Are you supposed to winterize a motorcycle?
Although every rider has their own winterizing routine, the goal should always be to keep your motorcycle in top shape during the winter months. This not only keeps your bike running better for longer, but also helps you get right back to riding as soon as the warm weather rolls back around.
Is fuel stabilizer necessary for motorcycle?
You generally only need to stabilize fuel if you won’t use it up within two months (but carbureted bikes should still be run every couple of weeks as described above). Adding a little new gas or stabilizer to old gas won’t renew it, nor will adding more stabilizer to old stabilized gas extend its usable life.
What’s the best way to winterize a motorcycle?
Crank the engine over a few times to coat things before reinstalling the plugs. Another method is to spray fogging oil into the spark plug holes, which may give the cylinders a more thorough protective coating. Fogging oil can be found at many auto parts stores. You may want to cover the airbox and exhaust openings to keep dirt and critters out.
Can a battery be removed from a motorcycle in the winter?
Add a constant drain from an alarm system, and your bike’s battery can be stone dead in only two weeks. (Note: If you have a lithium-ion battery installed in your motorcycle, ignore this section of the article. Simply remove the battery from your motorcycle and store it inside out of the cold for the winter.)
Why do motorcycles need special treatment in winter?
The sad truth about motorcycles is that they need special treatment if they’re going to sit for even just a few weeks. The gas in the tank and the chemicals storing electricity in the battery are the first to suffer, and both of those are important for getting your bike back underway.
Do you need to change the oil on a motorcycle in the winter?
Once the engine stops running, those contaminants settle out of the oil and can sink their teeth into unprotected metal. However, a quick oil change prior to parking your bike for the winter will pay big dividends in the longevity department.
Crank the engine over a few times to coat things before reinstalling the plugs. Another method is to spray fogging oil into the spark plug holes, which may give the cylinders a more thorough protective coating. Fogging oil can be found at many auto parts stores. You may want to cover the airbox and exhaust openings to keep dirt and critters out.
The sad truth about motorcycles is that they need special treatment if they’re going to sit for even just a few weeks. The gas in the tank and the chemicals storing electricity in the battery are the first to suffer, and both of those are important for getting your bike back underway.
Once the engine stops running, those contaminants settle out of the oil and can sink their teeth into unprotected metal. However, a quick oil change prior to parking your bike for the winter will pay big dividends in the longevity department.
Is it OK to winterize a carb bike?
Neither route is a silver bullet, but for modern fuel-injected machines and carb bikes in good working order, just stabilize, fill and fire right up come Spring. The battery can stay. Just make sure it’s on a float charger so you’re ready to ride any time.