News Every Day | 05:08

Cold Weather Can Ruin a Motorcycle—Here’s How to Prevent It

When colder temperatures arrive, many motorcyclists pack up their bikes for the winter. As is the case with winterizing a boat and a hot tub, using the proper methods to store a motorcycle in the winter are absolutely crucial if you want it to be in top working order when you fire up the engine in the spring. Old Man Winter can do a number on an improperly stored motorcycle. Condensation caused by changing temperatures can form on the body and in the engine, creating rust and corrosion. Old fuel will gum up an engine and rodents can even make a home inside unprotected tailpipes and air boxes. Ahead, we take you through each step of motorcycle winter storage with help from Brian Smith, a certified auto technician and sales manager for Bosch Mobility Aftermarket auto parts.

Why Proper Winter Storage Matters

How Cold Weather Impacts Batteries, Fuel Systems, and Rubber Components

Cold weather can wreak havoc on your motorcycle if you fail to winterize it properly:

Batteries: When temperatures drop below freezing, the cold can reduce a battery’s power output or even cause it to crack.
Fuel lines: Moisture in untreated fuel can freeze, damaging fuel lines, and old fuel can gum up carburetors.
Rubber components: Cold weather causes rubber hoses, gaskets, and seals to harden and crack.

Common Winter Storage Problems (Rust, Stale Fuel, Flat Spots, Condensation)

Motorcycles face several threats during winter storage, according to Smith. “The most frequent issues with winter storage of motorcycles are weakened or completely discharged batteries, fuel degradation, plugged up carburetor jets, and corrosion on exposed metal and electrical connectors,” he says. Tires can also develop flat spots from sitting stationary for so long and pests can find their way into airboxes, wiring harnesses, and exhausts.

Indoor vs Outdoor Storage Considerations

It’s always best to store your motorcycle indoors where it’s protected from snow, ice and rain, and isn’t susceptible to pests. If storing your bike indoors isn’t an option, then you’ll need to purchase a high quality breathable and waterproof cover. It’s also a good idea to store it in a protected area, such as under a covered porch or against a building.

What You Need Before Storing Your Motorcycle for Winter

Tools and Supplies Checklist

Stand
Stabilizer
Trickle charger
Cover

Evaluating Your Storage Space (Temperature, Humidity, Ventilation)

Store your motorcycle in a cool, dry well-ventilated space where temperatures don’t fall below freezing during the wintertime and humidity levels remain steady at between 30 and 50 percent. Damp air, temperature fluctuations, and poor ventilation can cause condensation to form, leading to rust. Excessively dry environments can make rubber gaskets and pipes brittle and more likely to crack and break.

Why a Breathable Cover Matters

Covering your motorcycle is essential, especially if you plan on storing outdoors. But a cover can do more harm than good if it isn’t properly ventilated. A cover that traps moisture around the motorcycle will cause condensation to collect on metal parts as temperatures fluctuate, leading to rust and corrosion.

How to Prepare a Motorcycle for Winter Storage

The steps below take you through how to winterize a motorcycle:

Step 1: Clean and dry the bike thoroughly.

Clean the motorcycle using a shampoo designed specifically for motorcycles. Avoid car cleaning products as they can damage paint and other parts of the motorcycle. Once clean, dry the bike thoroughly, so moisture isn’t trapped when you cover the motorcycle, Smith says.

Step 2: Change the oil and top off fluids.

An oil change is a crucial step when prepping your bike for winter storage. “Change the oil and filter to help prevent old contaminations from sitting in the engine for several months,” Smith says.

Step 3: Add fuel stabilizer and run the engine.

Fill the gas tank completely then add fuel stabilizer and run the engine for 5 to 10 minutes prior to storing it to circulate the stabilizer through the engine and fuel lines, Smith advises.

Step 4: Inflate tires and prevent flat-spotting.

Inflate the tires to their proper PSI to prevent flat-spotting, which is when the rubber in the tires deforms from sitting stationary for too long. Smith suggests inflating tires to the upper end of their limit to account for fluctuations in air pressure through the winter.

Step 5: Lubricate chain and exposed metal components.

Lubricate the chain on the motorcycle prior to storing it. Put the bike up on a center stand or rear stand to elevate the rear wheel. Clean the chain by spraying chain cleaner on it and wiping it down with a rag and rinsing it with a hose. Spin the wheel with your hand and spray the inside of the links with the lubricant for one full revolution of the chain then make another pass on the outside links. Wipe off excess lube with a rag.

Step 6: Remove or protect the battery.

Practice proper motorcycle battery winter storage by removing the battery and connecting it to a trickle charger in a cool dry area indoors. You can also leave the battery connected to the bike and connect a maintainer or battery tender to it to keep it fully charged. “Always make sure to choose the correct battery maintainer for the type of battery installed on your motorcycle,” Smith says. “Different styles of batteries require specific charging algorithms to maintain optimum battery performance.”

Signs Your Battery Won’t Survive Winter

An engine that struggles to start, dimming lights, or frequent jump starts are all signs that cold weather is affecting your battery's performance. If you experience these issues, you likely need to replace the battery.

Protecting the Fuel System During Storage

Full Tank and Stabilizer vs Draining the Tank

Never drain your motorcycle’s fuel tank prior to storing it. Condensation can collect inside an empty gas tank causing corrosion. Instead, fill the tank and add a fuel stabilizer for motorcycles to prevent the fuel from going stale. “This step is very important for older motorcycles that use a carburetor,” Smith says. “When ethanol-blended fuels are used and sit for a longer period, the ethanol attracts moisture and creates a gel that can plug up vital ports and jets inside the carburetor.”

Carbureted vs Fuel-Injected Bikes

The vast majority of motorcycles use fuel-injection, which is more advanced than the traditional carburetor you’d find on older motorcycles. Winterizing both types of bikes is similar. Fill up the gas tank, add fuel stabilizer, and run the engine for a few minutes. If you have an older motorcycle with a carburetor, you’ll need to drain the carburetor, which can be done by manually draining it or running the motorcycle dry with the fuel off.

Tire and Suspension Prep for Winter

Using Stands to Prevent Flat Spots

Motorcycles can develop flat spots on the tires if they sit stationary for months. You can prevent this by using a stand to raise the motorcycle off the ground. If you don’t have stands, Smith says you can also roll the bike a few feet every couple of weeks. “This shifts the weight to a new part of the tire, which helps prevent flat spotting and keeps the rubber in better shape for spring,” he says.

Ideal Tire Pressure for Long Storage

Inflate your motorcycle’s tires to the PSI listed on the bike's frame sticker or on the sidewalls of the motorcycle tires. Smith recommends inflating them to the high end of their limit to account for pressure declines as temperatures fall.

Avoiding Moisture Around Tires

Moisture that develops around tires can lead to dry rot, shortening the tire’s life. If possible, store your motorcycle in a cool, dry place where humidity levels remain below 75 percent. Avoid storing a motorcycle for long periods on a concrete floor as the concrete can draw moisture and chemicals out of the tires, leading to rot.

Protecting Your Motorcycle from Rust and Corrosion

Ahead, we cover how to prevent rust during winter storage:

Where Condensation Collects and How to Prevent It

Condensation likes to form under a motorcycle cover on areas of unpainted metal and inside the tank and exhaust. There are a few things you can do to combat this. If possible, maintain stable temperatures in the storage space to prevent temperature fluctuations that cause condensation to form. Store the motorcycle with a full tank of stabilized fuel to prevent condensation from forming in the gas tank and use a breathable cover that promotes airflow and doesn’t trap moisture.

Waxing Painted Surfaces

Protect painted surfaces on the motorcycle by washing the bike and then applying a protective layer of wax. “Applying a corrosion inhibitor or a high-quality wax to painted surfaces, exposed metals, fasteners and engine cases provides additional protection throughout the winter,” Smith says.

Fogging Oil for Long-Term Engine Protection

If you plan on storing your motorcycle for long periods (several months), then consider fogging the engine. This process involves applying a protective layer of oil to the engine’s internal parts by spraying fogging oil into each individual spark plug hole, then running the engine briefly to distribute the oil throughout the engine.

When motorcycles are exposed to winter weather, they can develop rust and corrosion.

Getty Images

Outdoor Motorcycle Storage Tips (If You Don’t Have a Garage)

Follow these motorcycle storage tips if you don’t have a garage or other shelter in which to store it.

Choosing the Right All-Weather Cover

For outdoor storage, use a heavy duty waterproof motorcycle cover. Make sure the cover is vented, so it can allow for airflow that will help prevent the build-up of condensation that can cause rust and corrosion.

Using Ground Moisture Barriers

You also should pay attention to where you park your bike. “The motorcycle should be placed on a firm, dry surface or on a mat to keep moisture from accumulating under the tires,” Smith says. “If possible, a small shelter or canopy can provide additional protection to your bike during winter weather.”

Preventing Rodents and Pests

Rodents can invade a motorcycle by nesting inside entry points such as the airbox and exhaust system. “If rodents are a concern, the exhaust or air intake can be lightly blocked with steel wool or a dedicated storage plug,” Smith says. You can also deter mice and rats by setting up traps or spreading mothballs and dryer sheets, which emit smells that rodents dislike.

What Not to Do When Storing Your Motorcycle

Starting the Bike Occasionally

Briefly starting up your motorcycle during the winter is a bad idea. Brief start-ups cause condensation to form in the engine, which can lead to rust and sludge build-up. A brief start-up also won’t circulate fluids evenly through the engine.

Leaving the Tank Half-Full

Always fill the tank and add stabilizer when winterizing a motorcycle. Exposed areas of the fuel tank can collect condensation, which can end up in the fuel or cause rust to form in the inside of the fuel tank.

Using a Non-Breathable Cover

Never use a non-breathable cover, such as a plastic tarp, that does not allow for proper ventilation. A non-breathable cover will trap moist air between the cover and the bike, causing condensation to form.

Getting Your Motorcycle Ready for Spring

Reinstalling and Charging the Battery

Prior to reinstalling the battery in the spring, use a multimeter to check the voltage (it should be 12.6V or higher) and charge if needed. Apply dielectric grease to the battery terminals then reinstall the battery by connecting the battery cables to each terminal.

Checking Fluids, Tire Pressure, and Brakes

Do a full check of your motorcycle’s systems before heading out on the road. Check the engine oil, clutch fluid, brake fluid, and coolant levels. Add fluid if needed. Next, check the tire pressure and inflate as needed. Check your bike’s brake function by elevating the wheel, spinning it and checking to see if it stops when the brake caliper is pulled.

First Startup Checklist

Fluids
Tire pressure
Brakes
Chain/drive tension
Lights and electric
Visual inspection of cables and body

FAQs About Motorcycle Winter Storage

How long can a motorcycle sit unused?

A motorcycle can sit for about a month unused without being prepped for storage before issues like tire flattening, battery drain, and fuel degradation start.

Does fuel stabilizer really work?

Yes, fuel stabilizers work. They prevent fuel from degrading, oxidizing or forming deposits for up to 24 months.

Should you drain the carburetor bowl?

Almost all modern motorcycles use a fuel injection system as opposed to a carburetor, so you likely won’t need to worry about draining a carburetor bowl. If you do have a motorcycle that has a carburetor you should drain the carburetor bowl to prep your motorcycle for long-term storage.

Can you store a motorcycle outside all winter?

While it’s not recommended, you can store a motorcycle outdoors all winter if you take the proper measures to protect it. Cover it with a breathable heavy duty waterproof cover that will protect it from snow, rain, and ice. Use a moisture barrier to protect the tires. Also make sure to use the above winterization methods to protect the fuel system and battery.