How to protect your bike from extreme temperatures?

The motorcycle is a complex system of metal, rubber, and fluids that, much like humans, suffers when the environment turns hostile. Cold slows it down. Heat exhausts it. Both wear down components that, without proper care, will eventually fail prematurely.

That’s why, if you truly want your motorcycle to stay in good condition, you need to know the enemies lurking at each extreme of the thermometer. And above all, how to fight them.

HEAT

What problems does heat cause?

Summer punishes the mechanics in a different way. Slower, but just as dangerous:

• The engine operates at its limit. In heavy traffic, long stops, or mountain climbs under 35ºC, the temperature gauge rises quickly. If the cooling system fails or the fan doesn’t engage, the engine can overheat to destructive levels.


• The tires. At high temperatures, air pressure increases automatically due to expansion. The contact with the asphalt changes, grip decreases, and center wear accelerates.


• The sun devours plastics and paint. Relentless UV rays. Plastics crack. Paint loses its shine. Controls dry out and start to break simply from the passing summers.


• Fuel evaporation. In partially filled tanks, heat favors the evaporation of the lighter gasoline fractions. The result: loss of octane and potential ignition problems.

How to protect your motorcycle from heat?

• Thoroughly check the cooling system. Correct fluid level, working fan, clean and unobstructed radiator. Don’t leave it to chance.


• Always check tire pressure when cold. Never adjust the pressure after riding. Rolling heat misleads the gauge.


• Park smart. Always seek shade when possible. Direct sunlight is the silent enemy that shortens your bike’s aesthetic life.


• Reflective cover, a key investment. Not all covers are equal. Reflective ones significantly reduce internal temperature during long exposures.


• Keep the tank fuller. This limits evaporation and stabilizes the fuel mixture during hot days.

COLD

What problems does cold cause?

When the air cuts your face and the asphalt crunches under the wheels, the motorcycle begins its own little internal battle:

• The battery loses power. Low temperatures slow down the chemical reactions inside the battery. The result: reduced capacity, insufficient amperage, and the risk of not starting on the day you’re most in a hurry.


• The oil. Lubricants lose fluidity in the cold. During the first seconds after starting, parts rotate almost dry, rubbing without the necessary protective film. Every cold start is a small punishment.


• The tires lose pressure. Air contracts. And even if it drops only 0.3 bar, grip changes, stability suffers, and tire wear becomes uneven.


• Coolant at risk of freezing. An old or degraded liquid can crystallize and burst internal engine lines. The damage is serious, expensive, and, worst of all, easily preventable.


• Moisture and rust lurking. Night condensation, fog, drizzle... everything accumulates on bolts, cables, and electrical contacts, opening the door to corrosion and electrical failures.

How to protect your motorcycle from cold?

• Battery maintainer always connected. Avoid surprises. Modern maintainers analyze, charge, and keep the battery in optimal condition for weeks or even months of disuse.


• Winter-adapted oil. Don’t improvise. Check the manual and choose the viscosity designed for low temperatures. The engine will thank you from the first turn.


• Keep pressure under control. Check it weekly in winter. Always do it cold, before riding, to get the real reading.


• Cooling system up to date. Replace the coolant according to the recommended interval. Never reuse expired fluids: they lose their protective properties.


• Daily physical protection. If there’s no garage, at least use a waterproof, breathable, and well-secured cover. Simply covering it each night makes a difference in preservation.