How to Store Your Motorcycle for an Alberta Winter
To store your motorcycle for an Alberta winter, fill the tank and add fuel stabilizer, change the oil, put the battery on a maintainer, set the tire pressure and get weight off the tires if you can, then clean it and cover it with a breathable cover in a dry spot. Doing those few things properly is the difference between a bike that fires right up in spring and one that needs a carb cleaning and a new battery.
In Edmonton, riding season ends early and starts late, so most bikes sit for five months or more. Here is how to do it right.
Fuel: fill it and stabilize it
Gasoline breaks down over time. As it sits, it can form varnish and gum that clog fuel injectors, carburetor jets and fuel pumps. Ethanol-blended fuel can also absorb moisture.
Fill the tank close to full. A full tank leaves less room for air and moisture, which helps prevent rust inside a steel tank.
Add a fuel stabilizer at the rate on the bottle. Add it at the gas station before your last fill so it mixes as the tank fills.
Ride the bike or run it for a few minutes afterward so the treated fuel reaches the fuel system.
On carbureted bikes, many owners also drain the float bowls or shut off the petcock and run the carbs dry. Check your owner's manual for what your manufacturer recommends.
Oil and fluids
Change the oil and filter before storage, not in the spring. Used oil contains acids and contaminants from combustion that can sit on internal engine parts all winter. Fresh oil gives the engine clean protection while it sits.
If your bike is liquid-cooled, check that the coolant is in good shape and rated for the cold. An unheated Edmonton garage can drop well below minus 30.
Check brake fluid. If it is dark or due by the owner's manual, consider changing it before or right after storage.
Lubricate and clean the chain on chain-drive bikes so it does not rust. Belt-drive bikes, like most Harleys, just need a quick inspection of the belt.
Battery: keep it on a tender
A motorcycle battery left sitting all winter will slowly discharge, and a discharged battery can be permanently damaged. A flat battery can also freeze in cold temperatures. A battery tender (also called a maintainer) keeps it topped up without overcharging.
Use a smart maintainer, not an old trickle charger that charges constantly.
Many bikes can be fitted with a pigtail connector so you can plug in without removing the battery.
If your bike is stored somewhere very cold, consider removing the battery and keeping it on the maintainer in a heated space where the temperature stays stable.
Lithium batteries need a charger designed for lithium. Using the wrong charger can damage them, so check the battery manufacturer's instructions.
Some modern bikes have security systems and electronics that draw a small current even when off, which is another reason a maintainer is worth it.
Tires: protect them from flat spots
A bike sitting on its tires all winter can develop flat spots, especially in the cold when the rubber is stiff. Tires also lose pressure over time.
Inflate the tires to the pressure listed in your owner's manual or on the bike's label.
If you can, use front and rear stands to get the weight off the tires.
If you do not have stands, roll the bike a little every few weeks so it rests on a different part of the tire.
Keep the tires away from heaters, electric motors and solvents, which can deteriorate rubber.
Clean it before you cover it
Do not put a dirty bike away. Bugs, road grime and any salt picked up on a late fall ride can eat into paint, chrome and aluminum over a long winter.
Wash the bike thoroughly and dry it completely. A short ride or leaf blower helps get water out of hidden spots.
Wax painted surfaces and polish chrome to give them a protective layer.
Treat leather seats and saddlebags with a leather conditioner.
Spray exposed metal parts with a light protectant if the owner's manual allows it, keeping it off brakes and tires.
Cover and storage location
Where you store the bike matters as much as how you prepare it.
A heated garage is ideal. An unheated, dry garage is fine for most bikes if they are prepared properly.
Avoid sheds or outdoor storage where possible. Temperature swings cause condensation, which leads to rust and corrosion.
Use a breathable motorcycle cover. Plastic tarps trap moisture against the bike and can cause more harm than good.
Block the exhaust outlets and air intake with a rag or plug to keep mice out, and put a bright reminder on the handlebars to remove them before you start it in spring.
Store the bike on a stable surface, away from where vehicles come and go in the garage.
Should you start it every few weeks?
It is tempting to fire the bike up now and then during winter, but a short idle in a cold garage usually does more harm than good. The engine does not get hot enough to burn off the condensation that forms inside, so moisture can build up in the oil and exhaust. If the bike is properly prepared, it is better to leave it alone until spring.
When to bring it in
If you would rather not do it yourself, or you want the bike checked over before it sits, fall is a good time to book service. Having any issues fixed before storage means you are ready to ride on the first warm day instead of waiting for a spot in the spring rush. In spring, a quick check of tires, brakes, fluids and the battery is a smart move before your first ride.
Big Toy Shop is an independent, family-owned shop in south Edmonton that works on motorcycles of all makes, and Harley-Davidsons make up the large majority of our bike work. If you want your motorcycle serviced before winter storage or checked over in spring, visit our motorcycle service page or call 780-298-2797.
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