Winterize Your Motorcycle In Two Easy Steps | The Shop Manual

Winterize Your Motorcycle In Two Easy Steps | The Shop Manual

Putting your motorcycle to bed for the winter doesn’t need to be complicated. When it comes down to it, there are only two things you really need to worry about: The gas in your tank, and the batter under your seat. In this TSM vid, Ari explains the issues and how to avoid them.

[shogginr]

CHOWD-ARI! Haha. I have been a true professional technician for over 25 years and I can't wait for these amazing vids. Your presentation and creativity are always enjoyable to watch and sharing you knowledge will save countless people frustration and high shop bills when the weather turns warm:)
Please allow me to add to your good info things that I have learned as well.
1) Cheaper "trickle chargers" can still kill batteries over the winter if they are plugged in 100% of the time. A good solution is to plug them into a lamp timer (8 hours on, is plenty to re-charge even parasitic draw for 16 hours off per day) and give the battery a little rest from possible overcharging.

2) Do NOT start the bike during the winter season unless you are going to RIDE the bike and completely warm up the entire thing. Idling in the garage will just fill the oil with acidic blow-by and it will add crankcase condensation to the oil as it cools off again. Water in oil is bad Mm-kay.
3) I would change the oil in springtime (instead of winter) before the first ride for the same condensation reason.
I hope you don't mind me adding, you're doing such a great job empowering people!

[krittinteerasawasdi]

There is no winter here in Thailand, but I still enjoy your videos as always.

[Bikeadelic]

I have an alternative:

Step 1. Fit softer tyres. Like wets or touring.
Step 2. Buy warm bike gear and or heated stuff.
Step 3. Be a bit more careful in the corners.

Unless theres frost/snow you are good to go.

[jeffruebens]

For really long term storage or to be extra careful, you can spray marine fogging oil into the intake while the engine is idling, until it stalls. I use the Startron from the Walmart boat section- it is different than the Startron at their car section. One mechanic said that 4 months storage is better with a full gas tank, to keep the carb gaskets from drying out and cracking, and he leaves the fuel petcock at the on position, so that as the fuel evaporates from the carb float bowls, the float valves open and add more fuel to the float bowls. For storage longer than 6 months, he uses the marine fogging oil in the cylinders and inside the carbs, with all of the fuel drained. You can also lift the tires off the floor, or move the bike forward or backward a few inches maybe once a month. Some bikes should have the intake and exhaust openings covered with wadded up plastic bags and some tape, to keep mice from building a nest inside. One of my bikes has a storage area under the back seat, and I added foam pieces to fill up the empty space to keep mice out.

[floydian]

After seeing a glimpse of effort that you guys put on your Instagram, I've found newfound respect for the work you do 🔥

[maybefrank]

Definitely appreciate this on December 13 in western Pennsylvania!

[steveman]

"Americans don't have accents" said a guy at a gun range to me. I agreed, as he was holding the gun at the time :D

[LAIRDO-]

I just bought some fuel stabilizer so I'm good there. I was just about to comment about lithium ion batteries and a few seconds later you answered my question. Thank you!!

[markfox]

I just ride mine through the winter, here in England - there's always one cold but dry day every month that I can go out and put 25/30 miles on my CBR500R to keep it in running order. 😊

[chrisnorman]

This guy is the most phenomenal instructor I have ever seen. Love it; Rev is super lucky to have this YELLOWCARD to bad mechanical processes

[JDelta]

That switch to a New England accent caught me off guard 😂

[carlarthur]

Funny you should mention this I've just been out to start my bike . Had to take my battery off to charge it up was a new battery last Year, put it on charge showing 10volts in it, and yes I know I should have put it on earlier the one I have is a trickle charger which switches itself off . I did a full service on it oil change, coolent, filter. Tyres . New plugs . So all rearing to go perhaps tomorrow. Thanks for reminding me your a star 🌟 🤩.

[Maxcielle]

Ari is a great addition to the RevZilla crew!!! Awesome!

[Big.Ron]

For us here in the desert, its just the opposite. Somewhere around Halloween our riding season starts and ends usually around the end of April. Having said that I can ride the 790 earlier and later than my Heritage as it is liquid cooled and that old Harley doesn't like heat. Thanks for the reminder for me to air down to the proper specs. Be safe!

[markjenkins]

Another tip, if like me you have 2 bikes and use a work bike all year round. Then when it comes to spring drain out the winter fuel into the 'work' bike and then add fresh fuel into the stored bike ready for its first ride in spring.

[machzxr]

Ride it to full temp and get a little exercise in once every 30 days. Obviously a battery tender.

Always worked for me.

[alfonsofornabaio]

Excellent recommendations. Never heard of fuel stabilizers before. Thank you and Cheers.

[monsterboomer]

Thanks, I use this knowledge for my Honda ... Civic.

[Thefutureooksbight]

Haven’t seen you for a while. Glad you’re back and now with Revzilla

[johncunningham]

Agree fully . One other thing for those that have a Centrestand . Put it on that . And chock the Front wheel slightly in the air . Scissor jack works .