Clean and dry the bike, protect bare metal, stabilise or manage the fuel, disconnect or maintain the battery, lift the tyres and seal the intake and exhaust. Record what you did and check the bike before the first ride. A few hours of preparation prevent seized brakes, a dead battery and a rusted tank.
Before the bike goes away
Wash and dry the bike, then ride it briefly to warm the engine and evaporate residual water. Change the oil if it is due; used oil contains acids and moisture that sit against engine parts for months.
Clean and lubricate the chain, protect the fork stanchions and apply a suitable anti-corrosion film to bare steel. Do not leave the bike wet under a cover.
Fuel and fuel system
Petrol degrades over months. A metal tank is usually best stored full to minimise the air space where condensation forms; a plastic tank does not rust but the fuel still ages. Fuel stabilisers are available, but follow the product and the owner's manual.
If the manufacturer recommends draining the tank and carburettor for long storage, follow that instead. Modern fuel injection systems are less tolerant of gum and varnish than older carburettors, so do not improvise.
Battery, tyres and brakes
Remove the battery or connect a suitable maintainer. A battery left flat for months may not recover. Store it in a cool, dry place, and do not place it on a concrete floor if the manufacturer advises otherwise.
Lift the tyres off the ground or move the bike periodically to avoid flat spots. Overinflating slightly can help, but check the owner's manual and reduce to the correct pressure before riding.
Leave the brakes dry and free. A caliper that sits with damp pads can corrode its pistons. If the bike was ridden in rain before storage, dry the brakes carefully.
Seal the openings
Airbox intakes and exhaust outlets can admit insects, rodents and damp air. A clean rag or a purpose-made plug is enough. Remember to remove it before starting the engine; label the bike or the key so you do not forget.
Cover the bike with a breathable cover and keep it off damp ground. A closed, humid room without airflow is worse than a ventilated shed.
Documents, insurance and the return date
Storage is also an administrative task. Note the registration and tax renewal dates so the bike does not lapse while it is unused, and check whether the insurance policy has conditions for an unused or stored vehicle. Some policies require the bike to be roadworthy or kept in a specified location.
Take photographs of the bike before storage, including the odometer and any existing damage. They are useful for insurance and for your own record when the bike comes back out. Store the documents with the bike, not in a drawer you will forget.
Set a return date and a reminder. A bike stored for three months needs a check; a bike stored for a year needs a full service before it is ridden. The reminder is what turns a good intention into a maintenance appointment.
If someone else will move or start the bike while you are away, leave written instructions: no idling, no cover over a wet bike, and where the battery maintainer is connected. A well-meaning friend can undo months of preparation in an afternoon.
Records and the return
Write down the date, the oil change, the fuel treatment, the battery state and anything you loosened or removed. A note taped to the tank or stored with the documents prevents a forgotten rag in the intake.
Before the first ride, check tyre pressures, brakes, lights, chain, fluid levels and the battery. Turn the engine over carefully, listen for unusual noises and ride slowly in a safe area. If the bike has been stored for more than a year, a workshop inspection is sensible.
Before storage, check that the bike is not due for a recall or a software update. A dealer visit is easier now than after months of sitting, and some updates affect charging or starting behaviour. Record the date and the work done with the storage notes.
Checklist
- Wash, dry and briefly warm the engine before storage.
- Change the oil if it is due.
- Manage the fuel according to the owner's manual.
- Remove or maintain the battery correctly.
- Lift the tyres or move the bike periodically.
- Plug the intake and exhaust and label the bike.
Questions
How long can a motorcycle sit before it needs preparation?
A few weeks is usually harmless. For a month or more, battery care, tyre pressure and moisture control matter. For several months, proper storage preparation is worth the effort.
Should I change the oil before or after storage?
Before, if it is due. Used oil carries moisture and acids that sit against engine components. Fresh oil is a better storage environment.
Is it bad to start the bike occasionally during storage?
Short idling runs can add condensation and drain the battery without reaching full operating temperature. A proper ride is better, or leave it stored and maintain the battery.
