Why Winterizing Your WNY Bike Matters

Here in Western New York, we may get a few winter rides in, but for the most part, we are not an all-season motorcycle town. If you haven’t already, it may be time to consider winterizing your bike for storage. Today on the blog, we want to dive a little deeper into why you should winterize your bike and how you can do that. If you have any questions about winterizing your motorcycle here in WNY, we can help! Just give us a call, and we can go over our process, or you can fill out our contact form here, and we will reach out to you!

Here are a few things to consider in regard to winterizing your motorcycle in Western New York!

When it gets colder out, your bike is going to be forced into a season of discomfort that can cause issues. Cold, moisture, inactivity, and other factors can be a challenge for your bike. Winterizing your bike with Moto Z can protect your baby, protect your investment, and also keep it running longer. 

Corrosion and Rust Prevention

Washing and drying your bike is important because you’ll want to avoid any rust anywhere on the bike. You should start with the dirtier part of the bike, like the chain, if you have one. Be sure to completely dry the bike if you plan to cover it in the winter, because any residual moisture could cause corrosion and/or mold. Consider using wax to treat your paint and any chrome on the bike. This adds protection while being stored and means she’ll be spotless in the spring. 

Lube the Chain

You can significantly extend the lifespan of your chain if you take care of it prior to storing it. You should consider cleaning and lubricating your chain every 500 miles or so, but you definitely want to lube the chain ahead of winter. 

Read More About Winterization with Jeff Z’s Full Checklist HERE

Protect Your Battery

You can certainly prevent your battery from damage, and prolong its lifespan by taking the right precautions over winter. When your bike is in storage, you should clean your battery ahead of time and consider using a battery tender (or maintainer). This is because motorcycle batteries have a tendency to self-discharge when dormant. If you let the bike sit long enough, it could reach a point where it can’t be revived. Not all tenders are suitable for long-term storage, so ask us about what you’re using, or we can supply you with one and store your bike for you! 

Maintain Fluids

You should certainly consider freshening up your fluids to avoid issues. And we mean ALL the fluids. Motor oil, brake fluid, clutch fluid, coolant, the whole kit-n-kaboodle. It should be noted, however, that if you recently had your clutch and brake fluid changed within the last month or so, you may be ok there. Definitely change the oil, though. This step is essential to ensure you avoid corrosion and destruction of any rubber seals. 

Prepare for Pests

Mice and rats will eat anything. Wires, filters, rubber, anything. Plus, if you’re not careful, you could end up with a nest in your exhaust, along with a bunch of mouse shit. We’ve seen nests appear in the air box and under seats, or under the air box. You’ll want to be sure to cover your exhaust to avoid them moving in, and consider using screen mesh to cover any access intake openings. 

Take Care of Your Tires

If you don’t inflate your tires to the proper pressure, you could end up with tire issues come springtime. It’s also important to remember that leaving the bike sitting on the tires for the entire winter could cause flat spots, so it’s a good idea to use a stand to elevate the tires off the ground. At the very least, use an old carpet or something to keep the tires off the ground/cold floor. Of course, you could just trust Moto Z to care for your bike this winter!

We highly recommend giving us a call to go over any questions you have regarding the storage and winterization of your bike, We offer a very affordable solution for WNYers who need a place to store their bike this winter, and Jeff can provide all the maintenance to winterize your bike. Get in touch with us on our contact form or by phone to set something up today!