Either due to lack of time, desire or simply because you have taken a special affection for your motorcycle, a reason that prevents you from selling your motorcycle; These are some of the reasons why many bikers have their mount collecting dust and taking up space in the garage. And having a two-wheeled vehicle like this stopped for a long time can cause “all kinds of problems for its parts and components, in addition to the devaluation of the vehicle due to the simple passage of time,” he details. Pablo CarcellerCMO of Momoven, a motorcycle rental platform specializing in large displacement motorcycles, who explains the main components that will be affected and their possible breakdown.
The battery is one of the first elements to be affected by the lack of use of the motorcycle. The first thing that is done when it is known that the motorcycle will be stopped for a period of time, is to disconnect the battery, but what not everyone knows is that, despite this, the battery suffers equally; and they have to be charged periodically to keep it in the best condition. If the battery is not properly maintained or some carelessness has been made, it will most likely stop working, forcing you to buy a completely new one (approximately 40-60 euros). To keep the battery constantly charged, many people opt for a battery maintainer (approximately 50 euros).
It seems that the chain, pinion and crown assembly should not be damaged if it does not move. But the chain tends to rust and lock up, even if the bike is stored under cover. If the chain is not properly oiled, it will rust. In addition, the wheel must be rotated from time to time so that it does not lock. If the chain has become sticky or rusty, it will have to be changed, which would cost approximately 150 euros.
Los Tires, like everything else, have an expiration date. And it is that the passage of time without using affects them. Tires that have not been run for a long time tend to lose their properties. The rubber ‘crystallizes’, ceasing to be so flexible and consequently increasing the rigidity of the material. Although it is not visible to the naked eye, the tires lose grip. This increases the probability of accidents when driving, making them very dangerous. And if the motorcycle is not moving for a long time, the tire is always in the same position, so it always supports all the weight in the same point, causing it to deform.
The ideal is to check that cracks have not appeared for these reasons. If for any of these reasons, the tires were damaged, changing them could cost approximately 250 euros.
All the motorcycle liquids also lose properties over time, which can cause breakdowns. The brake fluid, for example, should be changed every two years, regardless of how the motorcycle is used. Changing it can cost about 60 euros if you are not a handyman. Likewise, it is necessary to have the antifreeze liquid of the refrigeration circuit. And not only the liquid, but problems in the circuit due to lack of use (leaks because the hoses dry out, problems in the water pump due to rust or the radiator becoming clogged due to the decantation of the particles that the antifreeze has in The circuit).
As far as gasoline is concerned, if the bike is gathering dust in the garage with the tank half empty, the deposit itself oxidizes. In addition, over time the gasoline ‘passes’ and the tank will have to be emptied and cleaned several times with more gasoline. If the lack of use will cause a breakdown in these cases, the repair could amount to 400 euros.