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Motorcycle storage is not something that takes a long time or a lot of experience. A few simple steps and you'll be on your way. The best place to store a bike is out of the weather. In a garage or maybe storage shed would be the most preferable. If you have access to a basement or even a U-Haul storage facility, those can work too. The last place you want to store it would be outside. Whether it's in the summer or winter, the elements will get to it faster. If you must store it outside, make sure to get a good, waterproof motorcycle cover.
The task of motorcycle storage is pretty easy and straight forward. Fluids should be changed (topped off or drained), parts of the bike should be lubed or removed and the bike should be stored away properly. We'll spend the rest of this page breaking this all down and then close up with some thoughts and additional tips to think about.
First thing you want to do if you are storing your bike anywhere other than your basement or storage facility (U-Haul) is to fill the tank. Top it all the way off. The less air in the tank, the better off you are. Drop in some "Dry Gas" or Gas Conditioner into the tank using the products recommended amount. For all bikes, start up the bike and let it run to warm the oil and then if you have a carbureted engine, close off the gas valve and let the engine shut down by burning off all the gas in the carb. For fuel injected engines, just shut them down once the oil is warmed. If you are storing the bike in your basement or a storage facility, burn off the entire tank of gas. You should store your bike dry.
Now that the engine is warm, change the oil and oil filter. You can actually do this when you are getting your bike ready for motorcycle storage or when you are taking them out of storage. I prefer to do them when I first put the bike in storage. Now pull your spark plugs and check the condition. Replace them if needed. Clean and gap them as a minimum. Place a teaspoon of engine oil in each cylinder then with the plugs out, gently turn over the engine using short bursts on the starter. Don't do this too long or the oil will spray all over. Once the engine has been turned a few times, put the plugs back in hand tight to keep dirt and debris out.
If you have a shaft drive bike, change the rear end oil. Check your bike's manual as to the procedure and type of lube to use. If you have a chain driven bike, coat the chain with a good cleaner, wipe the chain clean and then lube it using the recommended lube for your bike. Spin the rear wheel while in neutral to make sure the chain is completely lubed.
Bring the tire pressure for both front and rear up to the recommended pressure for your bike. Find a spot, out of the way to store it. Put the bike up on its center-stand and ad some additional blocking under the engine to raise the front wheel off the ground as well. Then either remove the battery and store it inside or attach a trickle charger to keep the charge up while installed on the bike. The last thing to do is cover it with a motorcycle cover, not a plastic tarp. Plastic won't breath and moisture may build up under it.
That's about all there is to motorcycle storage. Yes I know we can talk about all sorts of other things that people do to store their bike, but when it comes to the basics, that's it. Some change out their coolant, some always drain their gas tanks while others always top them off.
In the spring when you are ready to ride, set your battery back up in the bike, take the bike off the center stand, remove the plugs and bump the starter in short bursts to lube up the cylinders again. Then put the plugs back in, torque them up and start the bike. Let the oil burn out of the cylinders for a few minutes and then do a complete check of your bike before riding.
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