We’re never ready for riding season to end, but for those of us living in cooler climates, winter storage is a necessary part of owning a bike. We’ve compiled these tips to help you store your motorcycle safely and make it easier to look forward to that first ride of the spring. These tips are also helpful when putting your bike into general long-term storage.
1. Make sure your motorcycle is clean. Wash and dry.
Related video: Harley Motorcycle Detailing Tips. Mark breaks his silence to give us his Harley motorcycle detailing tips and tricks.
2. Add stabilizer to fuel system and start motorcycle to make sure it is in the fuel system.
Shut value if carbureted model.Related video: Draining Fuel & Fuel Tank Filter (Early Models). Bob demonstrates the proper technique for draining fuel from the fuel tank on your early TC 88 Touring model. He also teaches you how to maintain the fuel valve and clean the fuel tank filter once you’ve drained and refilled the tank.
3. Make sure your saddlebags do not have any snacks left in them. They would make a nice meal for rodents.
4. Raise the motorcycle off the ground to avoid a condensation line from a door being opened and closed and cold air coming in.
Related video: Handy Motorcycle Lift Safety and Tips. Here is a walk through on a Handy motorcycle lift for safety and tips. The Handy lift is made by Handy Industries and they are the specialist in pneumatic and electric motorcycle lifts. Built on nearly 50 years of manufacturing experience, they have the experience it takes to manufacture high quality bike, ATV, snowmobile and power equipment lifts.
5. Cover: A clean sheet not touching the ground is a cost affective way. Other covers are available.
6. Battery: Use a trickle charger or remove the battery and put it on a bench on a charger that has an sensor to turn on and off.
Related video: Harley-Davidson® Battery Tender Review. Unless you have a kick-start, you’ll need a battery to get your Harley started and to keep it functional. Bob shares some tips on Harley battery replacement and upkeep.
Battery Removal Videos:
M8 Touring Models – Battery Check, Clean and Removal
M8 Softail Models – Battery Removal and Replacement
Touring Twin Cam – Battery and Seat Removal
Softail Twin Cam – Battery Charging System Check
Dyna Twin Cam – Battery Replacement
Sportster – Battery Removal
7. Use some steel wool in the end of the exhaust to keep the mice out. Have a checklist and make sure to remove the steel wool before you head out after storage.
8. Tires should be up off the concrete and at the right pressure.
If you do not have a lift, place a mat under the tires.
Garage Mat: Seen Here
Related video: Motorcycle Tire Maintenance Tips. We have mentioned this many, many times. Your tires are one of the most important parts of your Harley-Davidson and one that gets overlooked the most. Bob takes a few minutes to review what to look for when reading a tire.
9. If you get a nice day and decide to head out, look at your checklist and make sure you are ready to ride. When you get back wash, dry and go through your checklist to put it up again.
Related video: Motorcycle Pre-Ride Checklist. You know what has been done to your motorcycle and what is on the list of things to be done. It’s the little things like tire pressure that are easy to check and crucial to motorcycle performance and your safety. In this video, Bob will review all that we should check.
10. Don’t run out to the garage and start it every week. You want your fluid levels to stay full to avoid condensation.
Remember you will be riding again soon. You are not prepping your motorcycle for deep space travel. Do the basics and you can be ready to ride as soon as the weather allows.
More tips on long term motorcycle storage:
Awesome
Hey I have a 09 Tri Glide. Its a salvage rebuild, had a fuel leak from the quick release outlet. I replaced the o-rings but it won't start now. TX JD
How can i star my heritage after 4 years in storage?
great stuff to storing my bike thanks
When storing full tank of gas, half tank, or quarter tank with stabilizer?
This all such great advice. I used a battery tender on my bike since day one and it lasted ten years! The tender was on every time I parked it. Make sure yours indicates it has auto shut off. I also use fogging oil in the spark plug holes as a bit of insurance to prevent rust from forming around the rings. I was told since I use only full synthetic oil it may not be necessary. The bike is only stored from mid November to mid April. The fuel stabilizer is excellent choice. I use it in the snow blower during summer as well. I had a car that sat out and was seldom driven. Three years of sitting without use, it fired up and ran great with the three year old gasoline. BUT, I used a double dose of the fuel stabilizer when I parked her.
Thanks for the great advice
I can't find my gas shut off valve on my 2007 883 sportster XL L. Do all Harley's have a gas shut off valve?
question regarding long term storage ( 3 months or more); regarding lubricates should they be warmed up & drained then replaced with fresh or leave in system during the storage period.
I went on a trip last summer. Had to run ethanol a few times. Now my 06 Softail has a knock. What might it be? I'm female so I don't know much about engines.