We’re getting to that time of year that most bikers dread. In the states that aren’t blessed with riding season that lasts all year round, you’re probably getting ready to put your motorcycle into storage for the winter. It’s getting colder, days are shorter and it’s just a matter of time before the snow starts to fly.

But before you shut ‘er down for the year, there are a few steps that every biker should take to prepare their motorcycle for the winter. And if you tackle these in the right order, they shouldn’t take you all that long to cross off the list. Here are seven steps that you should take to make sure your bike fires up and is ready to ride on those longed for days when the ice is off the roads and your hands won’t freeze around the throttle.