'Tips & Tricks for motorcycle riders during winter'
Do you prepare your motorcycle for its winter storage, or do you ride through these wintery conditions? In both cases, you must winterize your motorcycle. In this blog we share tips & tricks about preparing your motorcycle for winter.
If you continue to ride, you must protect your motorcycle against brine and moisture. Also, ensure that your tires have enough profile and are suitable for slippery surfaces. You also must prevent rusting when storing your motorcycle for a while. Especially the engine components require care and attention. But how?
Firstly, the tips for riders who embrace these wintery conditions.
Motorcycles are more sensible to rust than cars. This is because the vehicle's body gets treated in several ways to prevent rust. As long as you regularly wash your car in the winter, driving on roads that have been sprinkled won't damage your vehicle.
The metal parts of a motorcycle are less protected against corrosion. Specifically, naked bikes have many exposed parts that are completely visible so that brine ends up everywhere. If you don't take measures, rust can develop in time.
To prevent rust and damage to metal parts due to brine, you can treat the elements with a corrosion-resistant agent such as Metal Proof & Protect.Metal Proof & Protect effectively protects untreated and lacquered metal parts against corrosion caused, among other things, by moisture and brine. The product is suitable for the whole body: even the exhaust and engine can be treated (if cold). Also, think of the: swing arm, frame, rear spring, front fork, handlebars and rims.
Regularly clean your motorcycle after riding through the brine. Let the bike dry thoroughly and apply a new Metal Proof & Protect layer.
Pay attention to tire profile depth. A good tire profile is crucial in winter due to draining the excess water. Additionally, good tires have more grip during snowfall and frost. Despite all measures, you still need to pay attention to slipperiness.
Regularly check whether the front and rear lighting is working properly and whether the beam angle at the front is set correctly.
It is also wise to clean the chain every 1500 kilometres. Checking and adjusting chain tension is a fundamental part of maintenance, so we recommend checking this too. Finally, after every 500 kilometres, you lubricate the chain again.
With these tips, you are well prepared to ride through these winterly conditions.
Tech Talk #3 - Winterizing your motorcycle
Watch our Tech Talk about winterizing your motorcycle, in which our Technical Support Manager, Bernard, discusses all ins & outs, so you are most prepared.
Winter storage
Preventing rust is also essential here. But the difference with the die-hard winter riders is that we now have a closer look at rust formation within the motorcycle components. If you adhere to the following guidelines, a top-fit condition of your motorcycle at the start of the new season is ensured
Store the motorcycle with a full tank! If the tank is not adequately filled, condensation can form, and condensation will affect the tank's walls. To prevent this process, you fill the tank completely so that no evaporation can occur. Do you want to execute it perfectly? Then add one shot of Putoline Oil Fuel Stabilizer before refuelling, so it mixes well with the petrol. Then let the engine idle or ride it for a while to ensure a protective layer for the entire fuel chain.
Pay attention to your battery! The battery cannot withstand the cold, as energy cells are less able to execute their work. Ensure that the battery is connected to a trickle charger at least once a month. The battery can remain in the engine if the motorcycle is stored in a warm garage or shed.
Change the coolant to prevent rust. The new coolant must prevent the cooling system from becoming contaminated and the components on the inside from rusting. At www.putoline.com you can easily find your motorcycle and the corresponding coolant for the cooling system.
Also, refresh the motorcycle engine oil when you're close to its changing moment. You must always change motorcycle engine oil within a prescribed number of kilometres OR a specific period. It differs per engine and how often, depending on several factors. If motorcycle engine oil is left in the engine for too long, the combustion process can cause acid and moisture formation that can harm the engine. If you must change the motorcycle engine oil around the winter break, it is wise to change the engine oil in time so that no pollution can occur.
Don't forget the oil filter! You can find the right type of motor oil for your motorcycle with our product recommendation tool.
In line with the ones who ride through winter, you also must protect the outside of the motorcycle. Therefore, clean the motorcycle thoroughly before storing it. We recommend greasing all parts, for example, with Putoline Oil Silicone Spray or 1001 Penetrating + PTFE. The essence is to prevent rust. NB! Do not use grease on brake pads, brake discs and tires!
You should certainly not forget the motorcycle chain, because a rusty and dirty chain makes the transmission a lot less smooth. First, clean the chain thoroughly with, for example, Putoline Oil Chain & Engine Degreaser. Then, brush both sprockets and links and dry the chain entirely. Finally, lubricate the chain properly again. Choose one of the Putoline Oil chain sprays that suit your riding style.
With the tips in this Tech Talk, your motorcycle is completely ready for winter!
Ready, set, GO!
After reading this blog, you are fully prepared for the winter. We would like to wish you safe travels, if you continue to ride during winter, and remember: if you have any questions about lubrication or maintenance- and care products, we are happy to answer them!
How To Use
We have made more than 20 videos about our maintenance and care products to educate and inform our users about properly using Putoline Oil products. Ideas, wishes or suggestions? Please, let us know.
You can go directly to our playlist on YouTube through the video below. Ga via de video hieronder direct naar onze playlist op YouTube.
Product availability
Our products are are available at one of our local dealers. Find your nearest dealer.
Already a Putoline Oil product in your possession?
Please share your experience and tag us on Social Media.
Questions?
We are happy to answer them.
Please send an e-mail to
marketing@putoline.com
or
technicalsupport@putoline.com.
We can also answer your questions on social media during office hours.