Stop snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures from wreaking havoc on your bike. Learn to winterize your motorcycle by placing it on paddock stands when it’s not being ridden regularly, using a trickle charger to keep the battery from draining in the cold, adding fuel stabilizer to your tank, covering your seat with a weather protector, and more.
Winterizing your motorcycle protects vulnerable components like seat foam, rubber seals, chrome, tires, the battery, and the fuel system. Store the bike indoors or use a weather protector, keep it upright on a paddock stand, clean off debris to prevent corrosion, remove and store the battery indoors, and add fuel stabilizer to the tank. These steps prevent moisture damage, flat spots, corrosion, and fuel breakdown so your bike stays ready for spring.
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Time to Read
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What You’ll Learn
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Next Steps
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Winter is universally rough on motorcycles, unless you happen to live somewhere with a balanced and mild climate. Not so for our team at Luimoto, who spend November to March suffering the freezing rain characteristic of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
But good news, riders: no matter whether you live in Vancouver or Vladivostok, there are a few easy and effective steps you can take to make sure your bike survives the year’s coldest months so that you’re ready to rip when temperatures finally rise again.
And since most of us have just recently finished winterizing our own rides, we’re in great shape to share those steps with you. Grab your paddock stand, chain brush, and weather protector, then read on for our advice.
Some parts of your motorcycle handle winter weather better than others.
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Less Vulnerable
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More Vulnerable
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Remember: temperature changes and moisture affect most materials, so practically every part of your motorcycle can be impacted by winter conditions in some way. You know how cold your hands get when you ride without heated grips? Imagine how cold the bike itself gets when you leave it parked in the snow.
Generally, though, the components on the left side of the chart above should be unlikely to suffer damage beyond the regular wear-and-tear all vehicles experience over time. Instead, let’s focus on preventing more sensitive parts and systems from wearing out prematurely.
If you’re short on time or don’t want to get your hands too dirty, these simple steps should cover the essentials for protecting your motorcycle during the off-season:
Store inside if possible or purchase weather protector
Clean away dirt and debris
Place on paddock stand (rear only is okay)
Remove battery and attach to trickle charger*
Add fuel stabilizer and run engine for 5 minutes
*Using a trickle charger may not be appropriate in every situation. We cover that (and all of these steps) in more detail later on in this article.
If you already know how to perform the steps listed above, it shouldn’t take long. But if you need a bit of guidance, just follow the instructions below.
Moving your bike into a garage (especially a heated one) during winter will actually help maintain the condition of every single component. But it’s particularly good for:
Metal pipes and parts: Less prone to rust or corrosion from moisture
Plastic fairings: Less prone to cracking when temperatures shift
Rubber seals: Protects structural integrity and elasticity
Seat foam: Protected from water ingress due to snow, rain, or ice.
Learn More: Reality Check: Is Leather Waterproof?
Move the bike inside. If you have access to one, a heated garage is best. If you don’t, an unheated garage (or even a simple car port) will still offer some protection from the elements.
Buy a weather protector. Not all motorcycle covers are waterproof, and some of them blow off easily. Luimoto offers specific weather protectors for motorcycle seats that are designed to fit snugly, made from marine-grade materials, and 100% waterproof.
Shop Weather Protectors & Accessories
Tires: A motorcycle left to sit for a month or more can cause temporary flat spots to develop in the rubber, due to prolonged weight concentration. This won’t cause permanent damage, but the tires must be allowed to return to normal before riding.
Side stand: Leaving a motorcycle on its side stand for long periods of time places stress on the frame’s stand mount, which can eventually cause it to fail and tip the bike over.
Fuel system and fluids: Mounting the bike upright on a paddock stand prevents fluids from pooling in specific parts of the bike, which can eventually contribute to leak risk.
Get a rear paddock stand. This is essential for mounting the bike upright. A front stand is optional but can add more stability. Make sure your stand is sized properly for your model.
Install a spool kit. Spools allow the paddock stand to support the weight of the motorcycle while placing minimal stress on the frame. You can buy them from most motorcycle dealerships or parts shops if you don’t have them already.
Position the rear stand. Align the forks so that they catch the spools when you press the back of the stand down.
Lift up the bike. Carefully continue pressing down on the stand so that it functions as a lever, then let go when the back of the stand is flat against the ground. Repeat with the front stand if needed.
Metal pipes and parts: Debris accelerates rust and corrosion by trapping moisture against metal surfaces.
Chain and cables: Cleaning prevents corrosion here as well, and less debris means less friction for moving parts.
Use a soft microfiber cloth. Abrasive materials can scratch paint and parts.
Wipe down the body with water. You can add a small amount of unscented detergent for a bit of extra cleaning power, or use a dedicated motorcycle cleaning product. Avoid harsh chemicals.
Wipe down any exposed parts or cables. Just use water for this and keep it gentle.
Clean the chain. Do this after the bike is on the paddock stand; it’ll save you a lot of work. Use a chain brush to remove the old lube first, then apply chain lube evenly and wipe away the excess with a rag.
Battery: Pretty self explanatory. ‘Nuff said.
Check for a charging cable. Some more modern models come with charging cables pre-installed. All you need to do is connect them to a power source via an appropriate cable and you’re good to go. Set it and forget it.
Remove the battery (if necessary). If you don’t have a pre-installed charging cable or a nearby power source, you’ll need to take the battery out of your bike. Consult your owner’s manual for model-specific instructions.
Bring the battery indoors. This will prevent it from draining in the cold.
Connect a trickle charger (if necessary)*. This can help keep your battery from depleting and protect its capacity during long-term storage.
*Contrary to popular belief, a trickle charger isn’t always necessary. In fact, it can even be detrimental sometimes. Trickle chargers provide a steady stream of low-voltage current, which can actually damage the battery if left connected for too long. If your battery is in good condition and at or near full capacity when you remove it from the bike, simply keeping it indoors should be enough to protect it for up to a month.
Fuel System: Fuel that sits in your bike for too long can begin to separate. This can cause semi-solid deposits to form and clog the fuel system, and may lead to corrosion.
Buy a fuel stabilizer. Fuel stabilizers from brands like STA-BIL are a cheap and effective way to prevent gasoline from breaking down inside your bike.
Add the stabilizer to your tank. Follow the instructions on the bottle to make sure you add the right amount.
Run your motorcycle in neutral for 5 minutes. This allows the stabilizer to work its way through the system evenly.
Winterizing your motorcycle can seem a bit daunting if you’ve never done it before. But it’s essential for protecting your investment and ensuring that you can ride without problems once winter is over.
Luimoto can help you get your bike ready for winter with high-quality weather protectors that fit practically any motorcycle seat and protect your foam from moisture damage. We also sell premium aftermarket seat covers for riders and passengers made from marine-grade materials built to outlast OEM options so you can enjoy superior comfort and protection from the elements.
