Even before any serious elbow (or real) grease is involved, all riders should take the initial steps of how to winterize a motorcycle. A clean bike is a happy bike and that’s even more important in the winter when grime, salt, and dirt can wear out parts faster than normal. Do a deep, thorough clean this time and we recommend applying a good coat of wax to the painted parts of your motorcycle that can act as extra protection during the winter.

Complete a maintenance check before you store the bike. If you make repairs or bring the bike into the shop, do it now to avoid longer wait times in the spring when everyone is rushing to resuscitate their bikes from their long winter sleep. Cold temperatures and condensation can be especially hard on bike parts so it’s a good idea to get ahead of any mechanical issues before winter.

Note: Riders in more temperate climates like the Southwest or Californian coast can ignore these top tips and continue enjoying their endless summers! We know not everyone gets freezing temps and icy roads. We’re not jealous, we swear.

Proper bike maintenance and having the right gear go hand in hand. ROKFORM recently expanded its range of heavy-duty motorcycle phone mounts to now include 5 distinct mount options that are sure to match your setup no matter what bike you ride. The mounts’ durable full-aluminum construction and patented twist retention system ensure your phone stays right where you want it as you cruise, providing easy access to maps, music, and other apps.

If your bike already has one of those dual-legged center stands, you’re good to go. Simply pop the bike on the stand to relieve pressure on the tires and save room in the garage with this space-efficient setup.

Designed for dual sport and dirt bikes, this large block sits under the center of the motorcycle. Dirt bikes are typically light enough that you can get the bike up on the stand yourself.

Motorcycles with exposed frame rails can be easily lifted by a bike jack. Some riders don’t like leaving their bikes on a jack for long stretches, but many use them both as a reliable maintenance tool and storage solution.

These wheel-specific stands can lift up the bike’s front or rear wheels, typically compatible with sport bikes, naked bikes, and other motorcycles without weight-bearing structure along their bottom edge. Throwing your bike up on the wheel stand reduces pressure on the tires and makes it easier to do some basic maintenance.

You may think that emptying your fuel tank before the winter is the best way for a fresh start next season, but a full tank actually helps fight corrosion and dried-out seals. Draining a tank is reserved for museum-like storage of bikes that’ll sit there for years without use, instead of simply winterizing your motorcycle.

Another important step is swapping old oil for fresh oil before you put your bike away— an engine oil change in the winter reduces any potential damage from built-up carbonic and sulfuric acid that can wear down parts over time. New motor oil preps your bike for riding straight away once next spring arrives!

For ultimate smartphone protection, use the ROKFORM Vibration Dampener along with any of our motorcycle mounts. This compact add-on is designed to reduce the force and speed of the vibrations produced by your motorcycle to help protect the phone's internal components. It’s easy to install and secures strongly with an aluminum twist lock and lever. Take a look at the video below to see this premium accessory in action!

Keeping your bike healthy on the inside during the colder months means adding a quality fuel stabilizer to your gas tank that’ll prevent oxidation and corrosion in the engine during long-term motorcycle storage. On the coolant side of things, winter riding and motorcycle storage in cold temperatures means you’ll need to add some antifreeze protection, too.

Outdoor motorcycle winter storage may be your only option and many bikes make it through the cold months this way. Just be sure to use a durable motorcycle cover to keep snow, rain, and dirt away from the bike and its metal parts. If you live in a region with mild winters, leaving a motorcycle uncovered outdoors or parked in the driveway should be totally fine.

You’ll still want to winterize your bike when stored inside, especially when storing a motorcycle in an unheated garage or storage unit where temperatures can drop. Another garage tip is to plug entrances to exhaust pipes or open airboxes to prevent any unwanted critters from making a nest, such as mice. Cover the ports with rags, tape, steel wool, or fancy plugs— but don’t forget to remove them when spring finally arrives!

Taking care of your battery is simply, especially given the advances in battery technology making them more resilient and reliable than ever. Electrolytes in fully charged motorcycle batteries won’t freeze even in seriously cold subzero temps so you can leave your bike connected to a maintenance charger in an unheated garage without a problem. A battery maintainer— also known as “float chargers”— is your best friend during motorcycle winter storage!

Your motorcycle isn’t the only thing that will need a charge while out on the open road. Ensure your smartphone stays powered up with ROKFORM’s wide range of premium power accessories, including adapters, cables, and wireless chargers. And keep an eye out for the much-anticipated return of the ROKFORM portable power bank, now equipped with MagSafe® technology! Its ultralight and compact design means it goes everywhere you go, made even easier by the magnetic properties to attach to the back of your phone.

It’s most convenient to charge the bike’s battery while it’s still in the bike, but if you need access to a power source, feel free to remove the battery and charge it indoors. The most important step is investing in a good quality battery maintainer.

Beware of using a cheap trickle charger that constantly adds current and can overcharge the battery, rather than intermittently “floating” the charge and keeping it properly topped off. Taking time to do winter motorcycle storage this way gives you the best shot at simply revving up come spring and enjoying the first time out.

Not necessarily, idling or starting up the bike without actually going for a ride where the engine reaches full operating temperature won’t help your bike much. It’s actually best to limit cold starts that are hard on the engine system. If you’re going for a ride, make sure the engine warms up enough to fully cook off the accumulated moisture.

The best way to prevent flat spotting your tires is using a motorcycle stand that lifts your bike slightly off the ground. Modern tires have better rubber compounds that aren’t as prone to flat spots, so there’s less need for old habits like placing cardboard under the wheels or overinflating the tires.

Do you and your bike a favor this winter by completing the quick steps in this article. The entire winterizing process shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours and any additional gear like stands and new fluids are great investments in the health of your motorcycle. If you’re interested in outfitting your bike with ROKFORM accessories this season, head on over to ROKFORM’s collection of heavy-duty motorcycle mounts!