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Winter is right around the corner and unfortunately for most of us in the US this means we'll have to put away our toys for hibernation. But what is actually involved in preparing a motorcycle for winter storage? Some people are okay with parking their bikes for the winter just as they left it after their last ride and while that may work for some of the warmer climates, it's not recommended for those of us in the frozen north. There seems to be a lot of confusion as to what is actually involved in getting a bike ready for winter storage with varying opinions from every rider. In this thread you'll find a general idea of what is required to get your bike through the winter and out on the other side as good as you left it. We're going to highlight some of the best winter prep products here, all of which are available from Riders Discount. If there is something you don't see here but want for your winterization needs, contact our expert sales staff by giving MIKE a call at 866.931.6644 ext. 804. Prefer email? No problem, send us a message through this forum with the products you're looking for or write to us at FORUM at RIDERSDISCOUNT dot COM, and we'll get back to you right away! So what are some of the key winter storage products available to prep your bike for the cold season? Stands to prevent your tires from flat spotting, anti-freeze for coolant, fuel stabilizer to prevent your gas from breaking down, fogging oil to prevent cylinder corrosion, battery tender to keep your battery fresh, and a bike cover to keep your bike warm. Just kidding, a bike cover will help keep your bike clean and partially dust free throughout winter. One thing not pictured are muffler and intake plugs to keep pests out, although a couple paper towels stuffed in your exhaust and intake should suffice. Street riders likely already have anti-freeze coolant but it never hurts to give your bike a good flush and refill every year. If you have ran any kind of track time this year, there's a good chance you don't have anti-freeze properties in your coolant and getting it changed out is a necessity. There are numerous options available for anti-freeze and we sell them all. Pictured here is Maxima Coolanol. Engine Ice is also common and available from Riders Discount as well. Fuel stabilizer is recommended if you plan on storing your bike for longer periods of time. Now, regarding batteries, if you have a lithium ion battery, remove it, bring it inside, and store it in a closet. These shouldn't need a charge, however if you think it may, go ahead and give us a call and we'll get one on the way for you. If you have an OE style acid battery, plug in the Battery Tender and leave it. That's it. You don't need to remove it from the bike if you don't want to. One last thing, a common misconception we've seen is to start your bike periodically through the off-season and get it up to temp. You can look at it from time to time but you really don't need to start it up. Just let it sit and fire it up come spring time. So what do you guys and gals do to get ready for winter? (Be prepared for California riders to post up a witty remark about them continuing to ride...)

Used bike cover, Nelson-Rigg Sportbike sized Large $30 (paid $70) I don't have a picture of the cover the bike but it's very similar to the one pictured here but red/silver: Nelson-Rigg Sportbike Cover It is an all weather cover I used while my bike spent the night outside for a few months on summer. Actual cover in included bag: cover from Nelson-Rigg site:

Tour Master has you covered with their selection of Elite and Select motorcycle covers. A cover is a necessary item for those that need to park their motorcycle outside such as at an apartment complex or on a college campus. These covers not only keep your bike protected from the elements, but also relieve the bike of unwanted attention. Both offer similar features such as soft fabric on the windshield and tail section to prevent scratches, 1” grommets on the bottom of the cover for locks, and polyester construction. The difference comes in the quality of polyester. The Select is water resistant whereas the Elite is 100% waterproof. The Elite cover is perfect for those that have to park their motorcycle outside. Your bike will be completely dry even through the heaviest of storms. The aluminum heat panels allow you to throw on the cover immediately after a ride without risk of burning the fabric. Includes a stuff bag to store your cover when not in use 1” grommets on the bottom accommodate an optional lock such as the Bully Locks cable lock. The Tour Master Elite and Select motorcycle covers are available in sizes ranging from medium to 2XL. We recommend medium for standard 600cc sport bikes, large for the 1000cc bikes. XL is recommend for the sport cruisers, and 2XL for bikes such as the Goldwing or Harley Dresser. All internal seams on the Elite are tape sealed for 100% water proofing. For more information, feel free to send MIKE a message through this forum or give him a call at 866.931.6644 ext. 804. Is email more convenient? Send us an email to FORUM at RIDERSDISCOUNT dot COM and we'll get back to you right away!