How to Store Your Triumph for Winter (and Protect Your Exhaust)
We've created a Winter Care Guide to help you protect your bike over winter.
Winter is just around the corner, which makes now a good time to give your bike some attention, especially the exhaust. A little preparation before it goes away can save you cleaning headaches, corrosion and avoidable work when the better weather returns.
We’ve put together a Winter Care Guide covering how we prepare our own bikes in the workshop. Here’s a taste of what’s in it, and why it’s worth ten minutes before you put the cover on.
Clean it properly before it goes away
It’s tempting to put the bike away dirty and deal with it in spring, but deposits left on the surface for months are much harder to remove. We always use cold or lukewarm water and Muc-Off Motorcycle Cleaner, because warm water can aggravate salt and lead to corrosion.
Pay particular attention to the underside, headers, fasteners and the areas around the exhaust joints. Then dry everything thoroughly. Water trapped around brackets, welds and clamps can encourage corrosion while the bike sits.
Know what you’re cleaning
Different exhaust finishes react differently to heat, moisture and cleaning products, so it helps to know what you’re working with.
Stainless steel is durable, but it isn’t stain-proof. Road salt and moisture can leave marks, especially around welds, joints and fasteners. Let the exhaust cool completely, wash with cold water and a mild, non-abrasive cleaner, and dry it thoroughly. An air gun works well because it doesn’t leave streaks.
Titanium can show blue, purple or gold tones with heat. These are usually normal heat effects rather than damage, so don’t try to polish it back to a uniform silver. You can permanently alter the finish and remove the colouration that gives it character.
On any finish, avoid wire wool, abrasive pads and aggressive polishing compounds, and never clean an exhaust with brake cleaner or brake fluid.
Don’t leave the grit on
UK road grit is highly corrosive and will eat into any surface it’s left on. Rust and the white-spider effect can start surprisingly quickly, so wash it off promptly rather than leaving it until the weekend.
The rest of the bike
The full guide also covers fuel, battery, tyres, chain and storage, including why a breathable cover beats wrapping the bike in plastic. In the workshop we run stored bikes up to temperature once a month, outside the garage, never inside. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which can be harmful.
Get the full guide
Download the Winter Care Guide for the complete workshop routine, with step-by-step advice for stainless steel and titanium exhausts.
Download the Winter Care Guide
And if you’re planning an upgrade while your Triumph is tucked away, winter is the ideal time to get the sound, finish and character exactly right, so it’s ready the moment the sun comes back out. Explore our handcrafted Triumph exhausts.
