Winter Storage
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,645
Likes: 8,461
From: Inland NW
A motorcycle jack.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,210
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From: San Diego, CA
FWIW.... I recently did some searching and article reading on this very topic. Here is some second-hand info, that could be corroborated with some internet research.
I do not store my bikes off the ground and never have.... but... All the anecdotal evidence aside, and according to the articles I have read....
There are many tire experts who will say that vehicles stored for as little as a month CAN develop temporary flat spots..
So the potential seems to be real...
Obviously the longer a vehicle sits on its tires without moving, the higher the probability of forming flat spots becomes.
Most storage flat spots are temporary, disappearing after the tires warm up. I read that most agree 25+ miles driven on short term stored tires will almost always remove flat spots. But there are tire experts who claim they can become permanent after long term storage.
I always thought that flat spots were the curse of older tires and lower quality tires. However, I read recently that high-performance, high speed rated (H or higher) tires are especially prone to flat spotting.
I also read that tires stored through temperature extremes are also more likely to form flat spots...
I offer this as a counter-point to many that believe the flat spots don't happen.... Not as proof that flat spotting will/does happen, but just as food for thought...
Here is a link to just one of the articles I found. While this is from a vendor trying to sell stuff, it seems to echo many of the claims made by several other articles..
https://image.mamotorworksmedia.com/...h_Article_.pdf
I do not store my bikes off the ground and never have.... but... All the anecdotal evidence aside, and according to the articles I have read....
There are many tire experts who will say that vehicles stored for as little as a month CAN develop temporary flat spots..
So the potential seems to be real...
Obviously the longer a vehicle sits on its tires without moving, the higher the probability of forming flat spots becomes.
Most storage flat spots are temporary, disappearing after the tires warm up. I read that most agree 25+ miles driven on short term stored tires will almost always remove flat spots. But there are tire experts who claim they can become permanent after long term storage.
I always thought that flat spots were the curse of older tires and lower quality tires. However, I read recently that high-performance, high speed rated (H or higher) tires are especially prone to flat spotting.
I also read that tires stored through temperature extremes are also more likely to form flat spots...
I offer this as a counter-point to many that believe the flat spots don't happen.... Not as proof that flat spotting will/does happen, but just as food for thought...
Here is a link to just one of the articles I found. While this is from a vendor trying to sell stuff, it seems to echo many of the claims made by several other articles..
https://image.mamotorworksmedia.com/...h_Article_.pdf
Last edited by hattitude; Sep 6, 2022 at 07:37 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Niagara, Ontario, Canada
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,634
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From: backwoods
People lift sleds up, for storaged, to let track hang. Keeps track of cement, but also takes load off track. But its easy to do with many sleds. Mine is so big I don't. I suppose with that theory, it would help to take load of shocks in general. But usually don't cause not easy.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,569
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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
The "Flat Spot" situation was common waaaaaaaaaaay back in the day when nylon tires were common and before radial tires ... It was common on automobiles ... Never have I ever encountered / experienced a flat spot situation on any of my scooters ... All have been stored in ( winter in Michigan ) in an unheated garage for an extended period of time
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 76
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From: Chesterfield South Carolina
I live in South Carolina and we ride year round. My wife is a real estate agent and would be glad to help you find just the right property. Alright, enough of this messing around, if you feel it necessary to get the tire off the ground a motorcycle jack would be the route to go. I have one and I don't remember the exact cost but it was reasonable and very useful for service or cleaning the bike.
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