Storing bike outside and keeping it nice
Discussion
Not new to bikes but fairly new to using one regularly so after some advice.
So I recently bought a new to me cb1000, and am using it to commute to work 4-5 days a week, it also lives outside as I don't have a garage.
The bike is a 2018 so fairly new and in very good condition and really I'd like to know how to keep it in as good condition as possible with it living outside and being used regularly all year round.
So I have a cover but don't see the point of covering it when I get home to only uncover it again 12hrs later to go to work again. Should I be covering it if its going to rain? Also is there any negative to leaving it uncovered during dry days in the summer?
I treated it with ACF50 when I got it in March, and plan to again in September or October to get it done before the bad weather really starts. Should I be doing this more regularly or anything else that's better?
All my previous bikes have been abit older and mingers really so not been too fussed about leaving them outside but even still the condition has detiorated quite abit in 1-2 years of ownership, but they haven't been used much so got wet and stayed wet.
I'm thinking/hoping that by using one more regularly it will dry out properly in-between getting rained on so not just going to sit rotting.
Any advice to keep my bike looking nice but also being able to use it year round would be greatly appreciated.
So I recently bought a new to me cb1000, and am using it to commute to work 4-5 days a week, it also lives outside as I don't have a garage.
The bike is a 2018 so fairly new and in very good condition and really I'd like to know how to keep it in as good condition as possible with it living outside and being used regularly all year round.
So I have a cover but don't see the point of covering it when I get home to only uncover it again 12hrs later to go to work again. Should I be covering it if its going to rain? Also is there any negative to leaving it uncovered during dry days in the summer?
I treated it with ACF50 when I got it in March, and plan to again in September or October to get it done before the bad weather really starts. Should I be doing this more regularly or anything else that's better?
All my previous bikes have been abit older and mingers really so not been too fussed about leaving them outside but even still the condition has detiorated quite abit in 1-2 years of ownership, but they haven't been used much so got wet and stayed wet.
I'm thinking/hoping that by using one more regularly it will dry out properly in-between getting rained on so not just going to sit rotting.
Any advice to keep my bike looking nice but also being able to use it year round would be greatly appreciated.
I would use the cover whenever I wasn't using it for the rest of the day, certainly overnight.
If you have space id upgrade the cover to maybe one of those bike tents that cover the bike without coming into contact with it.
If you have space/cash then even a cheap timber shed would be great. If you need more security then a steel Asgard bike garage would be a good investment.
Bikes left outside tend to look worn sooner. ACF50 obviously helps for a daily rider. Bikes left outside also tend to go missing sooner or later
If you have space id upgrade the cover to maybe one of those bike tents that cover the bike without coming into contact with it.
If you have space/cash then even a cheap timber shed would be great. If you need more security then a steel Asgard bike garage would be a good investment.
Bikes left outside tend to look worn sooner. ACF50 obviously helps for a daily rider. Bikes left outside also tend to go missing sooner or later
bogie said:
upgrade the cover to maybe one of those bike tents that cover the bike without coming into contact with it.
I’d 2nd that ref the flip over bike tent like a pram lid. Looked after my bike for 5 years at one property.Normal bike covers tend to leave the bike running with condensation and contact points get rubbed & dulled worse than leaving them exposed if used daily.
moto_traxport said:
bogie said:
upgrade the cover to maybe one of those bike tents that cover the bike without coming into contact with it.
I’d 2nd that ref the flip over bike tent like a pram lid. Looked after my bike for 5 years at one property.Normal bike covers tend to leave the bike running with condensation and contact points get rubbed & dulled worse than leaving them exposed if used daily.
t.Till I got my shed I’ve always used covers on my bikes and corrosion has never been a problem.
Make sure you buy the correct size. Too large and it will flap around and that’s what caused marks on the paintwork. A snugly fitting cover with a soft internal layer is what to go for.
Plus if it flaps around it will destroy itself pretty quickly as I found to my cost.
Get the ACF50 that's not the aerosol based one.
Use that or something I've discovered recently Bilt Hamber Atom-Mac after every trip.
Ideally hosing off the salt as soon as you get home before spraying ACF etc.
IME one ride on badly salted roads and then the bike being left overnight you've already got permanent damage by the next day on things like engine casings, fasteners, hose clips etc.
It's a losing battle, the aim being to lose it over many winters not one.
Use that or something I've discovered recently Bilt Hamber Atom-Mac after every trip.
Ideally hosing off the salt as soon as you get home before spraying ACF etc.
IME one ride on badly salted roads and then the bike being left overnight you've already got permanent damage by the next day on things like engine casings, fasteners, hose clips etc.
It's a losing battle, the aim being to lose it over many winters not one.
A shed is 100% not an option neither is a garage.
I could possibly look at one of the roll over tent things and with it being simpler than a cover I'm probably more likely to use it, I'd also imagine you could cover a hot bike as its non contact with the bike.
Acf treatment will be done pre winter then probably a top up around New year time, unfortunately the roads I ride will be salted as they're all main roads but it's in the southeast so not always that cold so nor always salted thankfully.
Realistically hosing off daily isn't going to happen, we don't have an outside tap and running a hose from the kitchen sink to the front garden is a massive faff to do daily.
Realistically it's not going to stay showroom condition it gets used about 120 miles a week to commute shich although isnt huge milesge is a fair bit of exposure to the elements. I just don't want it looking really scabby after one winter if it can be avoided.
I could possibly look at one of the roll over tent things and with it being simpler than a cover I'm probably more likely to use it, I'd also imagine you could cover a hot bike as its non contact with the bike.
Acf treatment will be done pre winter then probably a top up around New year time, unfortunately the roads I ride will be salted as they're all main roads but it's in the southeast so not always that cold so nor always salted thankfully.
Realistically hosing off daily isn't going to happen, we don't have an outside tap and running a hose from the kitchen sink to the front garden is a massive faff to do daily.
Realistically it's not going to stay showroom condition it gets used about 120 miles a week to commute shich although isnt huge milesge is a fair bit of exposure to the elements. I just don't want it looking really scabby after one winter if it can be avoided.
I've never had a garage in 12 years of biking. I just buy the top-end Oxford covers and wait for them to cool down before covering. Lube the chain as usual, I don't even ACF-50. Never had fluffy nuts. I tend to give them a quick wipe down after any rides where they accumulate muck. I've not had any dulled paint, but I have had one bike blow over in the wind - but that was a Ducati 1198 with a pretty vertical side-stand anyway. I wouldn't worry about it too much - obviously if you've ridden on salted roads then you'll want to rinse it down before putting it away.
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