Anyone store their bikes outside?

[JHNguyen89]

New Husky owner and I will be moving into dorms again this quarter. I'm on the first floor and have a small patio that's about 7 x 4.5 ft that's not too bad to get my bike in and out of. I've always kept my motorcycles in the garage so it seems a bit odd to keep it outside. Of course, I'd keep it covered and maybe even throw a tarp over it. I'm not concerned with theft, more just the unnecessary wear on the bike (if any?).

I'm in Davis, CA (by Sacramento) so the weather never gets too crazy.

 

[Phoenix]

I worked in the dorms for 6 years and we would not allow you to have that motorcycle on a porch for reasons of fire hazard. Perhaps your situation will be different.

 

[jtemple]

I wouldn't like doing that. But, you gotta do what you gotta do, I suppose.

 

[fletchman45]

Hey drain the gas from the tank and the carb, and bingo, not a fire hazard but something cool to pull the cover off now and then while drinking a beer!! (If your old enough!!) Storing outside. Forget the tarp, get a good cover that is breathable. Tarp equals moisture, not good. Also take some steel wool and stuff it in the exhaust to keep any critters out. Spray the bike down with Husky polish-whoops I mean Honda polish. WD 40 the exhaust (if a 2-stroke) And if it sits for a long time be sure to check the air filter before firing the bike up!! Should be good to go!!

 

[ioneater]

Sacramento doesn't seem too crazy for wx outside of flooding. I don't think you'll have many issues if you fire it up every month and keep a battery tender on it.

 

[lankydoug]

Once while I was in Dodge City KS I quietly pushed my 650 Yamaha down a hallway to keep in in my hotel room to avoid theft. Naturally in the morning I rode it out of there before check out time. (got a few odd looks from the hotel staff) lol

 

[oregonsage]

New Husky owner and I will be moving into dorms again this quarter. I'm on the first floor and have a small patio that's about 7 x 4.5 ft that's not too bad to get my bike in and out of. I've always kept my motorcycles in the garage so it seems a bit odd to keep it outside. Of course, I'd keep it covered and maybe even throw a tarp over it. I'm not concerned with theft, more just the unnecessary wear on the bike (if any?).

I'm in Davis, CA (by Sacramento) so the weather never gets too crazy.

Tell ya what ... I have room in my garage in Oregon ( just a few hours north of you ) and I will store it and take it out to China Hat once in a while to keep the battery charged and blow out the condensation

 

[JHNguyen89]

Tell ya what ... I have room in my garage in Oregon ( just a few hours north of you ) and I will store it and take it out to China Hat once in a while to keep the battery charged and blow out the condensation

I'll think on it!

Thanks for the tips everyone. Like ioneater mentioned, Sacramento weather isn't too bad. Though, I should mention I WILL still be riding the bike as much as I can. At least once every week I'm hoping for. So, I'm not too worried about getting a bettery tender and what not. I'm just afraid of what the weather/moisture can do to it. It DOES rain a bit in the fall, but not horribly. Enough for tacky trails..

 

[lankydoug]

If you cover the bike with a tarp or any cover for that matter it's a good idea to place a moth ball or two under the cover, this will keep the rats and mice from making a home in your bike a chewing up the wires and plastics.

 

[ray_ray]

It's not much, but I built this little shelter top on my front porch to ward off the sun (whick can toast your graphics and plastics) and rain ... Doesn't do either too well all the time so I'll be re-doing the work in the coming weeks without the same flaws the next time ...

That battery tender works very well and easy and low cost ... If sitting a bike up for any length of time, they will save your battery ..

 

[Daniel508s]

New Husky owner and I will be moving into dorms again this quarter. I'm on the first floor and have a small patio that's about 7 x 4.5 ft that's not too bad to get my bike in and out of. I've always kept my motorcycles in the garage so it seems a bit odd to keep it outside. Of course, I'd keep it covered and maybe even throw a tarp over it. I'm not concerned with theft, more just the unnecessary wear on the bike (if any?).

I'm in Davis, CA (by Sacramento) so the weather never gets too crazy.

I live down the freeway from you in Vacaville. At one time I didnt have a garage and had to store my bike outside. Just keep it tarped (motorcycle cover) and it will be ok. The tarp will keep it protected from all our weather....LOL Anyway, I like Davis. The Grad is a favorite lunch spot of mine. My wife used to work for Sutter on Anderson next door.

 

[sam v]

I stored my bike outside when i lived in a apartment.I used a bike cover and would clean it regularly to keep the dust and moisture oxidation down.

 

[XLEnduroMan]

Get a pipe plug for the exhaust. A rubber cork from a hardware store is cheap and works good.

 

[sam v]

Good thinking on that exhaust plug.

 

[jfoulkrod]

While in college back in the early 70's, I kept my Ossa in my dorm room. Back then, they never checked the rooms with any regularity and I doubt if they cared. They were more worried about the kids smoking dope on campus.

 

[sam v]

Things have definitely change since the 70's .

 

[HuskyT]

Things have definitely change since the 70's .

Your right.... kids hardly ever even consider storing their bikes in their dorm rooms now...

T