Do You Need to Winterize Motorcycles?

Winter is around the corner, and you may not need to ride the motorbike, which takes forever to start in the spring. Thus many riders prefer to winterize their motorcycles. Now the question arises, do you need to winterize motorcycles? 

You don’t need to winterize your motorbike in the cold weather if you ride it regularly or 4 days a week. Still, if you ride the motorbike frequently, then it’s better to winterize your motorbike. Winterization prevents your motorbike from rust and corrosion and increases the motorbike’s longevity. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about the winterizing of your motorcycle. 

Do You Need to Winterize Motorcycles? 

Winterization is probably the process that can prevent your motorbike from rusting and increase longevity. Now the question arises, do you need to winterize motorcycles? 

You don’t need to winterize your motorbike in the cold weather if you ride it regularly or 4 days a week. Still, if you ride the motorbike frequently, then it’s better to winterize your motorbike. Winterization prevents your motorbike from rust and corrosion and increases the motorbike’s longevity. 

In simpler words, if you don’t ride your motorbike too frequently, then it’s better to store or winterize your motorbike in the motorbike garage. 

How Does Winterization Work for Your Motorbike? 

Indeed, winterization is a must if you don’t have any plan to ride the motorbike anytime soon, especially in winters. Now the question arises how does winterization work for your motorbike? 

Winterization includes storing the motorbike in the garage for the whole winter if you don’t have any plan to ride your motorbike anytime soon. Winterizing includes storing the motorbike without tires, traces of ethanol in the gas tank, and battery. 

Without winterization of your motorbike, your motorbike tires will flatten or become useless, your motorbike gas pipes will explode because of ice crystals formation, and they will be crossed in the motorbike tank. 

In simpler words, to protect your motorbike from the side effects of winter, you need to winterize your motorbike with all precautions mentioned in the next sections. 

How Does Winterization Protect Your Gas Tank Motorcycle? 

Indeed you need to winterize your motorbike if you don’t ride it too frequently in the winters. Now the question arises, how does winterization protect your gas tank motorcycle? 

Motorbike gas contains some amounts of ethanol which absorbs the moisture from the surrounding in the winter, causing rust in the motorbike gas tank. And that’s why experts always recommend removing all traces of gasses containing ethanol to avoid further corrosion in the gas tank. 

Winterization not only protects your motorbike gaston from corrosion but also protects your motorbike engine from any trace of ethanol from corrosion or rust. 

How Does Winterization Protect Your Motorcycle Tires? 

So far, you understand that motorbike winterization protects your gasoline tank from rust and corrosion; now the question arises, how does winterization protect your motorbike tires?

In the winterization process, the rider is supposed to remove the motorbike tires from the motorbike, causing the motorbike tires to be free from the motorbike weight avoiding flat tires and increasing the longevity of motorbike tires. 

In the winterization of your motorbike, you can use a permanent stand for your motorbike to help it stand safely for months.  

How Does Winterization Protect Your Motorcycle Battery? 

Indeed, winterizing the motorbike in the winter can protect your motorbike tires from being flat. Still, the question arises, how does winterization protect your motorcycle battery? 

While storing the motorbike for a longer time, your battery suffers from the parasitic discharge in which motorbike battery discharge automatically without even starting any motorbike electric device. And to protect your motorbike battery, experts recommend winterizing your motorcycle, especially in winter or if you’re not riding your motorbike for months. 

When storing the motorbike for a longer time, you need to plug out the motorbike battery, or your motorbike will suffer from parasitic discharge. 

Where Should You Store Your Motorbike? 

So far, to understand that you need to winterize your motorcycle if you’re not planning to ride the motorbike soon, now the question arises, where should you store your motorbike? 

When winterizing the motorbike, you need to store the motorbike under shade or in the garage because snow or extremely cold air can destroy your motorbike’s electric system, including the motorbike battery and lights. Your motorbike tank will also be protected from rust even if your motorbike contains a minute amount of ethanol. 

Additionally, you will be satisfied if your motorbike is stored in the safe and surveillance motorbike garage. 

How can winterization Protect Your Motorbike Chain? 

So far, you understand that winterization protects your motorbike tires; now the question arises, how can winterization protect your motorbike chain? 

Winterization of the motorbike includes lubricating the chain to avoid moisture buildup on the cables and motorbike chain. Since the motorbike lubrication is water-phobic, the moisture can’t build up over it, protecting the motorbike chain and wires. 

When winterizing the motorbike, experts recommend applying water repellent lubricant on the motorbike chain and wires to ensure no moisture can build over it. 

Also, read my previous post where I discussed whether chain wax is better than lube or not, CLICK HERE to read.

Should You Add Antifreeze to the Motorbike Tank? 

Indeed winterization can protect the motorbike chains and wires from rust and corrosion of the motorbike chain. Now the question arises, should you add antifreeze to the motorbike tank? 

Antifreeze is a fluid that lowers the freezing point of gasoline in your motorbike tank, making the motorbike gas suitable for withstanding the low temperature. Suppose your local weather is frequently touching the sub-zero temperature, too frequently. In that case, you should add antifreeze to the motorbike tank. 

While adding the motorbike antifreeze, make sure the motorbike antifreeze is concentrated and doesn’t contain even a minute amount of water. Antifreeze protects your gasoline from freezing, protecting the motorbike gas pipes and engine from the explosion. 

Is Storing a Motorcycle in a Storage Facility Good? 

Storing a motorbike in the storage facility is an excellent option if you don’t have a dedicated space or garage for storing the motorbike. But have you ever thought about whether storing the motorbike in a storage facility is good?

Choosing the storage unit for storing the motorbike is a great option, especially if you don’t have your own garage. Some storage facilities have a temperature control and video surveillance system, ensuring 24*7 security. However, a storage facility is a bit more expensive than storing a motorcycle outside.   

Storage motorbike facility protects your motorbike from harsh external weather and provides heat through external heaters. 

However, storing motorbikes in storage facilities is a bit expensive. Additionally, not all motorbike storage facilities have heaters and 24*7 surveillance systems, putting your motorbike at risk. 

Now the ball is in your court; how well a motorbike storage facility do you choose? 

I recommend researching the best motorbike facility around you and settling for the only facility that doesn’t hit your pocket the most.  

Is Storing a Motorcycle Outside Good? 

Many riders choose not to store their motorbike in the garage or storage facility to save some bucks. But have you ever wondered why storing a motorcycle outside isn’t good? 

Storing a motorcycle outside seems to be a money-saving option. Still, in reality, it can harm your motorbike and engine. Storing a motorbike outside in harsh winter can clog your gasoline and coolant pipe. Also, storing the motorbike outside under the sun causes paint oxidation, which costs you several bucks. 

And that’s why experts always recommend storing the motorbike in your garage for several months. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Do you need to winterize motorcycles? You don’t need to winterize your motorbike in the cold weather if you ride it regularly or 4 days a week. Still, if you ride the motorbike frequently, then it’s better to winterize your motorbike. 

Winterization prevents your motorbike from rust and corrosion and increases the motorbike’s longevity. I’ve also mentioned why winterization of the motorbike is necessary and some things you must consider while winterizing the motorbike.