Leaving Motorcycle in the sun:- Effects & Tips to protect the Motorcycle

Nobody wants to harm their motorcycle as it’s a very precious thing to them. But, sometimes knowingly or unknowingly we may be damaging our motorcycle. One of the ways is leaving or parking the motorcycle under the sun.

Leaving your motorcycle in the sun may seem like a convenient way to store it, but it can actually cause a number of problems. From hot surfaces and overinflated tires to faded and cracked paint, the sun’s heat and UV rays can take a toll on your bike.
;ln this blog post, we’ll discuss the various ways that leaving your motorcycle in the sun can be damaging and provide some tips on how to protect your bike from the elements.

Is it bad to leave a motorcycle in the sun?

Leaving the motorcycle under the sun is not harmful if it happens occasionally. But, if your motorcycle is exposed regularly to the sun for a long period of time then surely it will harm your motorcycle. You risk damage to the motorcycle paint, plastic body, seat, and engine in the long run.

It’s not bad to leave a motorcycle in the sun for a short duration of time. So, don’t worry if you need to park your motorcycle in daylight for some hours occasionally. But, if you need to store your motorcycle in the sun for too long regularly then it will surely affect your motorcycle.

I have discussed the effect of sunlight in detail below. You will surely understand, “Why is it said to not leave the motorcycle in direct sun?” 

Effects of Sunlight on Motorcycles

Damages occurring from natural weather changes are a slow process. So, you should not worry too much, if you left your motorcycle out in the sun for a few hours a week.

The damages start to become more apparent and show signs if you left your motorcycle regularly in the sun.

So, What will happen if you leave your motorcycle in the sun for too long? Leaving the motorcycle in the sun for too long risks UV damage to paint, plastic, and vinyl (seats). It can cause certain parts to become hot, the tires to inflate, and the paint to fade and crack. It is generally best to try to keep the motorcycle in a shady or covered area.

Here are the damages that could occur by leaving the motorcycle in sun for too long:-

Paint degradation

If the motorcycle is left in the sun for too long, then the first and foremost thing you will notice is fading paint.

The shade of the paint will start to fade as the bonds between the paint molecules break because of exposure to the sun’s UV rays for a long time. The color of the plastics will fade more quickly than the metal parts.

You will notice the shade of the paint becomes lighter due to the constant exposure to the sun. The UV rays of the sun also affect the coating of the motorcycle paint. So, make sure to avoid leaving your motorcycle in the sun.

If needed, use a high-quality motorcycle cover to protect the whole motorcycle body before leaving it in the sun.

Damages to Motorcycle Accessories

Most motorcycle accessories are made from plastics, rubber, and artificial leather. Some motorcycle parts are also made from plastics like motorcycle fairing, etc.

These materials are prone to lose elements and break down if left in the sunlight for a long period of time.

Keeping a motorcycle under the sun for prolonged periods can cause the plastic body to be brittle. Because of the constant heat of the sun, the seats would also start to develop cracks and tear apart.

Let’s face it, the motorcycle seat becomes fiery and it hurts our bum too much as we need to drive. So, whether the sun damages the seat or not but it does hurt our ass. In order to save it, make sure to put some cover such as clothes, on the seat before leaving it in the sun.

Fuel evaporation

Fuel such as petrol or gasoline has a tendency to vaporize due to heat because heat increases the kinetic energy of the petrol molecules which is directly proportional to the rate of evaporation. Thus, the longer your motorcycle sits and the more the heat builds up due to the sun, the more quickly petrol will evaporate.

Apart from this, the evaporated molecules can increase the pressure inside the fuel tank if the fuel cap is sealed completely. So, if the fuel doesn’t get the room to escape it could result in an explosion.

But, these things will not happen because the designers have given a vent for escaping the evaporated molecules from the fuel tank.

Damage to tires

The tires are made of high-quality vulcanized rubber which can handle high pressures. 

But in the summer the air inside the tires expands a lot because of the heat build-up causing extra pressure on the tire wall resulting in deflating tires or even tire bursts.

If you keep your motorcycle under the sun for a longer period of time regularly then it will shorten the life of tires and cause early cracks etc.

So, as for now, we have discussed many effects of sunlight on motorcycles that could cause serious damage. Thus, we should also know ways to protect the motorcycle, even if we need to part the bike in the sun. So, here it is.

How to protect the motorcycle from the sun?

There are times when you don’t have an option but to park your motorcycle in the open. As motorcycles are our primary vehicle for us, sometimes we need to park the bike in the sun. So, protecting the motorcycle from the sun becomes one of the crucial tasks for the ride. 

Here are some steps you can take to protect your motorcycle from the sun:

Keep it in a Garage or covered area

Keeping your motorcycle in a garage or covered parking area will provide the most protection from the sun and other weather elements. A garage or covered area will keep the motorcycle out of direct sunlight, which can fade the paint and cause other damage.

In a garage, the motorcycle will be protected from the sun, rain, and other elements. The temperature inside a garage is also typically more stable than outside, which can help protect the motorcycle’s battery and other components.

If you do not have a garage, you can also use a carport or other covered parking area to protect your motorcycle from the sun. Just be sure to choose a spot that is out of direct sunlight and offers some protection from the elements.

By keeping your motorcycle in a garage or covered area, you can help extend its lifespan and keep it in good condition for many years to come.

Use a motorcycle cover

A motorcycle cover is a protective cover that is placed over the motorcycle to protect it from the sun, rain, and other elements. Motorcycle covers are made of a variety of materials, such as polyester, nylon, or canvas, and are designed to fit snugly over the motorcycle to keep it protected.

To use a motorcycle cover, first, make sure you have the right size cover for your motorcycle. Then, place the cover over the motorcycle, starting at the front and working your way to the back. Secure the cover in place using the elastic cords or bungee cords that are typically included with the cover.

By using a motorcycle cover, you can help protect your motorcycle from the sun, rain, and other elements when it is not in use. This can help extend the lifespan of your motorcycle and keep it looking its best

Park the motorcycle in Shade

If you do not have a garage or covered parking, you can still protect your motorcycle from the sun by parking it in the shade.

To park your motorcycle in the shade, look for a spot that is out of direct sunlight. Trees, buildings, and other structures can all provide shade and help protect your motorcycle from the sun’s damaging UV rays.

It’s important to choose a spot that is well-ventilated, as a motorcycle that is parked in a poorly-ventilated area may become too hot and cause damage to the battery or other components.

When parking in the shade, be sure to also protect the motorcycle from other elements such as rain and wind. If it is raining or windy, you may need to use a cover or find a more sheltered spot to park the motorcycle.

But let’s face it. what to do if there is no parking area or shady place 100m around our destination? 

So, if there is no parking area or shady place around you then also there is no need to worry.

As we already mentioned, you can use a motorcycle cover to protect your motorcycle from sun rays.

As fuel evaporation is an issue if you leave your motorcycle in the sun, make sure that you fill your tank in the evening or after that. The reason is that at this time the temperature of the motorcycle has become low and also the sun has set meaning no more exposure to your motorcycle.

Conclusion

Leaving the motorcycle under scorching is very harmful to humans as well as machines. So, for now, you have learned the things that will save your motorcycle from the unwanted risks of the sun.

The best remedy to save your motorcycle from the sun is to park it in a shady area. Even if you need to park the motorcycle some distance from the actual location. Just bear the pain of walking a little distance and that’s all. Because motorcycle cover will not be as effective as the shady area itself.

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