Why It’s Bad To Let Your Motorcycle Sit For A Long Time

Why is it bad to let your motorcycle sit for a long time?  

1. Fuel tank paint peels
2. Rust will start to form
3. Flat spots form in the tire
4. Seals and gaskets harden
5. Fuel goes bad
6. Battery drains
7. Engine problems surface

While it’s understandable that you won’t be able to use your two-wheeled vehicle all the time, you should know why it’s bad to let your motorcycle sit for a long time. When it remains unused for long periods of time, parts start to break down. It’s even worse when it’s exposed to the elements, such as sun and rain. 

But if you’re going out of the country for a month, or need to rest at home because of an injury, you might have no choice but to let your motorcycle sit for a period of time. In this case, it’s important to prepare it for long-term storage. This involves cleaning it, filling the fuel tank until it’s full, changing the oil, disconnecting the battery, elevating the tires, and covering your motorcycle.

If you fail to do these things, you might notice the following negative effects on your motorcycle below. Keep on reading!

Fuel Tank Paint Peels

You wouldn’t want the beautiful paint job on your motorcycle to go to waste. But if you let your motorcycle sit in the sun for too long, you might notice that the paint on the fuel tank starts peeling. The UV rays from the sun will damage the coating on your tank, leading to bubbling and chipping.

If you want to prevent this from happening, it’d be best to cover up your motorcycle and store it in a place away from the elements.

Rust Will Start To Form

Another reason why you need to store your motorcycle in a safe place away from the elements is that excessive exposure to rain and moisture can cause rusting on the metal parts. This is more likely to occur if your two-wheeled vehicle is unused for a long time. 

Flat Spots Form In The Tire

It’s recommended to store your motorcycle in an elevated fashion if you plan to store it long-term. Invest in a good service stand or cradle, so you can reduce the load on your tires. 

When you leave your motorcycle for long periods without maintenance, the tires will start to lose air pressure. This leaves a significant amount of weight on the tires, which can lead to flat spots.

Seals And Gaskets Harden

When you use your motorcycle, the seals and gaskets heat up, expand, and make a tighter seal. But if they remain unused for a long time, the components start to lose their elasticity and become hard and brittle — like a rubber band. This can lead to another problem, such as leaking fluids. 

When this happens, it’s best to have the seals and gaskets replaced to prevent further issues in your motorcycle.

Fuel Goes Bad

It’s recommended to fill your motorcycle’s tank until it’s full or drain all the fuel out before leaving it for long-term storage. This is because a half-filled tank can cause condensation, sucking the moisture out of the air and producing gunk in the tank. This can lead to clogging. 

Other than that, make sure that your fuel tank is airtight. This is because exposure to oxygen causes the gasoline to become sticky or gel-like, which makes the fuel unusable. You can also a fuel stabilizer to prevent this problem.     

Battery Drains

Don’t forget to disconnect the battery before storing your motorcycle long-term, as failing to do this can cause the battery to undergo parasitic discharge. This happens because the electrical system will continue to pull energy from the battery even when your motorcycle is turned off. This can shorten the battery life. By disconnecting the battery, you can also prevent battery acid, which is corrosive, from leaking.

You can also use a battery tender to monitor the voltage of the battery. This device will automatically recharge the battery once needed.

Engine Problems Surface

One of the things you should do before leaving your motorcycle for long-term storage is to change the oil. Carbon deposits from old and contaminated motor oil would eventually stick to the components of the engine if left for a long time. 

This can interfere with the airflow of the engine intake port and prevent the valve from closing properly. Other than that, the deposits can also jam the piston rings in the engine cylinders.

Key Takeaway

Now that you know why it’s bad to let your motorcycle sit for a long time, you should find the time to use your two-wheeled vehicle from time to time. If you plan to store it for a long time, make sure to take the safety precautions recommended in this article to prevent premature damage to the components.

But if you need to replace some components and restore your motorcycle to its condition before, you can contact us here at Roberts! We can provide original equipment manufacturer parts that are of high-quality, reliable, and durable.