FrostList

When to Store Your Motorcycle in Memphis, TN

ON TRACK128 days until first 32°F freezeNov 16

As freezing nights reach Memphis around November 16, riding gets impractical and it's time to store the motorcycle properly instead of idling it now and then. Riding tends to open again after the last freeze near March 16. It's a short step from frost to a hard freeze: roughly 12 days on average.

OUTLOOK

Typical first first 32°F freeze near Nov 16; local deadline about Nov 16. The live 10-day outlook loads here.

Local freeze dates for Memphis

ThresholdEarly (1-in-10)MedianLate (9-in-10)
32°F (light freeze)Nov 2Nov 16Dec 3
28°F (hard freeze)Nov 10Nov 28Dec 18
24°F (severe)Nov 19Dec 13Jan 8

NOAA station: Memphis Intl AP · 7.3 mi away · 254 ft elevation.

For Memphis, the nearest NOAA station with freeze data is Memphis Intl AP, 7.3 miles out at 254 feet. Median first-freeze dates there run 32°F by Nov 16, 28°F by Nov 28, 24°F by Dec 13. The 28°F freeze has come as early as Nov 10 and as late as Dec 18, a 38-day spread. Spring's last 32°F freeze clears around Mar 16. Snowfall averages 3 inches a year.

Expect the first frost near Nov 16 in Memphis and the first hard freeze by about Nov 28. Year to year, the first 32°F night has fallen anywhere from Nov 2 to Dec 3 — about 31 days apart. Spring's final freeze lands near Mar 16 and as late as Apr 4, so that is when outdoor water and stored gear can safely come back online. Measurable snow is rare, so the freeze near Mar 16 — not snow load — drives the local prep list.

Your motorcycle checklist

  1. Fill the tank and add fuel stabilizer, then ride or idle a few minutes so treated fuel reaches the injectors or carbs.
    Helpful gear: Fuel stabilizer — Recommended pick
  2. Change the oil and filter before storage so acids in used oil do not sit on internal parts all winter.
  3. Put the battery on a tender for the whole layup rather than starting the bike for a few minutes now and then.
    Helpful gear: Battery tender — Recommended pick
  4. Set tire pressure to spec and, if you can, lift the wheels with stands so the tires do not flat-spot.
    Helpful gear: Front paddock stand — Recommended pick
  5. Lube the chain and wipe down bare metal with a light protectant to fend off corrosion.
  6. Plug the exhaust and airbox loosely so mice cannot nest, and set traps nearby as a backup.
  7. Cover the bike with a breathable cover indoors so moisture does not get trapped against the paint.
    Helpful gear: Breathable motorcycle cover — Recommended pick
  8. In spring, remove the plugs, check tire pressure and brakes, and reconnect the battery before the first ride.

What to have on hand

Battery tender
Smart charger that holds the battery through a long layup.
Recommended pick
Fuel stabilizer
Keeps a full tank from varnishing over the winter.
Recommended pick
Breathable motorcycle cover
Indoor cover that keeps dust off without trapping moisture.
Recommended pick
Front paddock stand
Lifts the front wheel so tires do not flat-spot in storage.
Recommended pick

What this means locally

Against its neighbors, Memphis (first freeze Nov 16) runs later than Bartlett (Nov 5) and close to Southaven (Nov 16). Across Tennessee, local prep deadlines in our data range from Oct 21 to Nov 16, so a statewide rule of thumb would miss Memphis by weeks. In Memphis, that same cold is your cue to test your car battery and winterize a boat.

Other winter jobs in Memphis

Every task below is dated to Memphis's own freeze and snow normals.

Sprinklers → Nov 18Frozen pipes → Nov 2Car battery → Nov 28Sump pump → Mar 16RV → Nov 18Boat → Nov 21

See the full Memphis winter checklist, in order →

Frequently asked questions

Should I start my motorcycle during winter storage?
It is better not to. Starting the bike for a few minutes does not fully warm the oil or charge the battery, and it leaves moisture and acids inside the engine and exhaust. A battery tender keeps the battery healthy without running the engine, which is the approach most enthusiasts and manuals favor.
Do I store a motorcycle with a full or empty tank?
Store it with a full tank and fuel stabilizer added. A full tank leaves less room for the condensation that causes rust inside the tank, and stabilizer keeps the fuel from breaking down over months of storage. Ride or idle briefly after adding stabilizer so it reaches the fuel system.
How do I keep mice out of my motorcycle?
Loosely plug the exhaust outlets and the airbox intake so mice cannot get inside and nest, and remove the plugs before spring. Set traps or deterrents around the storage area, and avoid leaving food or cardboard nearby. Check periodically through the winter for signs of activity.
Battery tender vs trickle charger?
A modern battery tender, or smart charger, monitors the battery and switches to a maintenance charge when full, so it is safe to leave connected all winter. A basic trickle charger keeps pushing current and can overcharge a battery over time. For long storage, use a tender.
When does riding season end in Memphis?
Riding season here tends to wind down as freezing nights arrive near Nov 16, and reliably cold, dark evenings make regular riding less practical. Watch the live outlook above; a run of sub-45°F nights is a good signal to fuel-stabilize and put the bike on the tender.
How do I prep a motorcycle for spring?
Reconnect the charged battery, check tire pressure and tread, test the brakes, and look for leaks before the first ride. In Memphis the last freeze averages near Mar 16, a reasonable target for shaking off storage. Clean and lube the chain, and take an easy first ride to re-familiarize yourself.

Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals via Memphis Intl AP, live outlook by Open-Meteo. Sources · Methodology. Last updated: July 11, 2026.