Winter Storage
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,923
Likes: 3,561
From: backwoods
I do see condensation once in awhile. Sometimes opening door will do that. You can see that differant parts of the year. My attached garage is insulated and unheated. I heat it when I do stuff. That has not caused condensation that I have seen. It is more the spring. Maybe a fan would help. Not sure it is needed. Sometimes Ill turn heat on for a hour, but not sure if that does anything either
Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 372
Likes: 320
From: Coastal Carolina
At one point in my old bikes life, I lived in a coastal wet area and the storage building next to a swamp. I could walk out some mornings and the chrome would look like a bathroom mirror when showering! It was dew point thing.... I did have a door issue and found the door must be closed.
I forget exactly what I used but was some kind or rubber floor mat under the bike, This fixed 95% of the problem, I assume moisture was under the concrete floor or something or perhaps it helped the temp dew point thing hitting the chrome, whatever reason a moisture barrier under the bike helped me. So to this day I use those oil absorbing mats $15-$20 under my bike even now that my bikes live in a much dryer garage.
I assume your garage door closes properly OP? As long as I keep my doors closed I'm okay, I still live in a humid coastal area only 100 yards to the ocean but with the door closed and a mat under the bike I have no rust or foggy chrome issues anymore.
I'm guessing a rubber mat may help you too but you could always buy a Motorcycle capsule bubble cover....
I forget exactly what I used but was some kind or rubber floor mat under the bike, This fixed 95% of the problem, I assume moisture was under the concrete floor or something or perhaps it helped the temp dew point thing hitting the chrome, whatever reason a moisture barrier under the bike helped me. So to this day I use those oil absorbing mats $15-$20 under my bike even now that my bikes live in a much dryer garage.
I assume your garage door closes properly OP? As long as I keep my doors closed I'm okay, I still live in a humid coastal area only 100 yards to the ocean but with the door closed and a mat under the bike I have no rust or foggy chrome issues anymore.
I'm guessing a rubber mat may help you too but you could always buy a Motorcycle capsule bubble cover....
Last edited by Soundman5000; Oct 26, 2024 at 09:47 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
this is what I do in the spring when temps are yo-yo-ing and everything is melting off. Its not perfect but it helps.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,923
Likes: 3,561
From: backwoods
Not a fan of covers. If you ever get a mouse in the garage, he will enjoy those covers and you will have no idea what is going on. In my barns i take seats off, open hoods, to expose as much as I can. I don't have mice in my garage. but doesn't mean someday I won't.
I wonder how much of that moisture stuff do you need for a garage. I have played with it with gun safes.
A guy could run a dehumidifier in the spring, I suppose. But I don't
I wonder how much of that moisture stuff do you need for a garage. I have played with it with gun safes.
A guy could run a dehumidifier in the spring, I suppose. But I don't
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 2,079
From: NC
I keep my bike in a storage shed with a small fan that runs 24/7, there will be occasions when you will get some condensation, but it's not going to hurt the bike, keeping it inside uncovered is your best option.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 372
Likes: 320
From: Coastal Carolina
However my stock Harley forks didn't like the moisture, Thats the reason the fist thing I did on my new 23 street Glide was add chrome lower forks...
I still say you will be amazed what a thin oil drip mat from Walmart or Amazon just under the engine area or home / business entrance mat will do to help cut down the moisture. Perhaps moisture rises? all I know is a small vapor barrier fixed my foggy (bathroom mirror look ) chrome primary!
I also had a problem years ago when closing on my house as my Harley had to stay outside a month at moms condo parking lot. Trying to store a bike under a water proof motorcycle cover did not work at all as it just trapped moisture in my high humid area.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 956
Likes: 1,344
From: South of Heaven
I cover the bike with a breathable cover and put a desiccant pack under the bike which I replace once a month. I also run a dehumidifier, but only when I have melting snow off the car and truck. Bike sleeps happily and looks like new when the cover comes off in spring.