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Motorcycle Insurance Quickguides: Winter protection for your motorcycle

Insurance and the Long Life and Protection of your Motorcycle.

Depending on the type of motorcycle you wish to insure, and a variety of other factors ranging from where you live to how old you are to where you intend to drive your motorcycle there are several different insurance coverages that may apply to your situation, ranging from  certain kinds of property insurance, to a standalone policy dealing specifically with your motorcycle.

The scope of this article is about a slightly different kind of insurance, namely, what steps you can take to protect your motorcycle while it's stored over the winter. Answering the following questions can help you safeguard against needing to get your bike serviced in the spring for something that may have been avoidable. 

Where are you going to store your motorcycle?

If your dealer has a storage plan, and you can afford it, you're in luck, because they'll do all of the "hard stuff" for you and make sure you're ready to ride in the spring. 

If that's not an option, or if you like doing the "hard stuff" or prefer to store it yourself, you'll need a spot that's dry and out of direct sunlight. This way, condensation is less likely to occur, and the paint and plastic components won't fade from exposure to the sun.

Have you changed the oil?

Dirty oil contains nasty by-products that are corrosive to your bikes inner metal surfaces. Even if its not due to be changed, draining the oil and replacing it is a good safety measure. While you're at it, change the filter as well.

Have you filled your gas tank and added a fuel stabilizer?

Filling up is important to minimize the condensation of water vapor inside your gas tank, which can rust the tank. Adding a fuel stabilizer  helps to prevent fuel lines from gumming up and getting clogged, and does the same for carburetors, fuel injectors and various other engine parts.

Running the engine for a few minutes after doing this ensures that everything is mixed well, and that all components have been coated.

Have you drained the carburetor?

If your bike has a carburetor, drain it and any of the fuel lines of any leftover gasoline. Fuel can start to break down over time, and cause a gummy, harmful varnish to appear.

What about the battery?

Batteries will lose their charge over time when not in use. You can either choose to remove the battery entirely from your motorcycle and store it in a warm dry place, or you can leave the battery attached to the bike, but attach a battery tender. This will keep your battery charged without overcharging it, because the tender regulates it's own charging activity.

Have you cleaned and waxed your motorcycle?

Remove all road grime, grease, tar, stains and bugs from painted surfaces, chrome, wheels and leather before storage. Then dry and thoroughly wax it. Cleaning your bike before putting it away for the winter is all about keeping it looking good for years to come. Protect the finish from fading and also against rust and moisture with a high quality waxing.

Tire pressure?

Before putting your motorcycle into storage, make sure your tires are inflated to their maximum recommend pressure. Remember, as it gets colder, tires tend to lose their pressure. Properly inflating the tires will discourage the appearance of flat spots on the tires, as will moving the bike around every couple of weeks, so it is not sitting on the same spot on the tire all winter long.

To protect the rubber from cracking or rotting, avoid having the tires in direct contact with extreme cold or moisture for any prolonged length of time. Park the bike on top of a wooden board if possible.

Is your motorcycle covered?

Whether storing your bike outdoors, in a garage, or somewhere indoors, invest in a quality cover to keep your bike safe from the various elements. Cover materials should be breathable so that condensation doesn't occur. If you're storing your motorcycle outdoors, make sure that the cover is waterproof as well.

Speaking of coverage:

When it comes to insuring your motorcycle, you should know that there can be a wide range in price for practically the same coverage. It makes absolutely no sense to go with the first quote you're offered when there may be easy money in your pocket simply by doing a little comparison shopping. Through kanetix, it's fast, free and easy to compare motorcycle insurance quotes from multiple insurance providers.


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