Motorcycle Winterizing: Why and How

No matter how much you love the wind in your hair, there comes a point in the year when the temperature dips too low for most people to ride comfortably. Motorcycle winterizing can help protect your bike from damage during its winter hibernation.

The short answer is yes.

Many riders agree that motorcycles are most enjoyable when the temperatures are mild. Freezing temperatures can undermine the fun, while snow, ice and sand on the roads can compromise safety.

Because of that, most riders scale back or stop riding during the winter months. And any time a machine will be sitting for a few weeks or more, you should consider winterizing it. Winterizing combines regular and preventative maintenance to help protect powersports equipment (like motorcycles) from rust, bad gas and other impacts of cold, wet weather.

If you're among the winter-ready riders who use their motorcycle year-round, it's still a good idea to service your bike before winter and prepare it for colder temperatures to help minimize cold weather avoid damage.

Winterizing combines regular maintenance and routine care with a few extra steps. You can think of winterizing as your bike's annual checkup, a chance to administer preventative care and treat any problems that pop up.

Here are some benefits of winterizing your bike:

• A clean, tidy bike. Most motorcycle owners love to see their chrome shine. Winterizing involves a deep clean that will keep your bike looking its best. You'll also take measures to prevent rust in the process.
• Great engine performance. During winterizing, you'll change fluids including oil and coolant. This will help keep your engine and transmission healthy and help your bike maintain optimal fuel economy and performance.
• A solid start. When you turn the key on your bike, your engine should roar to life. Two of the main steps of winterizing—putting the battery on charge and using fuel stabilizer—head off common issues that could otherwise keep your bike from starting when you want it to.
• Protection for your investment. Bikes are expensive, so you probably want yours to last. Winterizing can help keep your bike running well for years to come.

You've gone for a last long ride, and you're ready to tuck your bike in until the spring. Here’s a general idea of the process for winterizing your motorcycle:

1. Plan ahead. Before you start winterizing, gather your owner's manual or find a copy online. It should have a lot of good information about what fluids and winterizing processes are best for your specific bike. Next, pick a storage spot. While you can store a motorcycle outside for the winter, covered indoor storage or an enclosed trailer is ideal. If you don't have a spot, consider paying for a winter storage space.
2. Tend to your fuel. Protecting your fuel system is one of the most important steps when winterizing. It can help prevent against two key issues: Your gas can go bad, meaning your bike won't start in the spring, or ethanol from the gas can attract moisture, leading to rust in your gas tank and corrosion in your fuel lines. To prevent that, consider one of two approaches. For carbureted bikes, drain the fuel tank and carb and store them empty. This step should be easy if your bike has a petcock and a carburetor, but it's impossible to empty all the gas from fuel-injected bikes. Instead, fill the tank entirely, then add fuel stabilizer to help protect the injectors and gas tank. Run your bike for a few minutes to make sure that the treated gas hits all areas of the fuel system.
3. Remove your battery. Batteries lose power when they're not used and when they're exposed to cold temperatures. That makes winter storage a double threat for the batteries in powersports equipment. To prevent a dead battery in the spring, remove the battery from your motorcycle and attach it to a battery tender. This helps provide a charge throughout the winter so your battery will be full of juice come spring.
4. Scrub, wax and oil. Motorcycles are exposed to loads of dirt and grime that can trap moisture and eventually lead to rust. Before you store your bike for the winter, it should be as clean as possible. Give your motorcycle a thorough scrub-down, paying particular attention to the underside and small spaces that you might not normally wash. Then, wax the paint. Finally, oil the chain (if your bike has one) to keep it from rusting.
5. Protect your tires. If tires are constantly in contact with the ground, moisture can degrade them. An easy option to prevent that is by parking your bike on carpet squares or cardboard for the winter. You can also choose to elevate your bike with a stand, which will take weight off the tires and keep them from developing flat spots in addition to preventing moisture-related issues.
6. Cover and store. Before you cover your bike, plug the exhaust and any other openings with steel wool to help prevent rodent nests. Then, firmly cover your motorcycle and start counting the days till spring.

Motorcycle winterizing can help keep your machine running well over the long term. You can choose to do it yourself, or hire a pro, but it’s an important part of maintenance you’d be wise not to skip.

Did you know that you can incorporate the cost of the items needed for winterization and maintenance into your Synchrony installment loan at the same time you purchase your motorcycle?* When bundled into your purchase from an enrolled powersports dealer, this loan can help you finance vehicles like motorcycles, plus all the extras, from accessories to approved maintenance plans.

You can also use the Synchrony Outdoors credit card to get the supplies you need to winterize at any time at enrolled dealers.** Whatever the weather and whatever the powersports gear, the Synchrony Outdoors credit card can help you kickstart your great escape. Activate your adventure and apply today.

*Offer subject to credit approval by Synchrony Bank.

**Subject to credit approval. See Synchrony Outdoors | Synchrony for details.