Best Plan for Harley Winter Storage

For those Harley Davidson owners who reside in warmer climates, well, enjoy the winter. For the rest of you, when the days get shorter and the cold air bites a little harder, it’s time to start thinking about storing your Harley for the winter. But what’s the best way to prepare and store your bike for a long winter’s nap? We cover the basics and provide a few tips to help ensure your beloved Harley motorcycle is ready for that first ride of the new year.

Preparing Your Motorcycle for Winter

Properly winterizing your motorcycle takes a little effort, time, and money, but it’s worth it to protect your bike from every possible risk, short of an avalanche. Here’s a recommended list of things you should do:   

Change all the fluids and filters: Don’t put your bike away with dirty fluids and filters. It’s bad for your beautiful bike, not to mention disrespectful to Harley’s everywhere. Do all the fluids – gas, oil, clutch, brake, and coolant.

Regularly charge or trickle charge the battery: You can keep the battery installed, but it’s best to charge it once a month to prolong its life. Don’t let it completely lose its charge. If your bike is stored in really cold weather, get a trickle charger (tender) to ensure your battery stays healthy. Some riders start up their bikes on a regular basis. If you do this, you must bring your bike up to its full operating temperature for a few minutes. Do this in a ventilated space so you don’t end up with a Darwin Award.

Inspect the belt drive: Most Harleys use belt drives and there’s not much winterizing to do. You can expect about 50,000 miles from your belt drive but inspect it regularly. Now is a good time to replace it if it’s looking worn and/or frayed. If you have a chain drive, degrease and wax/lube the chain. Try to re-lube it weekly.

Stabilize a full tank of fuel: If you’re fuel injected, fill your tank and add a good fuel stabilizer to keep your fuel from breaking down over the long winter. After adding the stabilizer, ride your bike for 15 minutes or so to make sure your entire fuel system is treated. Then, top off your tank with  as little air as possible. For bikes with carburetors, you may want to empty out the entire fuel system.  

Wash and dry: It may be stating the obvious, but make sure your bike is nice and clean before putting it to bed. Dirt, grim, bugs… get rid of it. This includes cleaning your brakes (use disc cleaner). DRY YOUR BIKE well to avoid any corrosion, rust, or mold from taking hold. Lastly, a good waxing never hurts along with saddle soap for leather seats and some rubber protectant on rubber components and vinyl. If you have liners in your saddlebags and/or tour packs, remove them, clean and treat them, and store them separately.

Don’t forget the tires: Make sure they are properly inflated and not too worn. Also, unless you keep your bike elevated off the ground, be sure and move it around monthly to avoid getting a flat spot on your ties. Yes, it’s a thing.

Raise your bike: If you have the means, put your bike on a center stand, a bike lift, or a dollie. Your bike stays upright, there’s no wear on your tires, and less stress on your suspension.

Cover your bike properly: No matter where you store your bike, cover it well. Don’t cheap out here. Get a custom cover. If you use a tarp or flimsy one-size-fits-all cover, it may trap water and scratch your bike. It’s just not worth the risk.Cover the exhaust pipe: If you keep your bike in the garage, critters can and will make your exhaust pipe their next home. Get a muffler cover and remember to remove it before riding. Yes, it happens.

Where to Store Your Motorcycle During Winter

You are probably limited in your options for exactly where to store your Harley for several months. Your living room is probably out of the question unless you have an awesome significant other. But if you have space indoors that is well ventilated, store it there.  

The next best option is an enclosed space, like a garage or shed. If it’s heated, all the better. Just remember that gasses will build up, so ventilation or opening the door on a regular basis is a good idea. You can also rent a storage unit. Most storage units have options for secure vehicle storage.

If you have to store it outside, so be it, but you must do everything you can to properly winterize your bike or endure major (unforgivable) damage to your motorcycle.

Tips for Harley Winter Storage

The things you overlook sometimes are the things that matter most. Here are a few tips that make a difference.

Keep an FOB battery handy: Unless your bike is completely disconnected from the main battery, your key FOB will continue to ping the bike and drain the FOB battery. Keep one handy and save yourself the headache when your bike doesn’t start on that first gorgeous day you want to go for a ride.

Maintain your insurance: A lot of winter-based riders cancel their insurance during the winter months to save a few bucks. We have a few things to think about – thieves, winter storm damage, or the temptation to take a ride on a warmer winter day. Keep your insurance (your state might require you to keep it too).

Do your upgrades now: Some Harley owners prefer to upgrade their bikes over the winter months in the coziness of a heated garage workshop. We know many of you don’t have the luxury of such a space, but if your bike is your major hobby, this is a great opportunity to upgrade your Harley for next season, especially if the holidays bring you those Advanblack parts and accessories that are on your wish list!

Want to watch how it’s done? Check out this helpful video for winterizing your bike. 

Stay warm this winter and be ready for that next ride!