How to keep a bike outside?

[sidekick10121]

Long story short; my dad bought a new boat this past fall. So now the boat is staying in the garage and the 250 will be outside . I was wondering how to help with the elements. I live where it rains a bit in Canada. Building a wood shelter is out of the question. I've also been looking into disc locks to prevent an easy theft. Any tips would greatly be aprreciated.

[rojoracing53]

Options

A. Move the **** out and get your own place
B. Steal your dads boat and roll it out into the forest and let the insurance let him know it just wasn't meant to be
C. Park it in your room.
D. Consider option B again

[sidekick10121]

Lol. Boats in my name too. Not the greatest option. Ill prob be fishing just as much as riding.

[csmith12]

Got a porch? Yea? Need to build a ramp? You can count the ramp as wheelchair access too. Double bonus!! hahahhaha How bout a small lean to built hanging off the back side of the garage?

Either way, you might consider these things for security.
Motion activated lights
Motion activated cam pointed at the bike, boat and general garage goodies
Insurance on it all!

Enjoy the time on the water too.

[csmith12]

Plan B!

[rojoracing53]

Priorities: you got em, it's just that they are wrong.

Boats made to be wet so stick it outside with a cover.

Honestly the thought of keeping any of my bike outside is just not an option, I don't care what the situation is. But if I had to guess I'd say a nice waterproof cover and a BIG EFING chain through the frame to something solid like your house, tree or pit bull. Conventional theft deterrents only keep the joy riders away, if someone really wants it there's nothing a wheel lock is going to do. The steering locks are a joke as well and can be broken in 5 seconds with two people and a little experience.

[DaBlue1]

First you need to assess your parking situation.
Can you park the bike close to your house/ in your yard?
Will the bike be visible from the street?
Is there a hard surface you can park it on? If not, can you build one out of pavers?

If a small wooden shelter is out of the question, how about a semi portable one?

Consider a good weather proof motorcycle cover, one that can be secured nicely and not be blown off the bike.

Also consider some type of anchor, chain or alarm whereby you can secure the bike.

If all else fails, resort to plan C-Airspace

[Yarhj]

The quintessential guide to keeping a motorcycle outside:
Step 1. Buy a bike cover
Step 2. Put the cover on your bike
Step 3. Clean and regrease your chain every now and then

It's not like these motorcycles are made out of cheese and wax paper-- they can handle some weather.


As to keeping it from getting stolen, here is my (un)professional opinion.
Step 1. Have a cheap bike.
Step 2. Read this
Step 3. Have theft coverage.
Step 4. Have a cheap bike.

[Xtina]

[kxpower?]

If you've got to keep it outside spend some $$'s on a nice cover that fits good. I had a cheapo one ripped to shreds in a thunderstorm.

But seriously as little as these bikes are you couldn't squeeze it in next o the boat? Seems like you could just about fit it in the space next to the trailer tongue or something.

[jcgss77]

Originally Posted by Yarhj

Step 2. Read this

Everyone who owns/is going to own a bike needs to read this.

[rasta]

Either you dad bought a houseboat or you have a tiny garage. These ninjas don't need much space!

[DaBlue1]

Originally Posted by jcgss77

Everyone who owns/is going to own a bike needs to read this.

There's a thread on this...
Ex Motorcycle Thief and Chop Shop Operator answers questions

[sidekick10121]

Thanks for all the fast input. It's a 2.5 car garage. But the boat is a 16' legend that goes back to front. And then moms SUV is parked beside it. There may be room once the snow is gone. But until then; the snowblower is beside the tung haha

[NevadaWolf]

Total snarky answer.

Flip boat upside down, park bike underneath?

[capt_bugaloo]

I live on Vancouver Island. We get a LOT of rain. For 20 years I've parked all of my motorcycles outside with a good quality cover over each. No big deal.

That said, I ride my bike to work daily year-round and always keep it clean and waxed. I've never had any problems with rust or corrosion - a good cover should keep the bulk of the moisture off, and cleaning / wax will cover the rest.

[Norway]

Originally Posted by sidekick10121

Long story short; my dad bought a new boat this past fall. So now the boat is staying in the garage and the 250 will be outside . I was wondering how to help with the elements. I live where it rains a bit in Canada. Building a wood shelter is out of the question. I've also been looking into disc locks to prevent an easy theft. Any tips would greatly be aprreciated.

If it's normally not started for months, due to snow, I would anyway start it regularly to try and avoid the bores and nearby parts from corroding seriously.
If you are NOT going to start the bike for quite some time, you may consider
putting a tea spoon of oil into each sylinder, or spray the inside with WD40 or
something similar.
(I live in Norway, meaning that motorbikes are usually not ridden for 5-6 months of the year (This "winter" is strange though, since I have been able to ride the bike most days since before Christmas, in principle. Almost no snow at all..))

[Dredgshadow]

Originally Posted by kxpower?

If you've got to keep it outside spend some $$'s on a nice cover that fits good. I had a cheapo one ripped to shreds in a thunderstorm.

But seriously as little as these bikes are you couldn't squeeze it in next o the boat? Seems like you could just about fit it in the space next to the trailer tongue or something.

Yes, get a good cover. I had a mediocre one and the darn thing was worse than the elements themselves. It let moisture in and then trapped it in there.
Also, a little rain never hurt my bike, but I also meticulously maintain moving parts and metals after it has gotten wet. What I am saying is I ride in the rain so my bike gets wet, but by taking care of it I have had no problems.

[antiant]

Link to original page on YouTube.

[stubshaft]

My apartment does not have covered parking, and my bike lives outside. Get a GOOD cover for it and disc lock. I didn't bother with an alarm because either I wouldn't hear it or if anyone else did they probably wouldn't pay attention to it.

[Yarhj]

In case we havent given you enough opinions yet, here's more info on winterizing your bike than you can shake a stick at: clicky

Of special interest: the N250RC E-Z Winterization Process

[jcgss77]

Originally Posted by Yarhj

In case we havent given you enough opinions yet, here's more info on winterizing your bike than you can shake a stick at: clicky

Of special interest: the N250RC E-Z Winterization Process

This is invaluable information. When all else fails, consult the wiki. No need to re-invent the wheel.