Winterize Your Harley!
A Winter Storage Guide from Trev Deeley Motorcycles
As the riding season winds down and the cold (and wet) months approach, preparing your Harley for hibernation is a crucial step you better not forget. Everyone hates it when spring has finally arrived, it’s a perfect day for riding, but your bike won’t start! Let’s prevent that day from ever coming… we’ll go over how you can winterize & store your bike for the off season.
Choose the Right Place!
When you don’t have the ideal space at home, renting indoor storage can be a great option.
- Don’t wait until last minute – look at what’s available near you, sometimes paying several months upfront may reduce costs. (Check out our on-going winter storage promotion)
- Confirm that the facility allows motorcycle storage (not all do).
- We recommend climate‐controlled indoor units if possible: extreme temps can damage components and accessories! If you must store it outdoors, ideally it is in a covered area (garage), and not exposed to weather. Bike covers and exhaust plugs are crucial for outdoor storage.
A well‐chosen indoor storage unit gives your bike a safe, temperature‐stable environment, reducing weather‐related stress. Keeping her in great condition for the next riding season
Engine, Battery & Fluids – Don’t Forget About Them
Even if parked, your bike’s engine, battery and fluid systems still need care.
- Before storing, - especially before long-term storage - it would be a good idea to perform an oil change
- Battery health is a real issue during cold months; a trickle charger is almost mandatory! Unless you want to visit us for a new battery once winters over, we strongly recommend a trickle charger.
- Fuel degrades with time, prior to storing fill up your tank with gas & add fuel stabilizer to avoid clogged lines or carburetor issues.
Though it’s “storage,” your Harley still needs periodic attention—don’t just park and forget. Unless you store your bike with us at Trev Deeley Motorcycles, then you really can just park her & forget (until next season)! We’ll take excellent care of your Harley, in a secure, climate controlled, and clean environment.
Why would I get a trickle charger? I can start my bike once a week, run it for 5-10 minutes to charge the battery!
Actually, unless you’re riding the bike for 30 minutes or more, the battery won’t re-charge. Here’s a bit more on short starts
Condensation:
Short runs don't allow the engine and exhaust to get hot enough to evaporate moisture, leading to water building up inside. Risky business for those who have nice & loud pipes.
Corrosion:
This condensation can cause corrosion on internal components like valves and oxygen sensors, and lead to acidifying the oil.
Reduced Lubrication:
Cold, thick oil isn't an effective lubricant during a short start-up, putting stress on the engine.
Your Winterize Checklist
Here’s a simple checklist you can use:
- Choose and book an indoor storage unit early.
- Clean the bike thoroughly: wash, remove salt/grime.
- Stabilize fuel, check and top off fluids, consider oil change prior to storing
- Connect a trickle charger to keep the battery healthy
- Use a genuine H-D winter cover; consider putting the bike on a stan, to prevent flat spots on tires
Winter doesn’t have to mean worry for your Harley. With the right preparation—facility, cover, engine care, tire/storage care—you’ll roll into spring ready to ride, not ready for repairs. Taking a little time now can save big headaches later.