Tips for Long-Term Motorcycle Storage

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Proper long-term Harley-Davidson® motorcycle storage ensures that your bike remains healthy and ready for many more rides to come. However, knowing exactly what to do and being aware of possible pitfalls can be a challenge—especially for newer motorcycle owners preparing to store a bike for the first time. Read on for our top motorcycle storage tips!

Clean and Inspect the Battery

As you may already know, maintaining battery charge is one of the most important concerns during Harley-Davidson® storage periods. Before storing your bike, make sure the battery is fully charged. Replace any battery that is leaking or that has a bulged case, indicating it was overcharged.

Some riders attempt to keep their motorcycle battery charged by periodically starting and running their motorcycle for a few minutes while it is in storage. Unfortunately, these short-run cycles are harder on the motorcycle and battery than not starting it at all. Short start and run cycles leave the battery in a discharged condition, making it more susceptible to sulfation, one of the biggest causes of battery failure.

Additionally, the combustion process inside the engine produces water and carbon dioxide along with other corrosive ingredients. Short-run cycles don’t allow the engine to reach full operating temperature, which leaves some moisture in the cylinder and exhaust system, causing corrosion.

Use A Harley-Davidson® Battery Charger or Battery Tender

Harley-Davidson® Battery Tenders or Battery Chargers incorporate a microprocessor that reads battery voltage and adjusts charging output accordingly. Do not use steady-rate battery chargers because they may overcharge or undercharge the AGM battery.

For long-term Harley-Davidson® motorcycle storage, we recommend:

800mA Waterproof Battery Tender
1.25Amp Global Battery Charger
750mA SuperSmart® Battery Tender

Change The Engine Oil And Oil Filter

Fuel and acids present in dirty oil will accelerate the rate of corrosion. Leaving dirty oil in the engine during long-term Harley-Davidson® storage may accelerate engine corrosion—leading to a premature engine rebuild. A fresh fill of Screamin’ Eagle® SYN3 Full Synthetic Lubricant or H-D®360 Motorcycle Oil will help protect your engine, even when the engine isn’t running.

Check The Engine Coolant Level

Use Harley-Davidson Extended Life Anti-Freeze & Coolant. It protects against freezing at temperatures as low as minus 37 degrees F. Replace coolant if it is more than 10 years old or has been more than 30,000 since it was last changed.

Fill The Fuel Tank

A motorcycle stored with the fuel tank less than full exposes bare metal in the tank to potential corrosion. If the tank becomes excessively corroded, it may require a corrosion-removal treatment or replacement.

Add Harley-Davidson® Ethanol Guard Fuel Stabilizer

Stale fuel can produce engine starting problems, foul spark plugs, and cause engine surging and misfiring. In a worst-case scenario, stale fuel may need to be discarded and the fuel tank flushed. Fuel Stabilizer slows the aging of the fuel and ensures an efficient start after months of storage.

Evacuate All The Fuel From The Fuel Line And Carburetor

This is an important step if your motorcycle has a carburetor. Evacuate the fuel by running the engine with the fuel valve turned off until the engine quits. Doing so will prevent gasoline varnish build-up in the small and functionally essential orifices inside the carburetor.

Check Tread Wear and Tire Pressure

For information on proper tire pressure, refer to the Owner’s Manual or Service Manual for the appropriate motorcycle model. Also, click here for tire condition, care, and maintenance guidelines.

Note that tire condition greatly affects motorcycle operation and rider/passenger safety. If you do not feel 100% confident in your ability to ascertain a good tire from a bad tire, we strongly encourage you to take your motorcycle to an authorized Harley-Davidson dealership near you in %target_city_1%%!

Clean And Protect Motorcycle Surface Finishes

Be sure to use Harley-Davidson® surface care products that are designed and tested for your motorcycle, including:

Harley-Davidson® Quick Wash
Sunwash®
Bug Remover
Denim Paint Cleaner
Wheel and Tire Cleaner
Seat, Saddlebag, and Trim Cleaner
Boot Mark Remover

Dry the motorcycle completely after washing, and then protect surface finishes with:

Harley-Davidson Spray Cleaner & Polish
Chrome Clean and Shine
Engine Brightener
Gloss Detailer
Glaze Poly Sealant
Leather Protectant

For best results, be sure to carefully follow instructions on the container.

Invest in a Motorcycle Cover

A cover will protect your bike from impact, dust, and dirt—but not just any cover will do. Non-breathable covers trap moisture, which increases the effects of corrosion. Harley-Davidson® motorcycle covers are designed to protect the bike while allowing corrosion-causing moisture to escape. You can order a wide range of genuine H-D® accessories using our online form.

Find a Safe Storage Location

Do not store a bike near agricultural fertilizers, swimming pool chemicals, salts for icy roadways, water softeners, or any other chemically reactive compounds. Chemicals such as these are commonly stored in the same area as the motorcycle and emit caustic gases that greatly accelerate corrosion.

Contact Us for More Motorcycle Storage Tips!

If you have any further questions or concerns about safe Harley-Davidson® storage in the Neenah or Green Bay areas, be sure to review your owner’s manual. We’re also happy to help out if you plan to perform scheduled maintenance and/or customization while your motorcycle is inactive in long-term storage. Feel free to contact the Appleton Harley-Davidson service department for ideas!