For those who keep your bike(s) outside

[M.C]

Assuming you make some effort to cover your bike up, do you think keeping a bike outside makes a big difference to its overall condition (rust etc.), and would it stop you from having a 'nice' or new bike?

When I bought my last bike the guy looked a bit upset when I told him I'd be keeping it in my garden (even tho' that's what he had done). I can't say I've noticed a deterioration in its condition, but then I'm not exactly documenting it throughly

[chickenstrip]

I've just had mine outside for the first winter since moving from a house with garage. Oxford covers on them. Took the cover off the Fazer for the first time in nearly 2 months the other day, and it's still nice and shiny. I did ACF it thoroughly before it was left, so no corrosion anywhere, except a bit of surface rust on the rear disc. Quite pleased really.

Bikes are a huge part of my life, so as long as I can keep them reasonably secure, not having a garage doesn't put me off owning them. Although I have invested in a new shed for them to live in, which should be going in on Monday, to give them better protection.

I wouldn't worry too much about whether a bike has been kept inside or out if I was considering buying. I'd just look at the condition and service history etc, like with any other, and go by that.
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[grr666]

I wouldn't own a bike if I had nowhere dry to store it. Back in the day I used to park one on the drive with a
groundsheet as a cover. I dragged my bike out of the shed after a 5 month layup this week and it started first time with what was left in the battery. I don't think it wouldn't have started if it had been outside in all weathers for 5 months.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[craigs23]

Mine require a little bit of a spruce if kept covered for longer periods of time, but nothing untoward, and certainly no rust.

I don't cover up an already rained-on bike, as I wouldn't want to lock in any moisture. Tend to use a bit of ACF50, WD40 and what not when cleaning the bikes anyway, so perhaps that helps a little.

[notbike]

I keep my bike outside, have done for the 1 and a half years I've owned it. Never had any corrosion. I cover it whenever it isn't in use though.

Surface rust begins to pop up here & there on the disc rotors if I don't ride it for a whole rainy week but easily cleaned with brake cleaner.

Also the downpipes get a little rusty but that's easily cleaned off.

No corrosion.

Also if you want to go overboard like me because I'm paranoid about these things, a bit of copper grease or oil on your bolts stops them getting corroded and jammed.

I bloody wish I had a garage!

[chickenstrip]

[davebike]

Mine have all lived outside fro the past 20 or more years
I tried covers don't rate them condensation if put on hot too much buggering about to go back out when cold

I chain to a solid object at home just park in locked yard at work bikes not in use are at work

I use ACF50 or similar

I jet wash to keep the worst of the dirt off

I do weekly check lub sessions on in use bikes

Nothing I own is "showroom" )
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NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[ScaredyCat]

I'm still riding it so it's not covered up. If I intend to ride the next day I don't cover it. I don't cover it when it's hot either. Damp and heat being a bad combination too.. Morning dew/frost combined with a little warmth from the sun and a cover aren't a good mix IMO.

Most of the time it's not under a cover right now.

I don't think I'd class my bike as a 'nice' bike - it's a workhorse. If I had a nice bike, right now it'd be in a garage somewhere, probably in a bike bubble. For me I'm classing a nice bike as a CB1300S / XSR900 / Ducati / MV Agusta ...


It's all about the joys of not having a garage
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Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[grr666]

Tell me about it, I had to drop £600 on a shed , £80 on ramps to get it up into my shed, (it's a foot off the ground)
about another £100 for aggregates for some new concrete so the path was wide enough to use said ramps
and also for some repairs to the old concrete and another £100 on timber to make double gates so I can get it through to the back.
It's such a massive faff to get it out that it means I can't be arsed to drag it all out all that often tbh.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[doggone]

If you were using it regularly if not daily, and seriously kept on top of the slightest hint of corrosion it might be OK for a year or two.
Things deteriorate on older bikes quickly enough when kept in an ideal dry garage so things are going to go rapidly downhill as age sets in outside.

Mind there is a school of thought that a damp garage or rough shed could be worse than outside with rain washing and wind drying it for you.
Putting them away salty in a somewhat enclosed space which stays damp for days is about the worst option.

[Hahadumball]

nope i dont own a cbf 125.
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[Doomsnite]

Mines outside and under an Oxford. when its raining i do find that the bike is actually wet underneath too so theyre not that great. Didnt think about the condensation on a hot bike though, or putting cover on when wet. In future i will think about leaving it off then covering when cooled down/dry.

We should be moving in the new year though and a garage is a must have!
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Triumph Street Triple-R
Sold: Honda Hornet CB600F-Y / Yamaha YBR125

[Wonko The Sane]

Mine sleeps out in the yard, mostly without a cover as I've started thinking there's little point.

It sits in a car park at work all day and gets ridden for about 2 hours per day whatever the weather.

Yes, one or two things on it get a bit of corosion going on and some bits stiffen up and needs a bit of TLC

Brake disks have a bit of surface corosion on them after a day or two if it's not been ridden and the chain needs keeping on top of the lubrication but otherwise it's fine.
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[Doomsnite]

One of the main reasons for the cover for me is pigeon shit and cat hair.. rife with it around here
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Triumph Street Triple-R
Sold: Honda Hornet CB600F-Y / Yamaha YBR125

[pepperami]

[Jmoan]

I've had mine under covers some of the time. I wasn't amused by aldi/lidl covers turning to tatters over the time span of half a year.

[M.C]

[grr666]

That's the other thing isn't it. I can put a coat on and go out and clean it and tinker with things whatever the weather
or time of day/year. The mrs put a crap film on a few weeks ago so I sodded off out to the shed to remove the wiring
for my Garmin even though it was 9pm and cold and dark outside. I took a fan heater outside with me and it soon warmed
up in there but I couldn't have done any of that without a dry dock. I use waterless cleaners most of the time, quick detailers
and the like so I can clean 90% of the bike indoors as well.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[ScaredyCat]

[ZX-7R]

Keep mine outside under a cover,but part of that is to keep it hidden from view from toe rags.

Used daily and seems pretty decent still after use through winter.

Maintenance and cleaning are hard though when its cold so can get neglected a bit over winter.Do way less mileage so should not be a problem.
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Current Bike - 2000 ZX-7R

[Silver_Fox]

Do waterless cleaners not move the grit around and cause scratches?
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CBR600 F3 FV
CG125

[Hondaondabrai...]

Ive had to keep mine outside again recently, a cover is essential if you want to keep your bike looking well. Ive noticed a difference and find it easy to tell if a bike has been outside coverless. Tarnished fittings, rust spots, grey plastics where it was once black. Generally shit looking.
Never cover a wet bike though, but it gets covered whenever its not in use.
I would say use the best cover you can get to keep it dry, I had an oxford rain, that started lettingg in so I now use the held cover. The bike has been covered lubed and the battery has been charging on and off over the past few months. Regularly check under the cover for any dampness... None with the Held. I didnt like the new stormex because it has what looks like a bra on the top of it with holes that let in water!
A shed or garage would be ideal though.
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blade

[stevo as b4]

Erm the car would have to go if I had no garage for my machine let alone a bike!

[esullivan]

[Fidge]

I keep my bikes in a shed but its the sort that never dries out, everything seems to rust but it is mostly from not treating / looking after. untreated steel rusts very fast. I'd still buy a nice bike but I wouldn't ride it everyday and make sure its always clean and oiled to stop rust.