Tag Archives: motorcycle snow

Safely Store Your Cruiser for the Winter

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Unless you live in Florida or Southern California, chances are that the temperature drops and the rain and snow moves in during the winter. Fighting the biting cold or slipping on snow isn’t much fun, so many motorcycle cruiser owners choose to put their bike away for the winter season. A cruiser is a significant investment of time and money, so it’s worth protecting – it needs to be kept clean and safe while the weather is damp and cold.

First, fill the tank up and add your manufacturer’s suggested amount of fuel stabilizer. Fuel stabilizer will keep the fuel from breaking down during storage – fuel breakdown will produce a dark brown residue that can coat and damage your carburetor. Gas is flammable, of course; so don’t store a cruise with a full tank of gas anywhere where there are open flames, running motors, or pilot lights. Second, give it a good cleaning. Once you’ve washed and waxed your motorcycle, cover it with a cloth cover that will breathe. This will keep dirt, dust, and any other airborne debris from your garage or storage area from landing on your bike and possibly damaging the paint or finish.

cruiser winter

Next, change the oil – used oil sitting in your engine all winter can become corrosive and damage the crucial innards of your cruiser. Then, check the coolant. Motorcycles aren’t used in below-freezing temperatures, so many riders won’t think of using coolant; use a floating ball device to check if you coolant level will prevent freezing.

Also, take a minute to charge your battery. You can remove it and store it somewhere above freezing temperature and trickle charge it once a month. If you’re storing your cruiser where you’re able to run your bike once a month, leave the battery in and disconnect the negative cable terminal.

Finally, don’t forget the tires. You’ll want to store your bike off of the ground if possible. If you’re not able to do so, make sure the tires are fully inflated to the recommended levels, set the bike on its center stand, and rotate the tires once a month to avoid flat spots.

Once the long winter is over, make sure you take care of your cruiser before you take it out for the first ride of spring. It’s a good idea to have it serviced before taking it out; however, since you’ve already changed the oil and trickle charged the battery, just double check these items and have the service check your tires and coolant checked (if your bike is liquid cooled). Just in case of any tire problems on the road, you’ll want to carry tools to repair a flat.

motorcycle ties

Always make sure you ride wit ha tire repair kit and are familiar with how to plug a damaged area and inflate a tire using CO2 cartridges or a pump. If you can do this, you can likely make it to a service station to have the tire replaced. If you need to, practice on an old tire. If you’re planning longer trips, it’s advisable to carry spare headlight bulbs, fuel filters (if your bike has them), a spare electrical relay, and any other items that might easily malfunction. Make sure you’ve got a cell phone for emergencies as well.

Properly preparing your cruiser for storage, and for the first ride of spring, can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Matt Gonglach is the owner of LaserJammer.net, a site dedicated to laser jammer information and resources.

Motorcycling on icy roads – How to Maintain Control

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You may well have noticed that now the long nights are starting to draw in, the temperatures outside are starting to drop. That can only mean two things – one, that you’re in Britain, and two, that winter’s just around the corner. The British climate can throw up plenty of hazards for drivers and bikers even at the best of times, but even more so when the winter descends. However well you might think you know a particular road, it can become a different proposition entirely when there’s ice, snow and freezing temperatures about. It’s important, then, to make sure that you’re well prepared for the coming winter and that you know how to handle the trickier conditions it will bring.

Motorcycle Winter

Retaining control of your motorbike can often be a challenge when the roads are icy, but you’re not completely powerless. There are a few things you should bear in mind which can stand you in reasonably good stead should conditions prove somewhat inclement. Firstly, you should take care to avoid slippery spots wherever you can. It goes without saying that some slippery patches will creep up on you unnoticed – black ice is a particularly dangerous problem for motorbikers – but make sure you try to stick to the driest patch of the road you can find.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when the roads are icy or wet is to keep a close eye on your speedometer. Reduce your speed and you’ll find you have more time to react to any hazards which may appear. After all, it only takes an ill-judged or ill-timed lane change to result in a serious accident, and these risks are heightened when driving conditions are poor. You need to remember that speed limits are there for a reason – however tempting it may be to bomb around the roads. What’s more, you shouldn’t feel the need to treat speed limits as a target. Only go as fast as you’re comfortable with, and don’t be pressured by other road users.
You also need to think about how and when you’re using both the front and the rear brake. While the front brake is more effective than the rear, you should try to avoid using the former on very slippery surfaces as this could cause you to come off your bike. If you can, try to squeeze the clutch and find a safe spot to gradually coast towards. It’s sometimes difficult to be as calm as you’d like to be when you’re out and about on the roads, but holding your nerve can make a big difference.

Motorcycle Snow

In addition, you should try to ensure that your turning, braking, acceleration and gear changes are as careful as possible. If you feel yourself passing through a slippery patch of ice, don’t panic – try to do as little as possible until you know you’re safely through it. Of course, you should also take care to check the weather reports and traffic updates before you travel. If you know the roads are likely to be particularly bad, you might be better off finding an alternative mode of transport or simply staying at home if at all possible.

This guest blog was contributed by Lesley Sampson a freelance writer who is mad keen on motorbikes and who wants to help you avoid a nasty motorbike accident this winter.