Tips For Maintaining Your Motorcycle During The Off Season

When winter comes and cold weather begins to setbrakes, both the calipers and the discs, so that they
in, that is the time to think about getting yourare protected while you complete this task.  There
motorcycle stored for the winter.  You may notare tons of joints and pivot points on your
even be planning to store you motorcycle for themotorcycle so you'll want to make sure all of them
winter because you've made the decision that you'llare properly lubricated.  If you're not sure which
be riding throughout the winter. Regardless of yourtype of lubrication to use, then you can simply use a
reason for either storing it or not storing it, there arechain lube if you have one handy.  Also, if you're
some great tips for caring for your motorcycleworried about corrosion, then you may consider using
throughout the winter.  The steps indicated belowa corrosion treatment for those parts that may need
should only take you a few hours and when you'reit.
finished you will have done your part keeping yourOnce you've completely wiped down the surface of
motorcycle in great mechanical condition and lookingyour bike, you can coat and polish the surface with
great.wax.  Make sure that you do not wax the brakes.
One of the more important steps is to make sureMake sure that the tires are not sitting on the cold
that the fuel system has been prepared by drainingground.  You can do so by using a motorcycle stand
and conditioning it.  One method for doing so wouldwhich work great for this purpose.  If you don't
be to add a fuel stabilizer additive one you havehave one available, then you can simply use a set of
drained the fuel level down to an adequate point. wood blocks or anything that will protect your tires
When you have the stabilizer added, start yourfrom the cold surface.
motorcycle and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes.  ThisOne way that you can protect the battery and
will allow the additive to circulate through the fuelprevent yourself from having to buy a new one is by
system in order to properly treat it.  Just fill yourusing a batter tender.  It will help protect your
motorcycle up with fresh clean gas the next timebattery and keep it fresh throughout the winter.
you are ready to ride.The last tip for caring for your motorcycle over the
Another important step will be to clean your bike aswinter months is to keep it covered in order to
best as possible from top to bottom.  Chances areprotect it from dirt and dust.  This will help keep it
pretty good that there has been an accumulation ofclean and looking great when it is time to get out and
dirt and grime on your motorcycle over the ridingride again.
season so you may want to use a de-greasingIf you don't plan on riding your motorcycle for a long
solution to remove any grime that has accumulated. period of time, then you may want to make use of
This includes the breaks and suspension.  You shouldthese few simple tips in order to keep your
also clean the brake calipers and re-lubricate whenmotorcycle in tip top shape for the next riding
done in order to keep your breaks working properly.season.  Caring for your bike now and taking care of
After you have completely cleaned off and driedthe little things can end up saving you a lot of money
your motorcycle, you'll want to lubricate anyin the long run.
necessary components that require it.  Cover the