How Do You Prepare a 2020 BMW R NINE T Scrambler for Winter Storage?
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Properly winterizing the 2020 BMW R NINE T Scrambler takes a few hours of focused preparation and pays for itself in spring when the bike starts easily and comes out of storage in the same condition it went in. As a fuel-injected, electric-start, air-cooled motorcycle, the R NINE T Scrambler has specific systems to address—fuel, battery, and cooling system guidance varies based on those confirmed characteristics, so work through the steps below in the context of this bike’s actual configuration.
Protecting the R NINE T Scrambler’s Fuel Injection System Over Winter
The fuel-injected R NINE T Scrambler doesn’t have the carburetor varnish problem of older bikes, but fuel degradation during winter storage is still a real concern that a few minutes of preparation can prevent. Modern gasoline, particularly ethanol-blended fuel, begins to degrade within weeks and absorbs moisture from the air as it sits.
Once the stabilizer is added to the R NINE T Scrambler’s tank, taking it out for a short final ride—even just around the block and back—circulates the treated fuel through the fuel lines, fuel filter, and injector rail before storage. This ensures the injectors and fuel rail are sitting in stabilized fuel over winter rather than in untreated fuel that may have been the last to go through the system before the stabilizer was added.
Battery Health Over Winter: What to Do Before and During Storage
The battery in the R NINE T Scrambler will self-discharge over the months of winter storage, and a battery that was marginal before storage may not be recoverable by spring if it is left to discharge completely. The ideal solution is a battery maintainer—a smart charger designed specifically for long-term battery maintenance—connected to the battery throughout storage.
If a maintainer isn’t going to be connected throughout storage, disconnecting the battery is the next best option. A disconnected battery self-discharges far more slowly than a connected one, because even with the ignition off, modern motorcycles draw a small parasitic current from the battery through clocks, immobilizers, and electronic control units. This standby draw is small but sufficient to significantly discharge a battery over several months. Disconnecting the negative terminal eliminates this draw.
What Months of Sitting Does to the R NINE T Scrambler’s Tires
Tires on the R NINE T Scrambler lose air pressure slowly even when the bike isn’t ridden, and a tire that deflates significantly over a winter layoff puts concentrated weight on a smaller contact area than a properly inflated tire, which promotes flat-spotting where the contact patch rests on the floor. Before storage, inflate both tires to the correct pressure for the R NINE T Scrambler.
Flat-spotting occurs when a tire sits in the same position under load for an extended period; the contact patch area can take on a slight flat profile from the deformation of the rubber compound under the bike’s weight. The severity of flat-spotting depends on the tire compound, the weight on the tire, the temperature, and the duration of the storage period. A tire on a paddock stand that lifts the wheels off the ground entirely doesn’t flat-spot at all, since there is no load on the tires in storage.
Engine Oil Before Storage: Why This Is a Winter Prep Step
The timing of the oil change relative to winter storage matters more than many riders realize. Oil that has been in the R NINE T Scrambler’s engine through a full season of riding contains combustion byproducts—including acids from combustion gases that bypass the piston rings and enter the crankcase, a process called blowby. These acids are neutralized by the oil’s additive package during active use, but oil that has been used to its service interval has depleted additives and a higher acid content than fresh oil.
Condensation inside the engine during storage is a secondary reason to change the oil before rather than after winter. When a warm engine is shut off and cools in a cold environment, moisture condenses on internal surfaces—including the cylinder walls and oil passages—and this moisture mixes with the oil in the sump. Fresh oil contains moisture-dispersing additives that suspend this condensation rather than allowing it to pool.
Pre-Storage Cleaning and Protection for the R NINE T Scrambler
Washing the R NINE T Scrambler thoroughly before winter storage is more than cosmetic preparation—it removes contaminants that cause ongoing damage when left in contact with paint, chrome, and metal surfaces for months. Road grime, insect residue, and brake dust are mildly acidic or contain corrosive compounds that etch into paint clear coats and attack chrome plating over time.
After washing and drying the R NINE T Scrambler completely, apply a light coat of appropriate protectant to the chrome, polished metal, and painted surfaces. A thin film of protectant on chrome surfaces creates a barrier against moisture and oxidation during the months the bike isn’t being washed and maintained. Silicone-free protectants are appropriate for surfaces near the brakes since silicone contamination on brake rotors and pads causes a significant reduction in braking effectiveness. Once the bike is cleaned and protected, cover it with a breathable motorcycle cover rather than a non-breathable plastic tarp.
The Final Pre-Storage Inspection on the R NINE T Scrambler
The R NINE T Scrambler’s shaft final drive requires no lubrication as part of the winterization process—the shaft drive housing is sealed and self-contained, unlike a chain or belt that needs periodic service. However, checking the shaft drive fluid level before storage is worthwhile if it’s been more than a season since it was last checked. Shaft drive fluid degrades over time from heat cycling and contamination, and the winter storage period is a convenient time to address it if it’s due.
Before putting the cover on the R NINE T Scrambler, do a brief final check for any fluid leaks that should be addressed before the bike sits for winter. Look at the floor under the engine for oil drips, under the forks for hydraulic fluid weeping from the fork seals, and around the brake calipers for brake fluid seepage.
Related Shopping Categories
Shop Fuel Stabilizer for a 2020 BMW R NINE T Scrambler Motorcycle.
Shop Batteries & Battery Chargers for a 2020 BMW R NINE T Scrambler Motorcycle.
Shop Oil and Fluids for a 2020 BMW R NINE T Scrambler Motorcycle.
Shop Tires for a 2020 BMW R NINE T Scrambler Motorcycle.
Shop Motorcycle Covers for a 2020 BMW R NINE T Scrambler Motorcycle.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace your motorcycle's official owner's manual. Always refer to your manufacturer's documentation for model-specific instructions, torque specifications, safety procedures, and maintenance requirements. If you are unsure or inexperienced, consider seeking assistance from a qualified mechanic or technician.
