Permanently parking on the street?!

I wanted to ask you guys your opinion about street parking.

I currently own a 1977 CB750, and although its in great running shape, its visually a piece of crap, is worth $1400, and I only have liability insurance. I live in a city apartment and the only place to park it is on a street behind my apt. It is well lit, and at least with the CB750 haven't had any problems other than it being towed on a re-scheduled street cleaning day.

I told myself I would never get a VFR until I had a garage to keep it in, but I want one REALLY bad and found one that might fit the bill. Now the question is, can I really park such a nice bike on the street permanently?

I can cover it, lock the fork, but primarily I'd be afraid of it getting picked up, put in a truck never to be seen again. If I had a garage, I probably wouldn't get comprehensive coverage on it. Can I get comprehensive just for theft?

Would you guys risk buying a VFR given this parking situation? Any recommendations? Anecdotal advise is also appreciated.

Thanks

 

Can you rent space near where you are to keep it inside?

 

It would help a bit to now where you live. Some areas are worse than others.
I live in a smallish town, but keep mine in the garage at home and in the hangar at work.
Don't want to tempt anyone beyond what they can handle.

 

not for day to day use. Best I can do is keep it in a friends garage for the winter. But 8 months of the year it will be on the street. Its in Mass, so the winters are harsh!

 

parked mine out side. felt safe as there was both more expensive cruisers out and faster sportbikes.

Mind you theft is a minior issue where i live.
I would suggest a cover, makes it look mre drab and they may go to the next one.
bikes can also get alarms.
but as mentioned depends on the area.

I assume you have a car, can you box it in?

 

If your apartment is on the first floor think about rolling it inside. This works for hotels too ;-)

 

If you post your city, there might be a member here who lives close and wouldn't mind loaning/renting you a corner of their garage. I'd explore ALL options before buying a nice bike.

 

As a guy who "parked on the street" & INSTANTLY paid the price, I say don't do it.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

I parked my Radian on the street every day since the day I bought it. I didn't even lock the bar (the aftermarket windhshield prevented full left), but really the only thing worth stealing on that bike was the gas in the tank (all 3 gallons of it).

Nothing happened to it, but really the bike wasn't even worth stealing.

With my new FZ1 I park it in front of my car (2 car garage and an open parking spot where my car is kept). I have to move the car in/out to get the bike, but it makes anyone who wants to steal the bike have to pretty much steal the car first.

Oh and I carry comprehensive on my new FZ1 as well, if it gets stolen 500 dollar deductible gets me a new bike.... it's good peace of mind really. With the high theft probability, if the bike gets stolen within many years the increase in premium to hold comprehensive is more than paid for.

So, if you get the new VFR, just assume that it's going to get stolen and carry Comprehensive.

 

hi, regardless the place and the country you live...if your bike is too new ther will be someone who will try to take it away (a new bike for 0 cost !!!!), if it is too old there will be someone who will try to take it away (a collectioner in search of pare parts...)
So,street parking only for limited time...that's my opinion !
Greetings and Lamps !
Carmine

 

You need a rented storage locker...

" I live in a city apartment and the only place to park it is on a street behind my apt."

I wouldn't do it for the following reasons:

1) The risk of theft.

2) Having to remember to quickly find some place to move the bike during street cleaning days, snow emergency days, etc.

3) The risk of the motorcycle being accidentally knocked over by a careless motorist, etc., particularly in the winter months when the street is covered with snow and ice, and snow plows are attemptng to clear the street and spread road salt, which is very corrosive. It would be a real drag to come home and find your new baby partially buried in a mound of snow and ice. (Would you leave a lawn mower outside all winter?) Vandalism is yet another concern.

4) It would be extremely hard on a motorcycle (particularly the engine) to be left outside year around, totally exposed to the harsh extremes of temperature and humidity, even if it's covered with a fitted tarp and the exhaust cans are covered and taped off in order to reduce moisture getting into the engine.

5) Suppose that some unsupervised young kids in your neighborhood are playing on the street behind your apartment, near where your motorcycle is parked. Or, maybe they decide to play on your bike, pretending to ride it. What if one or more of them is injured as a result of knocking the bike on its side and one of them gets pinned or crunched underneath it? If the motorcycle was legally and safely parked on the side of a public street, you would likely be free of any liability, but you'd still feel really badly if a kid got hurt in such scenarios.

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I think that the best and most cost effective solution to your dilemma is to simply rent a self-storage locker or 'garage' near your home. These businesses are ubiquitous, and the better ones are typically (1) surrounded by a secure outer fence; (2) they require a keypad code to enter and exit the compound, which gives you 24/7 access; (3) they are typically eguipped with video surveillance cameras at the main gate, as well as high-intensity lighting throughout the compound; (4) You provide the pad-lock (preapproved by the lessor); (5) Renter's insurance can be purchased at a nominal cost in addition to monthly or yearly lease rates (read the fine print); (6) many of these storage bays include an option for an overhead electric light fixture as well as a 120V outlet for a battery tender, etc.

These self-storage businesses are very popular amongst those who otherwise have no space to safely store and protect seasonal toys such as jet skis, small boats, sports cars, motorcycles, etc. If you don't have a totally enclosed and locked garage, this option is the next best thing if you can afford the often modest lease rates.

So what if you have to drive some miles to get to your motorcycle that's in storage? Whenever you wanna visit or ride your motorcycle, you just drive your car to the storage site, you park your car near the storage bay, and your motorcycle is right there. Meanwhile, you have peace-of-mind knowing that your beloved motorcycle is stored in a totally enclosed, dry, secure, and maybe even an electrically heated location, rather than being parked on a friggin' street all year long.