What to consider when storing your motorcycle outside: lock it and look after it!

If you aren’t fortunate enough to have a secure garage or quality shed to keep your motorcycle in, then you are pretty much left with no option but to keep it outside. This is particularly common when people are first learning to ride and slot motorcycles into their lifestyle, and poses more risks in many ways as your bike will be more exposed and vulnerable, not only to theft but also to the elements.

In this guide I’ll touch on the various points you might want to consider when keeping your bike outside, such as security and weatherproofing.

Relevant articles

• Security for your motorcycle that works
• Preparing your bike for winter storage
• Best motorcycle covers

Security

First and foremost you will want to ensure that your motorbike is as secure as you can make it. At the end of the day nothing will stop the most determined of thieves, but the idea is to make it more hassle to pinch your bike than it would be someone else’s. There are many options of security and locks that you can use to deter those looking to steal a bike.

Disc locks

One of the most popular options are disc locks. They are relatively inexpensive and small and light for popping in a rucksack or tank bag to keep with you. Many of them also offer an alarm function for additional peace of mind. The downside of a disc lock is that they can be removed with an angle grinder, but when used alongside other security measures they can help to keep your pride and joy safe. They’re also often painted bright colours, which is likely to deter ‘chancers’ who are looking for an easy target.

Find our full list of disc locks

Chains and padlocks

A second layer of security that you can add to help protect your motorcycle is a chain and lock. Ideally you want one that is long enough to fit through your motorcycle, frame if possible or rear wheel, and attach around a nice secure object like a lamp post, while keeping the chain off of the ground.

Find our full list of locks and chains

Ground anchors

Ground anchors provide a secure point for mounting a chain and lock if you don’t have anything really sturdy to lock it to. They are usually some sort of large solid metal eyelet for threading the chain through, that is very securely mounted into the ground using bolts or industrial adhesive.

Find our full list of ground anchors

Alarms

An alarm provides an extra layer of security. They create a loud piercing sound when the motorcycle is tampered with. This draws attention to any thieves that try to make off with your bike, which hopefully will send them fleeing for fear of someone intervening.

Full list of motorcycle alarms

Weatherproofing

Equally as important as security is keeping your motorcycle protected against the elements. Dampness can cause rust and corrosion and UV rays from the sun can damage and degrade your paintwork and plastics.

Covers

Motorcycle covers provide shelter for your motorcycle from the rain and sun and also provide the added benefit of a little additional security by keeping your bike hidden so the thieves don’t know what’s underneath.

Protectant spray

Another way in which you can protect your motorcycles surfaces from water ingress is to use a protectant spray. These form a film or coating over the bike to act as a barrier to water and dust.

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How MCN tests security and cleaning products

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t usually test our security and cleaning products to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions, while also being on top of the key safety and security regulations. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.

To find out if a security or cleaning product is worth spending your money on, our testers use them in the way you will. That means riding in them in whichever conditions they are designed for.

If you can’t see a review against an item on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

What our star ratings mean

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

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