out some of the major mistakes that people often make when they are trying to winterize their motorcycles. The more you know about what not to do, the easier it is to find out what you should be doing instead. First things first, do not start up your bike every week. Just turning your bike on in the garage doesn't actually help your bike, and instead could create more problems as you could have water condense in places where it shouldn't be. Secondly, do not leave your gas tank empty. When you leave the gas tank empty, you are making it susceptible to corrosion that you wouldn't otherwise have to deal with. We recommend leaving it full, and even adding in a fuel stabilizer additive. Our last two recommendations on what to avoid include never storing a dirty bike and never using a cheap cover or a tarp. It's important to invest in winterizing your bike.
What are the things I should prioritize when winterizing my motorcycle?
Give it a Good Cleaning: When spring riding weather rolls around, you want your bike to be ready to go! So before putting it away for the winter, give it a thorough cleaning. The last thing you want is dirt and debris sitting on the bike for a few months.
Fluids: Before you store your bike for the winter, you should have all of your fluids freshened up. We're talking about coolant, brake, clutch, and yes, motor oil. Changing out fluids is a key part of routine maintenance for your motorcycle, as it works hard to keep out contaminants from key components, and overall helps to reduce any corrosion over time. The more you keep up with a routine, the better.
Get a battery check: Instead of starting up your bike every week during the winter months, we recommend getting a battery check here at our service center, and then hooking your bike's battery up to a battery tender. This truly does help extend the life of your BMW's battery, which can save you money in the long run.
Tire inspection: Tires are unsung heroes of every motorcycle, which is why now is the perfect time to pay them extra attention. You'll want to view the wear levels of your tires and make sure that they have the right amount of tread, and aren't too worn down. This is also a good opportunity to check the right tire inflation pressure and ensure that nothing is over- or under-inflated.
Use the right cover: As mentioned previously, you should never be skimping when it comes to the cover for your motorcycle. Skip on the plastic covers and tarps, and instead invest in a cover that is both affordable and breathable. We especially recommend covers that are designed with indoor storage in mind as you should be keeping your bike inside.
Schedule a Service Appointment at BMW Motorcycles of Detroit
Now is the right time to schedule an appointment with us here at BMW Motorcycles of Detroit. Our service center will always be here for you to provide you with all of the services necessary to get your bike ready for the winter months. Should you have more questions, reach out to us at any point, and we'll be here to provide you with the help that you need! We can't wait to help you out!