Motorcycle Winterization

As winter approaches, it’s important to be prepared for the occasion. More often than not, a time will come where you have to consider packing it in for the season. When temperatures drop below freezing and the roads are covered in snow, it’s time to winterize your motorcycle before you put it in storage. If you’re not quite sure where to begin, we can help. BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids has created this motorcycle winterization guide. Read on to learn more.

If you need assistance with parts or service, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re conveniently located in Grand Rapids, MI, near Lansing. We’re proud to be your official BMW dealer.

Cleaning & Waxing

The first step in the process is simple: give your bike a thorough cleaning. After all, you’ve probably picked up a fair share of dirt and grime in recent months. Even if you’ve made an effort to keep things clean during the riding season, now is the best time to give your motorcycle a deep cleaning. You should really get in there and scrub every surface and crevice. When it’s completely dry, apply a protective coating of wax.

Change the Oil

Take a moment to think back to the last time you changed your oil. Are you overdue? You may want to do a quick inspection and see if it’s still good. If it’s time to change the oil, it’s a good idea to do it now. Keep in mind that this will include changing the oil itself as well as the filters.

Fuel

Next, it’s important to understand how to handle the fuel in your tank. It will go bad after about a month of disuse, which means it’ll go bad over the winter months. However, you can solve this issue by adding a fuel stabilizer. Confirm that your tank is full, add the stabilizer, then run the engine for several minutes so it has time to reach all parts of the machine.

Battery

Did you know that leaving your battery inside of your motorcycle can cause it to drain? This is true even when the engine is not running. Therefore, you should make a point to remove the battery and hook it up to a trickle charger. This will ensure your battery is ready to go when you remove your bike from storage.

Store the battery in a temperature-controlled environment. Extreme temperatures can affect your battery. While you’re at it, take the time to check the posts for corrosion. This may just call for a simple cleaning, but if it’s a recurring problem, it might be time for a new battery.

Tires

Believe it or not, tire pressure is important during storage as well. If too much pressure is applied in one spot for too long, it can have a negative impact on your tires. There are two ways to protect your tires from damage. First, you can rotate them one and a half times once or twice a month. The other option is to elevate your entire bike to relieve the pressure from the tires.

Storage

Your bike is just about ready for storage. The final step is to make sure you have an appropriate place to store it. You want a spot that’s going to keep it safe and protected from threats. Your first responsibility is to keep it away from the elements. Store it in a garage, barn, shed, or anything else that will keep it fully covered. You should think about investing in a breathable cover for your motorcycle, especially if you aren’t able to store it in an enclosed area. Keep it off the street at all costs as you don’t want to leave yourself vulnerable to theft.

We hope our motorcycle winterization guide was helpful. If you have questions or you’re still looking for the perfect bike, visit us at BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids. We can also assist with parts and service if you happen to run into an issue during the winterization process. Your local motorcycle dealer is located in Grand Rapids, MI, near Kalamazoo.