Should You Start Your Motorcycle in the Winter?

Winter is when your motorbike requires more care than ever, and that’s why the question arises: should you start your motorcycle in the winter? 

Starting your motorcycle in the winter can be beneficial. It helps to heat up the engine, which can melt any ice crystals that may have formed in the fuel lines. Additionally, starting the engine in the winter lubricates the entire system and prevents rusting of the chain and internal wires.

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 starting the motorbike in winter. 

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Should You Start Your Motorcycle in the Winter? 

Winter is the only time when your motorbike requires more care, and that’s why the question arises, should you start your motorcycle in the winter? 

It would help if you started your motorbike in the winter as doing this would heat the engine, which melts any ice crystal formations in the fuel lines. Also, starting the engine in the winter lubricates the entire system and prevents the chain and internal wires from rusting. 

Also, riding the motorcycle in the winter (if feasible) helps to keep the battery charged and in healthy condition. 

How Often Should You Start the Motorbike in Winter? 

So far, you understand that starting the motorbike would prevent the motorbike parts from going bad; now the question arises, how often should you start the motorbike in winter? 

You should achieve the goal of starting the motorbike for 15 minutes per week. As doing this would prevent the motorbike battery and all other internal parts from going bad. If it’s feasible and not snowing around you, you can ride the motorbike for an hour. 

The more you can ride the motorbike in winter, the more your motorbike will be healthy. 

Should You Start the Motorbike Battery if All Parts are Removed?

Indeed you should aim to ride the motorbike for at least 15 minutes a week; now the question arises, should you start the motorbike battery if all parts are removed? 

You can’t and shouldn’t try to start and ride the motorbike if all parts are removed such that both tires and battery which is still connected to the maintainer.  

If the battery is connected to the maintainer and the tires are stored safely, there wouldn’t be any need to start and ride the motorbike in the winter. 

Is Starting the Motorbike in Winter Hurting the Engine? 

So far, you understand that you should start the motorbike in the winter; that’s why the question arises: Does starting the motorbike in winter hurt the engine? 

Starting and running the engine won’t hurt the motorbike engine but, it can hurt the motorbike tank unless your motorbike gas is combined with the antifreeze liquid. Also, leaving the motorbike battery without connecting with the maintainer can hurt and make it unhealthy. 

Storing the motorbike for a longer time also hurts the tires as it can cause flat tire problems. Overall, starting the motorbike in the winter won’t hurt the engine; storing it without considering factors can hurt the various motorbike parts. 

Why Your Motorbike Isn’t Starting in the Winter? 

Indeed, storing the motorbike without considering the storage checklist can decrease the motorbike’s health. Now, why isn’t your motorbike starting in the winter? 

Suppose your motorbike isn’t starting in the winter then your motorbike battery is likely to be uncharged, or worst; it becomes damaged. Motorbike battery suffers from a parasitic drain in which it starts to discharge automatically without even starting any electrical component in the motorbike. 

If it’s happening with your motorbike battery as well then, you should charge the motorbike battery through the trickle or any smart charger. 

It’s also advised to store the motorbike by connecting the motorbike battery to the maintainer to protect the battery from going into the parasitic drain stage. 

How Can Ice Crystal Formations Prevent Motorbikes from Starting? 

So far, you understand how batteries can prevent the motorbike from starting; now, the question arises: how can ice crystal formation prevent a motorbike from starting? 

At worst, the water droplets in the gas will start to freeze, making the minute ice crystal which hinders the proper flow of the motorbike gas into the engine. This hindrance prevents the motorbike from starting properly or even can hurt the fuel lines. 

And that’s why experts recommend inserting 10% antifreeze liquid with 90% motorbike gas to prevent ice crystal formation. 

For How Long Can You Store Motorcycles in the Winter? 

Indeed ice crystal formations can protect the motorbike from starting; now the question arises, how long can you store motorcycles in winter?

In the winter, you can easily store the motorbike for more than 2 months, but slowly your motorbike battery will start to discharge automatically, along with some serious consequences. However, the battery connecting to the maintainer gas and the stabilizer can help withstand motorbikes for more than 6 months easily. 

With the stabilizer, motorbike gas won’t likely degrade itself even after storing the motorbike for more than 6 months. Similarly, connecting the motorbike with the maintainer protects the battery to withstand longer in the winter. 

Should You Remove Motorcycle Battery for the Winter?

Contrary to what some experts claim, it is generally unnecessary to remove the motorbike battery for winter storage.

Modern motorbike batteries are designed with electrolytes that can withstand extremely low temperatures, even as low as -19 ℉. A properly functioning battery with a charge level of around 40% can easily handle sub-zero temperatures.

Moreover, if you have a motorbike battery maintainer that helps preserve the battery’s charge capacity, it is even less necessary to remove the battery. The maintainer ensures that the battery maintains its current and voltage levels throughout the storage period without overcharging, preventing battery malfunctions

What if You Don’t Remove the Motorcycle Battery for the Winter?

Indeed you don’t need to remove the battery for the winter to protect your motorbike battery; now the question arises, what if you don’t remove the motorcycle battery for the winter? 

If your motorbike battery is not in good condition or if you don’t have a battery maintainer, it is advisable to remove the battery for winter storage. This helps prevent parasitic discharge, which occurs when the battery discharges even without any electrical devices in use. Continuous parasitic discharge can lead to a completely drained battery, necessitating recharging before use.

In summary, removing the motorcycle battery for winter storage is generally unnecessary, thanks to the battery’s ability to withstand cold temperatures. However, if your battery is in poor condition or lacks a maintainer, removing it can prevent parasitic discharge and the need for recharging.

Also, read my previous post where I discussed where you should store your motorbike in winter to protect it from any abnormalities, CLICK HERE to read more.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Should you start your motorcycle in the winter? It would help if you started your motorbike in the winter as doing this would heat the engine, which melts any ice crystal formations in the fuel lines. 

Also, starting the engine in the winter lubricates the entire system and prevents the chain and internal wires from rusting. I’ve also mentioned some reasons and the solution when your motorbike isn’t starting in the winter, which you need to consider every time while storing the motorbike.