5 Tips For Storing Your Bike In An Outdoor Shed

Beware of the risks

Before you place your motorcycle in a garage or shed, keep in mind that bikes are highly vulnerable when stored in a humid space. When left outside or in an environment where moisture is present, the moving parts of the ride, as well as the rubber parts, will most likely start to deteriorate at a fast pace.

To avoid fast decay, it is a good idea to invest in a dependable motorcycle cover. These items are quite efficient as they can be used both indoors and outdoors. When utilized indoors, they can protect the paint from getting damaged. Furthermore, covers are known for keeping moisture out.

One issue that bike owners have complained about are rodents. Animals such as mice are known for hiding inside the exhaust pipes and transforming filters into nests. If you want to avoid having to deal with a fluffy surprise in the spring, it is best to cover the air intake and the exhaust openings by using plastic bags.

Prepare the bike

As you know, before storing your bike for the cold season, you have to do some winterization. To start, you should get the motorcycle thoroughly cleaned and waxed. For increased protection against rust, the experts advise in favor of using a corrosion inhibitor.

Next, tend to the battery by checking the fluid level. If you don’t want to end up with a dead battery, you should regularly charge it. To save time, you might also want to use a battery maintenance system that can do all the hard work for you.

Before locking up the bike in the shed, it is also vital that you fill the fuel tank and that you treat it with a special substance that prevents problems normally caused by ethanol fuels. Besides, you should change the motor oil so that the inside of the engine is clean.

Because the tires of your bike are porous, they will most likely lose air when stored throughout the winter. If you hate the idea of finding your bike with a permanent flat spot, we recommend that you store it on a center or a paddock stand.

If you do not have the money for such an investment, you can avoid this problem by over inflating the tires or by moving the bike around every now and then. This way, you can be sure that the tire will not be left in the same position for several months at a time.

Some bikers also recommend that you place a thick rug between the wheels of the ride and the floor so that direct contact is limited. By doing so, you can make sure that the wheels of the bike are better protected from humidity.

Take the necessary safety precautions

Previous users have argued that improving the safety of the shed is critical, especially if you intend to store the bike in a safe manner. For instance, if the shed that you have purchased features windows, you should secure them so that thieves are not able to gain access to the shed through them.

A good way to make sure that you won’t get curious visitors who want to steal your prized possession is by covering the bike with a special motorcycle cover. Also, you could use a spray-on glass frosting or an opaque film so that you can reduce visibility through the windows.

Instead of using an easy-to-break padlock, you should consider purchasing a more difficult-to-destroy lock. Also, from time to time, you should inspect the bike and make sure that nobody has tried to break inside the shed.

A motion-activated light or an alarm might also come in handy, especially if the storage facility is located near your home. It is recommended that you acquire such alarm systems especially if you own an expensive bike.

Apart from locking the shed, you should also lock down the bike itself. There are plenty of locks and chains that you can use to secure a ride. Some bikers also encourage owners to anchor the motorcycle to the ground for extra protection.

This way, thieves will find it difficult to steal your motorcycle without being detected. An extra disk lock might also prove handy in the long run.

Size

If you plan on purchasing a cozy and secure shed for your prized bike, you should consider a couple of factors. Firstly, before you start looking for a shed, take into account the space that you have available. This way, you can eliminate those products that are too big or too small for your needs.

The interior size of the option should also be assessed. If you want a shed that you can also use as a place where you can keep your bike-related gear, purchasing a unit that is quite sizable might be the best decision that you could take. Yet, if you do not need the extra space, a smaller, more compact alternative might be better suited.

Other factors to consider

To block moisture from beneath the shed, the model that you acquire should come provided with a raised wooden floor. The permanent storage unit that you intend to get should also be easy to put together. This factor is particularly important if you are not necessarily technically inclined.

However, this should not be an issue provided that the seller supplies its users with free installation services.

If you want to use the model when on the road, it is best that you pick a shed that takes just a few minutes to put together.