In the northern climates motorcyclists have two choices when winter arrives:

1. Continue riding the motorcycle

2. Winterize the motorcycle and put it away in storage until spring

So if you are fortunate to live where it's warm year-round or you choose to ride during the cold winter, there is no need to be concerned about winterizing your motorcycle or finding storage for it. Thus, even though I live in New Jersey USA where there are cold winters, I choose to keep riding as part of the Polar Bear Grand Tour. So, at least every Sunday I can expect to ride an average of 200 miles with 500 other Polar Bears unless the snow and ice cover the road. Then I stay home.

For those in the second group, there are many opinions on what should be done to winterize your motorcycle and store it. Here is a basic set of steps to winterize a motorcycle and store it.

• Check over the motorcycle for any mechanical problems.
• Change the engine oil and oil filter.
• Fill the gas tank, add stabilizer according to the instructions on the can, and run the motorcycle for a few minutes.
• Check the battery, clean the battery terminals, and connect a Battery Tender or similar trickle-charger.
• Clean and wax the motorcycle.
• Cover the motorcycle. If possible, keep the motorcycle in a warm garage.
• Make sure the motorcycle is locked up and the registration and other papers are removed in case the bike is stolen.
• Winterizing is a personal choice for motorcyclists.

Many approaches work. The tips provided here will get you back on the road next spring ready for new adventures in our mutual motorcycle obsession.

Walter Kern, About.com