Although with the end of the holidays the use of the motorcycle increases exponentially, especially in the city, in some cases the opposite happens and with the arrival of September, the one that has been a faithful friend during the summer is stored in a garage until next time. season. It occurs especially in those frames that are used during the summer months in second homes, urbanizations, chalets and others and in those whose owners are afraid of the cold and rain of winter.
These are vehicles whose operational life is essentially limited to three summer months and after which they are hibernated until the following year.
In principle, and if done correctly, there should not be any technical problem, although, as we say, a series of guidelines must be followed, since a motorcycle stored in poor condition can be both a source of pollution for the environment and subsequent mechanical problems when it is restarted.
It seems obvious but not every corner is suitable to house a motorcycle at rest. It must be a covered and dry space, which means not so much that it has a roof - which is understood - but that there are no signs of humidity on the floor or walls - and where there is no risk of being affected by the effects of the weather. eventual rain or wind.
During the period of inactivity it will be essential to either remove the battery - the most recommended - or install a disconnector. Not only because this will prevent the battery from discharging - something that will probably happen sooner rather than later, although if you have taken the precaution of disconnecting it afterwards it will be able to recharge without problem - but because doing so will not let corrosive liquids escape that are lethal to the motorcycle and to the vehicle. environment.
It is not so much a simple aesthetic issue - which is also... damn it's your motorcycle! - but rather a matter of maintenance of the paint and plastics. The accumulated dirt will end up damaging them over time and that is why a good wash before storage is necessary. Of course, it is just as harmful to store the motorcycle with dirt as it is to store it wet because it has not been dried properly after the washing session.
Inside the tank, the space not occupied by fuel is occupied by air and that means oxidation in the medium term. Super 95 gasoline begins to lose thermal properties after six months, but it does not oxidize, so its presence protects the inside of the tank from this. That is why it is recommended that when hibernating the motorcycle it is done with the highest possible level of gasoline in the tank. It is better to evaporate some of the fuel to the rust.
What was said for gasoline also applies to lubricating oil and the rest of the common technical fluids. And even better if they are all changed and completely renewed before storing the motorcycle. In this way we ensure that the oil or brake fluid or coolant are free of impurities that could damage the crankcase or the pumps or cooling pipes during the period of inactivity.
A good way to prevent tires from deforming is to inflate them between a kilo and a kilo and a half above their perfect pressure. Obviously this only serves to help maintain the shape of the casings and under no circumstances for circulation. In this sense - that of maintaining the shape of the tires - the ideal is that none of the wheels touch the ground using, if possible, a central auxiliary support. Although one specifically for a motorcycle is recommended, failing that, a sturdy metal or wooden box, a log or a pile of bricks can perform this function.
The suspension - both the front and rear - must rest without any type of pressure either in extension or compression. This means not loading the bike with weights such as boxes with spare parts, motorcycle clothing or any other dead weight that would cause prolonged compression of the cushioning.
A stationary motorcycle is very attractive to strangers since they know that the owner is not going to pay the same attention to it as if he or she used it every day. This means that you should not forget the general safety principles and stop maintaining certain routines. If possible, tie it with a chain to some fixed element. Anti-theft elements always installed, lock locked, papers never in the glove compartment and navigators, suitcases, equipment and other accessories outside the motorcycle.
The inexpensive and long-suffering cover - the longer and more it covers the entire motorcycle, the better - is simply essential as protection against garage soot - one of the most damaging elements for an engine's filters - or the dust that accumulates in a closed space. The cover - especially if it looks very damaged or exposed - must be replaced regularly since even the highest quality ones can end up having pores or cracks and it must be waterproof but breathable to allow gasoline gases to escape. If it is not, a couple of strategically made holes are enough as long as they do not affect the protection.
One of the most common traditional mistakes when improperly hibernating a motorcycle is to focus on the mechanics and forget that the soft parts such as tubes, grips, seats, leather... dry out and fall apart if they are not taken care of. The solution is to apply a silicone-based synthetic lubricant spray or with a cloth smeared with paraffin. And although, by the way, soft, what is called soft is not what the chain is, it must also be completely lubricated.
