The Ultimate Guide for Dirt Bike Storage

Your dirt bike is not a small investment. You’ve worked hard for it, and you’re proud of it. So, it only makes sense to store it correctly and make sure that it lasts a long time.

Aside from routine maintenance and security, there are also some basics for proper storage. For most of us, there are periods when our bikes stay in the garage for months. It could be because of the winter season, a long holiday trip, or the understandable lack of time. And for those periods, you’ll have to make sure to store your bike properly so that it stays in good condition, ready to go come ride time.

Storage area

It is a no brainer but of course, indoors trumps outdoors, and your garage is the best option. It protects the bike from the extreme elements outdoors and provides added security against theft. There’s only one disadvantage though, one instance in which a separate motorcycle shed might be more suitable.

Read about it in our previous article, where we compare the different motorcycle storage options.

Preparing Your Dirt Bike for Storage

1. Clean Your Bike

It’s always a good idea to clean your bike before storing it, especially when you’ve had a muddy ride. Get all dirt off so it doesn’t stain or damage the bike. Regular cleaning goes a long way in lengthening the life and presentation of your dirt bike.

2. Lubricate

After cleaning, always lubricate the required parts. This prevents rust and corrosion. If you’re storing your bike for months, there are higher chances of rust, so a little lube will go a long way.
Fill your tank with gas or drain it.
If you’re storing your bike for six months or less, then you can fill your tank. That helps prevent rust in a steel tank. Plastic tanks also seem to last longer when full of fuel and not go so brittle.
Others might argue that old fuel can go bad and damage the tank. It’s an old debate that doesn’t seem to have a winning team (now or anytime soon). So, this is really up to you.
If you’re storing it for more than six months, you can choose to drain the tank.
One thing to definitely do is turn the fuel tap off and drain the carby (for those that have one). This stops bad fuel from turning into jelly and blocking jets and fuel passages.

3. Change oil

Change the oil if you’re storing your bike for a long period of time. Old oil deteriorates and won’t be as effective within your engine. While you’re changing the oil, take the time to change the oil filter too. The used oil filter is likely full of particles from the old oil so it should be changed.

4. Inflate tyres

Air leaks out of tyres & tubes over time as the rubber is porous. So if you’re storing them for months, it’s best to over-inflate them slightly. You might want to purchase this handy mini pump with a tyre gauge to make life easier.

Storing

So you’ve cleaned your bike, lubricated the parts, and performed other preparations. Now, roll it in its dedicated place, taking note of these:

1. Motorcycle stand

Another tyre care tip: store your dirt bike on a sturdy stand. This prevents prolonged stress on tyres and avoids flat spots. This lift stand gets the job done easily.

2. Battery charger

If your bike has a battery, you have to keep the battery charged. A fully drained battery will damage the battery, increasing the risk of it never charging completely again. The best way to do this is to have a trickle charger. So, set that up and you’re good to go.

3. Cover motorcycle to prevent dust

And lastly, you can choose to cover your motorcycle, even when it’s stored in the garage. Dust will still settle on your bike surfaces while indoors. This saves you from having to clean the bike when it’s time to get it out. A cover will also protect your bike from UV damage & fading if there are any windows nearby.

Maintenance During Storage

Store and forget, right? Nope. You have to check a few things regularly, while in storage.

1. Check tyres every month

As mentioned earlier, tyres will lose air over time. So, check them every month and inflate them as needed.

2. Charge battery every few weeks

If you don’t have a charger, you can leave your battery on your bike and start the bike every few weeks to charge the battery.

Pro tip: Set a recurring reminder on your phone so that you don’t forget these regular checks.

Other Protection

1. Pest control

The garage isn’t immune to pests. Sometimes, mice or rats can wreak havoc, chewing the seat or worse, electrical wiring. The best solution is to have traps in place. And make sure not to leave food lying around or they might think you’re inviting them for dinner. Keep the garage clean and tidy. Put a muffler plug in place to avoid wasp nests in the exhaust.

2. Insurance

Ready to take security to the next level? Insurance is another layer of protection worth considering. It can cover damage from theft and or other accidents when in storage. Some providers offer additional protection for property damages and bodily injury when out riding.

3. Locks and tracking

The more locks, the better. Make sure to lock the garage, lock the bike, and don’t leave your key in the ignition. You can get alarm locks that detect movement so that if someone tries to steal your bike in the middle of the night, you’ll be woken up by the siren. A GPS tracking system is also a good investment. Read more about dirtbike security or check out locks and chains here.

4. CCTV

And lastly, you can also install a CCTV system at home to further deter thieves from stealing your pride and joy.

Now you’re ready to store your bike. This might seem like a long list of to-dos, but you’ve got to put in the work and protect your investment. You’ll thank yourself later.