When you buy a good motorcycle, you might be planning to ride it almost every day. However, life may come with other plans. You might suffer an injury, get deployed, or winter will come. Such scenarios will force you to store your motorcycle for an extended period. A bike is a valued item that you need to ensure its safe storage. If you don’t have enough room in your home, you can opt for a storage unit. It is a suitable place to keep your bike for a long time. However, it is crucial to prepare it well before storage. Here is what you should do.
Clean It
The best thing about storage units is that you can keep anything as long as it is allowed. All you need to do is to prepare your items, pack them well and store them for as long as you want. Therefore, when keeping your bike for an extended period, you should first clean it. The dirt can eat away the paintwork, and the moisture will accelerate rust. Therefore, clean the bike correctly, and if possible, apply a fresh coat of wax for extra protection.
Fill the Fuel Tank
Ensure the fuel tank is also full, and don’t forget to add the stabilizer. The main reason for filling the tank is to prevent corrosion once you store the bike. The stabilizer ensures the oil does not spoil during prolonged storage. Make sure the engine runs for some time before you can keep the motorcycle away. It will ensure the oil has circulated through the system. Another way, though not safe, is draining the fuel and gas tanks completely and storing the bike in a climate-controlled unit.
Inflate the Tires
Tires are expensive, and you don’t wish to replace them when you access your bike. Therefore, the best way to prevent this is to know how to take care of the tires. Before storing the motorcycle, ensure you inflate them completely. It will not prevent flat spots, but it buys you some time. Another way to avoid flat tires is to balance the bike at the center, so the tires do not touch the floor.
Disconnect the Battery
Batteries drain when not being used, especially in cold temperatures. Therefore, you will need to disconnect and connect it to the batter tender. This ensures the battery stays charged even when not in use. In that case, choose a storage unit with an electricity outlet.
Change the Oil
When using your bike, it is always advisable to change the only from time to time. This should also happen when storing the bike for a long time. So, change the oil and circulate it throughout the engine system. The most important thing is keeping the engine clean throughout the storage period.
Take Care of Rats
Rats can gnaw the tubes, pee, and poop on the bike or build nests. So, you will need to cover the exhaust or the bike with a motorcycle cover during storage. You can also place traps so the rodents will not destroy your ride.
To Wrap It Up
You should do these fundamental things before storing your bike in a storage unit for a long time. It is a valuable possession that should be stored appropriately to enjoy riding when you return.
