Should You Run Your Motorcycle Out of Gas For the Winter?

Winter is around the corner, and thus you need to be extra careful when storing the motorbike for the winter. Now the question arises, should you run your motorcycle out of gas for the winter? 

It would be best if you don’t run your motorcycle out of gas in the winter as doing this would cause internal tank rusting, which will spread the entire motorbike engine. It’s because even after draining all gas from the tank, the minute amount of gas will be left there, enough to cause rusting. 

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 motorcycle running out of gas for the winter.

Should You Run Your Motorcycle Out of Gas For the Winter?

Storing the motorbike is indeed necessary for the winter. Thus you need to be extra careful, especially if it’s freezing temperatures around you. Now the question arises, should you run your motorcycle out of gas for the winter? 

It would be best if you don’t run your motorcycle out of gas in the winter as doing this would cause internal tank rusting, which will spread the entire motorbike engine. It’s because even after draining all gas from the tank, the minute amount of gas will be left there, enough to cause rusting. 

Even in the worst case, the left behind droplets of motorbike gas in the tank would cause minute ice crystal formations which won’t be good for fuel lines. 

What Should You Do with Motorcycle Gas in Winter?

So far, you understand that you shouldn’t leave behind the motorbike fuel in the gas tank. Now the question arises, what should you do with motorcycle gas in winter? 

You should add a fuel stabilizer if you’re planning to store the motorcycle for longer, as doing this would cause your motorbike to be fresh for a longer time. The fuel stabilizer prevents your motorbike from internal rusting and ice crystal formations. 

However, the fuel stabilizer should be in the appropriate amount. 

How Much Fuel Stabilizer Should You Put in Your Motorcycle Gas For the Winter?

Indeed it would help if you put the fuel stabilizer in your motorbike gas tank for winter. Now the question arises, how much fuel stabilizer should you place in your motorbike gas for the winter? 

You should always add only 10% of the fuel stabilizer in the gas tank and 90% of the motorbike gas. Doing so would prevent your motorbike from rusting. Also, this appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer will make your fuel octane content safe. 

Don’t forget to ride the motorbike for 10 minutes to circulate the motorbike fuel stabilizer across every part of the motorbike engine. 

Can You Ride a Motorbike with a Fuel Stabilizer in a Tank? 

So far, you understand how much fuel stabilizer you should add to the motorbike gas tank for the winter. Now the question arises, can you ride a motorbike with a fuel stabilizer in a tank? 

You can ride a motorbike with a fuel stabilizer in a tank, and it wouldn’t cause any harm to your motorbike engine. Even experts always recommend riding the motorbike for 10 minutes after putting the fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. 

However, you should prevent your motorcycle gas tank from moisture if you’re using the fuel stabilizer. As the water starts breaking, the molecules of the fuel stabilizer make it ineffective. 

What Happens if You Run Your Motorcycle Out of Gas for the Winter? 

So far, you understand that you can ride the motorbike harmlessly with a fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. Now the question arises, what happens if you run your motorcycle out of gas for the winter? 

If you run your motorcycle out of gas for the winter, then your motorbike gas tank would likely suffer from internal rusting and micro ice crystal formations. Because of these problems, your motorbike fuel lines and gas tank health will drastically decrease. 

Your motorbike fuel lines and gas health will impact you hugely in the longer term; even after some years, you’ll face gas leakage problems.

Does Motorbike Stabilizer Protect Motorbike Gas from Ice Crystals? 

Indeed your motorbike will face many problems in the future if you’re not using the fuel stabilizer with the motorbike gas in the winter. Now the question arises, does a motorbike stabilizer protect motorbike gas from ice crystals? 

A motorbike stabilizer can protect your gas tank from rusting and ice crystal formations. But a motorbike stabilizer can only protect your gas tank if there’s no preexisting moisture present in the gas tank and you put the appropriate amount of stabilizer in the gas tank. 

Also, cover your motorbike gas tank with a water-resistant cover to prevent moisture from entering the gas tank. 

Should You Use Your Motorbike in Winter? 

So far, you understand that motorbike stabilizers can also protect your motorbike from ice crystal formations. Now the question arises, should you use your motorbike in winter? 

Although you shouldn’t use your motorbike in the winter, especially if it’s snow, riding it in the snow makes riding even more dangerous. But if it’s urgent and you’ve to ride the motorbike, you can ride it only after adding the fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. 

Doing this would prevent your motorbike tank from all problems, including rusting and minute ice crystal formations. 

How to Prevent Ice Crystal Formation in the Gas Tank?

Indeed you don’t want to ride a motorbike in the winter because of ice crystal formation. Now the question arises, how to prevent ice crystal formation in the gas tank? 

You can prevent the ice crystal formation in the motorbike gas tank by inserting the antifreeze fluid in the motorbike gas tank along with the motorbike gas, which decreases the freezing point significantly, thus protecting the motorbike gas tank. 

With the action of antifreeze liquid on the motorbike gas, you can rest assured that your motorbike will be prevented from the attack of ice crystals forming the gas tank and gas lines. 

What if You Store an Empty Motorcycle Tank in an Unheated Garage? 

So far, you understand that you should choose an antifreeze fluid that doesn’t contain any trace of water to prevent the gas tank from rusting and ice crystal formation. Now the question arises, what if you store the empty motorcycle tank in an unheated garage? 

Suppose you store the empty motorcycle gas tank in an unheated garage then, your motorbike gas tank will suffer from all the problems which your motorbikes have to face when storing the motorbike outside. 

Storing the motorbike in an unheated garage can also protect the motorbike from UV rays exposure but fails to prevent the gas tank from the cold. It’s advisable if you want to avoid the motorbike from getting out. It would help if you went with the heated motorcycle garage or garage, which comes with an insulating layer. 

The best way you can also protect the motorbike from the cold is by storing the motorbike in the apartment, or the best you can do is to add antifreeze fluid to the gas tank. 

However, you’ll have to inspect your motorbike carefully at regular intervals if you store the motorbike in an unheated garage.

If you own a garage then you should read my previous post where I discussed how can you protect your motorbike by storing it in the garage, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Should You Run Your Motorcycle Out of Gas For the Winter? It would be best if you don’t run your motorcycle out of gas in the winter as doing this would cause internal tank rusting, which will spread the accord motorbike engine.

It’s because even after draining all gas from the tank, the minute amount of gas will be left there, enough to cause rusting. 

You should add a 10% fuel stabilizer with 90% motorbike gas in the gas tank for maximum protection.