If you live in an area where the winters are harsh, you probably will not want to ride your bike too much during the colder months. There's more, however, to storing your motorcycle than simply putting it in the garage or leaving it outside under a tarp. There are important things that you can do to help make sure that your motorcycle is properly put away during the months you will not be riding it. By doing this, it will help to ensure that your bike starts without any issues or problems when you bring it back out next spring. Think of it as preparing for your motorcycle's winter hibernation.
One of the first things that you will want to do is to change the oil in your bike. Make sure that the engine is full of fuel, and then add a factory recommended product (fuel stabilizer) to the gas so that it can last through the stored months. The reason you want the tank to be full is because moisture can become trapped and accumulate in tanks that are partially or half full. If this is going to be very long-term storage, pull each spark plug and put a tablespoon of engine oil inside. Turn over the engine several times to help spread the oil.
In order to protect it from rust and general corrosion, make sure that you wash off your motorcycle after you change out the oil. Apply chain degreaser, engine cleaner, and WD-40, as needed, to areas that are metal. On the areas of paint, be sure to apply a thin coat of wax. Coat the tail pipes with a healthy dose of WD-40 to protect against moisture and cover with a breathable fabric cover or sheet.
