Bike Having To Live Outside, Advice??

[Chessecake94]

At the end of the week I move to uni, and for the first time my bikes going to have to live at side all year round. Any tips you can give me to keep it lovely and shiny. As Im a bike of a freak when it comes to keeping my bike spotless even though I ride all year round. Also wont be able to pressure wash it, or wash it with a hose as it'll be in the accommodation car park.

 

[Bikermole]

Buy a rain cover for it. Either that or get the bike treated by the all year biker people. They've been mentioned before, and apparently do a really good job.

 

[LeedsRider93]

Easiest thing to do would be to buy a bike cover, as BM suggested. I use R&G's Superbike cover which is well worth a look.

Also, since cleaning her will be more difficult, why not just use a petrol station jet wash? BP generally have better facilities I find, since most do not have a car-oriented set programme. A quick coating in ACF-50 and all is good!

BM's suggestion of 'all weather biker' (as I think they're called) is well worth a look. Bit on the pricey side though :-/

Sent from my Lenovo K1 using Tapatalk 2

 

[JollyRoger]

I have always had to keep my bikes outside (no space and living in flats etc), here are my pointers.

Cover cover cover. Not only does it shield your bike from dust and keep it dry, it also keeps it out of mind of potential criminals. A cover also means that people won't just decide to sit on your bike if they are drunk (again depends on where you live, but this has happened to my bike). People won't know whether its a shit or good bike because it's covered

Make sure you get a good chain for the rear tyre - hopefully you can chain the bike to a pole or something, AND a disc lock for the front wheel. With reminder strap of course ! Again because the bike is outside you want it to remain as inconspicuous as possible, with as much security. A nice bonus of a cover is that you can put the chain on the inside of the cover or out, up to you.

As far as cleaning goes, my experience is that wiping down the disc brakes helps loads with rust during the winter, as well as just giving it a hand wash with water. You will need to lube your chain more often with the bike outside.

As for keeping it spotless, good luck! My philosophy was always to spend my time riding bikes rather than cleaning them, so I don't a dirty bike, but that said it's always nice to have her shiny again.

 

[OoxTruExoO]

Firstly, find somewhere secure to chain it. And alarm it. One of my mates lost 3 bikes during his time in college. I used a £10 rain cover from Argos to cover my Derbi when I worked nights.


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[Friz]

If you get the all weather biker thing done let me know. I've been meaning to do it for about 2 years.

 

[Chessecake94]

If you get the all weather biker thing done let me know. I've been meaning to do it for about 2 years.

I managed it last year, except for ice and snow. That didnt end well when I had my scooter. Was still going for pleasure rides in -2 and raining.

 

[Bikermole]

If you get the all weather biker thing done let me know. I've been meaning to do it for about 2 years.

Same, I'd even ride up to meet you to do it

 

[Friz]

If you get the all weather biker thing done let me know. I've been meaning to do it for about 2 years.

I managed it last year, except for ice and snow. That didnt end well when I had my scooter. Was still going for pleasure rides in -2 and raining.

Do not even think I'll be doing that with you once you move nearby :lol:

But still, I'd love to get those people to do anti corrosion protection stuff on my bike.

 

[Chessecake94]

If you get the all weather biker thing done let me know. I've been meaning to do it for about 2 years.

I managed it last year, except for ice and snow. That didnt end well when I had my scooter. Was still going for pleasure rides in -2 and raining.

Also if you get a car this winter, I will personally slap you.

 

[Friz]

If you get the all weather biker thing done let me know. I've been meaning to do it for about 2 years.

I managed it last year, except for ice and snow. That didnt end well when I had my scooter. Was still going for pleasure rides in -2 and raining.

Also if you get a car this winter, I will personally slap you.

 

[NastyEvilNinja]

If it's the treatment I'm thinking of then they basically just vapourise ACF-50 and coat your bike that way. Either way it's well worth buying some ACF-50 yourself to top it up, or just use that.

If it's good enough to treat aircraft, then it's good enough for a bike, anyway!

 

[LDR]

A good quality motorcycle cover will do you well boyo. I've had my bikes outside for 3 years and not had any problems. I bought mine from Argos for £11 or something but I could really do with upgrading it.

 

[Chessecake94]

Thanks for the advice! I all ready have a cover so will stick that on it. It lives in my garage with the cover on it to keep dust off at the minute. (Yes I am that anal) Will get myself so ACF-50 and get a few coats in before winter sets in.

Security wise I all ready have a alarmed disc lock, and hefty chain, and another chain thats small enough to be carried.