Winterizing Your Motorcycle - Fluid and Tire Check-Ups

It's easy to prepare your motorcycle's physical body for storage during the winter months, but ensuring its fluids are ready, too, are often overlooked. Follow the quick guide below to help your motorcycle look and function as it should once it comes out of storage for the winter, so your first ride of the spring can be just as great as when you first purchased it.

Stabilize fuel and prep the battery. Unleaded fuel begins to deteriorate after about three to four weeks. To help keep fuel from becoming sludgy and oxidizing or turning into varnish, run the engine for at least 15 minutes after adding a quality fuel stabilizer. Keep the tank full, to prevent moisture from building up and rusting the gas tank. Hooking the battery up to a battery tender or trickle charger (for under a half hour each day), can save your battery throughout the winter to be used again in the spring.

Change oil and inspect tires. After stabilizing fuel, perform an oil change to prevent oxidization from prolonged lack of activity. Use the same quality of oil that you would typically use in your car. A synthetic oil will ensure a good ride and quality lubrication when you re-open your bike to ride again in the spring. Deflating tires and re-inflating them for storage during winter months will help eliminate any moisture build-up and ensure proper inflation. If you can, elevate your bike during storage to keep tires in good shape and uncracked as the air compresses in the cold. Using a good tire cleaner will keep tires looking fresh.

Clean and lubricate. Make sure your motorcycle is completely clean of dirt, bugs, salt and sand before storing. Traces of these items can cause corrosion and rust when sitting for long periods of time. Once you've cleaned it with a soft sponge or cloth, polish your bike with a quality polish. Include the bike body, any chrome parts and the saddlebag. Be sure to lubricate the chain, so that it is not rusted when you take your bike out in the springtime. If you think of it, lubrication again mid-winter will ensure rust stays away.

Keeping your motorcycle's fluids at their best during the cold months of winter will help it run best once it's out of storage. These can be quick and easy ways to keep your motorcycle looking and functioning great. Visit the link for more great ideas and tips for motorcycles or Honda motorcycle parts.