Winter Storage
Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 396
Likes: 336
From: Coastal Carolina
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 Im 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.
i always use a battery tender, ethanol free gas with a mix of Sta- bil AND Marvel Mystery oil in my gas, been using that mix 27 years. I used fogging oil a few years but was lots of trouble so I don't do that anymore but my old evo is getting much less time on the road after buying my new bike so I may fog it again this winter?
I have never heard of a160 watt boat dehumidifier, I can see how that would help as if you can get the engine chrome a tad bit warmer than the air, NO condensation I would imagine.
What brand of boat dehumidifier are you using and how do I find one to buy?
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 734
Likes: 319
From: Rochester NY
I have same, insulated but unheated garage for last 15 years. I park on a piece of outdoor carpet, cover with a quality breathable dust cover and put a 40 watt drop light under the cover. Wood plugs for the pipes, and stabil marine in non ethanol 90 octane, run about 10 minutes to get it in the carb. Never problems with condensation and starts easy for a quick warmer day in the winter or in the spring.
Ride easy! Edit to add...remove battery and bring in the house.
Ride easy! Edit to add...remove battery and bring in the house.
Last edited by Riffraff123; Nov 6, 2025 at 07:22 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 545
From: MN
If you have electric power out there maybe you could run a dehumidifier in addition to desiccant packages? That would only work down to freezing of course, but below freezing temperature would condensation be a problem? Air is usually pretty dry when super cold.
I'm in Winston Salem NC. The winters can be bad but not extreme, I have a 23 SGS and a 06 Sporty that I keep in an indoor fully enclosed garage that's attached to the house, the temperature doesn't get below 50 degrees; However I do winterize both bikes with fuel stabilizer and cover them up with battery tenders. I've never had any issues with condensation or mice I'm guessing because i think we have a black snake somewhere in the property lol
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