Outside Storage

[Jamieking86]

Hi guys, I'm just wondering can you keep your bike outside all year round? As long as it's covered up well and secure of course does it do any damage to the bike?

I currently have a YBR 125 which can fit in my little outhouse I've got but there's very limited room due to me been self employed and my tools everywhere. I'm thinking much further down the line, but eventually i want to get Yamaha R3. As it's quite an awakward angle to get my bike in the outhouse and I have to go on the grass I'm not sure I'll be comfortable enough getting the R3 in the outhouse. It is narrower than the 125 but also much longer. I've been looking at the cycle shell's shipped from the US, they look quite decent, very waterproof and can anchor them to the floor and padlock them shut. If it does come to it I will store it in my back garden which is padlocked (can always get a much bigger lock if need be) behind the outhouse so it's also out of sight. Is it safe to store your pride and joy outside all year round? Thanks.

[arry]

Perfectly possible and no, no real harm. Clearly it's not going to be as 'well kept' as a bike that's lived in a garage but bikes are for riding not staring at.

More of a problem is theft.

[Jamieking86]

Unfortunately not everybody has a garage though, only the lucky people lol.

Yes theft is obviously very much in mind too. I plan on fixing several anchors with several chains if need be. I was more curious about the condition of the bike if it's constantly kept outside.

[arry]

Cleaned and ACF50'd correctly, it will keep OK.

[Beehive Bedlam]

As above of course it's possible unless your bike is made of sherbet.

A garage is much nicer though.

[Jamieking86]

Yeah of course. Unfortunately though due to us private renting i think a garage is well out of the question.

I could think about extending the outhouse though in the near future

[Beehive Bedlam]

Are you related to NutsyUk?

[Wonko The Sane]

your bike gets wet when you're riding it in the rain?

It's designed to cope with water, one issue in the north west of the country is how moist the air can be, this can get into the electrics a bit and cause issues.

but generally, all my bikes have been happy sitting in the garden overnight and spending all day in the car park at work.
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[Wheezybiker]

My bike has been kept outside since August
Everything is fine with it
Have cleaned it three or 4 times kept on top of the chain lube and acf50
It is covered with a stormex cover and secured with 2 chains to ground anchors and a disc lock

[stephen_o]

Mine is under an Oxford Cover which covers it entirely and keeps it fine.
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current scoot 2009 Yamaha YBR250 + Current Pootle 2013 Nissan Leaf

[Polarbear]

You are just going to have to put a bit more effort in to keep it looking good compared to a garage queen.

If you aren't going to keep it on the outhouse, a good cover will protect it from the worst of the elements and a bit from scumbags.

ACF50, FS365 or something equivalent to protect the metalwork.

Keep up the lube and maintenance.

HOWEVER - If you can put it in a locking outhouse of course that is going to be better than outside for both protection and thieving.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Jamieking86]

[Irn-Bru]

I keep the KTM outside, under 2 covers now as I found out my fancy Oxford one has not been waterproof for a very long time That with a couple of ground anchors, a million chains, 2 disc locks and a camera helps me sleep at night but would kill for a garage (not a council one though I'd rather be able to keep an eye on the bike), it's a right faff getting the bike out so I only really do it if I'm going to be out for the full day.
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[Howling Terror]

As others have mentioned it's important to apply some protection to the shiny bits. Even with the best waterproof cover you're still creating a micro-climate of humidity underneath. In some cases it could be better to leave the cover off e.g Wet salty ride home (fnar) and you pop the cover on.
Same goes for when a proper storm be brewing...Probably best to leave the cover off if your bike is left out in the open.

For those using the Stormex covers I found Fabsil Gold waterproof fluid to be very good. As good as it is I still haul the covers indoors to dry properly when the weather allows.

I also 'double bag'. It's a pain but other than some light corrosion on fork bolts and such the 2 bag approach has kept my Duc looking half decent the past 4 years it has lived outdoors.
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[thx1138]

in my experience the worst thing about keeping bikes in the street is trying to work on them

[Howling Terror]

4' wide and 8' long... that's roughly the paving area I've got....I aspire to work on my bike in the street.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[ADSrox0r]

[Howling Terror]

With those measurements it narrows it down to Sperm Whales if I want it tight and Humpbacks for that lived in vagina feeling.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project