How to Properly Store Your Motorcycle
Nov 11, 2025
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When the riding season draws to a close, the work of protecting your motorcycle begins. Proper motorcycle storage is an important maintenance task. When done correctly, it ensures your bike will be in pristine, ready-to-ride condition next spring. When done improperly, it can lead to a dead battery, corroded engine parts, and gummed-up fuel lines.
This guide provides a definitive checklist to protect your investment. You will learn the essential preparation steps and understand why the right environment is the most important part of the process.
Before putting your motorcycle in storage, you must complete a series of steps to protect its mechanical and cosmetic condition from the effects of a long period of inactivity.
Begin with a thorough wash. You must remove all of the road grime, dirt, and bug residue, as these substances can eat into your bike’s paint and chrome over time. After washing, allow the motorcycle to dry completely, then apply a high-quality wax to all painted surfaces and a coat of metal polish to the chrome. This creates a protective barrier against moisture, which is the primary cause of rust. Finally, lubricate the chain and all pivot points.
You should always perform an oil and filter change before storage, not after. As oil circulates through your engine, it collects contaminants and acidic byproducts from the combustion process. If left to sit for months, this contaminated oil can corrode sensitive internal engine components. Draining this fluid and replacing it with fresh oil coats the engine's internals in a clean, non-corrosive layer of protection.
Fuel is one of the first things to degrade in a stored vehicle. To prevent issues, first fill the fuel tank to about 90% capacity. A full tank leaves very little room for air, drastically reducing the chance for condensation to form and cause rust inside the tank.
Next, add a quality fuel stabilizer to the gasoline, following the instructions on the bottle. Start the motorcycle and let it run for 5-10 minutes. This is a critical step, as it circulates the stabilized fuel through the entire system, including the fuel lines, pump, and injectors or carburetor, protecting them from gum and varnish deposits.
A dead battery is the most common issue owners encounter after storing their motorcycles for winter. You have two effective options to prevent this:
● Use a Battery Tender: This is the easiest and most recommended method. A battery tender, also known as a smart maintainer, is a small device that provides a slow, automated trickle charge. It monitors the battery’s voltage and applies a charge only when needed, maintaining optimal condition without the risk of overcharging.
● Remove the Battery: If a tender is not an option, you can remove the battery from the motorcycle. Store it in a cool, dry place off of concrete floors. For best results, bring it indoors and connect it to a tender there.
When a motorcycle sits idle for months, the constant pressure on one section of the tires can cause them to develop flat spots. To prevent this, inflate your tires to the maximum recommended pressure written on their sidewalls. This helps the tires hold their round shape. For the absolute best protection while storing a motorcycle, use paddock stands to lift both wheels completely off the ground.
A stored motorcycle can look like an inviting home for mice and other pests. They can build nests in airboxes and chew through wiring, causing significant damage. To prevent this, you can gently stuff steel wool into the ends of your exhaust pipes and the air intake opening. Just be sure to attach a brightly colored tag or reminder note to your handlebars to remind you to remove them before starting the bike in the spring.
Where you store your bike is as important as how you prepare it. This is where you can provide true protection from the elements.
While convenient, a typical garage is not an ideal environment. It is not climate-controlled, meaning your bike will be exposed to the full swing of winter temperature changes and humidity. This constant fluctuation promotes condensation on metal surfaces, accelerating rust and corrosion. Furthermore, a garage may lack the security needed to protect such a valuable asset.
Opting for a motorcycle storage unit provides benefits a garage simply cannot match. High-quality storage facilities offer the best motorcycle storage solutions available.
● Total Climate Control: A climate-controlled motorcycle self-storage unit maintains a consistent temperature and low humidity. This stable environment prevents the damaging expansion and contraction of metal parts and stops moisture before it can cause rust, protecting your bike from the inside out.
● Unmatched Security: When storing your motorcycle in a storage unit, you gain peace of mind. Facilities like StoreEase offer multi-layered security, including 24/7 video surveillance, electronic gated access, and excellent lighting.
● Reclaim Your Space: Parking your bike in a dedicated storage unit frees up valuable space in your garage for your daily vehicle and other household needs. We offer various sizes, from 5x10 motorcycle storage units for a single bike and gear to larger spaces for multiple vehicles.
Following this guide ensures that when riding season returns, your motorcycle will be in perfect condition, ready for the road. The final, most important step is choosing a storage environment that protects your investment from humidity, theft, and extreme temperatures.
Give your motorcycle the secure, climate-controlled home it deserves this winter. StoreEase offers a wide range of clean and secure motorcycle storage solutions, perfect for your needs. Find a StoreEase facility near you and reserve your motorcycle storage spot!