Winter Storage for the garage-less
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 595
Likes: 261
From: Philly area
Winter Storage for the garage-less
I live in a condo. My Sporty is my first bike ever. As this is my first winter owning a bike, and I've yet to build up the proper collection of tools, I opted to drop it off at my local HD dealer for their winter storage special. So far, this has kinda sucked. For one, the price got changed on me between the time I reserved my spot and the time I dropped it off, so that irked me. But worse, not only have I not been able to just hop on and ride during those weirdly nice days over the holiday, but I can't even wrench on the damn thing in the meantime, and it's driving me nuts.
I'm considering renting a local storage unit next winter (possibly sooner if the weather gets nice again and I get too anxious). I know that I would need a lift and some blocks to keep it off of the tires to avoid flat spots. I know I would need a battery tender. Having never rented a storage unit, I don't know if most of them have power outlets to allow for plugging in a battery tender there, or if I would need to disconnect the battery and take it with me (which would be a bit of a PITA).
Has anyone out there messed with something like this that could offer some recommendations? Or am I that unusual a rider in not having a garage of my own?
I'm considering renting a local storage unit next winter (possibly sooner if the weather gets nice again and I get too anxious). I know that I would need a lift and some blocks to keep it off of the tires to avoid flat spots. I know I would need a battery tender. Having never rented a storage unit, I don't know if most of them have power outlets to allow for plugging in a battery tender there, or if I would need to disconnect the battery and take it with me (which would be a bit of a PITA).
Has anyone out there messed with something like this that could offer some recommendations? Or am I that unusual a rider in not having a garage of my own?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,162
Likes: 1,906
From: Doghouse... mostly
You don't need a lift or blocks to keep the tires off of the ground, that's just an old BS wives tale. If you're worried, just go and roll it forward or back a few inches every couple of months. Some rental spaces have power and some don't. May want to check into one of the climate controlled storage units. You say that you want to be able to wrench on your own bike but you believe that taking the battery out would be a PITA? Boy have you gotta' lot to learn!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
A friend of mine lives in a basement suit , he rents a storage locker with light and power , He keeps his bike on a tender , and when he feels like working on it , he takes his tools . a heater and a small stereo . He's been doing that for a few years now and has no complaints .
As far as lifting your bike , some say yes , others will say no , I keep my bike on a piece of carpet , been doing that for years with no issues , my shop is heated , so I'm not sure if that makes a difference . Another friend has a non heated shop and keeps his bike on a pieces of plywood , he's been doing that for many years , also with no issue's . Our bikes sit for 6 months , and the weather dips down to -40 on a bad day , just to give you an idea .
As far as lifting your bike , some say yes , others will say no , I keep my bike on a piece of carpet , been doing that for years with no issues , my shop is heated , so I'm not sure if that makes a difference . Another friend has a non heated shop and keeps his bike on a pieces of plywood , he's been doing that for many years , also with no issue's . Our bikes sit for 6 months , and the weather dips down to -40 on a bad day , just to give you an idea .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,157
Likes: 740
From: new caney, tx
I'm near Houston so I don't rewllt have a winter but I keep mine under the car port. I park it on rubber mats we threw away from the gym. I alternate with a cover due my the neighbor cat clawing my damn seat. Humidity is a **** here and every year I notice something with rust but idc. Cleanin it up is cheaper than a house with a garage for now
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 595
Likes: 261
From: Philly area
My bike already had some rusty spots from being in a shed for something like 2 years for the former owner. I did get a vented cover since it stays outside for the non-snowy months.
Funny to get responses from almost literal north american polar opposites, climate-wise. Heh.
There's an unusual number of storage unit buildings in my area, so I don't have to go far for one. I'm not sure if the smaller, less expensive units have outside access. I doubt those externally accessible ones are climate controlled, but it'd be preferable to be able to just roll out, start up, and go.
Funny to get responses from almost literal north american polar opposites, climate-wise. Heh.
There's an unusual number of storage unit buildings in my area, so I don't have to go far for one. I'm not sure if the smaller, less expensive units have outside access. I doubt those externally accessible ones are climate controlled, but it'd be preferable to be able to just roll out, start up, and go.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
I have a two car garage. Bike sleeps there March through November. November thru March it sleeps in the lower level of a golf course along with all theirgolf carts. A buddy owns the course and lets us park our bikes there for $75 for the season. Not heated per se, but ambient heat from the building and work areas keep temps above 50°. He also lets me plug in my battery tender. I do this as I like to park the van in the garage during the winter. As far as storage unit... I would do that, pull the battery and store in your basement on a wood board. Put the tender on a month before you plan to get the bike out and go from there. You say winter, not working on it, and no access are driving you nuts. Suck it up, a lot of us have to do this. I want to do things to mine, but can't.... that's what spring is for. As an aside, I change the oils in the fall before I park it for the season....that way a quick check on leaks, oil levels, and I'm set to ride without the worry of servicing come spring time.
This is the life of those who do not have garages and live in the north.
This is the life of those who do not have garages and live in the north.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 3,518
From: PA
You don't need to lift the bike, modern tires will not flat spot over the winter. Second , Rent a storage space bigger then you think you need, trust me it will be worth it and keep the bike there year long, no reason to store it outside in the elements or where it could get stolen
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 595
Likes: 261
From: Philly area
I considered a year-round rental. Would make it a bit more tedious during the nice months to ride to work. Then again, having to take the cover off and put it back on before and after each ride is its own tedium. Worth considering.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,076
Likes: 3,293
From: Plover, WI
I have a two car garage. Bike sleeps there March through November. November thru March it sleeps in the lower level of a golf course along with all theirgolf carts. A buddy owns the course and lets us park our bikes there for $75 for the season. Not heated per se, but ambient heat from the building and work areas keep temps above 50°. He also lets me plug in my battery tender. I do this as I like to park the van in the garage during the winter. As far as storage unit... I would do that, pull the battery and store in your basement on a wood board. Put the tender on a month before you plan to get the bike out and go from there. You say winter, not working on it, and no access are driving you nuts. Suck it up, a lot of us have to do this. I want to do things to mine, but can't.... that's what spring is for. As an aside, I change the oils in the fall before I park it for the season....that way a quick check on leaks, oil levels, and I'm set to ride without the worry of servicing come spring time.
This is the life of those who do not have garages and live in the north.
This is the life of those who do not have garages and live in the north.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
If you place the battery on the floor or concrete, that tends to "suck" the charge out of the battery. If you place on a piece of wood or wood workbench, this would eliminate any parasitic discharge. Of course this may be more prevalent with acid filled batteries rather than AGM. Just an old time thing I learned many, many years ago.