Speedway Shelters FAQ
Motorcycle Storage Questions, Answered
Straight answers on storing a motorcycle outside, through the winter, and without a garage, from mobile home parks and apartments to street parking and campgrounds, plus shelter sizing, setup, shipping, and ordering. Can't find your answer? Email is the best way to reach us. We're a small family business and we reply to every message ourselves.
The shelters
About Speedway Shelters
What is a motorcycle shelter, and how is it different from a motorcycle cover?
A motorcycle shelter is a freestanding, enclosed structure that gives your bike its own protected space, like a small storage shed. A fitted cover rests directly on the motorcycle. A shelter never touches the bike, which prevents scratches, lets air circulate, and means you can park with hot pipes. It also protects against falling debris and would-be thieves.
Why are Speedway Shelters better than the competition?
Many competitors, including Bike Barn and knockoffs on Amazon, sell lighter-weight shelters. Ours are engineered to be significantly sturdier. Our Touring shelter weighs 75 pounds, about 15 pounds more than the closest competitor at around 60 pounds. That extra weight is steel and fabric, and it's the difference between a shelter that lasts and one that doesn't.
We're a USA-based, family-run company, and we stand behind every shelter with real customer service.
What are Speedway Shelters made of?
Cover: 600 Denier urethane-coated polyester designed to withstand extreme sun. It's exceptionally thick and has fully taped seams for a completely waterproof seal.
Frame: 3/4-inch square-tube, 16-gauge steel. Square tube is much stronger than the round tubes used in copycat shelters, which are prone to bending. It's powder-coated white to resist rust.
Hardware: all pre-assembled screws and hardware are stainless steel to prevent corrosion.
What size shelter do I need?
We make three sizes:
• Sport: street bikes, sport bikes, choppers, scooters, and e-bikes
• Touring: full-dress touring bikes with saddlebags and full windshields, like Harley-Davidson and Gold Wing
• Deluxe Trike: trikes, Can-Am, golf carts, or multiple street bikes
The quickest way to check is our Will my bike fit? checker: pick the style of bike you ride, or enter its length, width and height, and it shows which shelter fits, roof clearance included. To check the fit by hand, find your size on our shelter specifications page. Lay out the shelter's footprint on the ground with masking tape, roll your vehicle into it, then measure your vehicle's height points and compare them to the clamshell's high points on the specs page. Still unsure? Call us and we'll help you measure.
How easy and fast is setup?
Fast. The frame connects with a built-in spring-clip system, and the heavy-duty cover attaches to the frame from inside the shelter. Most people finish in 20–30 minutes with one person. Watch the assembly video.
How do I anchor my shelter to the ground?
Mounting bolts are included: 6 with the Sport and Touring shelters, 8 with the Deluxe. Anchor it to concrete, or build a simple wooden base frame. A wooden base keeps the shelter portable, and it's a popular choice where mobile home parks have requirements.
How does the shelter handle high wind and snow?
We designed our shelters for the toughest conditions, from blistering sun to blizzards and hurricane-force wind.
- Wind: six reinforced tie-down points keep the shelter anchored in high winds.
- Snow: the steel frame supports over 150 pounds of snow without collapsing.
- Impact: customers have told us their bike came through undamaged after a tree fell on their shelter.
Can the shelter be locked?
Yes. Locking hardware is welded to the frame so you can lock your Speedway Shelter in the closed position. It keeps your bike secure and also holds the shelter closed in windy conditions.
Can I replace the cover when it wears out?
Yes. Think of the cover as a sacrificial layer: when it eventually wears or rips, it has absorbed the sun and weather instead of your bike's paint. Covers typically last 3 to 4 years in full sun. To get more life from yours:
- Add a Double Duty cover, which can extend the life of your main cover by several years.
- Twice a year, wash the cover and apply an outdoor fabric UV and waterproofing spray.
Storage tips
Storing a Motorcycle Outside
What is the best place to store a motorcycle?
Ideally, a dry, climate-controlled indoor space. If you don't have one, a motorcycle shelter is the next best option. It gives full shade and weather protection, keeps a cover from rubbing your paint, and lets you park while the pipes are still hot.
Can I store my motorcycle outside?
You can, but without protection your bike slowly takes damage from sun, rain, and moisture. The best outdoor option is an enclosed shelter like a Speedway Shelter. On a tighter budget, use a breathable motorcycle cover. At the very least, park in full shade.
Why should I cover my motorcycle?
Sun and weather oxidize paint and break down plastic parts, so keeping your bike covered protects its finish and its value. Whatever you use, make sure it breathes. A non-breathable cover like a tarp traps moisture, which can lead to rust and mold.
How do I store a motorcycle outside without a garage?
Park it on a level, solid surface, out of direct sun, under something that keeps rain off without touching the paint. A motorcycle shelter does all of that: a waterproof, UV-coated cover on a steel frame that locks closed. A rubber floor keeps ground moisture away from the bike. See 4 ways to cover a motorcycle, compared.
Is it OK to leave a motorcycle out in the rain?
Riding in the rain is fine, but leaving a bike parked in the rain day after day is hard on it. Water gets into electrical connectors, rusts the chain, bolts, and chrome, and works its way past seals. If your bike lives outside, keep it under a waterproof cover that breathes, dry it off after wet rides, and keep the chain lubed.
How do I keep my motorcycle from rusting outside?
Rust needs moisture, so keep the bike dry and let it breathe. Store it under a vented, waterproof shelter instead of a tarp, wash off road salt and grime, wax the paint, treat bare metal with a corrosion protectant, keep the chain lubed, and add a moisture absorber in damp climates.
How can I protect my motorcycle from theft at home?
Make it hard to see and hard to move. Keep it out of sight, use a disc lock with a reminder cable, chain it to a ground anchor or something solid, and add motion lights or a camera. A Speedway Shelter locks closed with hardware welded to the frame, so nobody can see what's inside or roll it away without breaking in.
How do I keep mice out of a stored motorcycle?
Mice look for quiet, sheltered spots like air boxes and exhausts. Plug the exhaust and intake openings with covers or steel wool (and remove them before you start the bike), clear away pet food and bird seed, put dryer sheets or a rodent deterrent around the bike, and check on it every few weeks.
Does the sun damage a parked motorcycle?
Yes. UV light fades and oxidizes paint, cracks seats and grips, and turns plastic chalky. Shade helps, but a UV-protected shelter blocks the sun completely. A Double Duty UV cover adds a second layer over a Speedway Shelter and extends the main cover's life by years.
No garage? No problem
Where to Store a Motorcycle Without a Garage
Living in a mobile home park or an apartment, stuck with street parking, or settling into a campsite for the season? Here's what works in each situation.
Mobile home parks
Mount It on a Platform
Most parks don't allow concrete or permanent sheds. A shelter on a wooden platform sits on your lot without a foundation and leaves with you when you move.
Apartments & condos
Use Your Assigned Space
With your landlord's OK, a shelter fits in a typical 9 × 18 ft parking space or carport stall. Mount it on a platform so nothing gets drilled into the lot.
Street parking
Find a Spot You Control
A shelter can't go on a public street or sidewalk. A side yard, front yard, or patio works, and the Sport Shelter needs only about 110 × 45 inches.
Campgrounds & RV parks
Bring the Garage Along
On a seasonal site or a long RV stay, a shelter sets up in about 30 minutes and keeps your bike or trike out of the sun, rain, and morning dew.
Can I store a motorcycle at a mobile home park?
Usually, if the park allows it. Many parks restrict concrete, digging, and permanent sheds, so a shelter on a wooden platform is a good fit: it has no foundation, sits on your lot, and comes with you when you move. Check the park rules and get the manager's OK first. Our mobile home and apartment storage guide covers platform sizes and setup.
How do I store a motorcycle at an apartment without a garage?
Ask your landlord or property manager about using your assigned parking space or carport stall. All three Speedway Shelter sizes fit inside a typical 9 × 18 ft parking space, and mounting the shelter on a wooden platform means nothing gets drilled into the lot. If a shelter isn't allowed, use a breathable cover and a good lock.
Where can I store my motorcycle if I only have street parking?
You can't set up a shelter on a public street or sidewalk, so look for a spot you control: a side yard, front yard, or patio. The Sport Shelter needs only about 110 × 45 inches. If the bike has to stay on the street, park under a light, use a disc lock and a chain to something solid, and cover it so it isn't on display. Check your local parking rules too.
Can I use a motorcycle shelter at a campground or RV park?
Yes, on seasonal sites and long RV stays. A Speedway Shelter sets up in about 20 to 30 minutes and keeps your bike or trike out of the sun, rain, and morning dew while you're parked. Set it on a concrete pad or a wooden platform, secure it with the side tie-downs, and ask the campground about their rules first. More in our motorcycle tent and camping storage guide.
Can I put a motorcycle shelter on grass or gravel?
Yes, on a level base. Grass and gravel shift and hold moisture, so set the shelter on a wooden platform or pavers. That gives it a flat floor and something solid to anchor to. Add a rubber floor to keep ground moisture off the bike.
Winter & long-term storage
Winter Motorcycle Storage Questions
How do I store a motorcycle for the winter?
Fill the tank and add fuel stabilizer, change the oil, lube the chain, wash and wax the bike, put the battery on a tender, and set the tire pressure. Then park it somewhere dry with good airflow, off bare concrete. Our motorcycle winterization checklist walks through every step.
Can I store a motorcycle outside in the winter?
Yes, with the right prep and protection. Winterize the bike, then keep it under a waterproof, breathable shelter that can handle snow. The Speedway Shelter's steel frame holds 150+ lbs of snow and its vent windows help keep condensation down. Brush heavy snow off after big storms.
Should I start my motorcycle during winter storage?
Only if you can ride it or let it reach full operating temperature. A short idle in the cold creates condensation in the engine and exhaust without getting hot enough to burn it off. If you can't ride, stabilize the fuel, keep the battery on a tender, and leave it parked.
How long can a motorcycle sit without being started?
A few weeks is fine for most bikes. Beyond that, prep it for storage: untreated gas starts to break down after about three months, and the battery slowly drains. With stabilized fuel and a battery tender, a bike can sit through a whole winter.
Should I fill the gas tank before storing my motorcycle?
Yes. A full tank leaves less room for moist air, which helps prevent rust inside the tank. Add fuel stabilizer, then run the engine for a few minutes so treated fuel reaches the fuel system. On carbureted bikes, you can also drain the float bowls.
How do I keep my motorcycle battery charged in storage?
Connect a battery tender (maintainer), which holds the charge without overcharging. If there's no outlet near where the bike is stored, remove the battery and keep it on a tender indoors, somewhere it won't freeze.
How do I prevent flat spots on motorcycle tires during storage?
Inflate the tires to the recommended pressure and take the weight off them with front and rear stands if you can. If not, roll the bike a little every few weeks. Keeping the tires off cold, bare concrete helps too, and a rubber shelter floor gives them a better surface.
Ordering
Ordering & Shipping
How can I buy a Speedway Shelter?
- Online: orders to the US and Canada through our online store.
- By email (preferred): info@speedwayshelters.com. We'll get back to you to take your order. We accept payment through PayPal invoices.
- By phone: call 831-477-9600, Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm Pacific.
Can I pay over time?
Yes. At checkout you can choose Affirm to pay over time (subject to approval).
What are shipping charges?
Our shelters are built heavy on purpose. A steel frame and thick 600D cover make for a big, heavy box (the Touring model alone weighs 75 pounds), and UPS charges by size and weight. Shipping something this solid isn't cheap, and we won't pretend otherwise.
Shipping is calculated at checkout from UPS rates for your box's weight and destination, so you'll see the exact amount before you pay.
Want a quote first? Email us (preferred) or call 831-477-9600, Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm PT, and we'll look it up for you.
How fast will I receive my shelter?
Most orders ship the next business day after we receive them. As soon as yours leaves our shop, you'll get a shipping email with your tracking number. International delivery times depend on distance and the shipping service chosen.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Canadian customers can order through our website. We ship to Canadian provinces by UPS. Prices are in US dollars, and shipping is calculated at checkout. UPS may collect duties, brokerage fees and GST/HST on delivery. For destinations outside the US and Canada, email us (preferred) or call for a custom shipping quote.
Our story
About Us
Who runs Speedway Shelters?
We're a small, family-owned US business run by Joshua and Taylor Mezman.
Speedway Shelters grew out of more than two decades of designing and manufacturing extreme-weather camping tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks. We figured that if we could protect people in the harshest outdoor conditions, we could protect motorcycles too.
Plenty of riders need something more reliable than a basic cover, so we set out to build the ultimate motorcycle shelter. As a small business, your feedback matters to us. If you know a rider who needs full protection for their bike, please send them our way!
Still Have Questions?
Email is the best way to reach us, and you'll hear back from the family that designs and ships every shelter. You can also call Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm PT.
