How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Winter Storage
As the evenings draw in and the first frosts arrive, plenty of riders start thinking about putting their bike away until spring. Laying a motorcycle up properly only takes an afternoon, but getting it wrong can leave you with a flat battery, stale fuel, flat-spotted tyres or corrosion when you come to wake it up again. Here’s our step-by-step guide to preparing your motorcycle for winter storage.
1. Give It a Thorough Clean
Never store a dirty bike. Road grime, dead bugs and any early road salt will sit on the paintwork and metal all winter and start to corrode. Give the bike a proper wash, dry it completely (a blower or a ride round the block helps get water out of the nooks and crannies), then apply a protective spray or wax to the paint and exposed metal.
2. Change the Oil Before Storage
Used engine oil contains acids and contaminants that can attack internal parts while the bike stands. Changing the oil and filter before you lay the bike up means the engine sits in clean oil all winter — and you’ll be ready to go in the spring.
3. Fill the Tank and Add a Fuel Stabiliser
A full tank leaves less room for moisture to condense, which helps prevent rust inside the tank. Add a fuel stabiliser, then run the engine for a few minutes so treated fuel reaches the fuel system. Modern E10 petrol can go stale over a few months, so this step is well worth it.
4. Look After the Battery
A battery left connected to the bike over winter will slowly drain and may not recover. Either:
- Connect a smart battery optimiser or trickle charger designed for motorcycles, or
- Remove the battery and store it somewhere dry and frost-free, charging it every few weeks
5. Protect the Tyres
If a bike sits in one position for months, the tyres can develop flat spots. Inflate the tyres to the correct pressure and, ideally, put the bike on a paddock stand or centre stand to take the weight off them. If that’s not possible, roll the bike a little every few weeks.
6. Lube the Chain and Moving Parts
Clean and lubricate the chain, then give the levers, pivots and cables a light lube. This stops surface rust forming and keeps everything moving freely when you bring the bike back out.
7. Choose the Right Spot and Cover It
A dry, secure garage is ideal. Use a breathable indoor cover rather than a plastic sheet, which can trap moisture against the bike. Plug the exhaust and airbox openings to keep out damp and any curious rodents — just remember to remove them before you start the engine again.
8. Check Your Paperwork
If your bike will be off the road and untaxed, you’ll need to declare it SORN with the DVLA. It’s also worth speaking to your insurer — some policies offer laid-up cover for bikes in storage. Keep a note of when your MOT and tax are due so there are no surprises in the spring.
Riding Through the Winter Instead?
If you’d rather keep riding, the most important thing is to deal with road salt. Wash the bike regularly with cold water, use an anti-corrosion spray, and keep an eye on brakes, tyres and lights. A winter service is a great way to make sure everything is up to the job.
Let Us Help
Not keen on doing it yourself? The team at Taylor Motorcycles can carry out a pre-storage service, change your oil and filter, and check your bike over before it’s laid up — or get it ready for its spring MOT when the riding season comes back around. Take a look at our service packages, call us on 01785 781122 or get in touch to book in.
