De-Winterizing Your Motorcycle

It's the best time of the year - time to take your motorcycle out of storage! You've been dreaming about this moment for months and you're dying to get back on the road where you belong. But it's important to not jump from the garage to the street right away. You'll want to de-winterize your motorcycle first to help ensure a safe riding experience. We've rounded up the essential tasks you should do when taking your bike out of storage below. For all your motorcycle needs, visit Lawton Motorsports. We proudly serve those in Lawton and Edmond, Oklahoma, as well as Wichita Falls, Texas.

Check for Critters

With the plummeting cold temperatures brought about by winter, plenty of animals and pests are looking for somewhere warm to bunker down...and they may have chosen your motorcycle as their temporary home. Always inspect your bike for creepers and crawlers looking in go-to spots such as the exhaust pipe, luggage compartments, and your cover. You want to get these creatures out before you start up your vehicle.

The Battery

Your battery maintenance depends on how you stored it these past few months. If you were able to hook it up to a tender, it should still be charged and ready to ride. If you didn't disconnect it, it likely drained over the past several weeks. Before you can hit the road again, you will likely need to give it a charge.

The Fluids

You'll want to make sure your motorcycle still has all the proper fluids to be able to safely ride around town. Inspect your oil the same as you do with your car. Take a dipstick, put it in, wipe it down, put it in again, then make sure the oil is the right color. If you notice metallic shavings in the oil, this can be a sign of internal damage and it's worth a visit to a service department.

Next, you'll want to check your brake fluids. Set up your motorcycle so that it's fully upright and look at the fluid level. Your motorcycle likely has separate front and rear reservoirs, so be sure to check both. Then top off as needed.

The Tires

When you store a motorcycle, it can put a large amount of pressure and weight onto the tires. Add in fluctuating and cold temperatures and you're likely to have tires that aren't inflated at the right pressure anymore. Use a tire pressure gauge to measure your pressure levels and compare that number to your owner's manual recommendation. Then make adjustments as needed.

While you are inspecting the air pressure, give the rest of your tire a glance over. Now is a good time to measure the tread and ensure you've got enough to maintain proper traction on the road. You'll also want to look for any cracks or damage to the sidewalls.

Brakes

Once your motorcycle is ready to ride, you'll want to take it out for a brake test. First, apply half pressure to see if the brakes engage as normal. Then bring yourself to a full stop. Dust may have settled on the brake pads during storage, so you may hear a small amount of squeaking. But if you notice anything out of the normal, such as grinding, slipping, or concerning sounds, you'll want to take your motorcycle in for a service.

We hope you found these tips helpful! If you have any questions or need a motorcycle service before you can start riding again, head over to Lawton Motorsports. Our expert staff can help you with whatever you need. Our dealership is in Lawton, Oklahoma and we proudly serve those in Edmond, Oklahoma and Wichita Falls, Texas as well.