Suitable Storage For Motorbike, Plus Tips For Storage Preparation

If you want to keep your motorbike in a self-storage unit for a long time, you need to choose the right storage unit and prepare your bike for the storage.

Choosing a Storage Unit

Drive-Up Access

Drive-up access allows you to ride the motorbike right to the door of the storage unit, or in some case, right into the storage unit. This saves you the trouble of riding the bike and then carrying it the rest of the way, which is what you would be in for if you choose a storage unit without drive-up access. Of course, this is only a concern if the bike you wish to store is operational.  

External Access

Anytime you are storing an automobile, you need to choose a storage unit that you can directly access from the outside. Therefore, avoid internal units that you can only access via hallways and doorways that may be too tight to navigate with your bike.

Tight Security         

Motorbikes, especially if they are operational, are relatively easy to steal. The thief just needs to start the engine and ride off with their loot. Therefore, choose a storage unit with top-notch security measures such as controlled access cards, state-of-the-art alarm systems, CCTV camera and even guards (dogs and/or human). There is no set standard for security measures a storage unit must have; talk to the facility's manager to understand the security measures they have in place.

Preparation Tips

Once you have identified the right storage unit, it's time to prepare your motorbike for storage, and you should do this by:

Pumping Up the Tires

Motorcycle tires, just like car tires, lose some of their air pressure over time. You may not notice this if you are using the bike because you probably service and pump it regularly. You won't be able to do the same during long-term storage so you should pump them up so that they don't flatten in storage – that would mean damaged rims.

Taking Care of the Battery

Apart from the tires, the battery is another thing you should take care of before storing your motorbike. The main idea here is to ensure that the battery doesn't empty completely and die. You can do this by disconnecting it from the bike and connecting it to a trickle charger.

Freshening Up the Fluids

Lastly, it's also a good idea to replace the fluids, such as the oil, brake fluid, and antifreeze. This is especially advisable if you haven't changed the fluids for some time. Replacing them ensures that the fluids don't deteriorate and lose their effectiveness during storage.  


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