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Winter can be tough on your motorcycle and that’s why it’s important to take good care of it when the weather is frosty and damp. With proper maintenance and care, you can keep your motorbike in tip-top shape all year round and prevent wear and tear as much as possible.
If you’re not sure how to properly maintain your bike, or if you’re thinking about buying a lightly used motorcycle and want to get a head start learning how to take proper care of it, keep reading! Below, we’re going to cover some top tips to keep your motorcycle safe and secure during winter.
How to Keep Your Motorcycle Safe in the Winter Months
Poor upkeep can damage your motorcycle and cause it to work less efficiently or not at all. It can cause motorcycle parts to rust and wear away more quickly, and they can be expensive to fix or replace. Unsafe storage of your bike during winter can attract opportunistic thieves and put your safety at risk when driving.
Follow these top tips to keep your motorcycle safe and fully functioning over the cold winter months.
Store your bike in a safe space
While you might get away with storing your bike on the road or on your driveway during the summer months, doing so in winter can cause problems. Cold weather can impact your bike’s battery and cooling system, which could lead to mechanical issues.
You can now get motorcycle sheds that enable you to safely store your bike inside, away from the harsh winds and rainfall. If you don’t have the space for a shed on your property, get a protective cover to keep on your motorcycle to shield it from the worst of the weather.
Change the filters and lubricate the engine regularly
As soon as the weather begins to cool down, spend some time changing the air filters and oil filters in your motorbike. This will reduce the risk of the filters becoming blocked when you take your bike out for a ride on gritty roads.
While you’re changing the filters, lubricate all of the moving parts of the bike with engine oil to provide a protective coating and minimize friction. Keeping the mechanics of your bike well-lubricated is an important maintenance task to avoid accidents on the roads and prolong the lifespan of your vehicle.
Keep the battery fully charged
Winter can wreak havoc on your bike’s battery. It can disrupt the electrical components of the battery and drain its power.
Keeping a close eye on the battery will enable you to take action as soon as you notice any issues. The quicker any problems are resolved, the less likely they are to cause permanent damage to the battery.Generally, the battery inside a motorcycle should be charged to around 12.6 to 13.0 Volts. If the battery reads below 12.6 V, recharge it to 100%. If you notice that your battery isn’t holding its charge properly, you might need to take your bike to a professional to check the battery in closer detail.
