If you park your bike outside often, do you feel that riding it daily is the reason why it wears out more? In truth, leaving your bike outside for extended periods can expose it to sunlight, rain, dust, heat, and moisture that can slowly damage various parts.
Keeping your bike outside for a few hours on occasion is unlikely to be an issue. The problem is leaving it outside exposed for 8-10 hours a day, several times a week. Here are 7 things that can harm a bike left outside.
1. Sunlight and UV Rays
Strong sunlight in India can wreak havoc on your bike's paint. Prolonged exposure can cause the paint to fade or lose its finish, which is most noticeable on the fuel tank.
Sunlight can also harm plastic and rubber parts. These parts can dry out and become brittle after being exposed to the sun for extended periods of time. Leather seats can also dry out and cause issues if exposed to the sun often.
2. Petrol Evaporation and Heat
One thing that people are often concerned about when leaving a bike outside is petrol evaporation. Petrol is known to be a volatile fluid, and higher temperatures can contribute to the evaporation process.
However, there is no set amount of petrol that is known to evaporate from a bike being left outside for a few hours.
It would depend on several variables like the temperature, how much sunlight the bike is exposed to, the humidity in the environment, the fuel tank and its properties, and how much petrol is in the tank. Modern fuel systems are also designed to reduce loss of petrol vapour, so just leaving your bike outside in the sun for a few hours will not lead to a significant amount of petrol lost.
Petrol evaporation should not be a huge concern for normal riding. You do not have to intentionally leave your fuel tank nearly empty just because your bike is left outside. Just follow the recommended procedures from the manufacturer when leaving your bike outside and refuelling it.
3. Rain, Moisture and Rust
Indian monsoons can wreak havoc on a bike that is left outside. Rain and moisture can accumulate on the bike and cause corrosion on various metal parts that are exposed.
After riding in heavy rains, it helps to let the bike dry out and keep it clean to prevent corrosion. Having a covered space to park your bike is even better if you are forced to keep your bike outside during the monsoons.
4. Dust and Road Grime
A bike left outside is constantly exposed to dust and road grime. These can accumulate on the painted surface of the bike and other parts. The presence of moisture can aid in the adhesion of dust and grime to the bike, which can be harder to remove.
It helps to keep the bike clean and properly dried after exposure to dust and road grime to keep it from causing long-term issues that bike owners often forget about.
5. Extreme Heat Can Affect Components
Apart from ultraviolet light, the heat that builds up when a bike is left under the sun can also have an effect. Seals, plastics, and other heat-sensitive parts can degrade faster if exposed to high temperatures for extended periods of time.
This does not mean that a hot day will damage your bike with every ride that you take. It is the constant exposure to high temperatures that can degrade parts over time.
6. Bird Droppings and Tree Sap
If your bike is left outside under trees or in an open parking lot, bird droppings and tree sap can stick to the paint. Leaving them on the surface for too long can complicate the cleaning process and damage the finish.
The solution to this issue is to simply remove bird droppings and tree sap as soon as reasonably possible instead of leaving them on the paint for days.
7. Poor Outdoor Parking Conditions
Where you park your bike outside is also an important factor. If possible, it is better to park your bike in an outdoor bike stand that has some shade than leave it fully exposed throughout the day. Avoid water accumulating around the parked bike, as it is more likely to stay damp.
If your bike is kept outside your home or office every day, you might want to consider some basic protection. Keeping your bike in a cleaner condition by using a cover, shaded parking area, and good maintenance can help reduce unnecessary wear on the bike.
What About Bike Damage Insurance?
Insurance can help to cover losses or damage to your bike depending on the terms of your policy and the circumstances. However, normal wear and tear, ageing, and maintenance-related issues are not the same as accidents. It is always best to check the terms of your policy rather than blindly assuming that bike damage insurance will cover everything that can happen to your bike outside.
How to Protect a Bike Left Outside
If you do not have a covered parking space, it is best to use a good quality bike cover for outside use. Make sure the bike is reasonably clean and dry before covering it, and avoid trapping moisture underneath the cover. Routine inspections of the tyres, rubber parts, paint, chain, and exposed metal parts are also important as part of general maintenance.
Simply moving your bike into the shade is also a good way to reduce exposure to heat and light.
Why Neodrift Bike Covers are a Good Choice
If you are a rider who keeps your bike outside often, Neodrift bike covers are a good choice for protecting your bike when it is parked outside. A good Neodrift bike cover can help protect it from sunlight, dust, rain, and other elements that you encounter outside. It is easier to protect the paint and other parts of your bike when you have a good cover that protects it from outside elements. A cover is an important addition for anyone who keeps their bike outside for a significant amount of time in the harsh Indian climate.
Conclusion
Keeping your bike outside occasionally is unlikely to be an issue. Leaving your bike outside for extended periods of time exposes it to sunlight, rain, dust, heat, and other things that can cause it to wear out more quickly. The obvious solution to this issue is to find shade or a covered space to park your bike, keep it clean, and dry it if necessary when left outside.
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