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Prepare a Motorcycle for Winter Storage : How To

November 28, 2025November 24, 2025 by TomBoyNI

Prepare a Motorcycle for Winter Storage : The Ultimate Guide to Winter Motorcycle Storage :

As the days get shorter and the mercury on the thermometer dips, the inevitable time has come to put your motorcycle away for winter.

Don’t just toss a sheet over it and walk away! Proper preparation is crucial to ensure your bike emerges in spring ready to ride, looking perfect and not needing a major overhaul.

This guide covers everything you need to do, from cleaning to fuelling and fluid management as well as what I feel as the most important think for any bike over the winter – the application of ACF-50.

Step 1: The Deep Clean : 🧼

Before any protective measures can be applied, your bike must be spotless. Dirt, road salt, and grime are your enemy; they trap moisture and accelerate corrosion.

Wash Thoroughly: Give your motorcycle the best wash of its life. Use a quality cleaner and a soft sponge. Pay special attention to the underside, swingarm, wheels, and any hard-to-reach crevices where crud hides.
Dry Completely: This is non-negotiable. Use a microfibre towel, an air blower, or take it for a very short, slow ride (5-10 minutes) to let engine heat evaporate water from tricky spots like the exhaust headers and electrical connectors.

🧼 What Cleaner? My personal recommendation for a general purpose motorcycle cleaner is SDOC100. It is available in a 750ml spray bottle, but the real value is in the 5 litre drum. It is excellent stuff and eats through dirt and grime with very little effort needed. It is expensive stuff but well worth it, and five litres will last a considerable period of time.

Read more

Bilt Hamber Touchless Dilution Guide :

November 10, 2024 by TomBoyNI

Bilt Hamber Touchless Dilution Guide :

Bilt Hamber recommends using their Panel Impact Ratio (PIR) system to work out the exact amount of TOUCH-LESS required to get the best results. This is based around percentages: 0.5% for maintenance, up to 2% for very dirty vehicles.

The aim is to work out the real-world flow rate of your pressure washer.

You only need to do this process once..

Take note of how much water goes through your specific pressure washer and the corresponding dilution ratio/amount of product you need to measure out.

For snow foam lances:

Fill the reservoir up to capacity with plain water.
Turn the dilution knob to maximum (‘thickest’ foam).
Discharge the lance into a bucket, watching the reservoir until empty.
When the reservoir is empty, stop.
Now you’ll need a measuring jug.
For 2% dilution (very dirty vehicles), measure the amount of water in your bucket and multiply this number by 0.02. For example, if the total amount of water used is 10000ml (10L), you would need 200ml of TOUCH-LESS.
For maintenance washes, multiply the total amount of water used by 0.005. 10000ml takes you to 50ml of TOUCH-LESS.
Re-fill the reservoir with water and the correct amount of TOUCH-LESS. Shake for a few moments and you’re ready to go.
You can of course experiment with dilution ratios and the effect TOUCH-LESS has on your vehicle.

For trigger and pump sprayers:

Fusso F7 Liquid Wax Review :

September 9, 2025October 4, 2023 by TomBoyNI

Fusso F7 Liquid Wax Review :

With winter fast approaching it is now a good idea to give your motorcycles and cars a thorough winter clean.

Why you may ask?

To protect your paintwork from the harshness of winter. The increased road grime, the harsh temperature variations and the dreaded road salt that will eat and destroy everything that it can. (If you are an all year biker then In relation to road salt this is even more important for you and you really need to look at anti-corrosion protection for your machine. My personal recommendation is ACF-50, but that process will be covered in another post.). Now is the time to get ready for the attack of winter.

What should I do?

Deep clean and protect. Take the time now to do a little hard work to make your maintenance throughout the winter that little bit easier.

This is not meant to be a detailed post on how to wash your car, so if you have any questions please feel free to comment below this post but here is what I recommend to get yourself winter ready – the final step uses Fusso F7 – and the review you came here for.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give is do nothing in direct sunlight or when the paint is hot.

Snowfoam – to remove any obvious dirt and grime and soften what remains on the paint.
Citrus Spray – to remove or soften any bugs and other road grim.
Thoroughly rinse, if you notice a large amount of grime being removed a second dousing of snow foam would do no harm.
Wheels and tyres can be addressed as the snow foam dwells.
Wash using a wash mitt – using the two bucket method, one bucket contains your suds of choice, the other is for washing and rinsing your mitt. Do one panel at a time and rinse your mat thoroughly between each panel.
Decontaminate – what you need to do here will vary by car, but you may benefit from clay, tar removal etc.
Rinse thorouhly.
Dry. A car dryer is ideal – and screw fix sell a vacuum cleaner that also blows for about £35. It is a bargain and an absolute must if you plan on doing similar with your motorcycle.
At this point I decided to polish the car using Autoglym Super Resin Polish. I didn’t need to clay, or use a tar / spot removal product and Autoglym SRP is now often overlooked for some of the more influencer heavy brands, but don’t underestimate this product. It is an absolute essential for any garage shelf!
That was me ready to try Fusso F7.

NC500 Super Unleaded Fuel

November 28, 2023September 16, 2023 by TomBoyNI

NC500 Super Unleaded Fuel : (Accurate as of September 2023)

“Where can you get Super Unleaded Fuel on the Scotland’s North Coast 500 Route?”

This is one of the most asked questions about the NC500 route, alongside, where can you get fuel on the NC500?

Thankfully the answer to the latter question is easy – there are loads of petrol stations along the route and as long as the range of the vehicle you are travelling in or on has is comfortably around 80 miles you don’t need to worry at all.

However if it is Super Unleaded, or E5 fuel, that you need for your vehicle, whether due to age, performance or personal choice then things become a little more difficult – although certainly not impossible.

Starting Point : Inverness :

Most people will start the NC500 from Inverness and then more off either clockwise or anticlockwise around the route. Which direction to go is another huge question, both options have their plus points and to be honest there are no real negatives – after all you will be going into the Scottish Highlands to take on an epic road trip, left or right is really of minimal consequence!

The good news is, there is no issue in getting Super Unleaded or E5 fuel in Inverness.

Michelin Anakee Adventure : Long Term Review

October 9, 2023June 22, 2023 by TomBoyNI

Michelin Anakee Adventure : Long Term Review

Michelin Anakee Adventure Tyres (on a 2010 BMW R1200GSA) :

This is a long term review of the Michelin Anakee Adventure Tyres, which replaced my Metzeler Tourances. Those Metzeler tyres were exceptional and were available at the point of changing so why, you make ask did you change from what you liked and clearly worked for you? The answer to that is simply marketing. At the time I changed to these Michelins they were the stock tyre for the R1200GSA and then for the new R1250GS model range. So if you bought a new bike from BMW these are the tyres that came on a new bike and I wanted to try them out. The power of marketing and brand awareness, eh.

TOP : Metzeler Tourance / BOTTOM : Michelin Awake Adventure

The Michelin Anakee Adventure is currently the OE tyre choice for the following :

BMW MOTORRAD : R1250 GS
KTM : 790 Adventure, 390 Adventure
MOTO GUZZI : V85 TT
TRIUMPH : Street Scrambler, Tiger 850 Sport, Tiger 900 GT

You can read the Long Term Review of the Metzeler Tourance Tyres here.

I put 10,290 miles on these Michelin tyres and at the point of change the rear was on the wear markers and there was still a reasonable amount of usable tread on the front.

Michelin Awake Adventure : Wear and Tear after 10,290 miles — Metzeler Tourance at Point of Change

If you are looking to know the crux of this review, then here it is. They are decent but there are better options. Read to the end to see what I replaced them with and my initial impressions. No cheating though please. Don’t be jumping to the end of the review just yet.

2022 Mid Antrim 150 Results : EVENT CANCELLED.

September 10, 2022September 9, 2022 by TomBoyNI

2022 Mid Antrim 150 Results : EVENT CANCELLED.

The 2022 Mid Antrim 150 was due to run over the 9th and 10th September 2022 and marked the end of the Irish / Northern Irish Road Racing Calendar for the year. Practice Sessions were ran on the 9th September 2022. Race day was scheduled for Saturday 10th September 2022. However due to acts of vandalism and sabotage to the track the event had to be cancelled in the early hours of the Saturday morning.

2022 Mid Antrim 150 Road Races Cancelled

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/northern-ireland/62861072

~~You will find the results for each race below :~~

The Schedule of races is seen below.

Saturday 10th September 2022 :

2022 Walderstown Road Races Results

July 12, 2022July 12, 2022 by TomBoyNI

2022 Walderstown Road Races Results :

The 2022 Walderstown Race of the South Road Races ran over the weekend of Saturday 9th July – Sunday 10th July 2022. Practice Sessions were held on the Saturday Session along with the Junior Support Championship Race and the remainder of the races running on Sunday 10th July 2022.

The results from the event are as follows :

Saturday 9th July 2022 :

Junior Support Non-Championship Race :

Sunday 10th July 2022 :

Open Championship Race :

Senior Support Championship Race :

Classic 250cc-350cc Championship Race :

400cc Championship Race :

Supersport 600cc Championship Race :

Junior Support Championship Race :

Classic 500cc – 1000cc Championship Race :

Supertwin 650cc Championship Race :

Senior Support Non-Championship Race :

Grand Final ’Race of the South’ :

Keep up with all the latest News on the Walderstown Race of the South Facebook Page.

The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/

You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed.

So Follow those also.

Honda Super Cub Cover : Oxford Aquatex Review

July 23, 2020 by TomBoyNI

Honda Super Cub Cover : Oxford Aquatex Review :

Honda C125A Super Cub :

There is no doubt the Honda C125 Super Cub is a thing of beauty. The throw back to the original Honda Super Cub is obvious and it has an iconic styling that has stood the test of time.

In continuous manufacture since 1958 with production surpassing 60 million in 2008, 87 million in 2014, and 100 million in 2017,^[2] the Super Cub is the most produced motor vehicle^* in history.^[3] Variants include the C100, C50, C70, C90, C100EX and C70 Passport, as well as the Honda Trail series.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Super_Cub

By Mj-bird - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12356587 — By Mj-bird – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12356587

So, you have the iconic bike, with the iconic styling, now it is up to you to make sure you keep it looking as iconic as possible and protect it from the elements as best you can.

Inside or Outside :

For most people that will mean one of two things, keeping the bike protected from the elements outside, or protecting it whilst stored inside.

Personally I am lucky enough that I need the protection for the bike whilst it is being stored in my garage. So the commentary on this post will refer mostly to keeping the bike inside.

That is obviously a much less harsh environment than what the raw elements could throw at it, but even if you bike is stored in a garage it is definitely worth considering keeping it under cover whilst inside.

In my case the garage is basic, the bike is not in a bubble, there is no dehumidifier, no heating, no climate control. It is a basic standalone brick garage. The temperature variations are pretty big as are humidity levels. In winter the temperature can reach a few degrees above freezing, in summer it can reach the mid 20s. Last week alone the humidity levels have ranged between 53% and 91%.

Not only that but it is a working garage. Other appliances are in there so there is foot traffic as well as the fact that my go to BMW is in there too.

So for me a cover offers an additional level of protection, over what the garage already offers from the elements. It protects from dust and debris in the garage, protects from anything brushing against the bike and protects from the temperature range in the garage which during the cooler periods of the rear could result in condensation. All of this protection comes in below £20GBP.

Install a Honda Super Cub Trickle Charger

October 24, 2020April 5, 2020 by TomBoyNI

Honda Super Cub Trickle Charger Installation :

Whether it is 2020 and you are on lockdown due to a global pandemic (if you are reading this and it isn’t 2020 look it up) or you have just bought yourself the new yet iconic Honda C125A Super Cub it is a good idea to consider a trickle charger to keep the battery charged, optimised and healthy. This is especially true if you won’t be regularly using the bike – the manual states that you will only get about 10 days from the battery if you have the alarm armed – and you should have the alarm armed. If you aren’t using the alarm then you are advised to charge the battery every 30 days. You can remove the hassle by taking 20 minutes and installing a trickle charger.

2019 Isle of Man TT Qualifying Session 2 : 28/05/2019 : Results

June 2, 2019May 31, 2019 by TomBoyNI

Check out the Gallery from the 28/05/2019 Qualifying Session Here : https://tbni.blog/2019/06/02/2019-isle-of-man-tt-qualifying-session-2-28-05-2019-gallery/

Dean Harrison at TT Qualifying 28/05/2019

After a glorious Monday morning and afternoon in the South of the Island at the Blackford’s Pre-TT Races in Billown the rain started pretty much as soon as the last sidecar got itself back to the paddock and that was that. Monday night’s TT Qualifying Session was cancelled.

And boy did it rain! The road back from Billown consisted of bikes parked under trees, riders frantically trying to get waterproofs on – anything thing that could offer some form shelter was utilised for man and machine. The funniest image I have taken away from the rain storm – as it was a rain storm – was four ‘power rangers,’ no offence ‘power rangers’ – off their bikes as they stood in a brick bus shelter, lids and all still on, just watching the rain bounce off the road and their machines. All in a perfect line looking like if a bus came along they would be happy to abandon their machines and just bus it back to Douglas.

The result was no qualifying and a statement that the Monday night Schedule would be held on Tuesday.

Remember ‘there is no such thing as bad weather only bad gear.’
* Does not apply to racing.

Tuesday came, and it was like the Isle of Man had shifted to the Med. It was a bit cool, but it was glorious wall to wall sunshine with not a cloud in the sky.

Qualifying was ‘Go.’

On the Superbikes Dean Harrison was still showing great from form Sunday and took the fastest time, lapping at 129.531mph. Conor Cummins also showing more of the same took the second spot and James Hillier was snapping at his heels, with the riders lapping at 128.088mph and 128.075mph respectively.

Superbikes Qualifying – Fastest Laps

Superstock machines were again lead by Dean Harrison at 129.336mph on his Silicone Engineering Kawasaki. David Johnson and Sam West taking the second and third spots of this session.

Superstock Qualifying – Fastest Laps

On the Supersports Peter Hickman got himself back to the top of the lists, lapping at 123.917mph on his Triumph / K2 Trooper Beer Triumph by Smiths Racing. Derek McGee brought some his of amazing Irish National talents and skills taking the second best time of the session at 122.037mph on his B & W / Diamond Edge Cuttin Kawasaki. The third fastest supersports position went to Lee Johnston on his Ashcourt Racing Yamaha with an average speed of 121.378mph

Supersports Qualifying – Fastest Laps

The last out in the session where the sidecar outfits. John Holden and Lee Cain took the fastest lap on their Silicone Engineering/Barnes Racing Honda lapping at 114.988mph. Peter Founds and Jevan Walmsley took second with their Rowtec Engineering / Morris Lubricants Suzuki, Alan Founds and Jake Lowther were third fastest in their Cloud Vapers Yamaha. The times were 114.399mph and 112.352mph respectively.

Sidecars Qualifying – Fastest Laps

Check out the full detailed results here : https://www.iomttraces.com/racing/schedule/tuesday-28th-may

2019 Isle of Man TT Qualifying Session 2 : 28/05/2019 : Results