5 Tips to help Bikers Survive Winter

You think it's cold where you live? Come to Northern New York and we'll show you cold (this morning it was -11°F)!!

I love, love, love the summer months -long days in which to ride my 2004 Dyna Super Glide, warm weather to ride in, BBQ's on the back deck after washing my bike, then sitting by the fire pit for a lovely evening before getting up and doing it all again.

So winter for me really starts when I put my bike up for Winter Storage.... which was just before Halloween this year...... Sigh.

And I am not alone. Many others suffer from PMS during the cold winter months (that's Parked Motorcycle Syndrome), the same as I. 

In light of this, I've gotten together with my co-workers at FXCHD and we've created this list so that you might survive the cold chill without losing your mind.

1. Stay Warm: Which can be a tough one but doable. Block drafts
   
   from coming in your house and change the furnace filter. Dress in layers when outside. Wear lined boots with good, thick socks. Oh, and a good hat with flaps to cover your ears.
2. Celebrate the Holidays: And I'm not talking about just Christmas and New Year's. I'm talking about Thanksgiving, Ground Hog Day, Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day. Really throw yourself into it, and by the time
   
   Easter rolls around you know you've made it through.
3. Stay active: I mean more than just shoveling and snow blowing, which is inevitable here. I mean doing a project that keeps you occupied, like an engine upgrade on your bike. Or jig-saw puzzles, or taking your dog for a walk and/or take up snowmobiling (remember to dress in layers). Bear in mind
   
   the Biker saying: Keep Moving Forward.
4. Stick it in your Ear: Being off the bike means I'm stuck in my car for the duration. Fortunately my car has Sirius XM and is usually set to Octane. It's a chance to listen to new music and update my MP3 player for when I am back on my bike. And Grant Random keeps it real with his insights & comments (he definitely has a Biker mentality). 
5. Remembering the 7 "P's": Proper prior planning prevents piss
   
   poor performance. Look at the riding season and plan ahead. Going to a rally? Book your stay now rather than wait till the last minute (even three months out you're likely to have a hard time finding a place to stay). Take a look at which route you'll ride to get there. Make out your packing list now and update or upgrade your gear as needed (especially since shops tend to have sales on Riding Gear during the off season).

The good news is that by the time Winter officially starts (December 22), it's nearly half over for us. Another plus, wintertime in Northern New York is quite beautiful.

ICYMI: Shop Talk -DIY Winter Motorcycle Storage

Recently I talked about this at our dealership, as I'm a firm believer in preventing Harley abuse! And because of that, I'm sharing it here just in case you missed it:

Days getting shorter, temps dropping, and soon that four letter "s" word will be upon us. While some of us can transition easily into the coming winter wonderland, your bike isn't one of them. That's why FXCHD is here to show you how to tuck your bike in for it's long winter's nap.

Why winterize?
Sure your Harley is tough, but old man winter can be tougher.

Without proper weatherization the condition of your motorcycle will rapidly deteriorate. That can add to your repair bill and will adversely effect the resale value. Of course the most important reason to prep your bike for storage is because you want to be riding your bike, not wrenching on it (or having us do it for you) come Spring.

Make some room:
Find some room in your garage or other permanent structure that has a floor, four walls, a roof and power. Clean and organize your area, then put a tarp down to act as a moisture barrier. Next put an old carpet over the tarp -this will be your baby's home for the next 4-5 months. Remember that mice will want to be getting out of the cold too, and your bike is a nice way to do that. Get some moth balls, put them in an old tube sock and put them around where your bike will be napping.

Prep your bike:

• Fill your bike's gas tank up to the neck and add fuel stabilizer. By the time you get home from the gas station the stabilizer will have worked it's way through the fuel system. Now your bike is warm so you can....
• Change your Oil & Filter: oil is like underwear- it should be changed every so often! The acids in dirty oil can step up engine corrosion, so you should change these out for fresh Harley Syn3 Oil.
• Is your bike liquid-cooled? V-Rod, Street and certain Touring models are. You'll want to check your levels and add antifreeze if necessary.
• Prep the Paint: Bug guts and road grime is like a badge of
  
  honor for all the miles you've ridden, but if left on over winter they can eat away at the paint & chrome. Thoroughly wash your bike, dry it, then coat all painted parts & chrome with wax and use S100 Corrosion Protectant or WD-40 on unfinished metal (mag wheels and engine fins). A better way to show off all the miles you've ridden: H.O.G. Mileage Program
• Keep the spark alive! Even as our bikes are sitting quietly there is a drain on their battery. Hook your bike up to a Harley Supersmart Battery Tender (66000038) - it even comes with a "Pig Tail" (94624-97B if purchased separately) which allows easy access. The built in "smart" circuitry of the battery tender will turn the charger on and off as needed, so your battery never overcharges. At only $39.95 +tax (versus $115 on up for a new battery) it's a real bargain!
• Be well-rounded.... Protect your tires over the winter months by making sure they have the proper tire pressure. Now park
  
  your bike on the carpet (on top of the tarp) you put down earlier. That will prevent your tires from freezing to the concrete. Your bike will be fine on it's kick stand, but if you want to go the extra mile you can put your bike up on a lift. 
• Set it and forget it (yup, I'm borrowing from Ron Popeil). Plug in the battery tender, put one of the moth-ball-filled socks right underneath your bike (according to Dennis in Parts this will help to keep the mice away), and tuck your bike in under a premium motorcycle cover with breathable microfiber material that promotes air circulation and reduces moisture build-up.

Don't have space at your place? You can store your bike with FXCHD - all you need to do is provide us with a cover.

Don't forget your Riding Gear:

• Use Leather Care to clean, condition and preserve your leather jackets, vests and chaps. 
• Use Novus Plastic Cleaner to clean the bug guts off your helmet(s). Store helmets inside your house (or other climate controlled area) so the freezing temps and rodents won't get to the shell and lining. 

Waiting is the Hardest Part

Tom Petty sure got that right! Suffering through PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) can be a challenge in the North Country. Of course you can take advantage of the down time by customizing.... Turn the bike of your dreams into your reality while she sleeps. And you can come see us at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson- we'll have our annual Chili Cook-Off in February, and our NNY Harley Owners Group will have their annual Motorcycle Insurance Seminar in April.

Not close to us? Most dealerships host events and are open year round. Click here to find a dealer in your neck of the woods.

Despite all your hard work to prep, in the Spring as you wake your Sleeping Beauty, it's always a good idea to do a T-CLOCS inspection. Then dust off your riding skills- ride over to an empty parking lot and practice figure eights, emergency stops and evasive maneuvers.