Check the gas tank for rust

Rust can form in your gas tank over winter. The easiest way to avoid this is to fill it up with some stabilized fuel before you put it away for the winter. On the event that you did not do this, you will want to get a good look in the gas tank and look for rust.

Rust not only plays havoc on those sexy looks, but it will decimate an engine. It is the kryptonite to your v-twin. You can also take the gas tank in to a professional for examination.

Do a safety inspection

Time to give those breaks a good look over. Are they ready to be replaced? You can keep that motorcycle insurance down by not having a break failure that causes an accident.

You will also need to check the drive train, tires, and all electronic doodads you might have. You are officially warned that the battery might still be on hiatus at this point. Visible sidewalls on tires are a good indication they have had one trip to many. You headlight might be home to a mouse. Going over the motorcycle will not only keep it happy, but you as well.

Give it an oil change

You might have changed the oil in the fall as part of your winterization routine. It is now time to give it another oil change. This will ensure all the internals have nice clean fluid to lubricate their parts with.

Wash that beast

How would you feel without a shower after a few days? Your bike feels this way. Give it a good bath. Polish up any chrome you might have as well. This will also allow you to look over the bike one last time. Well, that and the fact that it’ll look sexy for all the chicks!

Give the motor a good warm-up

It is now time to give that motor a healthy wakeup call. Turn that beast over and then let it sit and idle for a bit of time. This will help get the oil circulating around and fuel flowing freely. This will also assure that if the motorcycle is going to break down from small failures it is comfortably in your caring hands.

Giving your bike a check up after its long winter slumber will lead to many happy miles this riding season. You can wait one more day to ride if it means that bike will be running like a champ when you do take it out. Don’t forget to renew your motorcycle insurance and double-check those tags. The five-oh is nothing but a fun killer with their tickets.

Photo via Muffet

Forgetting for a moment the environmental concerns about burning more gas than you need to, there’s a very practical issue at stake, as well. One of the reasons that most people cite for wanting to ride a motorcycle is for the sake of saving gas. And, while 30 to 45 miles per gallon is much better than a car, it’s not the best it can be.

Here are some quick and easy ways to improve your motorcycle’s gas mileage:

1. Keep your engine clean. A clean engine is an efficient engine. Make sure you regularly use a fuel additive to keep things humming along on the inside.
2. When you can, drive on the highways. Long stretches of road without stop signs are better for fuel efficiency. All of that stop and go of traffic just sucks the gas right out of your tank.
3. If you ride in the city, consider a lighter bike. If most of your driving is in the city, a lighter bike will help to reduce the amount of fuel you’re using.
4. Keep your tires inflated. While the amount of fuel you can save by keeping your motorcycle’s tires inflated is less than what you’d save in a car, it can still help your overall mileage.
5. Don’t drive aggressively. Brake and accelerate slowly. Keep a constant speed whenever possible.
6. Watch your speed. Stay at or under the speed limit. For every 5 miles per hour over about 55, you could be costing yourself as much as 2 miles per gallon or more. Not only that, keeping free of tickets will be a boon to your motorcycle insurance.
7. Dress aerodynamically. A full-faced helmet is much more aerodynamic than other helmets, for example.
8. Watch for accessories that create drag. If you have accessories attached to your bike that stick out, they’re going to create drag and reduce your fuel efficiency.
9. Use higher-grade fuel. How much this will save you depends largely on the price of the fuel, but it will allow you to use less fuel.
10. If all else fails, consider an electric motorcycle. The world of electric bikes has made great strides in recent years.

Photo via Rob Speed

Owning a motorcycle isn’t like owning a car.  It’s so much more than that.  If I had to equate it to something I’d say that it is more like having a child.  You show your love for your bike like you do your child, by babying it and lovingly and painstakingly caring for it.  You show her off with a great sense of pride.  Yes, you are a bike owner and you are proud.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of tips, tricks, techniques and websites that you can use to augment your current techniques.  Ensuring that you are employing the best bike care techniques possible.

Store your motorcycle in the winter, don't let this happen to your bike.

PUTTING YOUR BIKE UP

Unless you’re lucky enough to live in a location where the weather permits you to ride your bike 12 months out of the year, you probably put your bike up for a number of months until it’s time to ride again.  Here is a checklist for placing your motorcycle in storage for the winter.

Choose your location wisely. If you are garaging the bike make sure that it is somewhat winterized and that it is shielded from the elements.  Tarping the bike can further minimize damage.  If not covered make sure that the seat (or any exposed leather) is not in the path of direct sunlight for prolonged periods so that you can avoid discoloration.  If unable to garage the bike there should be overhead coverage at the very least and the bike itself should be covered with a tarp or other weather protection (which should be securely fastened to the bike.)  Check often for condensation or pooled moisture while the bike is stored.

De-fuel the system by driving to nearly empty. Place a fuel stabilizer in the tank and let run further for a few moments more (pushing the stabilizer throughout the system).  De-fueling and stabilizing for the Winter ensures that when you’re ready to go in the Spring, filling her’ up should get you going.

Change out your oil a higher viscosity (Winter temperatures cause the oil to breakdown and thin). This is also a good opportunity to change your filter plug and can be a reminder.

Wax exposed metal and lubricate (chain lube, WD-40) appropriate components. Pay special attention not to overspray and get your brakes (try covering them first).  Waxing your metal can prevent moisture from building which subsequently causes rust.

Clean, clean, clean your bike. Degrease mud and grime that has built up during the driving months.  Clean the chain, braking and suspension systems.  Wash the tank, tires and handlebars.  Make sure to shammy off all moisture (and spray with air if you can).  Think of it like you’re about to show your bike.  The cleaner it is today, the better shape it will be (and the less work you’ll have to do) next year.

Put her up on blocks. Use a center stand if you have one.  If not, find a secure and stable way to get your bike off the ground.  Inflate the tires to the recommended PSI.

Take out the battery. Have you ever heard of vampire energy?  It’s an electronic draw from your battery from connected components that occurs even when they are not in use.  If you’ve ever put your bike up for the Winter without taking out your battery then you already know what I’m talking about.  Removing the battery and placing somewhere dry and warm will make certain its use next year.

Make sure to wash behing the chain.

CLEANING YOUR BIKE

What you’ll need:
Cloths, Sponges, Rags, Shammies
Motorcycle Cleaning Products (Wax, Metal Polish, Chrome Cleaner, such as Mother’s)
Leather Cleaner/Conditioner
Brushes (Wheel Brush, Cleaning Brush)

Steps:

-   Rinse Bike (Starting from top, working down, paying extra attention to heavily soiled/caked areas)

-   Wash bike using cleaning agents w/ brushes, sponges and rags.  (Get up in there.  There are a world of nooks and crevices where grease and particulates gather.  Get in everywhere and clean everything.  Use your wheel  brush to clean the wheels and spokes)

-   Rinse Cleaning Agents Off (Again, starting from top and working down).

-  Dry Bike Diligently (Look for any gathered water making sure that bike is utterly and completely dry.

-  Use a soft rag/shammy to dry or used clean compressed air if available)

-  Wax/Buff Metal or Chrome (Use products according to manufacturer to clean and shine metal)

-  Clean/Treat Seat and Leather (Use leather products to clean and treat)

You might be ok, but who is gonna' pay for the bike? Don't get caught underinsured.

INSURE YOUR BIKE

Sounds like a given, and more than likely your State will require that you carry coverage on your motorcycle to have it registered.  Having the proper insurance on your bike is one of the nicest ways you can tell you bike that you care.  The liability portion of your coverage will take care of protecting your assets in the event that you crash, but it is the Comprehensive and Collision portions of your coverage that take care of your bike.  Liability will get you on the road, but Comp and Collision will keep you there.

Collision - This coverage allows you to ‘indemnify’ yourself in the event of a crash/loss. If you have to lay your bike down to avoid harm and your bike slides into someone’s car , your liability coverage will pay for their damage.  But what about your bike?  You’re at fault so who’s going to pay?  Having adequate collision coverage will make sure that your bike gets fixed and returned back to new status.  Read your policy and see how much you’re covered for and check your deductible.

Comprehensive – This is the coverage that protects your bike in the event that something happens to it other than an accident.  Theft, vandalism, parked damage, etc.  These are potential disasters for your bike.  Making sure that your bike has comprehensive coverage can keep your bike in running shape no matter what happens.

Stated Value Policy – If you have a classic bike or perhaps one that’s custom, a standard motorcycle policy isn’t going to give you proper coverage.  What you need is a Stated Value Policy.  What this will do is allow you and the company to come to an agreement as to what the bike is worth.  This is important if your bike has a very particular value such as if it is defined as ‘classic’, ‘vintage’ or ‘custom.’

MOTORCYCLE CARE PRODUCTS
CYCLECARE.com – A retailer for Motorcycle care and cleaning products.
AUTOGEEK.com – Care and Detailing products and tips.
MOTHERS.com – A beloved car/motorcycle cleaning product.
FOXCREEKLEATHER.com – Leather care products.
EAGLEONE.com – Motorcycle Tire Cleaner

There are a number of cleaning products for your motorcycle.

All Images used under Creative Commons License.  Attributation:

WINTER BIKE – http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4691923/motorcycleinsnow-main_Full.jpg
BIKE WASH – http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/186857710_d1048f0339.jpg
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT – http://farm1.static.flickr.com/93/237893718_d1a96b3ace.jpg
MOTORCYCLE CLEANING PRODUCTS – http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-cleaning-polish/images/cleaners.jpg