Overnight outside
Discussion
I have 2 bikes, and due to my house/parking set up, I can't keep them inside. Both are on the road, opposite my house. Admittedly I live in a rural, nice area, but I'm always wary about it. Bikes are locked to metal railings and always kept covered and monitored by CCTV. Not ideal but all I have to work with
It'll be different for everybody and depend on the value of the bike but a few things I've found:
- If you're using the bike every day then using a cover becomes a pain in the backside, and sooner or later you'll not bother - do that regularly and the local scrotes will take a shine to it. If it's only for fair weather use then see below.
- A ground anchor is a must, ideally with a big chain (20mm+) - make sure your ground anchor is big enough for your chain.
- You might as well use an anti-angle-grinder lock such as those by Hiplok.
If you don't use the bike daily make sure you take it out for a decent run whenever you can - discs and calipers suffer from corrosion as it's hard to protect them, while it's just good practice to run an engine to full operating temperature regularly. No different from being in a garage really apart from the corrosion issues.
Exposed locations mean a cover can be ripped off in strong winds and may topple the bike with it - I use a simple friction strap to keep it tight and keep a close eye on the weather.
Finally - ACF50 or your own preferred anti-corrosion treatment.
Bear in mind that exposure to strong sunlight probably does more harm to modern bikes than rain - keep the bike covered especially in sunny weather, including the tyres.
I've kept bikes outdoors in Blackpool for years and apart from corrosion on brakes and wheels had no issues. To be honest it's probably better than many poorly-ventilated garages.
- If you're using the bike every day then using a cover becomes a pain in the backside, and sooner or later you'll not bother - do that regularly and the local scrotes will take a shine to it. If it's only for fair weather use then see below.
- A ground anchor is a must, ideally with a big chain (20mm+) - make sure your ground anchor is big enough for your chain.
- You might as well use an anti-angle-grinder lock such as those by Hiplok.
If you don't use the bike daily make sure you take it out for a decent run whenever you can - discs and calipers suffer from corrosion as it's hard to protect them, while it's just good practice to run an engine to full operating temperature regularly. No different from being in a garage really apart from the corrosion issues.
Exposed locations mean a cover can be ripped off in strong winds and may topple the bike with it - I use a simple friction strap to keep it tight and keep a close eye on the weather.
Finally - ACF50 or your own preferred anti-corrosion treatment.
Bear in mind that exposure to strong sunlight probably does more harm to modern bikes than rain - keep the bike covered especially in sunny weather, including the tyres.
I've kept bikes outdoors in Blackpool for years and apart from corrosion on brakes and wheels had no issues. To be honest it's probably better than many poorly-ventilated garages.
Edited by HalfManHalfJaffaCake on Tuesday 4th August 21:50
Depends where you are. When I lived in London I stopped buying covers because the cheap ones tore and the expensive ones were stolen by the homeless. I always had a big chain through the back wheel. Never had theft issues in nearly 15 years of Brixton postcodes.
I never had a scooter though...
If I was in a more affluent area, I'd consider a cover, even if riding daily - as long as somewhere to store nearby.
I never had a scooter though...
If I was in a more affluent area, I'd consider a cover, even if riding daily - as long as somewhere to store nearby.
I would not, If you told your insurance you keep in a garage or a secure shed overnight, it will have a time clause in which if its at home and not being ridden, it must be locked up inside.
My friend got home late one night from his GF's and put it between his car and the garage.
Next morning it was gone and the bike insurance never paid out.
My friend got home late one night from his GF's and put it between his car and the garage.
Next morning it was gone and the bike insurance never paid out.
cirian75 said:
I would not, If you told your insurance you keep in a garage or a secure shed overnight, it will have a time clause in which if its at home and not being ridden, it must be locked up inside.
My friend got home late one night from his GF's and put it between his car and the garage.
Next morning it was gone and the bike insurance never paid out.
Off topic for a bit, when I quizzed my insurance company (Bikesure) about the "time clause", the example I used was if I was heading out on a ride, but really needed the toilet, so nipped back home quickly.My friend got home late one night from his GF's and put it between his car and the garage.
Next morning it was gone and the bike insurance never paid out.
They expect me to ride home and put the bike away in the garage before going to the toilet or it's not insured for theft.
I then pushed them and said, what if I was cleaning the bike on the driveway, and nipped inside for the toilet/fill a bucket up with water...yup.. not insured for theft.
i.e. there is no safe time for the bike to be left outside - ever.
My other bike, which is kept on the driveway, I have a cover over it and remove each morning... never found it a hassle in anyway, shape or form and keeps the bike nice and dry before I jump on it!
There has been a real spate of bike thefts where I live, the police are useless and only offer a crime number rather than any kind of prevention or investigation.
My bike is on the drive as we converted our garage a couple of years before I started riding. If someone really wants something they will take it, I've just focused on making it way too difficult for the opportunist who wants to be quick and quiet. 2 x ground anchors with chains, one additional chain, normal disc lock, alarmed disc lock, ring doorbell and a ring outdoor camera with a manually operated siren. I'm also considering a tracker.
My bike is on the drive as we converted our garage a couple of years before I started riding. If someone really wants something they will take it, I've just focused on making it way too difficult for the opportunist who wants to be quick and quiet. 2 x ground anchors with chains, one additional chain, normal disc lock, alarmed disc lock, ring doorbell and a ring outdoor camera with a manually operated siren. I'm also considering a tracker.
I live in the countryside, I park my bike outside. Parking for me is behind my house so you're not seeing my car or bike by accident. There are few garages in this village so everyone's bike is outside, I comfort myself that my bike is not the most valuable or desirable should somebody come here on the hunt. But also I'm happier that its easy to take, they wouldn't need to break into my house or garage either.
the cueball said:
Off topic for a bit, when I quizzed my insurance company (Bikesure) about the "time clause", the example I used was if I was heading out on a ride, but really needed the toilet, so nipped back home quickly.
They expect me to ride home and put the bike away in the garage before going to the toilet or it's not insured for theft.
I then pushed them and said, what if I was cleaning the bike on the driveway, and nipped inside for the toilet/fill a bucket up with water...yup.. not insured for theft.
i.e. there is no safe time for the bike to be left outside - ever.
My other bike, which is kept on the driveway, I have a cover over it and remove each morning... never found it a hassle in anyway, shape or form and keeps the bike nice and dry before I jump on it!
I’ve got 3 bikes insured with Bikesure, one has the same clause as yours, the other 2 only need to in the garage between 20:00 and 06:00. My wife has 2 bikes insured with them and hers have a £500 drop in value if stolen from the drive and not locked in the garage.They expect me to ride home and put the bike away in the garage before going to the toilet or it's not insured for theft.
I then pushed them and said, what if I was cleaning the bike on the driveway, and nipped inside for the toilet/fill a bucket up with water...yup.. not insured for theft.
i.e. there is no safe time for the bike to be left outside - ever.
My other bike, which is kept on the driveway, I have a cover over it and remove each morning... never found it a hassle in anyway, shape or form and keeps the bike nice and dry before I jump on it!
If your vehicle can be seen from the road there's a greater risk in it being stolen than if it were garaged.
What people should ask themselves is how much of a problem will their bike being stolen create, financially, mentally and practically.
If you're not fussed, it doesn't matter. If you are, then I'd strongly suggest you secure it properly with angle grinder resistant locks.
What people should ask themselves is how much of a problem will their bike being stolen create, financially, mentally and practically.
If you're not fussed, it doesn't matter. If you are, then I'd strongly suggest you secure it properly with angle grinder resistant locks.
the cueball said:
Off topic for a bit, when I quizzed my insurance company (Bikesure) about the "time clause", the example I used was if I was heading out on a ride, but really needed the toilet, so nipped back home quickly.
They expect me to ride home and put the bike away in the garage before going to the toilet or it's not insured for theft.
I then pushed them and said, what if I was cleaning the bike on the driveway, and nipped inside for the toilet/fill a bucket up with water...yup.. not insured for theft.
i.e. there is no safe time for the bike to be left outside - ever.
My other bike, which is kept on the driveway, I have a cover over it and remove each morning... never found it a hassle in anyway, shape or form and keeps the bike nice and dry before I jump on it!
My bike insurance is the same. I think within 500 yards of my home address, not insured if not locked in garage. They expect me to ride home and put the bike away in the garage before going to the toilet or it's not insured for theft.
I then pushed them and said, what if I was cleaning the bike on the driveway, and nipped inside for the toilet/fill a bucket up with water...yup.. not insured for theft.
i.e. there is no safe time for the bike to be left outside - ever.
My other bike, which is kept on the driveway, I have a cover over it and remove each morning... never found it a hassle in anyway, shape or form and keeps the bike nice and dry before I jump on it!
Ghs said:
[I ve not got back today , night out on a industrial estate , bike will be in works car park all night, ins says garaged at night , I ve no doubt if bike does disappear the ins company will not pay out
Usually the garage at night clause only applies to when you are at home and the distance to home is normally a mile or less. So as long as the works car park is over a mile away and as long as you have commuting on your policy I would expect the bike to be covered. stang65 said:
Usually the garage at night clause only applies to when you are at home and the distance to home is normally a mile or less. So as long as the works car park is over a mile away and as long as you have commuting on your policy I would expect the bike to be covered.
Thanks , I’ll have to look at commuting , I know it’s on the car but you’ve got me thinking is it on the bike , I’d assume I did but best to check .My main bikes have been on the drive for the last 10 years because they don't fit down the side of the house to the shed. I have a ground anchor on the drive and a big chain, and it's under a cover. The only issue was some scrotes lifting the cover to see what was underneath, one time.
I only do it because it's on a quiet road in a nice part of the country though!
I only do it because it's on a quiet road in a nice part of the country though!
You can tell the difference between a bike left outside and a bike kept in a garage by the condition of the metal work. Aside from any concerns about it being nicked the rain and sun are not great for them long term. Not an issue if they get wet once and dry again, but over a winter you'd be hard pressed to avoid corrosion.
Checked with Hastings , my bike is not covered for commuting , I guess I didn’t intend to use it for commuting so didn’t insure it for that , not bothered to change it as won’t be commuting on it again .
Lenny ( security ) did say he wondered why it was still there when he arrived for his shift , assumed I hadn’t got back so kept an eye on it all night .
Lenny ( security ) did say he wondered why it was still there when he arrived for his shift , assumed I hadn’t got back so kept an eye on it all night .
Checked with Hastings , my bike is not covered for commuting , I guess I didn’t intend to use it for commuting so didn’t insure it for that , not bothered to change it as won’t be commuting on it again .
Lenny ( security ) did say he wondered why it was still there when he arrived for his shift , assumed I hadn’t got back so kept an eye on it all night .
Lenny ( security ) did say he wondered why it was still there when he arrived for his shift , assumed I hadn’t got back so kept an eye on it all night .
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