Harley winter storage
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,077
Likes: 3,293
From: Plover, WI
All I ever have done is hook up a battery tender to the bike. Drape it with a dust cover. Put in transport mode. And never started them except to ride. Nothing else. Also the garage is not heated. I've had a number of bikes over the past 40 years. Never had a problem. All fired up and ran perfectly after 4 + months of idle. But do whatever makes you feel right.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
From Owner's manual:
1. Warm motorcycle to operating temperature; change oil and turn engine over to circulate the new oil.
2. On both carbureted and fuel injected vehicles, fill fuel tank and add a gasoline stabilizer. Use one of the commercially available gasoline stabilizers, following the manufacturer's instructions. Run the engine until the gasoline stabilizer has had a chance to reach the carburetor float bowl/fuel injectors. On carbureted vehicles, turn fuel supply valve OFF.
3. Adjust the belt.
4. Check tire inflation. Adjust to proper inflation pressure. Wash and wax painted and chrome surfaces.
5. See BATTERY for proper battery care. Remove battery from the motorcycle and charge. Store the battery above freezing temperatures, trickle charge once a month and on FLT models keep the electrolyte level above the plates.
That's not exactly what I do. I wash and wax my bike. I put Stabil in and ride to the gas station and fill my tank with non-ethanol premium. I go home, and change my oil. I store my bike in an unheated garage in Wisconsin, where it may get done to -30F. It's on a concrete floor. I put a breathable Harley cover on it. One year I didn't, because people on here said covers were bad, and I ended up with 1/4 inch of ice over the whole bike. So use a cover. A sheet works. I put steel wool in the exhaust to keep mice out.
I don't use transport mode, but it wouldn't hurt. I don't leave my bike on a battery tender, and I don't take the battery out. I leave the tender on once a month for a day or two.
1. Warm motorcycle to operating temperature; change oil and turn engine over to circulate the new oil.
2. On both carbureted and fuel injected vehicles, fill fuel tank and add a gasoline stabilizer. Use one of the commercially available gasoline stabilizers, following the manufacturer's instructions. Run the engine until the gasoline stabilizer has had a chance to reach the carburetor float bowl/fuel injectors. On carbureted vehicles, turn fuel supply valve OFF.
3. Adjust the belt.
4. Check tire inflation. Adjust to proper inflation pressure. Wash and wax painted and chrome surfaces.
5. See BATTERY for proper battery care. Remove battery from the motorcycle and charge. Store the battery above freezing temperatures, trickle charge once a month and on FLT models keep the electrolyte level above the plates.
That's not exactly what I do. I wash and wax my bike. I put Stabil in and ride to the gas station and fill my tank with non-ethanol premium. I go home, and change my oil. I store my bike in an unheated garage in Wisconsin, where it may get done to -30F. It's on a concrete floor. I put a breathable Harley cover on it. One year I didn't, because people on here said covers were bad, and I ended up with 1/4 inch of ice over the whole bike. So use a cover. A sheet works. I put steel wool in the exhaust to keep mice out.
I don't use transport mode, but it wouldn't hurt. I don't leave my bike on a battery tender, and I don't take the battery out. I leave the tender on once a month for a day or two.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,914
Likes: 3,205
From: On one of 10,000
Along with all the tips mentioned here, I'll add mine. I have a heated garage that attracts vermin. I buy a box of 'Bounce' dryer sheets and tuck them in and around the bike. I also do this to my boat. Never had mice or other critters since. Cheap insurance.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 353
From: Ohio
It allows the bike to be moved without setting off the alarm. Check your owner's manual for how to do it.
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