How to Keep Your Motorbike Safe and Well During Storage

Posted on: 25 June 2020

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It's interesting how many people treat their motor vehicles as though their car or motorbike was a living, breathing thing. After all, some 42% of Americans have named their vehicle. In Australia, it's only around 30% of the population, but that's still a lot of people. Obviously, you know your motorbike isn't alive, but it can certainly feel that way sometimes. This is why you need to keep your motorbike healthy if it ever has to take a temporary break from the roads and go into storage. Self-storage for motorbikes is all about preserving its components and systems so that it remains ready to ride while choosing a secure storage site. How can you achieve this?

Security

The best storage unit for a motorbike is one that has an appropriate level of security, such as CCTV monitoring, along with a 24-hour onsite staff. The storage unit needs to have ease of access that actually allows you to get the motorbike to the unit, but there should ideally be some type of perimeter fence that makes it impossible for someone to simply break in and ride your bike away. Check with the potential storage facility before finalising anything. They might require proof of ownership and proof of insurance for such a high-value asset before it can be stored.

Climate Control

Climate control inside the unit is an optional extra but can be worthwhile if you live in a part of Australia that is subject to temperature extremes, or if you have a particularly delicate antique motorbike.

Cleaning

The bike needs to be clean and dry before it goes into storage. Be sure that it has been thoroughly washed, and this should be followed by the application of an anti-corrosive polish. A dust cover can also be wise, depending on how long the motorbike will be inside the unit.

Battery

The battery should be removed to prevent it from losing its charge. It can be taken home with you and charged separately, although you will need a specific charger for this. In any event, it should be disconnected from the motorbike while in storage.

Petrol Tank

Petrol tanks should be largely (or entirely) empty. This will stop the petrol from coagulating and settling in the petrol tank. You could also just add a petrol stabiliser to the tank to prevent any petrol remnants from causing damage. Don't forget to change the oil prior to storage as well.

Tyres

The motorbike should be elevated while in storage to prevent excessive pressure on the portion of the tyres in direct contact with the ground. This preserves their tread and air pressure. If your bike will be in storage for a reasonably long period of time, it can be smart to invest in a motorbike stand to permit this elevation.

By following these basic guidelines, your motorbike will remain safe and healthy and will be ready to hit the streets again.

For more tips on storing motorbikes, reach out to a self-storage facility near you.