You often think that parking your two-wheeler outside under direct sunlight is not an issue to worry about. You park it there because it is convenient for you but you will understand over time that it is a big issue, and it can lead to trouble in the future like its appearance will get dull, performance will be slowed, and longevity will be shortened. If you leave your bike outside under the sunlight very often, then the rubber parts can also weaken and it also increases the fear of cracks or leaks in those parts. All the above-mentioned reasons along with the bike's battery and fuel system will also be affected which will lead to risk and unexpected breakdowns of the bike. If you protect your bike from direct UV rays then it will stay safe, durable, and new for a longer period of time. We have mentioned in this article why bike owners should worry about sun damage, tips to keep your motorcycle safe, and What to do if the Sun has Damaged your Motorcycle. 

Should Bike Owners Worry About Sun Damage?

We have mentioned a few reasons below why bike owners should be worried about sun damage caused to their bikes:

1. Paint Fading From Bike

Bike paint can fade over time if it is exposed to UV rays directly from the sunlight, which will make it look old and very dull. If the paint gets exposed to a lot of heat then it will discolour the bike’s original colour by breaking down the colour pigments. Fading of colour will overall reduce the bike’s appearance and its aesthetic appeal, thereby also decreasing its resell value.

2. Rubber Parts of Bike Being Weakened

If the bike is exposed to sunlight for a very long period then it will increase the aging process of rubber parts of the bike like tires, hoses, and seals. The excessive heat from the sun dries out the rubber which makes it hard and extremely liable to cracking of the tire. This can lead to a lot of risk and safety issues such as flat tires or leaks in the fuel system.

3. Plastics Being Damaged

If the bike is exposed to sunlight for a very long period then it will also affect the plastic parts of the bike like bike body parts, dashboard area, or mirror in the front of the bike. Long exposure to sunlight makes the plastic brittle, more prone to getting cracked or its breakage is very easy.

4. Seat Being Overheated

Long exposure of sun to the bike's seat will turn out to be very harmful. The bike’s seat will start absorbing heat due to exposure under the sunlight which will make the seat unbearably hot and uncomfortable to sit on. Eventually, exposure to sunlight for a long period will affect it badly leading to wear and tear like ripping of the seat or fading of the seat.

5. Fuel and Battery System Issues

Excessive exposure to sunlight will eventually start affecting fuel and battery systems in a bad way. It will make the lifespan of fuel and battery very short. Due to exposure to light, the temperature will rise of the fuel and battery which will reduce battery life and fuel will start evaporating faster. This will in turn impact the overall performance of the bike.

Tips To Keep Your Motorcycle Safe From Sun

We have mentioned below a few tips on how you can keep your motorcycle safe from the sun:

1. Park in a Shaded Area

Always park your bike in a shaded area so that your bike does not get too exposed to the sun. The ideal things you should do includes: parking your bike under a tree, parking your bike in a garage or you can park your bike in a covered parking area as it will avoid sunlight exposure.

2. Use a Motorcycle Cover

Just in case you do not have any option and you have to park your bike outdoors, then having a high-quality, UV-resistant motorcycle cover will help you out. Putting that will help you to provide your bike with an extra layer of protection from sun exposure. It will protect your bike from fading or protect bike parts like rubber or plastic parts.

3. Invest in a Bike Shelter or Canopy

Usually, If you have to park your bikes in certain places where you expose your bike to a lot of sunlight then you should think of investing in a bike shelter or a bike canopy. This will provide shade and protect your bike from direct UV rays of sunlight. IT will make sure that your car stays unexposed, stays cool, and is prevented from damage.

4. Use UV-Protectant Sprays

Nowadays, UV-protectant sprays are becoming very common and trendy. It is easy to use, small, and pretty handy. It helps you to protect your bike’s paint, plastic, and rubber parts by applying spray on it. A layer of spray will prevent the sun rays from penetrating into your bike parts and ruining its overall look and performance in a short period of time.

5. Regularly Clean and Wax Your Bike

If you do not regularly clean and wax your bike then it will start reflecting on the appearance of the bike. It will also not protect your bike from the sun rays and damage the paint of the bike. Wax will not allow the sun rays to penetrate the bike and damage paint or bike parts by UV rays. It will prevent the colour and shine of your bike too.

6. Cover The Seat

Always cover the seat of the bike with a cloth or seat cover as it will protect the seat from UV rays and breakage of the leather. It will also allow the seats to be comfortable to sit on and shine as new. 

What to Do If The Sun Has Damaged Your Motorcycle?

If your bike has already been damaged due to sun exposure then you can take the measures mentioned below:

1. Repaint or Touch Up the Paint

If the paint of your two wheeler has already faded or started to peel off because it got affected by the direct exposure of UV rays, then you need to get your bike repainted or get a touch-up paint done. After this, your bike’s appearance will go back to looking like a shiny new bike. If you get a spray or UV protectant paint then it will ensure your bike is protected for a longer period of time.

2. Replace Worn Out Rubber Parts

If the rubber parts like tires, hoses, and pipes have already been damaged due to exposure to sunlight then you need to get them replaced immediately to avoid any unforeseen situation on the road. Replacing them is the only way as it is not safe to drive without repairing them. You need to get UV protectant covers to cover the rubber parts of the bike if your bike is exposed to sunlight a lot.

3. Restore or Replace Plastic Components

If the plastic parts of your bike have melted or are discoloured or become very hard because of a lot of exposure to sunlight, then you need to replace them to stay safe and to ensure performance of the bike is not affected. You need to get UV protectant covers to cover the plastic parts of the bike.

4. Treat The Seat Material

If the seat area has been brittle, cracked, faded, and uncomfortable to sit on due to sun damage then you need to apply vinyl or conditioner on the leather to bring it back to being soft and comfortable. If the condition of the seat is very bad then you need to replace that to make it comfortable and more durable.

5. Check and Maintain the Battery

Due to the long exposure period on the bike, the battery will have high temperatures leading to a short life span. So, if you face the same issue then you need to get the battery of the bike replaced with a new one for better performance of the bike. You need to maintain your bike regularly which includes regular cleaning of the bike and checking the charging level so that it will prevent any more damage.

6. Inspect The Fuel System

Due to the long exposure period on the bike, the fuel will have high temperatures leading to evaporation of the fuel. If sun rays damage the fuel tank then there can be evaporation or leakage of the fuel. You need to replace the damaged part in this scenario and make sure that the fuel system is sealed and covered from the sun rays to prevent any such mishap.

7. Use UV-Protectant Treatments

After you have repaired all the damages done to the bike which needed to be replaced or repaired, you should apply UV-protectant spray on your bike to protect it against the sun in the future. This will help you to prevent your bike from fading, fuel evaporating, plastic parts being damaged or rubber parts being brittle.

 

Conclusion

When you leave your two-wheeler outside in the sunlight then it can cause issues shortly after.These issues are like paint fading from the bike, rubber parts of the bike being weakened, plastics being damaged, seat being overheated, and fuel and battery system-related issues. Tips that you should keep in mind to save your bike from the sun include: parking in a shaded area, using a motorcycle cover, investing in a bike shelter or canopy, using UV-protectant sprays, regularly cleaning and waxing your bike and covering the seat. If the sun rays have already damaged your bike then there are a few measures that you should take including: repaint or Touch up the paint, replace worn rubber parts, restore or replace plastic components, treating the seat material, check and maintain the battery, inspect the fuel system and use UV-protectant treatments. 

FAQs

Ques 1: Is it OK to leave motorcycle outside uncovered?

Ans 1: No, it is not ok to leave your motorcycle outside in the sun uncovered. When you leave your motorcycle outside it gets exposed to many things in the surroundings which will affect your bike like it can get rusted or damaged because of extreme sun exposure or rain. More likely thieves may target your bike since it is standing outside unattended. If you have to park your bike outside for some reason, then you should keep it covered with a protective material.

Ques 2: How to protect plastic from sun damage?

Ans 2: You can protect the plastic from sun damage by applying a coating of UV-resistant paint which is protective or you can put any special plastic wrap which is opaque. These can help protect the plastic parts of the bike from the harmful direct sunlight on your bike. 

Ques 3: How to remove sun fade from plastic?

Ans 3: You can remove the sun fade from plastic by applying a small amount of plastic conditioning product to the plastic surfaces. To rub the plastic with that conditioner you should use a clean and soft microfiber cloth. Once you have conditioner and cloth, move the cloth on that specific faded area in circular motion until the conditioner is invisible on the plastic area. Once the conditioner dries, then you are good to go.

Ques 4: How to make plastic shine like new?

Ans 4: If you want to make the plastic parts of a bike shine like new then you have to use a product called NOVUS 1: Clean and shine. Use a good amount of this plastic cleaner and remove the surface dirt and dust in minutes. Also, keep in mind that the cloth that you use for polishing also makes a huge difference as it needs to be an ideal cloth which is non-abrasive, absorbent and fuzz-free. 

Ques 5: Is it OK to park bike in sunlight?

Ans 5: No, it is not okay to park your bike in sunlight. The direct rays of light will cause fading and affect plastic pipes. It is best to park your bike anywhere inside or in a shaded area.

Ques 6: Why does leaving a bike in the sun cause a blowout?

Ans 6: Leaving your bike in the direct sunlight will cause a blowout sometimes as the temperature rises then the temperature of gas also increases and the pressure will also increase which is a basic ideal gas law. The tire’s volume can only expand as much as it can before the rubber breaks and it lets the pressure out that has been increased due to sunlight.

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