What kind of damage will NOT riding the bike cause?

[liraz]

Hello everyone,

It's been raining alot for the last week or so, so I haven't been riding my bike. It's covered against the rain (although the bike still gets a bit wet under the cover, probably from wind and moisture), with half a gastank full. I remember reading that there's nothing tougher on a bike then not riding it regularly and I'm wondering:

1. If it's a myth
2. If it's true, then why, what happens to the bike when it's sitting there that could cause damage.
3. How long before not riding my bike is a problem? A week? A month? A year?
4. what kind of problems I can expect, and how to workaround them.
5. what the minimum "healthy" riding schedule for my bike is?

The reason I'm not riding my motorcycle whilst or after it rains is I'm a newbie that likes to test the limits and I don't trust myself on a slippery road.

Thanks!
Liraz

[The Buddha]

Hello everyone,

1. If it's a myth
2. If it's true, then why, what happens to the bike when it's sitting there that could cause damage.
3. How long before not riding my bike is a problem? A week? A month? A year?
4. what kind of problems I can expect, and how to workaround them.
5. what the minimum "healthy" riding schedule for my bike is?

Liraz

1. Its not a myth but its a bit over blown in importance.
2. Carbs get gummed, tank and exhaust begins to rust, rubber and paper gaskets and tires begin to dry and then rot, and oil whihc has a shade of contamination by combustion by products in regular use begins to eat at the internals. Yea that is very very slow and only happens in exterme cases.
3. A couple months wont matter if your tank is full, a year would be almost the starting point, more than a year would get serious, however carbs getting gummy, or little rust here and there and might happen in a month or less.
4. I spray the bike with wd40 every month if it were to sit. Hit all the rubber parts and carbs and manifolds and fork seals etc.
5. Atleast 25 miles every month made in 1 trip not over 3-4 trips. Get the motor hot, get oil everywhere and basically re lube and work everything completely with oil. Then refill with gas to the top and then let it sit.

You need to get rid of moisture, and to do so you need heat. Seals and rubber parts need oil and gas to keep them pliant and supple. Gas is needed to keep moisture condensation out of the tank. Generally once a month if you reset the cycle you'd be OK. But keep the battery oout and charged cos it can die in a week or less in the elements.
Cool.
Srinath.

[scratch]

Welcome!

I'm a newbie that likes to test the limits...

Now, by this did you really mean, "

I'm a newbie that DOESN'T likes to test the limits...

"? Because your best learning is in the wet. Wet conditions really expose your errors and bad riding habits. You learn how to be smooth. Then you also don't have to worry about any damage that may happen while storing the bike.

1. Yes, it's a myth.
2. The oxygen in the tank, that is half full, will cause the gas to go bad and rust to form in the gas tank.
3. Depends on conditions. Usually a week. (My Triumph could sit a month, because it loves bad gas)
4. Hard starting, dead battery, clogged carburetor jets. See:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=4354.msg34764#msg34764
5. This also depends on conditions. For my bike, she doesn't like to be ignored for more than 4 days (usually the battery).

[Roadstergal]

It will damage your psyche.  

I was scared &^%$less the first time I rode in the rain.  But now I commute in it regularly.  Just be very careful, allow greater stopping distances, and don't lean it like you do in the dry.  Get rain gear and practice wet weather riding, IMO.

[alexXx]

so when you take the battery out, should you hook it up with a tender or anything?  and whats a decent battery tender i could buy?


- alex

[werase643]

guilt! lots and lots of GUILT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                  :mrgreen: