Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Will leaving my bike in the garage for the winter hurt the tires? Will constant contact against the concrete, or the constant lean of the bike on the kickstand hurt the tires (flatspots) or the forks at all?

I've heard arguments either way. But the folks that say it will do harm offer up pretty easy solutions such as parking the tires on a sheet of plywood, moving the bike a couple feet every few weeks, or storing the bike on a stand. First decide whether to believe the concern, then choose a solution if applicable.

Of more concern if you are leaning the bike on the sidestand for an extended period, is too make sure that you get the bike upright for an hour or two before you start it. The BMW 650's have blown oil pumps because of this.

I think that the real concern here are the tires, They may get flat spots if they are under inflated. I don't belive that the concrete will hurt anything.
You might want to set the bike on a block that hold both tires off the floor.

I have never had a problem with flatspots, and I have parked several bikes for extended periods over the years. One thing I make sure to do is roll the bike once a month, so it's resting on a different spot. I can't say whether or not flatspots will occur if you don't roll it once in a while. Also I believe it is better on things like wheel bearings etc. to not have the bike weight on the same spot all the time.

Just my 2cents worth.

I use two rubber car mats under the tires.

I don't think flatspots would be a problem with radial tires.I've never seen a radial flatspot. Though sitting in one spot for a week will flatspot bias ply tires. Course I ain't seen them in awhile.

I have spoke wheels with tubed tires...should I be more worried about flat spots?

I think unless you leave the bike sitting for more than a month without moving it, you shouldn't need to take extra precautions. Roll it forward a few inches, or put a board under the wheels, or jack up the wheels so they are not resting on the concrete. I think it applies to ALL tires, but I think it is a long term storage problem. You see? Leaving it on the concrete in one spot MAY (but may not) cause a flat spots where it has been left sitting unmoved. I believe myself that flat spots will not happen after even a couple months sitting. I've left my bike sit without movement for a month and a half, and no flat spot. My tires are not cheap, so I would not take a chance if I thought it mattered.

I think its pretty much all been said. As a precaution I would move your bike a little every few weeks. Unless offcourse, you have a center stand... in which case the tires usually take very little weight, and you can easily spin them by hand without having to lug the bike around.