When winter arrives, many of you motorbike riders will be storing your bike away during the colder months. This isn’t as simple as locking it away, there is plenty of preparation that needs to be done beforehand, to make sure your motorcycle is in great working condition when spring arrives.

Don’t leave your motorbike out to suffer
Before you store away your motorbike:
Stabilise the fuel
Fuel Stabiliser is important, as it prevents fuel from oxidising. Add fuel stabiliser to a new full tank of fuel and run the engine for 15 minutes so that the stabiliser is able to mix through the engine.
Change the oil
After a while oil becomes contaminated with residue that can oxidize if your bike is left unused for long periods of time. Changing the oil will remove this risk and your bike will have fresh lubrication for the spring.
Check the tyres
Before storing your bike check that your tyres are in good condition and don’t need replacing, doing this and properly inflating your tyres will save you hassle when the time comes to ride your motorcycle again, although tyres should be inflated again once the bike comes out of storage.
Coolant
Be sure to add anti-freeze to your coolant, do not leave water in there as this can freeze and cause major engine damage.
Clean and lubricate
Give your motorbike a thorough clean to remove dirt and debris from your bike, otherwise if left this could cause corrosion. Make sure your motorcycle is completely dry and lubricate all moving parts.
For more information on winter bike preparation see Visordown.com
Where to store your motorbike:
There are a couple of ways that you can store your motorbike, the two most popular options are motorcycle covers and motorbike garages.
Covers
Covers are the cheaper alternative to a shed or garage and are a good option if space is limited, however they hold a host of disadvantages when weighed up against a shed. Motorcycle covers can be made from coarse material that can scratch the motorbikes surface. A common issue with these covers is that they can be quite light weight and when there is heavy wind, they can be blown away. These covers can also trap moisture inside, which could lead to corrosion on the bike. Unlike sheds, motorcycle covers will offer no protection from theft, as thieves can easily see what is underneath the cover and access them immediately. With motorcycles being extremely quick and easy to steal, this is a major disadvantage.
Sheds/ Garages
Ideally during the colder weather your motorbike should be stored in a garage or shed. These are much better at offering protection for your motorbike from the winter weather and offer a practical solution to reducing the threat theft.

Lock your motorcycle away throughout the winter
A range of motorcycle storage units are available from Asgard. These motorcycle storage units have been designed specifically for the secure storage of motorbikes and Asgard motorcycle storage units are the only motorcycle garages approved by the UK Locksmiths Association. Security is at the heart of these motorbike garages which are made from strong galvanised (weatherproof) Steel, fitted with a tough 5 point locking system and pick resistant locking mechanism, to help keep your motorbike safe. A unique ventilation system build into the unit, minimizes condensation, leaving your motorbike safe and dry throughout the winter period.
By following these tips, your motorbike should be kept in good condition for when you are ready to ride again, saving you hassle, money and time.
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