Winter Maintenance and Storage For Your Harley-Davidson

All good things must come to an end, even bike riding season. When winter comes, it's time to tuck our rides away until the rain, sleet, and snow are blown out of town. Here are some tips on how to keep your bike safe from the unforgiving elements of winter.

By Alberto Cintron - November 9, 2017

 

Luckily, I live in central Texas where it might get cold but rarely snows, so I never store my bike for months or weeks at a time. That's not what I'll do...to pay monthly for something and let it sit. Seems like a waste...like going to Hawaii for two weeks and never leaving the room.

 

Well, I live in New England, and we get cold and snow. In fact got up today and 37 deg...going down to the 20s tonight.

Sooo, bike is done for season. What seems to work well if one has a garage is to fill up tank, add Stabil (or equivalent) run the bike for a few minutes, pump up the tires to around 50lb/sq in (to avoid flat spots in the spring), then attach tender, cover and say goodnight.

 

Most likely mine will get ridden at least 3 plus times a month (up to 25+ times).
Out of the 29 years I have lived in the NW I only need one hand to count the months you could not ride (and I wouldn't need all my fingers).
So she will set at the ready for those days when it's not to bad and we want to stretch her legs.

Past bikes (not the new one) I rode as long as it was above freezing.
Those years it was normally less than two weeks not riding.

 

It's going to be 30 degrees and sunny here in Detroit tomorrow. I'm going riding!

 

I keep riding all year round unless it’s below freezing and the roads are caked with salt residue. An Indian summer or should I say Harley summer day pops up occasionally during the winter which is just a bonus.

 

Not sure why a bike needs to be raised during storage,none of the ones in the showroom are.

 

Here in Texas, winter maintenance consists of riding the f__k out of the thing!!

 

It's 7 degrees this morning in Wisconsin. Time for Curling, not riding.
I did see a guy riding his Rushmore Ultra last night. It was 19 degrees. The roads still don't have salt on them, but that's too damn cold for me.

I never put Stabil in my bike, so I'm hoping for one last ride when it warms up to 40 next week.

 

I'll add in a few tips that often get overlooked which technically should be done at each service, but especially before a winter storage (kind of like changing smoke detector batteries the same time adjusting clocks at daylight saving time).

Lube the pivot points on the footboards, lube the spring and mechanism on the saddlebag latch, lube the tour pak latches and hinges, make sure the air in the tires is up to spec and consider adding a couple more, and wax the bike. These things go a long way especially when those of us with unheated garages can experience fluctuating temps.