Bike Storage

MartyGarrison · Sep 20, 2018

Quick question. I have a 16 939 that I bought new. Over the last couple of years I keep my bike at work in secured underground storage. I keep it overnight from time to time outside at my home covered but rarely over one or two nights at a time. I retire this year at which time I will no longer have the free secured underground storage. I was wondering if any riders here keep their Ducati stored covered outside year round and if so how does the bike handle it? My home parking is very secure so I'm not too worried about theft but I am concerned about year round weather. I live in DC so our winters are fairly mild but we do get occasional snow.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Marty

JamesC · Sep 20, 2018

Hi Marty,

I'm forced to keep my Hyper outside 24/7 unfortunately. It's far from ideal as you already pointed out but can be done.

Firstly, not all covers are the same. Spend a little extra and it'll keep a lot more weather out of your bike.
I use a heated wire normally used to protect trees from frost. No idea what they're called but basically just a very long rubberized wire (10 meters or more) that you plug into AC power and it keeps everything just a little warm. I wrap the bike in it and it keeps everything dry and a few degrees above freezing.

I will google some and see if I can find an image.

JamesC

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JamesC · Sep 20, 2018

From a Dutch website (first hit) but sure you can get this anywhere.
https://www.warmtekabel.nl/verwarmingskabel-ht20

starts at 7.5 meters @150W and goes all the way up to stupid lengths. I think mine is in the 12.5 meter range and with some creative wrapping is easily long enough.

JamesC

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

N4teTheGreat · Sep 20, 2018

I was storing my bike in a secure courtyard for a while with a high end all season cover on it. Problem I found was that the cover managed to keep humidity in, so the bike was starting to show some corrosion. I've since scored a parking spot in a garage on my block, it ain't cheap but it's much nicer to have it climate controlled.

MartyGarrison · Sep 20, 2018

Nate this is my worry. I believe I can continue to keep it here at work if I want, it's just a pain to come across town to ride it. It would be so much nicer to have it at home and be able to pop on a ride at a whim.

appliance821 · Sep 20, 2018

I keep mine out for all but deep winter. I use a Dowco gaurdian cover that has a vent to prevent moisture condensing under the cover. I also ride the bike hard in all conditions - rain, cold etc.. It's holding up well overall after 4 years.

In the winter I bring it up (now after the first salt) to my studio. I clean it, do things like the brake disc buttons, bleeding, clean calipers, etc., to get it ready for the next season.

A few bolts show some corrosion, a few banjo bolts too. But for the frst 3 years I rode in salt as well. I can always replace that stuff, but it is purely aesthetic, not operational.

Bike Storage

MartyGarrison

JamesC

JamesC

N4teTheGreat

MartyGarrison

appliance821

Similar threads