Need Advice on Storage of Bike

BigSpenda864 · 03-12-2012, 06:57 PM

Sorry this ended up being such a long read... but I would like you all's opinion on the storage of my K-9.

I live downtown so I do not have a garage. I have a storage unit (10X20) I rent where I keep my K-9, trailer and ATV. The unit is big enough for all my stuff and is very cheap ($70/mo). The most important part is that the unit has outlets so I can run battery tenders, etc. The problem is that the unit is not convenient and on the opposite side of town from where I pretty much do everything meaning I don't ride as much as I should. Basically the inconvenience makes it impractical to ride the bike unless I have a lot of time to devote to it.

I found a new place that will let me store my stuff much closer to my house and on the way to work, etc. I would ride a lot more if the bike were located in this unit. The problem is the cost is much higher ($120/mo) and, more importantly, it has NO power outlets.

What can I do to avoid having battery issues all the time if I switch units and have no power? I don't want to have to jump the thing off and/or take the battery out when the bike sits for more than a couple of weeks. Also, I hate to run through batteries like crazy. I am afraid the convenience of being closer to the house might be outweighed by no power. Thoughts?

phatchopper300 · 03-12-2012, 07:25 PM

I'm going to throw this in. The only time the battery is charging is when on a tendor or when you are ridding it for long periods of time. Maybe if you get the place that is closer to you, you can ride it more often to work and put it on a tendor there. Sorry didn't have a better answer.

BFB · 03-12-2012, 07:43 PM

Store it in your living room as the piece of art that it is.

liferider · 03-12-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFB

Store it in your living room as the piece of art that it is.

X2

BigSpenda864 · 03-12-2012, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFB

Store it in your living room as the piece of art that it is.

True... I saw Nukeranger tried something like that.

BigSpenda864 · 03-12-2012, 07:52 PM

I guess I could just take the battery out in the winter or whenever I'm not riding for a while.

Is there any problem with unhooking the battery for periods of time? I assume I could just hook it right back up and take off, right?

Dawgboy · 03-12-2012, 07:59 PM

Move

BigSpenda864 · 03-12-2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawgboy

Move

LOL I actually am going to sell my house house and buy another one. I assure you the new place will have a big enough garage for all my toys and my vehicles. The only problem is that'll probably be another year.

outdoorsman26 · 03-12-2012, 08:10 PM

build a shed to house your toys???

woodbutcher · 03-12-2012, 08:15 PM

check with the manager of the property you are considering about whether or not they will allow you to mount a solar panel to run a charger. might take a little research but you may find something that will work.

BigSpenda864 · 03-12-2012, 08:25 PM

Wow. Damn good idea woodbutcher.

klr2lnd · 03-12-2012, 08:48 PM

You can also bring a battery into the unit to power the trickle charger. Every month or so, you can take the battery out for charging or have a second battery already charged that you can swap it out with. A little inconvenient, but it should work.

Th3InfamousI · 03-12-2012, 09:08 PM

Move out of the city...

its got a light right? Then its got power going to the unit I would just tap into it and run your tender. It won't take more than 30 minutes to do a decent job, and they will never notice the extra load. Free POWER baby! That's what I did in my garage at my apt complex. (Hopefully they are not reading this, I use circular saws and all kinds of other power tools in there..ha)

coach · 03-12-2012, 09:45 PM

Store it my house with riding rights.

Mad Dog · 03-12-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodbutcher

check with the manager of the property you are considering about whether or not they will allow you to mount a solar panel to run a charger. might take a little research but you may find something that will work.

Tom has a good idea. These units are available. Something like this would work.
Batteryminders Specials | BatteryMinders.com
I sell BatteryMinders but don't stock this unit. I could check on a price if you want

03-12-2012, 06:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigSpenda864 Member Member #: 789 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Greenville and Columbia, SC Posts: 887 My Bike(s): 08 Big Dog K-9, 08 Kawasaki ZX-14 My Gallery Rep Power: 6	Need Advice on Storage of Bike Sorry this ended up being such a long read... but I would like you all's opinion on the storage of my K-9. I live downtown so I do not have a garage. I have a storage unit (10X20) I rent where I keep my K-9, trailer and ATV. The unit is big enough for all my stuff and is very cheap ($70/mo). The most important part is that the unit has outlets so I can run battery tenders, etc. The problem is that the unit is not convenient and on the opposite side of town from where I pretty much do everything meaning I don't ride as much as I should. Basically the inconvenience makes it impractical to ride the bike unless I have a lot of time to devote to it. I found a new place that will let me store my stuff much closer to my house and on the way to work, etc. I would ride a lot more if the bike were located in this unit. The problem is the cost is much higher ($120/mo) and, more importantly, it has NO power outlets. What can I do to avoid having battery issues all the time if I switch units and have no power? I don't want to have to jump the thing off and/or take the battery out when the bike sits for more than a couple of weeks. Also, I hate to run through batteries like crazy. I am afraid the convenience of being closer to the house might be outweighed by no power. Thoughts? __________________ If at first you don't succeed, maybe you just suck. Last edited by BigSpenda864; 03-12-2012 at 07:03 PM.

03-12-2012, 07:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
BigSpenda864 Member Member #: 789 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Greenville and Columbia, SC Posts: 887 My Bike(s): 08 Big Dog K-9, 08 Kawasaki ZX-14 My Gallery Rep Power: 6	I guess I could just take the battery out in the winter or whenever I'm not riding for a while. Is there any problem with unhooking the battery for periods of time? I assume I could just hook it right back up and take off, right? __________________ If at first you don't succeed, maybe you just suck.

03-12-2012, 08:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
woodbutcher Old Fart Name: Tom Member #: 145 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: hilton head is., sc Posts: 7,030 My Bike(s): black cherry '07 K9 My Gallery Rep Power: 10	check with the manager of the property you are considering about whether or not they will allow you to mount a solar panel to run a charger. might take a little research but you may find something that will work. __________________ the man with a hell of alot to say generally doesn't have a hell of alot to say. narow's dad "DEATH SMILES AT ALL OF US---ALL I CAN DO IS SMILE BACK" -- Al "Alicat" Sensoli RIP

03-12-2012, 08:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
BigSpenda864 Member Member #: 789 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Greenville and Columbia, SC Posts: 887 My Bike(s): 08 Big Dog K-9, 08 Kawasaki ZX-14 My Gallery Rep Power: 6	Wow. Damn good idea woodbutcher. __________________ If at first you don't succeed, maybe you just suck.

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03-12-2012, 07:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
BFB Bad dog, no bisquit Name: Brad Member #: 4422 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Carlisle, PA Posts: 303 My Bike(s): 2008 Mutt,Honda CRFX 250 My Gallery Rep Power: 4	Store it in your living room as the piece of art that it is.

03-12-2012, 07:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dawgboy Member Name: Grant Member #: 303 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 862 My Bike(s): 07 Mastiff My Gallery Rep Power: 6	Move

03-12-2012, 08:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
outdoorsman26 Member Name: matt Member #: 2174 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: madison, WI Posts: 983 My Bike(s): 2007 mastiff My Gallery Rep Power: 5	build a shed to house your toys???

03-12-2012, 09:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
Th3InfamousI Member Name: Eric Member #: 3366 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,871 My Bike(s): Ridgeback 04 My Gallery Rep Power: 5	Move out of the city... its got a light right? Then its got power going to the unit I would just tap into it and run your tender. It won't take more than 30 minutes to do a decent job, and they will never notice the extra load. Free POWER baby! That's what I did in my garage at my apt complex. (Hopefully they are not reading this, I use circular saws and all kinds of other power tools in there..ha)

03-12-2012, 09:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
coach Member Member #: 91 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 926 My Bike(s): 2011 Street Glide My Gallery Rep Power: 6	Store it my house with riding rights.