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Winterizing Your Ride
I have never been one to park my bike for the "winter season." However,
knowing I will generally ride "less" in the colder month’s preparation is always necessary. Here are a couple of suggestions
to help keep your bike ready to ride with those random, but beautiful, clear, and chilly days of winter call you out for a
ride.
Battery: There is nothing worse then getting the itch to ride, getting geared up and hearing nothing but silence
when you turn your key and press your starter button, I suggest every motorcycle rider own and previously use some sort of
Battery Maintained device. My three favorites are the Battery Tender, Kisan ChargeX, and Kuryakyn CTEK battery management
systems. Each of these units maximizes battery life and performance by maintaining the battery at a full charge while never
over charging.
Air Pressure: Air in tires and suspension leaks out over time. Make sure to put the proper amount of air
pressure in both before putting the bike away.
Tires: Many of my riding buddies will keep old and shoddy tires on their
bikes all winter in the hopes they can hold out until spring so they can start the new season on new tread. Most all tire
manufacturers and safety advisors frown on this system as it is simply not safe. You should change your tires at the
end of the normal riding season which will provide a safe ride if they get stuck in wet winter conditions. In addition, it
will be one less thing to have to worry about when spring arrives. Lifting the motorcycle off the ground with a motorcycle
jack will prevent the tires from flat spotting during long periods of storage.
Jeff Reif
Safety& Education Officer
Motorcycle Tool Bag
I generally end up with these tools in my bag:
Extra set of keys-easily
found and not locked away
3/8” Ratchet and Socket set
Two to three Screwdrivers
Allen wrenches as needed
Hammer
with shortened handle
Vice Grips
Large Adjustable Wrench
Set of Box-end / Open-end Wrenches
Hacksaw Blade
Six
Foot of Wire and Wire Nuts
Knife or some kind of cutting tool
Tire repair kit
Flashlight
Torx bits and other bits
needed for tightening stuff
Small Multimeter
Duct Tape/Electrical Tape Blue Lock-tight
Tire Pressure Gauge
Assortment of nuts and bolts
Nuts and bolts on Harleys tend to loosen due to the vibration
of the engine. It will be necessary at times, to check for loose fasteners and just look for anything that looks worn or maladjusted.
Adding Locktight to the end of loose bolts will keep them tight, but allow you to remove them if needed. If there is any question
as to the “fitness” of your motorcycle, be sure to get it checked out.
You should check your tire pressure
every week. Your tires will lose about a pound of air pressure a week. Low air pressure will allow your bike to slip in corners,
causing a different “feel”, and a possible dangerous situation.
You may not think you need all these tools,
but someone will. And, as a Concerned Biker you can help
Jeff Rief,
Safety&Ed Coordinator
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