In Virginia and North Carolina, motorcycle enthusiasts are pretty fortunate: it usually doesn’t get bitter cold here, and even during those months when some areas are buried under several feet of snow, we can get surprised with a short string of days when the sun is bright and the temps remind you of spring. So unless you’re headed somewhere warmer for a couple of months (in which case – why aren’t you taking your bike with you?), a full winterization is not only overkill, it could rob you of the chance to take advantage of those intermittent warm days. So here is part one of what you might call “Winterization Light”.
Treat Your Gasoline
If you do only one thing, do this. Gasoline goes bad, in a manner of speaking, when it’s just left to sit. Not only does it tend to lose octane, it can actually gum up your carburetor or fuel injectors. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and a few bucks spent on fuel stabilizer is worth a couple hundred for a professional carb/injector cleaning. Start by filling the gas tank (a full tank helps prevent moisture from getting in the system as it sits), then adding a stabilizer per the instructions on the label. And remember: if you do get a chance to ride every now and then, top off the tank on your way home, taking care to add a bit more stabilizer when you park it.
Change Your Oil
Gasoline isn’t the only thing that breaks down over time: motor oil does as well, even when it’s not running through the motor on a daily basis. Most motorcycle owner’s manuals recommend oil changes either every few thousand miles or every few months for this very reason. And considering the low cost of purchasing oil and a filter compared to the cost of your motorcycle, it’s hard to argue this is a bad idea. So change your oil when you start parking more than riding, and change again when spring rolls around.
We’ll have the second part soon. In the meantime, if you need motorcycle insurance in VA or NC, get in touch with us. We’re glad to help.
Preparing Your Motorcycle for VA and NC Winter, Part I
