Keeping Your Bike Outside

[RevnUp]

Off and on I consider picking up a Ninja 250 as a second bike. My hesitation stems largely from my lack of garage space; I would have to keep the bike outside.

Does anyone here keep a bike outdoors regularly?

Other than a cover, are there other precautions? What are the issues with having the bike outside through winter?

Thanks for any thoughts.

[ktp1598]

Outside is tricky, as it really depends on moisture. Instead of a cover, they sell small dome tents just for cycles. They breathe well and keep dust, sun, rain, etc off the bike. They can be found in the back of most cycle mags. Otherwise, wax all painted surfaces and keep everything clean. Plug the mufflers and intake to keep rodents and bugs out during the winter. Ride as often as you can to keep the critters away!

[tfkrocks]

Don't forget locks and/or alarms. Definitely have comprehensive insurance if you value your bike at all since even locks and alarms won't stop the most determined thief.

[cuong-nutz]

I just throw a cover on and it make sure the chain is lubed so it won't rust.

[caineroad]

Originally Posted by tfkrocks

Don't forget locks and/or alarms. Definitely have comprehensive insurance if you value your bike at all since even locks and alarms won't stop the most determined thief.

Same thought, but actually fire and theft will do, comprehensive would also include collision depends if he needs it or not.

[Boom King]

Not sure how cold it gets in your parts but I'd bring the battery indoors.

[JohnnyBravo]

I kept mine outside my apartment in Jacksonville fl for 6 months while I lived there, no problems... Would I do it again? I freakin hope I don't have to. Is it happier in the garage up here, yup.

What part of nc you located in?

[SteveL]

If you live by the sea don't do it, the salt air does a lot of damage to electrical connections.

Steve

[tfkrocks]

Originally Posted by caineroad

Same thought, but actually fire and theft will do, comprehensive would also include collision depends if he needs it or not.

Maybe it's different in Canada, but over here, comprehensive covers everything that isn't collision.

[Joshorilla]

I live a mile from the sea, I always keep my bike outside in all conditions and never cover it and it's fine.

Just spray it twice a year with ACF50 and job's a good'un.

Only problem I get is emulsification of the engine oil from too many short trips as my island is too small to warm up engines on a journey.

[headshrink]

LOL

[Boom King]

Originally Posted by tfkrocks

Maybe it's different in Canada, but over here, comprehensive covers everything that isn't collision.

It's the same thing here in Ontario; collision is separate. That's why I've got separate deductibles for those coverages.

[RevnUp]

Thanks everyone for the insights.

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

What part of nc you located in?

I'm in Charlotte. You?

[RevnUp]

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

I live a mile from the sea, I always keep my bike outside in all conditions and never cover it and it's fine.

Just spray it twice a year with ACF50 and job's a good'un.

Only problem I get is emulsification of the engine oil from too many short trips as my island is too small to warm up engines on a journey.

I've heard of ACF50 on the Triumph forum. When you say, "spray it," spray what? Just the metal? Everything? Are there parts (like chain, brakes) that should not be sprayed with this stuff?

[Panda]

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

I just throw a cover on and it make sure the chain is lubed so it won't rust.

This. I keep mine outside all year round in NYC. It's cold, it snows, I'm near the ocean, and they salt the crap out of the roads.

I throw a cover on and keep the chain lubed and wash it once in awhile and it's fine.

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by RevnUp

Thanks everyone for the insights.



I'm in Charlotte. You?

Winston salem... Get an alarm and a lock an such.

[SteveL]

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

I live a mile from the sea, I always keep my bike outside in all conditions and never cover it and it's fine.

Just spray it twice a year with ACF50 and job's a good'un.

Only problem I get is emulsification of the engine oil from too many short trips as my island is too small to warm up engines on a journey.

My son lived 500 meters from the sea in Bangor North Wales his ER6F (Ninja 650R ) was in a sorry state, it's only when you start to take it to pieces you realise how bad the corrosion is.

Steve

[Joshorilla]

Originally Posted by RevnUp

I've heard of ACF50 on the Triumph forum. When you say, "spray it," spray what? Just the metal? Everything? Are there parts (like chain, brakes) that should not be sprayed with this stuff?

The only thing you shouldn't get ACF50 on are the brake disks, twice a year after a through washing with dish soap I spray it on EVERYTHING on my bike except the brakes "it always get on the brakes during application but brake cleaner will take it off". You leave it to sit for an hour or so, it'll smoke like it's on fire for the first half an hour (i like to take it for a ride as it scares people something rotten). then it'll be protected for about a year, I haven't got any corrosion on my bike anywhere.

To answer Steve, ACF50 neutralizes salt, and the problem with the UK is they salt their roads, over here we don't use any salt or grit on the roads, it's the rock salt on the roads that really kills your metal work. I've taken my tank off a couple times and never had any rust on the usual spots, my frame is tip top, even where it's got a scratch!

If there are any two products I can't recommend highly enough, it's ACF50 and a Scottoiler.

[oblivion007]

I live in an apartment complex and have had my bike outside for the past two years.

The 250 did just fine but the chain would get dusty quite often (Texas) except when I would have the cover on it. It did good outside.

Then I took the 250 to Brownsville TX by the ocean and again... I had to leave it outside. It did okay I noticed my chain had developed a small layer of rust the first night there. I just made sure to lube a little more often and keep everything else lubed. Rust developed in lots of places such as screws and scratches.

I too am in a similar dillema. I now have two bikes, the 250 is being used by a friend who owns a bike shop and I got the 650. But when the 250 comes home I don't know what I'm going to do.

Maybe buy a speedway cover/shelter? The idea of leaving two bikes out in the open is very nerve wrecking.

[RevnUp]

Sounds like some of you do it without major problems--now to save a little money and find a deal! (And order some ACF50 from across the pond.)

[Sykes92]

I have neither a shed nor garage. So my ninja stays outside in my backyard (hidden of course) unless it gets really cold, like tonight. I brought her into the laundry room haha.

[Joshorilla]

Originally Posted by RevnUp

Sounds like some of you do it without major problems--now to save a little money and find a deal! (And order some ACF50 from across the pond.)

You'll probably find it cheaper in the USA as it's made in Canada I believe, pilot supply shops will probably stock it.

http://www.amazon.com/Lear-Chemical-...keywords=acf50

I know this bottle is $20, but you will get three applications out of this easily, that's 18 months.

[DaBlue1]

Originally Posted by RevnUp

....Other than a cover, are there other precautions? What are the issues with having the bike outside through winter?

Originally Posted by RevnUp

.....I'm in Charlotte. You?

Other than the wide fluctuation in temps in Charlotte. You won't have a big problem. Keep the chain lubed, the bottom half of the bike cleaned, start and ride it every few days and it will be fine. Your battery will take a hit at night in the cold.