Winter Storage
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 2,143
From: NC
To the OP, regardless of condensation, leaving it inside uncovered (with a fan) is your best option, beats leaving out in the elements, and if you have any chrome doodads maybe give them a good wipe down with some PB blaster.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,474
Likes: 3,723
From: backwoods
I only park bikes in garage, so I am not introducing melting snow and air, so for me it is a little different. But I also suspect people are worrying a little to much. You ride the bike in the rain. If it was a classic I might worry more.
It does cross my mind when it sweats in the spring. But it will also do that once in a great while in the summer if I open the door.
At work when we got cabinets we don't want corrosion we install heaters. If you really wanted to get into this, you could build a crate around it and put a heater in it. Not saying i would.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 980
Likes: 1,368
From: South of Heaven
I'm pretty OCD so I check the pack pretty regularly. It typically could go longer than a month but that is an easy interval to remember.
I wish I only parked bikes in the garage
It probably is a little overkill. When I was a young pup I would park my Harley in my parent's garage over the winter and forget about it. Never had an issue.
I wish I only parked bikes in the garage
It probably is a little overkill. When I was a young pup I would park my Harley in my parent's garage over the winter and forget about it. Never had an issue.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,525
Likes: 57,083
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
I've stored my scooters with an indoor cover in an unheated Michigan garage forever ... Late in the winter there may be some condensation which has not effected anything ... They still look like new ... I wish I looked as good as they do
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 543
From: MN
Yep - I bought MoCo's breathable cover. We work on projects in our barn, with various dusts going into the air - sawdust, metal grindings, paint dust, etc. No way I'd store in this environment without a dust and dirt cover.
I have various vermin devices spread about to discourage mouse nests and wire chewing. Haven't had an issue yet. We don't really have condensation issues in the middle of the continent, but I keep the barn heated to 45 degrees year around, bumping up to 60 when I work in the shop. Winter storage up here is 7 months long. Riding time is short and precious for our short summers.
I have various vermin devices spread about to discourage mouse nests and wire chewing. Haven't had an issue yet. We don't really have condensation issues in the middle of the continent, but I keep the barn heated to 45 degrees year around, bumping up to 60 when I work in the shop. Winter storage up here is 7 months long. Riding time is short and precious for our short summers.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 357
Likes: 205
From: Eastern Washington USA
For the cheep folks like me, instead of a fitted motorcycle cover I got a cheap but breathable / soft car cover, draped and scissored to remove excess. Marked the rear at the top of the backrest “rear” and forward at the top of the windshield “windshield” with a Sharpie since I’m bad at folding then remembering what end went where.
Where I did spend a bit is a 160 watt boat dehumidifier that is slim enough to slide under the frame and is about a 12” sq. box that spreads some gentle heat into the engine and transmission. Also this is in a wooden shed with a wood floor not metal & wood tends to breath a bit not a moisture trap. Engineer at work that did tool & die machining on the side in his garage told me keep condensation at bay by keeping the metal a bit warmer than the outside air.
Battery tender also.
Where I did spend a bit is a 160 watt boat dehumidifier that is slim enough to slide under the frame and is about a 12” sq. box that spreads some gentle heat into the engine and transmission. Also this is in a wooden shed with a wood floor not metal & wood tends to breath a bit not a moisture trap. Engineer at work that did tool & die machining on the side in his garage told me keep condensation at bay by keeping the metal a bit warmer than the outside air.
Battery tender also.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,525
Likes: 57,083
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
Condensation forms when air reaches the dew point. That’s because warm air czn hold more moisture than colder air. If the air is at a warm temperature, if you pass cold object through it, the air in contact with the object reaches the dew point it can not hold the water any longer. , When the temperature of a hard surface drops such that the air in it reaches the dew point, you get condensation on the surface. This can be prevented by not letting the air in contact with the surface reach the dew point. Typically in a closed environment develop condensation, because the air develops humidity, and when the temperature drops below the dew point surfaces get condensation. So either:
1) prevent high humidity from developing…by sealing the environment to prevent humidity from building, running a dehumidifier or use enough decidents to keep the ambient humidity low enough that regardless of temperature drop it will not condensate on surfaces.
2) keep the air, or surface you want to protect warm enough to prevent condensation.
3) treat the surface you want to protect with a protectant, such as spraying with silicon.
Consider one of those bubble things and put a dehumidifier in it.
1) prevent high humidity from developing…by sealing the environment to prevent humidity from building, running a dehumidifier or use enough decidents to keep the ambient humidity low enough that regardless of temperature drop it will not condensate on surfaces.
2) keep the air, or surface you want to protect warm enough to prevent condensation.
3) treat the surface you want to protect with a protectant, such as spraying with silicon.
Consider one of those bubble things and put a dehumidifier in it.
