De-Winterizing Your Motorcycle

If you're like us here at Durango Harley-Davidson®, you're probably starting to think more about your motorcycle the warmer the weather gets. Since your bike has probably been in a garage or at least under a cover all winter, you'll need to take some time to get it ready for spring again. You could choose to look at this like a chore, but for experienced riders, this small list of tasks is as important as getting the grass cut and lines painted on the football field before the first late summer game. And once it's done, you'll feel that much better as you take off down the road.

If you find your motorcycle needs more service than what you can offer, stop by Durango Harley-Davidson® in Durango, Colorado. We proudly serve the areas near Alamosa, Montrose, and Cortez, Colorado, as well as the areas of Farmington, Bloomfield, and Aztec, New Mexico, and we can help you, too!

Visual Check

Once you pull your bike out of the shop or remove it's cover, you'll want to perform a detailed visual check. Start at the top in front and work your way to the rear wheel and suspension. Look everywhere for any rust that could have developed or any critters that could have taken up shop in a hidden corner of the chassis. Make sure your tires are in good shape and that the air filter is clean and open. This is your first chance to catch anything obvious that could have happened.

Fluids Check

Once you've finished your visual check, inspect your fluids. Start with the oil. Take out the dipstick and wipe it off, then reinsert it and inspect the oil. Your oil should fall in a specific range indicated on the dipstick and it should be a gold-to-amber color. Black, sludgy oil is hard on your engine. If the oil has any metallic flecks, it's time to get professional service, as this means there is some internal damage. Next, check your brake fluid. There may be two separate brake fluid reservoirs in the front and rear. Make sure your bike is fully upright, then check the level. Finally, check your transmission fluid. Once again, keep your bike upright and unthread the dipstick. Wipe off any oil, then screw the dipstick completely back in and then back out to get an accurate check. Adjust according to the reading on the bar.

Chassis

After checking all the fluids, check the chassis. If your owner manual suggests it, take some lubricant and lube up and linkages or flex points, such as those that connect to the suspension. Look for any minor damage or even cracks that could be occurring along weld lines. These probably wouldn't have started over the winter, but it's worth doing an annual check of your entire chassis to make sure you catch any damage early.

Battery/Electronics

You probably removed your battery if you went through the full de-winterizing process. Reinstall it and check the charge. You may need to hook it up to a charger before the bike will turn over. Check all your lights, including your headlight, brake lights, and turning lights. If your bike has stereo equipment or an infotainment system, now's a good time to check those too.

Tires/Brakes

The last points on the checklist for bike de-winterization is checking the tires and brakes. Start by using a tire pressure gauge to measure the pressure on your tires. No, it's not acceptable to simply look at how inflated your tires to see how inflated they are, and even less so to perform the "kick test." Motorcycle owners should always own a pressure gauge. Then, check the tread and sidewalls of the tires. Make sure the tread has worn evenly and that there are no cracks or damage to the sidewalls. Finally, take your bike out for a low-speed brake test. Roll out of your driveway and give yourself a decent amount of space to break before you hit the next stop sign. Apply half pressure to your brakes to feel if they are engaging, then apply a little bit more until you are at a complete stop. There may be a little bit of squeaking if dust settled on the brake pads over the offseason. You shouldn't feel grinding or slipping though. Take your bike to a brakes specialist if you do.

Once your motorcycle is de-winterized, it's time to take it out for a test ride! Take it slow and easy and let the engine warm up. Listen for any changes from the previous season in the sound of the engine, brakes, transmission, and exhaust. As you start to feel more comfortable, open it up and let it ride so you can be confident that your bike survived the winter with no harm done. If you find any major mechanical problems on your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle, don't be afraid to stop by Durango Harley-Davidson® in Durango, Colorado. We proudly serve the areas of Alamosa, Montrose, and Cortez, Colorado, as well as Farmington, Bloomfield, and Aztec, New Mexico. We'll make sure your motorcycle is in peak riding condition!