Motorcycling in winter

What are you doing with your motorcycle now that the weather is getting colder? Hopefully it has been a good year for motorcycling in the Netherlands and you have had many beautiful days on your motorcycle. Perhaps you have ridden one of these five beautiful motorcycle routes across Europe.

After many days of enjoying your motorcycle, it is wise in the winter to put your motorcycle in a storage facility. Perhaps winter storage is a solution for you. What should you pay attention to when putting your motorcycle away?

There are some 650,000 motorcyclists in the Netherlands. Most motorcyclists park their motorcycles in storage during the winter. This is due to the cold and the danger that motorcycling entails in winter. Slippery roads due to leaves on the road, a wet or bad road surface and possibly poor visibility, it is not pleasant as a motorcyclist to hit the road in these conditions. In addition, something can easily go wrong, you are very vulnerable as a motorcyclist and it is often too cold to ride in very low temperatures.

In spring, the motorcycles are taken out of storage again, so that they can be ridden right away on the first beautiful day in Holland.

Your motorcycle in winter storage

If you choose to put your motorcycle in storage during the winter months, there are a number of things to consider as a motorcyclist.

• It is important to clean the engine well before putting it away. The paint and chrome work can then not be damaged by moisture and dirt.
• After the last ride, before putting the bike in storage, it is wise to lubricate the chains and gears. If the engine is still warm, the grease can penetrate deeper.
• Acids in the oil can corrode parts of your engine, during the winter period. This also makes it advisable to change the oil.
• Fill the fuel tank properly before storing. If the fuel tank is too empty, over time, rust may develop. The coolant should have the proper protection value against frost. It is also important to check the battery fluid level and top it up with distilled water if necessary.

During storage

During the time your motorcycle is in storage, it also needs maintenance. The best thing for the tires is to place the tires off the ground so that they cannot deform if the engine is left standing for too long. If this is not possible, increase the tire pressure by 0.5 bar and move the engine occasionally. The battery should be charged regularly to prevent it from breaking down and losing its starting capacity. You can do this with a trickle charger, for example.

Driving through the winter

If you want to keep riding your motorcycle during the winter months, make sure you don't go on the road in snow and sleet. Very experienced riders, such as motorcycle officers do not even go on the road then.

In principle, it is quite possible to continue riding during the winter months as long as the road surface remains dry, you dress warmly and make sure you are clearly visible by wearing a colored safety vest. In addition, of course, make sure you have good motorcycle insurance, in case the unexpected happens.

Read our tips for getting on the road safely with your motorcycle in the spring.