It’s wintertime, and for most motorcycle riders in Kentucky, the colder weather means riders are readying their bikes for storage. They also need to make decisions regarding their motorcycle insurance coverage for the winter months. These winterizing tips and insurance information can help you prepare for the springtime ride around the corner.

Winterizing Tips

These winterizing tips can help keep your warm-weather wheels rolling smoothly again when spring arrives.

Battery—To prevent buying another battery in spring, remove your battery and store it in a clean, dry place. Before storing it, be sure to fully charge it since a discharged battery is more susceptible to freezing.

Belt drive—Inspect your belt drive before putting away your bike for the winter. Look at both the inside and outside of the belt, looking for chips, cuts and fraying or missing teeth.
Fluids—Freshen your oil, clutch, brake and coolant fluids. These fluids contain contaminants from regular use that can become corrosive over time and destroy your bike’s rubber seals.
Gasoline—Don’t leave your fuel gauge at its current level. Fill your tank with fresh fuel after your last ride. Leave a little room for a stabilizer, which helps prevent gas breakdown over time.
Tires—Fill your tires to their maximum suggested PSI before parking your bike for winter. In addition, using a stand to raise your bike off the ground will help preserve the integrity of your tires. If you don’t have a stand or frame, place plywood or carpet under each tire to form a protective barrier from the cold ground.
Wash and wax—Before storing your bike for winter, clean your bike to remove any bird droppings, bug splatter or unwanted water or mud stains that can damage paint over months of inactivity.

Winter Motorcycle Insurance

Motorcycle riders have several insurance options to consider for the winter months.

Cancel coverage—Many motorcycle riders opt to cancel their motorcycle insurance for the winter. Before doing this, it’s essential to check with your local DMV regarding their registration law. Many states require continuous insurance coverage.
Increase your deductible— If you don’t frequently ride, either by choice or due to weather, increasing your deductible is an excellent way to save on your premium. In addition, by maintaining a higher deductible during the summer months, you can lower your insurance rates throughout the year.
Reduce coverage—If you reduce your coverage or take other steps to lower your premium, you can keep coverage in place and save money when you’re less likely to use your motorcycle insurance.

Unseasonably warm winter days may seem like a perfect time to bring out your motorcycle for a ride. Still, if you’ve canceled your motorcycle insurance for the winter months, an uninsured ride could expose you to unforeseen risks. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 25% of all bike thefts occur during the winter, which makes you vulnerable to a significant loss if you’ve canceled your insurance coverage.

Augustine Insurance can help you obtain the best coverage to fit your needs and budget. You can enjoy the open road even more if you are not worried about the safety of your investment.

Winter Motorcycle Storage Tips for Kentucky Riders

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