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As temperatures drop and old man winter begins his rounds, motorcycle owners know that their riding days are numbered. But what do you do with your motorcycle to protect it and ensure it’s ready when temperatures warm up? One excellent solution is to choose motorcycle self-storage.

Convenient, flexible, and affordable, self-storage for your motorcycle means you can rest easier knowing it’s protected and will remain in the same conditions you left it in. At Guardian Self Storage, we offer a range of different motorcycle self-storage options designed to meet your unique needs and preferences.

But before you stash your Harley Davidson, Suzuki, ATV, UTV, or any other bike away for the winter, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your hog is ready to roll come spring. Here are seven highly-successful tips for storing your motorcycle in self-storage over winter. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Guardian Self Storage today for the best self-storage solutions for motorcycles.

Fill & Treat the Fuel in Your Motorcycle for Self Storage

An empty tank is a big problem in the wintertime. The water vapor in the air space will condense as temperatures drop, creating water that will dilute the fuel. Watered-down fuel will not burn very well, and it will leave your bike sputtering and struggling to start. This can also cause corrosion in the fuel system that will send you to the repair shop for some costly replacements. Before putting your motorcycle away for the winter, fill the gas tank completely. You might also want to use a fuel stabilizer to keep the gas from deteriorating during its time in storage.

Disconnect the Battery for Storing Your Bike for Winter

With lights, signals, gauges, and any number of electrical accessories onboard, your bike’s battery has plenty of work to do. When you’re going riding every few days, there’s no problem keeping the battery charged up. However, a few months in storage could be enough for even the most minor electrical “leak” to drain and damage the battery. You may also experience messy corrosion on the posts while the motorcycle is sitting. Disconnect both cables to preserve the battery for spring.

Change the Oil Before Storing Motorcycle in Self Storage

The most basic rule of changing oil is to do so after three months, whether or not the vehicle has been driven. Old oil can become thick and sludgy if it sits in a motor for too long, so before you head to motorcycle self-storage, get an oil change. The fresh oil and filter you’ll have will keep your engine ready for those first warm days of spring with no worries about engine lubrication. It will also remove contaminants and water from the oil system, reducing corrosion and improving performance.

Wash, Wax, and Protect Your Harley Davidson for Self Storage

Your motorcycle’s finish can suffer a lot of damage if it’s not properly protected before heading into bike self-storage for the winter. Give your motorcycle a thorough cleaning, then dry it completely. Apply a suitable wax to painted surfaces and appropriate protection to the vinyl or leather on the seat. Use a protectant on the tires as well, and if the bike gets even a little bit of water on it on the way to storage, dry it thoroughly. Anything that stays on the bike through the winter can cause corrosion, mold, or mildew.

Prepare the Tires for Winter Self Storage

If you have a slow leak in a tire before heading to self-storage in the fall, you’ll probably find a flat in the spring. A flat that sits on the rim for months like that is likely to result in damage to the sidewall, or it will at least break the seal on the bead. Inflate your tires to maximum pressure before storing the bike. Use soapy water to check for leaks. If possible, jack your bike up through the winter. Long periods of storage can “flat-spot” the tires and make a very rough ride your first time out.

Release the Brake Prior to Winter Storage

It seems logical to set the parking brake when your motorcycle heads into bike self-storage. After all, we do that every time we park. However, that’s actually the wrong thing to do. Holding tension on the cables could cause it to weaken or break. The pad and rotor could also rust together, making it difficult to get the bike moving in the spring. Your storage unit will be nice and level, so there’s no real chance of your bike rolling away anyhow. Block the wheels if you wish, but don’t set the brake.

Use a Cover for Enhanced Motorcycle Self-Storage Protection

One final good move before you take your motorcycle to Harley self storage is to put a cover over it. There will always be dust in the air, and you never know when birds or insects might find their way into the storage unit. The cover can also protect the finish from other contents that might fall onto your motorcycle. A quality cover that is properly secured will provide that final layer of protect to your bike’s paint, seats, and other parts.
Contact Guardian Self Storage for the Best Motorcycle & ATV Self Storage in the Hudson Valley, NY
Now that you know all of the best practices for motorcycle self-storage, the next step is to find the best self-storage facility for bikes in the Hudson Valley. Fortunately, the team at Guardian Self Storage has you covered. Whether you have a cruiser, sport bike, scooter, four-wheeler, Harley Davidson, motor bike, or anything in between, we offer the space and expertise to protect your bike throughout the winter.

Since we’ve opened our doors, we’ve offered motorcycle self-storage for owners in Hudson Valley and surrounding areas who drive:

  • Ducatis
  • Harley Davidsons
  • BMW
  • Honda
  • Suzuki
  • Yamaha
  • Royal Enfield
  • And more

Contact us today for the best motorcycle winter self storage options in the area.