Common questions from riders across Toronto and the GTA — from how to prep your bike, to booking timelines,
to what we actually do with your motorcycle from October through April.
How should I prepare my motorcycle for winter storage?
The only thing you need to do is fill up the tank with gas before we arrive.
A full tank prevents moisture from condensing inside the tank during the cold months — which is what causes rust and fuel issues in motorcycles that sit over winter.
We handle everything else: photo-documented pickup, secured transport in an enclosed van with wheel chocks and ratchet straps, indoor storage, and — on the Premium plan — battery tender all winter, pre-spring wash and detail, tire pressure check, and fluid top-up.
You don't need to drain fuel, disconnect the battery, put the bike on a stand, or buy a cover. Just top up the gas and we'll take it from there.
Do I need to drain the fuel before winter storage?
No. A full or nearly-full tank is actually better than an empty one — it prevents moisture condensation inside the tank during cold months. If you want extra protection, add a fuel stabilizer (Sta-Bil or similar) on your last fill-up and run the engine for a few minutes so it reaches the carbs or injectors. We don't drain fuel as part of our storage service.
Should I disconnect the battery before storage?
Not necessary with us. On the Standard plan, your bike sits indoors in a facility that prevents deep cold damage to the battery. On the Premium plan, we keep the battery on a tender (trickle charger) the entire winter, so it's fully charged and healthy when you pick it up in spring. If you're storing the bike yourself, disconnecting the negative terminal is a good idea to prevent slow drain.
How far in advance should I book motorcycle winter storage in Toronto?
As early as possible — September is ideal, and many spots for October and November pickup are already reserved by late summer. We operate on limited facility capacity, and premium bikes (BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Triumph) tend to fill slots first. If you're reading this in October or later, book immediately and we'll do our best to fit you in.
Is paying for motorcycle winter storage worth it vs leaving the bike in my garage?
It depends on your setup. A heated, dry, secure garage with room to maneuver is fine if you have one. MotoShelter is built for riders who don't — condo dwellers with no parking, riders whose garages are unheated or damp, people without space for battery tenders and off-season gear, or owners of premium bikes who want insured indoor storage rather than risking theft or freeze damage. The $600–$850 seasonal cost also typically includes services (battery maintenance, pre-spring wash, insurance during transit) that would cost more to arrange separately.
How does MotoShelter compare to dealer winter storage?
Dealer storage is typically priced per-month and requires you to drop off and pick up the bike yourself. MotoShelter charges one flat seasonal fee ($600 Standard, $850 Premium), includes door-to-door transport in both directions, and isn't tied to any one dealership or brand. We store all premium brands — BMW, Ducati, Triumph, Aprilia, Harley-Davidson, KTM, Japanese Big 4, Indian, Royal Enfield — under one roof with the same indoor conditions.
Can you pick up from a condo parking garage in downtown Toronto?
Yes — most of our Toronto customers are condo riders with parking garages in neighborhoods like Liberty Village, King West, Fort York, CityPlace, Yorkville, Leslieville, and The Annex. We arrive with an enclosed van, follow your building's concierge or P1 access instructions, and handle loading on wheel chocks and ratchet straps. You meet us at your parking stall, sign off on the pickup photos, and that's it — the bike is on its way to the facility.
Do you service areas outside the 30 km free pickup zone?
Yes. Extended pickup is $100–$250 depending on distance and covers Milton, Burlington, Hamilton, Guelph, Cambridge, and Muskoka, among others. For the farthest extended regions we may consolidate multiple pickups on the same route, so giving us a flexible date range helps keep the extension fee toward the lower end. Tell us your pickup address on the booking form and we'll quote the exact fee.
Can you store my BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, or other premium motorcycle?
Yes. We specifically built this service for premium bikes. We regularly store BMW (R 1250 GS, S 1000 RR, R nineT), Ducati (Monster, Panigale, Multistrada, Scrambler), Harley-Davidson (all models), Triumph (Tiger, Bonneville, Street Triple), Aprilia, KTM, Indian, Royal Enfield, and the Japanese Big 4 (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki). Any legally road-registered motorcycle that can be loaded into an enclosed van is welcome.
Do you store dirt bikes, scooters, or electric motorcycles?
Scooters and electric motorcycles (Zero, LiveWire, Energica, etc.) are stored the same way as gas bikes. Electric models benefit especially from the Premium plan because we keep the traction battery within its recommended winter charge range. For dirt bikes and non-road-registered bikes, contact us directly — we can usually accommodate them but they aren't covered under the same in-transit insurance as registered road bikes.
Do you offer discounts for storing multiple motorcycles?
Book your first bike on the website and mention the additional motorcycles in the notes field, or reply to the confirmation email. We handle multi-bike pickups from the same address on the same date. Contact us at info@motoshelter.ca or (647) 465-3500 for custom pricing on two or more bikes.
What if my pickup or delivery date needs to change after I book?
Just email us or call — we're flexible. Schedules shift (weather, work travel, weekend plans) and we'd rather reschedule than have a missed pickup. Give us as much notice as you can, especially for peak-season dates in late October, early November, and April.
What happens if my motorcycle is damaged during transport or storage?
Every pickup starts with photo documentation of the bike's condition in front of you, so there's a clear baseline. Full insurance coverage runs from the moment we pick up your bike to the moment we deliver it back. If anything happens — transit incident, facility issue, anything — we'll notify you immediately, share the photo baseline, and handle the insurance claim. Call us first at (647) 465-3500.
Where is the storage facility located?
The facility is in the Greater Toronto Area, indoor, secured, and monitored 24/7. For security and insurance reasons we don't publish the exact address and don't allow customer visits during the winter season. If you need your bike back early, we arrange a spring-style delivery to your home with a few days notice.
What's included in the 24/7 monitoring?
The facility has round-the-clock surveillance, alarm systems, and controlled access. Bikes are parked indoors, out of sight from the street, with no public access. This is standard across both the Standard and Premium plans.