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Nederlandse versie

Winter-ready in ten steps

1. Take a last ride and clean itRide the bike until it is properly warm, preferably for half an hour. That drives the moisture out of the engine and exhaust. Then clean it thoroughly: dirt and salt hold moisture and cause rust. Let it dry completely and wax the paint and chrome.
2. Change the oilOld oil contains acids and dirt that eat at the engine over the winter. Change the oil, and the filter if your bike has one, before storage and not in spring. Then run it for a few minutes so the fresh oil gets everywhere.
3. Look after the petrolModern petrol with ethanol (E10) absorbs water and can separate and leave deposits in a tank and carburettor that stand still. Before winter fill the tank with E5 or Super Plus 98, so there is little air and condensation in the tank. Add a dash of fuel stabiliser and ride a little, so it also reaches the carburettors. If it will stand for more than a few months, turn off the fuel tap and drain the float bowls through the drain screw.
4. Keep the battery healthyA flat battery can freeze and is quickly ruined. Disconnect the negative terminal, or connect the battery to a trickle charger (also called a maintenance charger). Watch the voltage: many old Ducatis, Vespas and Guzzis have a 6 voltbattery, and then you need a charger that can do 6V. If the bike is in a cold shed, take the battery indoors.
5. Take the weight off the tyresA tyre that stands in the same spot for months gets a flat spot. Put the bike on the centre stand or a paddock stand so the wheels are free. If that is not possible, pump the tyres up a little harder and move the bike a little now and then.
6. Protect the cylindersFor long storage you can put a teaspoon of engine oil in each cylinder through the plug hole. Then turn the engine over a few times with the kick-starter or in gear, without starting it. That keeps the piston and cylinder wall oiled. Refit the plugs.
7. Lubricate chain, cables and pivotsSpray the chain with chain spray, and give the cables, levers, stand and pivots a drop of oil. You can lightly spray bare metal parts with penetrating oil or a rust protector.
8. Keep it dry and ventilatedDamp is the biggest enemy. Choose a dry place with some ventilation, preferably without big temperature swings. Use a breathable motorcycle cover and never a plastic sheet: condensation stays underneath and that causes rust. A few tubs of moisture absorber in a small space also help.
9. Keep mice outMice like to crawl into exhausts and air filters, and gnaw cables. Stuff a rag into the exhaust pipes and the air intake. Hang a note on the handlebars, so you do not forget to take them out in spring.
10. Sort out insurance and a lockIf you really will not ride it, in the Netherlands you can suspendthe registration with the RDW. That costs a fixed fee and you pay for at least a year; a suspended bike may not stand on the public road. Ask your insurer whether you can temporarily adjust the cover, but keep fire and theft insured. Lock the bike in storage too, with an approved lock.

Waking it up in spring

What do you need?

For the oil type, battery voltage and oil change, also see the workshop guide for your make. For suspension of registration and current fees in the Netherlands: rdw.nl.

SourcesUnivé: laying up your motorcycle for winter (Dutch)Overstappen.nl: suspending registration with the RDW (Dutch)Touring: winter storage and trickle charger (Dutch)