From AMV they offer us a series of recommendations to hibernate your motorcycle so that it is in perfect condition when we are going to start it up again. There is no doubt that the bad weather and the cold have reached a good part of Spain, a time in which many bikers take the opportunity to park their motorcycle until the weather is good again, and the adverse weather conditions are behind a great number of accidents.
In fact, according to data managed by AMV, bad weather is responsible for two out of every ten motorcycle accidents, with rain causing the most incidents (80%), followed by fog (10%), wind (7% ) and ice or snow (3%). But, when the time comes to hibernate your motorcycle, it is not enough to just throw a cover over it and forget about it. In order for our vehicle to function correctly when we want to use it again, it is essential to follow some recommendations.
Hibernate your motorcycle advice: Some very useful tips for this purpose
The AMV experts show us everything we have to do so that our two-wheeled friend is perfect when we are going to put it back on the road. To do this, they offer us a series of tips with which hibernating your motorcycle will surely become a simple and pleasant task.
Store the motorcycle in a garage
Even if we cover it with a cover, it is not advisable to leave our motorcycle outdoors, since we will risk it being stolen, some components deteriorating, such as the tires, which can crystallize or lose pressure, or being fined. if we exceed the maximum parking period in the same place established by municipal ordinance.
Therefore, it is advisable that the motorcycle hibernates in a garage and that we cover it with a cover so that it does not receive direct sunlight, nor is it protected from condensation and dust.
Perform preventive maintenance
Before hibernating your motorcycle in the garage, it is advisable that we take one last walk to see that everything works correctly and that we do preventive maintenance, we can do it ourselves if we have knowledge or take it to a specialized workshop, in any of the cases this is what we should review:
- Replace the oil and lubricant filter. This prevents combustion impurities from solidifying and causing damage when the engine is started again.
- Replace or clean the air filter.
- Check the condition and level of the fluids: coolant or antifreeze and brakes.
- Check the motorcycle transmission. Especially if it is by chain.
- Lubricate components and mechanisms such as cables, locks, handles, metal parts, footrests, etc., as well as the easel and kickstand.
Fill the gas tank
You must fill the gas tank completely and add an antioxidant additive when you decide to hibernate your motorcycle. Otherwise, there is a risk of generating impurities that, in turn, cause problems in the gasoline filter. Likewise, if the fuel is supplied by carburetor, it is advisable to empty the fuel from the carburetor.
Increase tire pressure
It is important to check the tire pressure if you plan to hibernate your motorcycle. If we do not have a stand and the tires are going to be in contact with the ground for several months, the ideal is to increase the pressure between half a kilo and one kilo above what is recommended by the manufacturer.
Disconnect the battery
Another recommendation to keep in mind if you are going to hibernate your motorcycle is to remove or disconnect the battery. This way, it will be prevented from downloading while we are not using it. While it remains this way, it is important to check its status and charge level. This will ensure that it will still be useful when it is reassembled. To do this, we have several options:
- Use a voltmeter. This device indicates the charge. It can be an external unit that connects to the battery terminals or a meter installed on the motorcycle.
- Use a battery maintainer. It is a very practical tool, but it is not used to charge the battery, only so that it does not discharge.
- Use a smart charger. If we find ourselves in the need to charge the battery, we can use a smart charger, they are electronic devices and adapt the charge to the real needs of the battery.
- Use a traditional charger. Finally, there are the usual chargers. With these devices it is preferable to charge the battery to a tenth of its capacity for 10 or 12 hours instead of selecting a fast charging process.
Wash the motorcycle well
This is another preventive measure to avoid deterioration of the vehicle and corrosion of metal parts. To wash the motorcycle, it is advisable to have a hose or pressure gun and use a high-performance cleaning detergent to remove grease, dust, dirt or insect residue on the different surfaces of the motorcycle. After a few minutes, we must rinse the motorcycle with the hose or pressure gun.
Regarding the engine, you will have to spray a special spray and let it act. On the secondary drive chain, it is best to use a specific cleaner and scrub with a toothbrush to obtain a better result. Finally, before hibernating your motorcycle you should make sure that it is very dry so that no part can rust over time.
Support the motorcycle on a center stand
Once we have the motorcycle well washed and dried in our garage, it is best for the motorcycle to rest in a completely horizontal and stable position. The best way to achieve this is with a center stand. With this accessory, the tires will not be in contact with the ground and, therefore, will not tend to deform while you put your motorcycle into hibernation.
Protect the motorcycle with a good anti-theft device
Without a doubt, one of the most decisive tips for hibernating your motorcycle is the one that has to do with safety. Every year, the insurance sector deals with more than 100,000 cases of theft of vehicles or their parts, therefore, it is essential that we use at least one good anti-theft system, although the more the better. We will have to look for the ones that are most effective according to our needs. Below we show some of them:
- Burglar alarm. The alarm is, in general, the anti-theft system that all motorcycles must have installed. The most modern ones incorporate controls with very varied functionalities.
- U-locks and chains. They serve to cross the chain between the fork and the wheel discs and also to anchor the motorcycle to a fixed point.
- Handlebar locking systems, anti-theft, ideal for scooter users. It is a chain that is placed on the seat and fixed to the handlebars.
- Wilock: It is a metal anchor on which the front wheel of the motorcycle is placed and which in turn is fixed to the ground.
- Hybrid systems. They are those that combine several anti-theft devices in one. For example, we can find disc anti-theft devices or padlocks with a built-in alarm.
- Current breaker immobilizer. In the case in which we leave the battery in, it is interesting to install a current-cutting immobilizer that cuts off the power and prevents a vehicle from starting.
Insure our motorcycle
Finally, AMV warns us that even if we are not going to move the vehicle for a few months, it must always be insured, since as long as a motorcycle is registered with Traffic, it is mandatory that its owner insure it. And this is because, even stored in a garage, it could cause damage to third parties if it falls or causes a fire due to a short circuit.
