Storing Your Bike for the Winter — Part I

At RC Components, we love riding our bikes as much as you do. However, not all of us are lucky enough to live in California or Florida, and many of us have to say goodbye to our bikes toward the end of the fall.

We introduced you to the basics in one of our blog posts, but we felt that this topic deserved a more in-depth and extended discussion. So, in today’s post, we’ll provide you with a detailed guide to storing your bike for the winter. Even if you won’t be touching your bike until the spring, now is the perfect time to invest in a new set of custom motorcycle wheels! You’ll have plenty of time to focus on the installation, and having your new custom chrome wheels will give you something to look forward to on the coldest days of the winter. Browse the RC Components online store, and read on to learn how you can store your bike properly during the winter!

Prep the Surface 

Aside from your custom motorcycle wheels, your bike’s paint is what catches the eyes of everyone who sees your bike. Even if you live in a notoriously dry area, the area in which you store your bike will likely accumulate small amounts of moisture. Rust is the last thing you want to discover in the spring, so take some time to thoroughly wash and wax your bike. You should spray your exhaust pipes with WD-40 to ensure that they’re sealed against moisture, and as we pointed out in our last blog, close up any openings to prevent mice and insects from making a home inside your bike.

Check Your Battery

Whether your bike is new or old, your battery is likely to drain as it powers your radio and clock throughout the winter. Make sure that your battery is fully charged before you put your bike into storage, and be sure that you charge it and check the charge once each month. Doing so will ensure that you can start up your bike instantly when the weather warms up!

Take Care of Your Fuel System

The presence of ethanol in today’s fuel will require you to store your motorcycle with care. Ethanol holds more water than gasoline, and stagnant fuel can lead to a variety of problems, including rust and carbon deposits that harm your bike’s performance. If you want to ensure that your bike stays safe during storage, then pick up a specialty product designed to treat bikes with ethanol fuel. Take your bike out on the road after you’ve added the product to your tank to ensure that it’s completely mixed into your fuel system.

Stay tuned for the next part in this series in which we’ll continue to provide you with more tips for storing your bike properly in the winter. Now that you’ve finished reading today’s blog post, head over to the RC Components catalog to find the perfect set of custom motorcycle wheels for your bike!