[ Home > How To > Preparing Your Bike for Winter ]
Preparing Your Bike for WinterPreparing Your Bike for Winter by David W. Bynon Copyright (c) 2002 -- All Rights Reserved You wouldn't dream of facing winter's ice, snow and sleet without a coat, gloves and other cold-weather gear, would you? Your bike deserves the same level of protection. This article is designed to help you prepare your motorcycle to make it through the cold, wet winter season. Back in the day, while living in Washington, D.C., I rode my BMW K100RS through winter on all but the worst days. Only when there was fear of ice on the roads did I take my enclosed transportation. A little older, and a lot wiser, I moved back to coastal California and no longer have to worry about ice and snow. If you live in a climate with cold winters and you ride during the winter season, your bike is in for a tough time. Your bike’s paint, tires, chrome, plastic and other surfaces are all at the mercy of the elements, including wind, rain, sleet, snow, sand, gravel, cinders, salt and road oil . Fall is your best opportunity to inspect and prepare your motorcycle with a protective layer, giving it a fighting chance. Your bike’s paint, tires, leather and rubber trim all need touching up in the fall, even if you have cared for them all summer. If your bike will be exposed to extreme winter conditions, the best protective coating is an acrylic sealant. Unlike waxes, an acrylic sealant can shield against water and road salts much longer than waxes. The hard acrylic shell locks into the paint with an elastic, non-chip, shrink proof, scratch resistant finish. A high quality acrylic sealant will last several months, providing more than enough protection for the winter season. The product I use and recommend is Klasse All-In-One. Your bike is more likely to be scratched during winter due to all of the potential debris on the road. Oxidation also accelerates during winter due to increased levels of ozone. A quick and easy way to reduce oxidation caused by winter riding and road conditions is to wash your bike as often as possible. If you can’t do a complete wash, frequent wipe down with a quick detailing spray is a great alternative. Winter is also hard on leather and rubber. Cold, dry air pulls the moisture from leather and rubber. It’s important to treat leather and rubber prior to the onset of freezing temperatures. Once the daytime temperature dips below 50 degrees (Fahrenheit), the leather and rubber will not readily accept conditioners. Although the surface will look good, you have not provided moisture. During the winter month, I highly recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant on all leather, rubber and vinyl surfaces. Your bike’s tires have a tough job in the winter, too. Liberal use of a high quality tire dressing keeps them looking good during the harshest weather and provides a barrier to the elements and to ozone that can cause rubber to deteriorate. I highly recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant and Lexol Vinylex for the tires. Both offer excellent UV protection. Do not use these products on the tread of the tire. You’ll fall down and go boom! If your motorcycle is more than six years old, think about replacing the battery. Every January, there comes an especially brutal sub-zero morning that drains the last bit of power from weak batteries. Even if your battery is relatively new, you should inspect it before winter arrives. Make certain the terminals and posts are free of corrosion (clean with baking soda and water) and the terminals are tight. If your bike is water cooled, have the cooling system checked for the correct concentration and level of anti-freeze. If your bike needs additional coolant, follow the manufacturer's recommendation for the ratio of water to coolant. Changing the oil before winter is the single most important step in prolonging your engine’s life. Most new bikes go 3,000 miles between changes. For most riders, this results in two oil changes per year. Make sure to time it change your oil before winter. If your bike starts reluctantly or stalls in warm weather, the problem will only worsen when the mercury plummets. Get it checked now. Don’t wait until you’re out in the cold! Finally, worn tires won't give you the traction you need on wet roads. If your tires are worn, replace them before you ride on slick, wet roads. Also, don't forget that correct tire pressure ensures optimum handling, stopping and tire wear. Remember to check your tire pressure frequently during winter. Cold air causes tire pressure to drop (one pound for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit). |
at 800-628-7596 or send us an email. Get detailing tips, new product information and shopping rewards via email by joining our Proper Auto Care Club News Letter. Copyright(c), 1999-2003, Classic Motoring Accessories -- All Rights Reserved |