There are millions of motorcycle registrations every year with statistics showing that this industry is as popular as ever. As recently as 2006, almost 7 million motorcycles were registered, marking the ninth consecutive increase in these registrations. This uptick proves that motorcycles are truly popular, and information regarding their care and protection, especially in cold weather areas, is crucial to U.S. bikers. As the winter of 2012-13 begins to move in, the process of storing your motorcycles should be completed by now.
However, you may not have had the chance to do so, considering the untraditionally warm weather that has been present this fall. Keeping this in mind, we would like to share a few tips to help you winterize and store your motorcycle for this winter:
Tire Pressure – Make sure your motorcycle is stored with its tires inflated to the appropriate pressure suggested by the manufacturer. Although this may not seem important since you’re not using your bike, this step will help your tires retain their proper shape as the temperature shifts over the season. New technology has allowed tires to resist this problem, but better to be safe than sorry.
Coverage – The winter can be a really tough time for finding garage space. With the influx of large yard equipment like snowblowers and recreation vehicles like ATVs, your motorcycle might be at a loss. Purchasing a carport, portable garage or motorcycle cover is a great solution to this problem, giving you the coverage your bike needs from snow, sleet and frigid temperatures.
Change Your Oil – One of the easiest things you can do to winterize your motorcycle is changing the oil. By changing the oil, you remove the possibility of engine corrosion, seal leakage and other problems caused by old oil. This goes for your bike’s fluids as well – make sure they are topped off and/or replaced if necessary.
For a more complete list of winterizing tips, speak with your local mechanic or do a quick Google search for winterizing your motorcycle.