Hey guys, this is going to be my first year without having a warm place to store my bike for the winter. No garage, no nothing. I'm going to ride for a little bit more, and enjoy what good days I have left. Does anybody have any ideas for me about storage in the winter? Should I find a storage unit for a few months? If so is there anything I should do to the bike? I have a tickler for the battery, but is there anything else I should do to make sure it fires up with no issue next season? Flushed and changed my coolant already. Changed my oil too.

I don't know what climate you live in. If there's a chance of freezing I would also flush and bleed the brake/clutch fluid (I do this anyway). Best to raise the tires off the ground if possible (suspension unloaded IMO). If you can't I'd suggest moving the bike a couple times a month to avoid flat spots and dry rot. I'd also consider a cover. You should consider the possibility of rodents or pest taking residence in your bike. There's usually things you can do to try to avoid varmints lodging, maybe put some repellents around and that sort of thing. Plug the exhaust and put something on your keys/ignition to remind you it's plugged. Maybe you have a friendly/good bike shop around that might be able to offer some suggestions too that would be more specific to your area.

If it was me I would pay to store it somewhere out of the elements, the temps it can handle with simple preps but rain, water, snow, freeze and thaw are killers.

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm in North Carolina, October is a 50/50 month with weather, but pass November through mid March is just a no-ride-zone. I'm going to search around for some storage units this month before the cold sets in. I have never used a storage before, so I will try it out this year. The brake/clutch fluid is the next thing on my to-do list. I will keep you guys posted when I lock it up for the year and let you know what preps I have set and see if you guys have any further suggestions. Thanks again for the replies.

yes pay the $50/month for a small storage unit. don't you dare leave it out. if you must get one of those motorcycle tents.

Add 1 oz/gallon of Seafoam fuel stabilizer to the gas tank and run bike for a minute after the treatment is thoroughly dispersed in the gas. take out battery and put on charger unless you have electricity in the garage then you can leave in on charger. grease the chain up heavily if you want. I heard pouring a ring of borax around the bike keeps the critters away. don't start it until you're ready to ride again.

Ring of borax keeps the critters away? I have never heard that one before, but I am going to give it try. Lots of rodents in my area. I do not have any bike stands as of this moment, and I do not have an estimate on when I am getting them. I have been told that flat spots can occur. I have never experienced the flat tire issue before. Is there a certain time frame before the tire starts to give? Or do I need to ride it around the block a few times a month to keep the tires in check? Tires are pretty much brand new. Just broke them about a week ago.

yes pay the $50/month for a small storage unit.

Not in Philadelphia. I've been looking for a cheaper storage unit the past 4 years, minimum storage fee is $100.00 a month.

Ring of borax keeps the critters away? I have never heard that one before, but I am going to give i

Storage place and turn it on every week or so and you'll be fine. No trickling needed.

JMHO but if you turn it on meaning start the engine, it will condensate everything from the spark plugs to the exhaust. Best to leave it off until you're ready to ride. I've tried idling mine until hot in the cold and all I got was a cloudy oil level glass and line of steam coming out of each muffler. No real harm I guess. Those plugs still lasted 40k miles and were working fine. IDK what if anything it does to the motor but how I see it, why take chances. Save the beatings for when you ride.

Alright, so I lucked out. Buddy of mine cleared some space in his small garage unit in his apartments.(Free of charge). He keeps his Harley in there most of the time, but he rides year round so he was kind enough to let me bunk with him. But my bike is out of the elements which is a HUGE RELIEF. The storage isn't insulated but the temp doesn't drop as low as the weather does. My buddy keeps a small heater in there JUST IN CASE. He also did what you guys told me, and put a variety of bug and rodent fortifications up. Evidently he had acorns rattling around, and blowing out of his Fatboy last year LOL. I got the tickler in there in case the bike remains sleep for too long, buddy also stuffed the pipes with some socks and threw a Christmas hat on it for some laughs. Should be finishing up final preps within the week, but ill keep you guys posted. Thanks again for all of your advice!