How to Store Motorcycle Gear: Dry, Cool and Off the Floor

Most riding gear does not wear out on the road. It wears out in a damp heap on the garage floor, creased and slowly going musty. How to store motorcycle gear comes down to three habits: dry it completely, keep it cool, and give it room to breathe. Here is how that works for pants, belts and seat cushions, whether you have a garage, a closet or one hook by the door.

Dry Everything First, Every Time

Moisture is what ruins stored gear. Pants put away after a wet commute or a sweaty ride start to smell within days, and the smell is hard to remove once it sets. Hang them where air moves as soon as you get home, turn the pockets out, and open any vent zips. Wet gear needs a full day, so give it one.

Keep the heat low. A radiator or a dryer on high is harder on technical fabric than dirt is, which is why our guide to caring for motorcycle riding pants recommends air drying out of direct sun. If the gear is dirty, wash it first, because mud and road salt have all winter to set in.

How to Store Motorcycle Gear at Home: Pants and Belts

Pants come first, because they are the piece most riders store worst. Hang them by the waistband with clip hangers, or fold them once, loosely, over a wide hanger bar. Avoid tight rolls and creases across the knee. Pants with a stretch shell, like the RoadVault riding pants, are cut to look like everyday cargo pants, so they can hang in the closet with your regular clothes.

Keep the belt with the pants. A nylon belt with a friction buckle, like the Tactical Belt, coils flat or hangs from a hook next to them, so the pair stays together and you are not hunting for it on the way out the door.

Garage, Closet or Apartment: Pick the Right Spot

Where gear sits matters as much as how. The best spot is cool, dry, dark and off the floor, and a closet rail or hallway hook beats a garage corner every time.

If the garage is your only option, follow three rules. Keep gear off the concrete, because a slab can sweat and hold damp. Stay away from the furnace, the water heater and sunny windows. Never leave gear in a parked car, which can get far hotter than the air outside. In an apartment, a hook rail or a breathable cotton bag under the bed works. Skip airtight bins and vacuum bags unless everything inside is bone dry.

Smaller items need their own habits:

• Boots: stuff them loosely with paper to hold their shape and draw out moisture.
• Gloves: lay them open, fingers up, so they dry and keep their shape.
• Helmet: a shelf or a cloth bag, away from fuel, solvents and strong cleaners.

Seat Cushions and the Off-Season Routine

Seat gear is the piece riders forget. A strap-on gel cushion is easy to take off the seat, so bring it inside when the bike will sit under a cover for weeks, and store it flat, out of direct sun, with nothing heavy on top. The gel passenger cushion gets the same treatment, and our guide to choosing a motorcycle seat cushion for long rides helps if you are not sure which one suits your seat.

Before everything goes away for winter, run a short routine:

1. Wash anything dirty and let it dry completely.
2. Close every zip, buckle and strap so nothing snags.
3. Check seams, hems and straps for wear, and fix problems now, not on the first warm weekend.
4. Bag each group in breathable cotton, such as a pillowcase, and keep one small kit of pants, belt and gloves within reach.

In spring, strap the rider cushion back on, add the passenger cushion if you ride two-up, and check every strap before the first long ride. If you are shopping for a rider before the holidays, our guide to gifts for motorcycle riders sorts out what gets used.

Common Questions

Should I hang or fold motorcycle pants for storage?

Hang them. Use clip hangers on the waistband, or fold them once over a wide hanger bar. If space forces a fold, keep it loose, keep the crease away from the knee, and skip vacuum bags.

Can I store motorcycle gear in a hot garage or a car trunk?

Avoid both. Heat and direct sun stiffen technical fabric and wear out elastic and stitching faster, and a closed car can get far hotter than the air outside. Pick the coolest, driest spot you have.

How do I stop stored motorcycle gear from smelling musty?

Stop moisture before it starts. Dry everything completely, store it where air can move around it, and do not seal it in plastic. If your garage runs damp, a small dehumidifier or a moisture-absorbing packet in the closet helps. Gear that already smells should air out in the shade, then get washed according to the care label.