Winter season can sometimes be really harsh, and your bikes are no exemption on this. So if you are planning on using your bike the following summer, you might need to know some tips on how to winterize your bikes for a smooth and flawless run. This process may take up to an hour if you will do a full and complete job but there is also a way to do this process in just a short amount of time.
Fast Winterization Method (10 minutes)
There are only two things that you are going to need to winterize your bike:
- Place fuel stabilizer in the gas tank and run the bike for 2 minutes so the stabilizer runs from beginning to end of the entire engine
- Take out the battery and position it on a smart charger all the way through the winter in your garage
It is important to remove the battery while doing this process as some people often skips that part. If you don’t remove the battery, it will result to some problem that might end up in you replacing your battery with a new one. Go obtain a smart charger and put aside yourself the cost of having a new battery every single time of year. In addition, you’ll need a smart charger every so often when you depart your bike’s battery turned on and need a jump, so it’s good to have one in any case.
Full Winterization Method (1 hour)
If you really want a thorough inspection and want everything to be perfect, then doing the Full Winterization is for you.
Step 1: Put Fuel Stabilizer in the Tank
Initiate by obtaining some fuel stabilizer from your local auto parts store and position the suitable quantity in the tank–following the instructions on the bottle. Gas will turn bad in about 4-6 weeks, so you actually be supposed to not leave it in the tank all winter long.
Step 2: Turn on the Bike and Run it for 2 Minutes
For this step, you’re really just heating up the bike so that the gas runs completely all the way through all parts of the engine as a result that there isn’t stabilized fuel in the tank and unstabilized fuel in all of the lines and other parts of the bike.
Step 3: Turn Off the Gas Tank
Turn off the gas tank by means of the silver selector switch which is usually found on the left side of the dirt bike. This will put a stop to gas from evaporating or leaking during the winter.
Step 4: Change the Oil and the Oil Filter
As a common theory, dirty engine oils contain contaminants that might degrade the performance of your bike. It is not a good idea to let it in the bike all winter long. It is also needed to change the oil filter as an old filter inside the bike won’t do any good. Deposit new engine oil in the bike–make sure it’s rated for a dirt bike. Dirt bikes dash much hotter than normal vehicles, so specifically formulated oil is an excellent suggestion. Be cautious as you constrict the bolts that you don’t squish and shatter the easily broken rubber gasket, and in addition be certain to use a torque wrench so you don’t crack the bolt off in the bike.
Step 5: Fully Wash the Dirt Bike
By doing this, you will make sure that the dirt, rubble and other unnecessary things are removed. Provide it with a great wash and then wipe it with a clean towel.
Step 6: Lube the Chain
Apply lube into the chains after washing the bike to avoid rusting. Ensure a generous amount of lube.
Step 7: Check the Tire Pressure
Test out the tire pressure on your bike and pump it into the normal setting. In general, it is on 15 pounds but this differs on the type of tire you’re using and the manner of riding you do.
Step 8: Remove the Battery and Put it on a Trickle Charger
The predicament with parting the battery installed in the bike is that it will gradually consume over the winter. When a battery of this kind entirely drains each and every one the way with completely no charge, it troubles the battery and it won’t work at all.
Step 9: Store the Bike on a Stand
It’s most excellent to get the bike off the ground and on a stand so that there isn’t any weight on the suspension during the winter, and to remain the tires from deforming. This also keeps the bike from getting knocked over and is more protected than just storing the bike by inclination it alongside the kickstand.
Step 10: Cover the Bike
In order to prevent the dust from forming in the bike, place a cover over it. It is also to ensure that your bike is out from peering eyes of potential thieves.
