motorcycles damaged by winter weather?

[ny biker]

I'm looking for some feedback from anyone out there who has or has had a motorcycle, especially in areas with snow and ice in winter.

If you have to park a motorcycle outdoors in winter, what to do you do to protect it from the elements? Is it sufficient to use one of those covers that is like a tarp, that drapes over the motorcycle?

Also, do you agree with this statement:

"The engine and battery on a motorcycle are exposed on both sides. If we have snow this winter, residents cleaning the cars parked next to the motorcycle and snow removal trucks will push snow around the motorcycle. If this snow gets on or around the engine block and freezes, it will expand and ultimately destroy the motorcycle by cracking the engine block or damaging the inner workings."

The reason I'm asking is that someone in my condo association is requesting permission to use a special storage tent while parking his motorcycle in the condo parking lot. These types of storage units are not allowed according to condo parking policies. Since none of the other motorcycle owners in our condo has ever made a claim that winter weather will destroy a motorcycle, I was wondering if the statement is accurate or if it's just someone who is very worried about his motorcycle.

FWIW, we do not get a lot of snow or ice around here. There is some winter precip every year, but not a lot (this is northern Virginia, not Buffalo or anyplace like that). The last time we had more than 6-8 inches of snow at a time was at least 5 years ago, and it usually melts within days.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Blueberry]

Google didn't come up with anything like what he's talking about. Only that the battery should be taken off because the freeze cycles will crack that. And to make sure there's sufficient antifreeze. Couldn't the snow plowing service just not push the snow up around motorcycles?

I'd be interested if anyone can verify this...

CA

[squirrell]

I wouldn't want to leave my motorcycle outside over the winter if an alternative was possible. Would you leave your bicycle sitting outside under a tarp in the winter? Keep in mind, motorcycles owners are just as passionate about their rides as cyclists are about theirs. There's so much that can happen/cause damage during the winter to a motorcycle--including the stuff used to melt the ice, changes in temperature, wear on equipment caused by temperature changes, etc.

The problem with the covers (like you described) is that they don't provide all protection from everything. Snow/ice can still form and/or get up inside the covers. A strong wind can damage them and/or blow it off. The tires are not protected by the covers, etc. etc.

The motorcycle owner's desire to protect their motorcycle may also be influenced by the value of the motorcycle, their love of their motorcycle, their care of their motorcycle. etc.

Just because "other motorcycle owners" haven't asked to use something to protect their ride doesn't mean it might not be needed. Do some bicycle owners not take better care of their bikes mroe than others? I, for one, leave my bicycle in the garage but I know someone else who would NEVER do that and has a room in their house dedicated to their bicycles.

As for the snow/ice getting up around the engine block, remember, the motorcycle engine is not that high above the ground, so it wouldn't take much to build up to engine level. I've lived in N.VA and have seen up to 18 inches of snow and ice that stayed around for over a week, so you never know what might happen.

EDITED:

I wanted to add this because my DH just reminded me about it, and if the guy in your condos plans to ride during the winter, this could well be a problem for him if he has to used one of those "tarps."

We lived in a RV on the Andrews AFB campground for 1 year, and I was forced to leave my motorcycle outside covered with just a tarp type cover over the winter. Snow and ice did build up around the tires after one storm and actually froze the tires to the ground! It took days before it got warm enough to melt the stuff so we could move the motorcycle. Thankfully, there was no damage done to the tires/brake lines but after that, we were very careful about running outside and clearing away any snow/ice that began to accumulate around the bike. Keep in mind--it doesn't have to be "pushed" up around the bike to build up--just a slight wind or any moisture can cause snow to drift around the tires/bike or ice to form around the tires.

My DH said to include this as well: Not all motorcycles use antifreeze--only water cooled motorcycles do. If he has proper antifreeze levels in the bike, the engine should be ok. If it's an air-cooled engine though, then no antifreeze is used but in that case, the engine should still be ok AS LONG AS he can keep ice from building up inside the engine. Which shouldn't be a problem if he properly maintains the engine.

So, the issues he describes with possible engine problems are probably not possible BUT other issues arise such as rust, corrosion, etc.

Alot of it depends upon if he intends to ride it during the winter or not, too. If he does, then keeping it out of the weather as much as possible is a must.

[OakLeaf]

I'm not sure what the objection to a motorcycle cover would be, honestly. Most people who park their bikes outside cover them year-round. The covers are much lighter than a tarp, and they're sized to fit a bike, not huge and folded over like a tarp (both of which are to allow air circulation and prevent corrosion). The other thing a cover does is keep condensation from forming on the seat overnight.

The thing you have to worry about with plowing is not parts cracking from exposure (honestly, that's just goofy, a car has an engine and a battery too). You do have to worry about a bike being physically knocked over by plowed snow, and also about exposure to salt contained in the snow. A cover won't protect against the former, but it will give a SMALL bit of assurance against the later.

Really - someone putting a cover on a motorcycle is like someone putting the rag top up on a convertible cage. You wouldn't require a Corvette driver to leave their top down whenever they park it, would you? Again, I don't see the objection. Maybe if he showed the association members a photo of the cover to assure them that it's not some huge blue tarp?

[Blueberry]

I thought that he wanted to do something more than put the cover over it - it sounds like he wants to erect a tent structure to put it in. I can see why that would be a problem - gee, I'd really like to construct a tent to put my car in too.

And yeah, I agree lots of owners are passionate about their motorcycles too. But I won't buy a house where I don't have appropriate bike and kayak storage, and if I like motorcycles, I certainly wouldn't live somewhere without a garage. Just my 2 cents.

CA

[Grog]

NY Biker IS talking about a tent, not a cover. I assume it's the same kind as the outdoor "tents" as for cars, which look like this:

Hopefully his thing would be smaller.

However I can imagine that lots of other residents would like to have something to shelter their cars in the parking lot. I know a lot of towns have rules against those car tents, mainly for aesthetic reasons.