Driveway or garage?

[cbseas]

First Post-I'm looking into my first bike, a cruiser (500cc-800cc), most likely used. I live in an apartment so keeping a bike in the garage will be difficult to arrange. I'm well aware that bike maintenance is more frequent than cars but how much more frequently will I need to maintain an entirely outdoor kept bike? The Spring, Summer, and Fall months in Oklahoma are great seasons for riding. The Winter months, however, can drop below freezing for days to weeks straight. There's one or two ice storms a year and the same with snow fall. Oh, and of course the whole tornado thing happens once in a while too, these storms bring heavy hail. I'm afraid I may not be able to ride for several days, perhaps weeks during the Winter and when I head back out to dust of my bike how much damage can I expect (to wires, plugs, etc.)? What can I do during down time to prevent damage? I'm definetly getting a durable cover and my apartment does offer covered parking ($15/month) but aside from that what else can I do and expect to happen? And should I ever bother looking at new bikes or wait until I can keep it in a garage?

[Gummiente]

Is there a self-storage unit close by? It might be a practical option for you, if somewhet pricey, but storing a motorcycle outside in all weather conditions can do a lot of damage - even if it is cloaked in a bike cover. Moisture will form between the cover and metal parts and things will start to rust pretty quick, the battery can crack if it's left in the bike and it feezes during the winter months, you'll have no room to do the routine maintenance like oil changes, critters can make nests in the exhaust pipes if it sits unused for too long.... there's a lot of things that can happen. If a storage unit is too pricey, the $15 per month for covered parking is still better than leaving it out in the open.

[cbseas]

Yeah, I've thought a storage facility may be the best way to go and better security too, I think. It may cost more, but I haven't looked into it. It may be worth it though, especially if maintenance costs $$$$.

[Randy]

I shudder at the thought of leaving my bike outside where the heathens can get at it. I keep mine in the garage all the time.

Working on bikes is way better than working on cars, I get greasy from my hands to my face when working on cars. When working on bikes, I wear latex gloves (don't laugh, I know it is silly), and I hardly get greasy at all!

[Telesque]

If you can't find a cheap self-storage place, I'd suggest you find/make a friend who has extra room in his/her garage (or an empty room in their house, for that matter- That'd be even better!).

Even if you keep your bike in a garage, there's still certain things you'll want to do to 'winterize' it. Keeping it out in the street/parking lot is a whole other thing.

Hmm. I'm not sure, but does anyone know any downsides of summer storage in a driveway? I know if I leave my bike out at night, it'll collect lots of moisture. Extreme and constant exposure to sunlight probably isn't too good for the windshield either, I'd guess. But I don't know, really, as I keep mine in the garage.

[TheReaper]

I have a 30k truck, a 12k car and an 8k bike with a 3 car garage. Guess what's parked in the garage? I guess I couldn't ever imagine parking my bike outside year round, but I do understand your dilemma as it wasn't too long ago I was in an apartment myself. Those things at apartments barely qualify as garages.

Aside from the elements and mechanical reasons to find better storage, what about security? Is you're city/town/neighboorhood trustworthy? What about your apartment complex? There is a wide variety of people that reside in apartments and some of them are pretty bad and barely care about their own stuff let alone yours. Are some kids going to come bike and tip it over as a prank? Is someone going to have time to take some parts off of it? If your place is like mine was I couldn't see the parking from my apartment which would make me nervous.

It is a hassle, but if you can invest in either a garage at the apartment or a nearby storage facility I think it would be well worth the investment.

[ronboskz650sr]

If you can't find a cheap self-storage place, I'd suggest you find/make a friend who has extra room in his/her garage (or an empty room in their house, for that matter- That'd be even better!).

This struck me funny.."Hey, how's it going? I'm Ron. We seem to have alot in common, and might make good friends ...do you have a garage, and would you mind if I kept my motorcycle there? Oh, what about in your house? Where are you going? Hey! I thought we were friends!?

[cbseas]

Thanks for the advice. I've looked at online prices for public storage in my area and they range from $35-$45/month. Now I hope there are units available. I've found ways to offset this cost...so much for cable . But I figure, hey, if I really want to do it...I better do it right. Especially considering that you really can't trust your neighbors or "KIDS!!!", I didn't think about that. I live in a nice neighborhood but there are always spoiled apples.

[Telesque]

If you can't find a cheap self-storage place, I'd suggest you find/make a friend who has extra room in his/her garage (or an empty room in their house, for that matter- That'd be even better!).

This struck me funny.."Hey, how's it going? I'm Ron. We seem to have alot in common, and might make good friends ...do you have a garage, and would you mind if I kept my motorcycle there? Oh, what about in your house? Where are you going? Hey! I thought we were friends!?

You're supposed to wait at least a week before you drop that sort of thing on your new 'friend'. The best choice is to find someone who needs enough money to put your bike up for, say, $50- but who isn't broke enough to sell it off to a chop shop for $100.

[mswarrior]

I have a 30k truck, a 12k car and an 8k bike with a 3 car garage. Guess what's parked in the garage?

I'm with you, my bike is 21 years old and still looks great and I want to keep it that way. Before I bought it the previous owner stoered it outside and what a mess I have to clean up. Which included painting the bike.

Try as hard as you can to keep it indoors. This will not only keep it out of the weather but give you piece of mind knowing some #@%& for brains isn't rolling it away from your home. Been there done that, my FJ 1200 was stollen from right outside my apartment window .