Service
Motorbike stood for months: how to get it ready to ride again
By the workshop · 3 min read · October 19, 2026
A bike that has spent months in the garage isn't broken, but it isn't ready either. Starting it up and heading off as if nothing had happened is the quickest way to turn a couple of cheap checks into a breakdown. This is what we look at, and in what order.
Battery first
It's the first thing to die on a bike that has been standing. If it struggles to start or won't start at all, charge it with a maintenance charger before you strain the starter motor. A battery that won't hold its charge after a night on the charger needs replacing; bump-starting the bike every day is not a solution.
Stale petrol
After a few months petrol loses its properties and leaves deposits. If the tank is half empty, top it up with fresh petrol before starting; if the bike has stood for more than a year, it's worth draining the tank and checking the fuel system before you keep trying to start it.
Tyres and pressure
Tyres lose pressure over the months and, resting on the same spot, can develop flat spots. Set them to the pressure in the manual and look for cracks in the sidewalls. If you feel a rhythmic thump when riding, the flat spot hasn't gone and they need replacing.
Brakes: rusty discs and sticking calipers
A film of rust on the discs is normal and goes with the first few gentle stops. What isn't normal is a wheel that won't spin freely or a lever that comes right back to the grip: stuck pads, seized pistons or old brake fluid. If the fluid is more than two years old, change it.
Oil, chain and other fluids
If the oil has been in for more than a year, change it even if the bike has covered few kilometres. Lubricate the chain and check its tension. Check the coolant and brake fluid levels and look for leaks under the bike after the first start.
How we do it at the workshop
A general recommissioning service: battery, fuel system, brakes, tyres, chain and fluids, with a quote before we touch anything. Use our free online booking and tell us how long the bike has been standing: it changes what needs checking.
What you ask us
How long standing counts as “a long time”?
After two or three months the battery is already suffering; after six, the petrol and tyres too; after a year, all of that plus the oil and fluids.
How should I lay it up next time?
With a full tank, the battery on a maintenance charger or disconnected, the tyres at the right pressure and, if you can, on a stand that takes the weight off the wheels. And a breathable cover, not plastic.
Is it harder to start from cold after standing?
That's common the first few times. If it's still hard to start after a few rides, it's usually the battery, the spark plug or the fuel system, and a diagnosis sorts it out quickly.
We do it
Would you rather not get your hands dirty?
We get it ready for you at the workshop. Book a slot and pick a real time.
