Is it Better to Store a Motorcycle With or Without Gas?

Storing the motorcycle is one of the crucial steps you can take to protect the motorbike from severe damage. Now the question arises, is it better to store a motorcycle with or without gas? 

You can store the motorcycle with gas in it. Still, before that, you need to insert antifreeze fluid in it so that no ice crystals formation would be possible in the motorbike gas tank. You can even store the motorcycle without gas, but before that, you must ensure that the gas tank doesn’t contain a single trace of gas. 

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 storing the motorcycle with or without motorcycle gas. 

Is it Better to Store a Motorcycle With or Without Gas? 

Storing the motorbike not only protects the motorbike battery but also protects the motorbike gas tank from the formation of ice crystals. Now, the question arises, is it better to store a motorcycle with or without gas? 

According to experts, you can store the motorcycle with gas in it. Still, before that, you need to insert antifreeze fluid in it so that no ice crystals formation would be possible in the motorbike gas tank. 

You can even store the motorcycle without gas. Still, before that, you need to ensure that your motorbike gas tank doesn’t contain a single trace of gas which is impossible for many riders. 

So it’s better to store the motorbike with the gas and anti-fluid combination. 

What Happens if You Don’t Put Antifreeze Fluid? 

Indeed storing the motorcycle can protect your motorbike from the ice crystal formation; now the question arises what happens if you don’t put antifreeze fluid in the motorcycle gas tank? 

If you don’t put the antifreeze in the motorcycle gas tank, the ethanol and minute water amount in the motorbike gas will transform into minute ice crystals.

These ice crystals won’t cause your motorbike any significant harm. Still, after some time, the ice crystals will start to expand because of their properties harming the motorbike fuel lines and gas tank. 

Inserting the antifreeze fluid in the motorcycle gas tank lowers the freezing point of ethanol content, thus preventing ice crystal formation. 

Do you know that antifreeze fluid can protect the motorbike gas tank’s rust? 

Inserting the antifreeze fluid in the motorbike gas tank causes it to absorb the moisture in the motorbike gas tank surface, which could be the main reason behind motorcycle rusting. 

In easier words, you can protect the gas tank from ice crystals and rusting with the antifreeze fluid with the motorbike gas. 

Can You Store a Motorcycle Without Gas in an Unheated Garage? 

So far, you understand that micro ice crystals could form if you forget to put the antifreeze fluid in the motorbike gas tank. Now the question arises, can you store a motorcycle without gas in an unheated garage? 

The unheated garage doesn’t have an insulation layer all around the room, which causes cold winds to enter the garage. Even traces of motorcycle gas in the motorbike gas tank would be enough for ice crystals formation. 

And that’s why experts never recommend storing the motorbike without gas. It’s better to store the motorbike with the gas in the gas tank and the antifreeze fluid. 

However, suppose your motorbike garage has an insulation layer at every corner. In that case, it doesn’t matter whether you store your motorbike without gas or gas. 

Does Antifreeze Liquid Concentration Matter? 

Indeed you shouldn’t store the motorbike gas tank without gas if you have the antifreeze liquid; now the question arises, does antifreeze liquid concentration matter? 

According to several experts, the concentration of antifreeze matters a lot while storing the motorbike in the winter. It’s because less concentrated antifreeze liquid contains traces of water, which isn’t much effective in saving the motorbike from the ice crystals. 

You can read the product label to know the actual concentration of antifreeze fluid. 

Do You Need to Fill the Motorbike Gas Tank Before Storing? 

So far, you understand that antifreeze liquid concentration does matter a lot when it’s about storing the motorbike for a longer time. Now the question arises, do you need to fill the motorbike gas tank before storing it? 

You need to fill the motorbike gas tank full with fresh fuel up to 90% and fill the rest of the space with the antifreeze fluid. You need to ensure the antifreeze liquid concentration, and it should be free from chemicals that could harm the motorbike. 

After mixing both combinations, ride the motorbike for 20 minutes so that the mixture can be rotated in the motorbike effectively. 

Does Cleaning the Motorcycle Gas Tank Protect the Motorbike Gas Tank? 

Indeed you can protect the motorbike by putting the antifreeze fluid in the motorbike gas tank. Now the question arises, does cleaning the motorcycle gas tank protect the motorbike’s empty gas tank? 

Cleaning the motorbike gas tank only helps if it’s well-cleaned and doesn’t contain any trace of ethanol and water. But if you’re unsure about cleaning, you shouldn’t take the risk and fill the motorbike gas tank with the fuel and antifreeze fluid. 

The antifreeze fluid will decrease the freezing point of fuel and will also prevent the motorbike gas tank from rusting. 

How to Properly Store the Motorcycle Gas Tank? 

So far, you understand the basic science behind the phenomena of ice crystal formation in the motorbike gas tank. Now the question arises, how to properly store a motorcycle gas tank. 

By not applying the bro science and listening to the expert advice, you don’t need to empty the motorbike gas tank while storing the motorcycle in winter. Even experts recommend filling the 90% gas tank with fuel and filling the rest of the space with antifreeze. And don’t forget to ride a motorbike a bit to rotate the mixture in the engine. 

Doing this will ensure that there won’t be any ice crystal formation in the gas tank and fuel lines. 

Do Storing the Empty Motorbike Gas Tank Prevent Rust? 

Indeed you can prevent the motorbike gas tank from various problems by not storing the gas tank empty; now the question arises, does storing the empty gas tank prevent rust? 

Storing the empty motorbike gas tank won’t prevent the motorbike gas tank from rusting as you can’t clean or empty the gas tank completely. And even a minute amount of moisture content can make the motorbike rust. 

It’s better to fill the motorbike gas tank with 90% gas and fill the rest with the antifreeze liquid. The antifreeze fluid will absorb the free moisture in the motorbike gas tank, which could be the main culprit behind the gas tank rusting. 

Also, read my previous post where I discussed where you should store your motorbike in the winter, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What happens if you don’t put antifrezze fluid in the motorbiek gas tank?

If you don’t put the antifreeze in the motorcycle gas tank, the ethanol and minute water amount in the motorbike gas will transform into minute ice crystals.These ice crystals won’t cause your motorbike any significant harm. Still, after some time, the ice crystals will start to expand because of their properties harming the motorbike fuel lines and gas tank. 

Can you store a motorcycle empty gas tank in the unheated gearage?

The unheated garage doesn’t have an insulation layer all around the room, which causes cold winds to enter the garage. Even traces of motorcycle gas in the motorbike gas tank would be enough for ice crystals formation. 

Does antifrezze fluid concentration do matters?

According to several experts, the concentration of antifreeze matters a lot while storing the motorbike in the winter. It’s because less concentrated antifreeze liquid contains traces of water, which isn’t much effective in saving the motorbike from the ice crystals. 

Do you need to full the motorbike gas tank fully while storing the motorbike?

You need to fill the motorbike gas tank full with fresh fuel up to 90% and fill the rest of the space with the antifreeze fluid. You need to ensure the antifreeze liquid concentration, and it should be free from chemicals that could harm the motorbike. 

Does cleaning the motorbike gas tank protects the motorbike gas tank?

Cleaning the motorbike gas tank only helps if it’s well-cleaned and doesn’t contain any trace of ethanol and water. But if you’re unsure about cleaning, you shouldn’t take the risk and fill the motorbike gas tank with the fuel and antifreeze fluid. 

Final Verdict: 

Is it better to store a motorcycle with or without gas? You can store the motorcycle with gas in it. Still, before that, you need to insert antifreeze fluid in it so that no ice crystals formation would be possible in the motorbike gas tank. 

You can even store the motorcycle without gas, but before that, you must ensure that the gas tank doesn’t contain a single trace of gas. I’ve mentioned some factors you need to consider while storing the motorbike.