Where to Store Motorcycles in Winter?

Storing the motorbike is crucial when it’s about the winter and you don’t have any plan to ride the motorbike anytime soon. Now the question arises, where to store motorcycles in winter? Here’s the answer.

You can store your motorbike in a certain 24*7 parking section for winter and start the motorbike when the winter goes out. Also, you can store the motorbike in your friend’s garage if your friend has one. Storing the motorbike protects the motorbike from flat tires and parasitic drain batteries.

Let’s look at 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 storage of motorcycles in the winter. 

Where to Store Motorcycles in Winter?

Indeed storing the motorbike is crucial, especially in winter; now the question arises, where to store a motorcycle?

According to experts, you can store your motorbike in a certain 24*7 parking section for winter and start the motorbike when the winter goes out. 

You can also store the motorbike in your friend’s garage if your friend has one. Storing the motorbike in secure parking protects the motorbike from various problems, including flat tires, parasitic drain batteries, and rusting in the gas tank and chain. 

How to Store a Motorcycle in the Garage? 

Storing a motorbike in the garage during winters is one of the most intelligent choices you can take with your motorbike. 

After all, storing a motorbike in the garage will protect your motorbike from seasonal deterioration. 

However, below are some steps you need to focus on before storing your motorbike in the garage. 

How to store your motorbike for a longer time:	Details:
Don’t forget to remove gasoline.	Gasoline contains some chemical molecules which corrode the motorbike tank when storing. So remove all gasoline in your motorbike.
Remove the battery.	Remove the battery before storing your motorbike to avoid parasite discharge.
Elevate the tires.	Tire flattening for a longer time makes your tire rubber adapt to the flat tire structure, which could destroy tires.
Fill the motorbike oil and coolant.	The oil acts as a barrier between moist air and your motorbike piston, which will prevent internal rusting.
Covering up the motorbike.	Cover your motorbike fully so no animal can make your motorbike their sweet home.
Do cleaning work	Cleaning the motorbike before storing it is crucial to avoid contact sticky gunk up.
Lubricate the chain	Lubrication prevents moisture buildup, which can cause rusting.
Choose wisely	The ideal garage should be dustproof, animal or pest-proof, and have a roof.

Remove Gasoline: 

I don’t know why many riders always forget to remove gasoline when storing a motorbike for a longer time. 

Not removing gasoline from the motorbike is one of the biggest injustices you can do when storing it. 

Gasoline contains some chemical molecules which corrode the motorbike tank when storing. And that’s why it’s better to remove almost all gasoline before storing the motorbike for a longer time. Experts also recommend running a motorbike for some minutes to use even the last drop of gasoline in it. 

You can also add a stabilizer to your motorbike gasoline as it breaks the gasoline molecules responsible for corrosion. 

Experts always recommend running a motorbike for a mile so that the stabilizer and gasoline mix up with each other effectively. 

Always remember not running a motorbike when mixing stabilizer with gasoline will cause gasoline to gunk up. 

I personally prefer removing gasoline from my Harley instead of adding a stabilizer when storing for a longer time. As I don’t want any risk when it’s about my Harley. 

Remove Battery: 

You might be shocked to know that your motorbike battery loses charge when storing for longer; this condition is called parasitic discharge. 

Removing the battery is one of the efficient ways to protect your motorbike batteries from parasitic discharge or a situation in which your motorbike starts losing charge when storing. However, you can also use battery tender when storing a motorbike for some months. 

Experts always recommend taking some help from the technician while removing the motorbike battery.

Not removing the battery during harsh winter will boost the discharging process, which will definitely cause your motorbike to die very soon. 

Also, do not forget to charge your battery thoroughly before discharging or removing the battery. 

You can also go with a battery tender which charges motorbike batteries automatically when your battery starts losing charge. 

However, motorbike tender only works when you need to store a motorbike for only some months. 

Elevating the Tires: 

Harsh winter and motorbike storage for a longer time do injustice most to your motorbike. 

Elevating the tires is also crucial when storing a motorbike. Motorbike storing causes your motorbike tires to lose air pressure slowly, making them flat on the ground. Tire flattening for a longer time makes your tire rubber adapt to the flat tire structure that could destroy tires. 

If you want to save $400-$500, it’s better to elevate your motorbike tires slightly. 

You can also elevate your motorbike tire by adding DIY things, but I highly recommend buying a tire elevation tool. 

Top Up Motorbike Oil and Coolant: 

What most of the riders do is that they remove oil and coolant before storage. And here you should avoid it. 

When storing a motorbike for a long time, it’s crucial to top your motorbike oil and coolant. It’s because the oil acts as a barrier between moist air and your motorbike piston, which will prevent internal rusting. Also, it will help your motorbike engine have proper lubrication even if you’re not using it. 

Usually, experts recommend changing the oil before motorbike storage and never forget to have mity fresh oil in the motorbike before storing it for a longer time. 

If you recently changed the motorbike oil, you just have to make sure your motorbike oil is above the recommended oil level. 

Additionally, you should always consider changing the motorbike oil after taking the motorbike for storage. It’s because storing oil in the motorbike causes deterioration. 

And if you’re using a motorbike cooling system, don’t forget to fill the appropriate amount of coolant before motorbike storage. 

Like motorbike oil, you should always consider changing coolant when taking a motorbike after long-term storage. 

As coolant loses, it loses its properties after a prolonged storage period. 

Covering Motorbike: 

If your garage is not insect or rodent-proof, then you should consider your motorbike to cover it. 

The first thing you have to do is figure out any hole or space in which rodents can enter. Experts recommend covering those holes with a visible towel and cloth so that your motorbike won’t be the next home for rodent families. 

Experts also recommend making your garage dustproof so no dust can enter your garage and gunk up when contacted with the lubricated motorbike chain. 

Or the best you can do is buy a motorbike cover to protect your motorbike from any dust. 

Do Cleaning Work: 

As a male rider, I personally show too much laziness when it’s about cleaning the motorbike. But it can be dangerous when it’s about storing motorbikes in the winter. 

Cleaning the motorbike before storing it is crucial to avoid contact, making your motorbike chains gunk up. Dried on dust and bugs can cause solid gunks, which could be too dangerous for your motorbike chain and engine. Experts don’t recommend using high-pressure water when cleaning a motorbike.  

And that’s why experts always recommend cleaning motorbike chains and engines thoroughly with water. 

Don’t forget to lubricate the chain after removing water from it. 

Lubricate the Chain: 

Don’t know why many riders always forget proper lubrication before storing their motorbike. 

Experts always recommended lubricating the chain, brakes, cables, and any other points where you can possibly reach. As lubrication prevents moisture buildup, which can cause rusting when storing for a long period. You can also apply a light layer of oil to a motorbike engine. 

You can apply a lightweight oil layer by removing the ignition plug, filling a bit of oil, and rotating your rear tire while the motorbike is in gear.

Don’t forget to cover your motorbike fully so no dust can combine with grease or oil. 

Choose Wisely: 

So far, you understand how to store your motorbike, but it’s worth discussing why it’s crucial to choose a garage wisely. 

When storing a motorbike for a longer time, you have to choose the garage wisely. According to some experts, the ideal garage should be dustproof, animal or pest-proof, and have a roof. Your motorbike garage should also have an electricity supply so you can charge your motorbike battery after taking out the motorbike. 

And don’t forget to cover your motorbike with a cover even if your garage is dustproof. 

Also, read my previous post where I mentioned that can you store your motorbike in unheated garage or not? CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Where to store motorcycles in winter? 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 overall costs you several bucks. I’ve mentioned some steps through which you can store your motorbike while ensuring the overall good motorbike health.