subject: Protecting Your Bike This Winter [print this page] Protecting Your Bike This Winter Protecting Your Bike This Winter
Owning and riding a motorcycle is definitely a gift that keeps on giving. However, in order to get the most out of their riding experience, owners must maintain their motorcycles to keep them in perfect operating condition. The level of maintenance work required during the more arid months is low; usually requiring basic inspections for mechanical problems and routine oil changes. However, the winter months bring wet, icy weather for riders in many areas especially those living in the more northern climates.
Motorcycle buffs in these colder regions must decide whether to hang up their helmet until the seasons change, or consistently perform the work required to keep their bike in pristine condition. The less than favourable road conditions and increased level of riding discomfort which arrives with the winter season often persuades even some of the most enthusiastic riders to retire their bikes until spring rolls around. Many riders feel that the risks slippery roads and wet weather pose to both themselves and their motorcycles outweigh the joy they get from riding.
When putting away a bike for the winter, an owner should first take the necessary steps to help ensure that their bike is ready to ride in perfect condition once winter is over. The first step in this process is to change both your engine oil and oil filter. The owner should then run his motorcycle's engine for a little while to spread the new oil through the motor. If you are storing your motorcycle in a garage or something similar, then be sure to remove your motorcycle's registration and any other significant documents you wouldn't want ending up in the hands of an identity thief. The motorcycle's gasoline tank should be filled up to effectively prevent any water from building up, due to condensation. The gasoline should then have a gasoline stabilizer added to make sure your gas remains good through winter. A check of the motorcycle's battery should be performed as well as the cleaning of the connecting terminals. Some riders even remove their bike's battery and tuck it away someplace warm for the winter. Your bike deserves to be clean and spotless during its break, so a good cleaning a waxing should be performed. The last thing to do would be to check your bike's tire pressure and inflate the tires to the appropriate level.
If these steps are completed prior to putting away your motorcycle for winter, then the odds of you having a perfectly running bike waiting for you when you decide it's time to ride again will increase. The effort required will be well worth it once that first beautiful day comes around.
