How Long Can a Motorcycle Sit Without Being Used?

Winter is around the corner, and you may need to store the motorcycle if you don’t have any plans to ride the motorbike anytime soon. Now the question arises, how long can a motorcycle sit without being used? 

With all precautionary steps and actions, you can store the motorcycle for more than 22 months without noticing any severe problems linked to your motorbike. However, suppose you don’t take all precautions before storing the motorbike, then your motorbike will likely show issues after 6 months. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about sitting on a motorcycle for an extended period. 

How Long Can a Motorcycle Sit Without Being Used? 

Motorcycles sitting for an extended period can cause some problems. Thus you need to know how long a bike can sit without being used.

With all precautionary steps and actions, you can store the motorcycle for more than 22 months without noticing any severe problems linked to your motorbike. However, suppose you don’t take all precautions before storing the motorbike, then your motorbike will likely show issues after 6 months. 

And that’s why you must take all possible precautionary steps to protect your motorbike from the effects of time. 

Things to Do Before Storing the Motorbike? 

So far, you understand that storing the motorcycle without all precautionary steps can be dangerous. Now the question arises, what’re some things to do before storing the motorbike? 

Suppose you’re planning to store the motorbike for an extended period then you should cover your motorbike and insert a fuel stabilizer into the motorbike gas tank along with gas. And don’t forget to remove the motorbike battery if you don’t have a motorbike maintainer and connect the motorbike with an external stand. 

Connecting the motorbike with an external stand will prevent your motorbike tires from being touched with the ground and thus protect your motorbike tires from being flattened. 

Let’s dive deeper into all the precautionary steps before storing the motorbike: 

Things to Do Before Storing the Motorbike:	Details:
Covering the motorbike	Covering the motorbike with a reliable thick cover protects your motorbike from moisture and dust, which can make thick gunk on your motorbike chain and wires.
Add fuel stabilizer	Degrading motorbike gas left in the gas tank can be a serious issue since it rusts your internal gas tank. The best thing is that the degradation of motorcycle gas can be delayed by adding the fuel stabilizer.
Connect the motorbike battery with the maintainer.	Suppose you’re planning to store the motorbike for an extended period. In that case, you should consider connecting the motorbike battery to the maintainer to protect your motorbike battery from going into the parasitic drain stage.
Connecting the motorbike with an external stand.	If you’re planning to store the motorbike for an extended period, you should connect it to the external stand. The external stand won’t let your motorbike tires touch the ground and lift all the weight.

Covering Motorbike: 

Indeed you should take all precautionary steps before storing the motorbike, and the first piece of advice is to cover the motorbike effectively. 

Covering the motorbike with a reliable thick cover protects your motorbike from moisture and dust, which can make thick gunk on your motorbike chain and wires. 

Covering the motorbike with a reliable thick cover can help the motorbike to withstand a bit longer and thus protect your motorbike from engine rust. However, don’t forget to cover the motorbike fully and not leave any pocket or opening for the best protection. 

Add Fuel Stabilizer: 

So far, you understand that covering the motorbike effectively protects your motorbike from rust and dust. But there’s one thing that can impact the motorbike storage time hugely. 

Degrading motorbike gas left in the gas tank can be a serious issue since it rusts your internal gas tank. The best thing is that the degradation of motorcycle gas can be delayed by adding the fuel stabilizer. 

Fuel stabilizer slows down the octane evaporate rate, making the motorbike gas fresh as long as possible. Make sure to ride the motorbike for at least 10 minutes to reach the mixture of stabilizer and gas at every point of the engine. 

Don’t empty the motorbike gas tank before storing the motorbike, as doing this could cause the internal gas tank and engine to rust. 

Connecting the Motorbike Battery with the Maintainer: 

Indeed you should insert a fuel stabilizer into the motorbike gas tank to protect your motorbike gas from degradation. But do you know that caring about motorbike batteries also plays a vital role in storage? 

Suppose you’re planning to store the motorbike for an extended period. In that case, you should consider connecting the motorbike battery with the maintainer to protect your motorbike battery from going into the parasitic drain stage. 

Preventing the motorbike battery from going into the parasitic discharge state will protect the motorbike battery’s health and help the battery to stay longer. 

However, suppose you don’t have a motorbike maintainer. In that case, removing the motorbike battery and storing it in a fireproof storage unit is better. If you’re keeping the motorbike battery, then make sure the battery shouldn’t come into direct contact with the sunlight and other flammable substances. 

Connecting the Motorbike with External Stand: 

Indeed it would be best if you connected the motorbike battery to the maintainer to prevent the motorbike battery from going into the parasitic drain. But like the motorbike battery, the tires also play a critical role. 

If you’re planning to store the motorbike for an extended period, you should connect it to the external stand. The external stand won’t let your motorbike tires touch the ground and lift all the weight. 

Preventing the motorbike tires from bearing motorbike weight will protect your motorbike tires from being flattened and boost the tire’s health further. 

How Long Can a Motorcycle Sit Without Storing it Properly? 

So far, you have learned some factors you must consider most while storing the motorbike. Now the question arises, how long can a motorcycle sit without keeping it properly? 

Your motorbike couldn’t sit for more than 6 months without storing it properly, and if you do the same, it will go through major problems. Problems like internal motorbike gas tank and engine rusting, fat tires, malfunctioned motorbike battery, and peed paint will worsen your motorbike condition. 

And that’s why experts always recommend considering the above factors to protect your motorbike parts from malfunctioning. 

If you own a garage then you should read my previous post where I discussed how can you protect your motorbike by storing it in the garage, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

How Long Can a Motorcycle Sit Without Being Used? With all precautionary steps and actions, you can store the motorcycle for more than 22 months without noticing any severe problems linked to your motorbike. However, suppose you don’t take all precautions before storing the motorbike, then your motorbike will likely show issues after 6 months. 

I’ve mentioned some crucial factors you must consider most to protect your motorbike from the effects of time.