Dirtbikes and Apartment Complexes...

motoXracer971
Posts
325
Joined
8/28/2015
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Edited Date/Time 3/15/2016 4:38pm
I see photos quite a bit of bikes in living rooms, etc. and that's my plan for the next few month to a year. I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had and problems with doing this, like with the leasing office, theft, etc. I'm moving into a gated community where it's mostly young professionals and its in a good area. I've got a pit mat and pad to put down over the wood flooring, and when I mentioned the bike to the property manager they said "just roll it in the apartment". It just seems like they would have a problem with it and any stories/insight from others in a similar situation would be greatly appreciated!
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3/15/2016 10:59am
Back when I lived in an apartment at first we would chain the bikes to the outdoor garage(obviously a terrible idea) until my dad's 91 KDX200 was stolen. After that we kept it inside the apartment with no issues. The only problem would be if you aren't on the first floor. Still possible but would be a bitch to get the bike up the stairs.
Dtat720
Posts
1588
Joined
2/20/2015
Location
Flowood, MS, USA
3/15/2016 11:10am
The most hassle i ever had was the gas tank being in the apt. I would have to take the tank off and keep it in the outside storage. Other than that, they dont really care. Just no flammables inside
3/15/2016 11:14am Edited Date/Time 3/15/2016 11:15am
Not sure if it's anyone else's business what's in your apartment. Change the oil down the bath tub. And flush your shop towels. That might be just cause for eviction.

Ever look into a storage unit for $30 a month ? Or buy a van for your daily driver and keep her in there locked up.
FGR01
Posts
6142
Joined
10/1/2006
Location
USA
Fantasy
3/15/2016 1:45pm
Not sure if it's anyone else's business what's in your apartment. Change the oil down the bath tub. And flush your shop towels. That might be...
Not sure if it's anyone else's business what's in your apartment. Change the oil down the bath tub. And flush your shop towels. That might be just cause for eviction.

Ever look into a storage unit for $30 a month ? Or buy a van for your daily driver and keep her in there locked up.
Most apartment leases have language in them that says "no vehicles inside" or "no storage of gasoline or other flammables"... things like that.

That being said, my experience was just make sure the bike is clean and dry. If it is fuel injected, stick a nail or bolt in the tank vent to minimize fumes. If it has a carb, drain the float bowl before washing the bike and also plug the tank vent. Put a cover over the bike to minimize fumes and plastic smells. Be discreet when taking it in and out trying to prevent people from seeing you.

The Shop

3/15/2016 2:21pm
I've been doing this for the past year and a half.

1. a first floor apartment is a must. I started out in a 3rd floor and getting the bike up was a major pain in the ass. luckily it was only an 85 at that time. I have now moved to another place and live on the first floor. thank god cause kid has moved from an 85 to a 250f.

2. pretty sure its illegal as stated the gas is the major issue. its a safety thing, imagine if the building caught on fire, if it were to reach your apartment it would accelerate with the gas.

3. security, hopefully you have 2 bikes, if so chain them together just to make it impossible to get out the door. if not chain the wheels together so they cant roll. no one wants to spend a lot of time breaking in and stealing a bike. they want to get in and roll out.

4. acknowledge the neighbors. they will be the ones to rat you out.

5. takes some serious coordination to get maintenance done on your apartment. last thing you want is larry the maint guy to come fix a leak and see that you have a bike in the apartment. he will either tell management or hes the guy that has keys to your place and bolt cutters. so you will have to have a plan to get it out and keep it somewhere else for maint calls. or even routine inspections like im dealing with now.

6. find a near by carwash. that's where you will have to wash the bike. so factor in that time on the way home from the track. never never bring a dirty bike into the apartment. if your neighbors see pushing a nice clean bike they are less likely to complain. now if there is a dirt trail from your truck along the side walk and into your apartment well neighbors are gonna hate you.

7. do not go cleaning air filters in the bathtub or kitchen sink. buy a few pre oiled filters and when you can go to a friends house or over at the car wash clean them all at one time. that stuff makes your tub look crappy.

8. do not start the bike on the property again that will for sure piss of neighbors.

right now everyone in my building knows about the bikes in my apartment, and no one has an issue with it. if they ask questions or show interest in the bikes I stop and talk to them. if they have small kids I offer to let them sit on the bike while I push it. but generally I like to be in and out as quick as possible. that means loading up everything else first. setting up the ramp and straps then rolling the bike out of the apartment and straight into the truck, im driving off without sitting around for more than a minute or two. same thing on the way back but in reverse. bike off the truck first and everything else after.

good luck.



resetjet
Posts
2557
Joined
3/16/2012
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
3/15/2016 2:25pm
No biggie but get insurance. Mine is like $60 a year through allstate.
TeamGreen
Posts
37519
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA, USA
3/15/2016 2:50pm
Find a buddies house or business to stash it in or get a van or enclosed trailer
mb
Posts
775
Joined
7/22/2014
Location
Columbia, SC, USA
3/15/2016 2:57pm
Get to know your neighbors, be nice to them. Live on the first floor, hit the ghetto $1 car wash before going home, stick a bolt in the tank vent tube. Had 4 different MX bikes and an R6 in my apartment without problem.
Huevos
Posts
925
Joined
3/19/2013
Location
Spokane, WA, USA
3/15/2016 3:10pm
Honestly, a storage unit with insurance is the way to go in my opinion. Where I live I only have to pay about $36 a month for a unit big enough for my bike, tools, and a little work space.
3/15/2016 3:38pm
Huevos wrote:
Honestly, a storage unit with insurance is the way to go in my opinion. Where I live I only have to pay about $36 a month...
Honestly, a storage unit with insurance is the way to go in my opinion. Where I live I only have to pay about $36 a month for a unit big enough for my bike, tools, and a little work space.
ive had plenty of stuff stolen from storage units. no way i would trust a bike in one. plus bike in the apartment lets you do minor maintenance in the comfort of your living room. lol

i did do an engine swap for the 85 on the 3rd floor apartment lmao. i like this new place i have it has fake wood floors. i don't have to worry about spilling stuff on the carpet.

motoXracer971
Posts
325
Joined
8/28/2015
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
3/15/2016 3:43pm Edited Date/Time 3/15/2016 3:46pm
Thanks all. To answer a few questions, the guy I rented the apartment from was the actual property manager and it's on the first floor, and there's a car wash in the complex that is 100ft from my door. I'm currently sporting a neck brace from a crash a few weeks ago where I fractured my C1, so obviously every one asks "what happened?"...we started talking moto because he had some friends that raced a while back and he's ridden trails a few times...blah blah blah... so he knows it's a motorcycle and not a bicycle for sure. He even suggested that it would fit through the door! The complex has garages but none available at the moment (end of June was the earliest, I think) so I'm eventually going to have one. But I can't ride until June/July anyway and I want to be able to at least stare at my bike and tinker with it until then. I drain the gas every time I ride and the bike is brand new, and EFI (16 450SXF), so I'm not too concerned with it stinking up the place too much. I won't be going in and out with until I'm healed up so I should have the garage by then anyway.
motoXracer971
Posts
325
Joined
8/28/2015
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
3/15/2016 3:55pm
TeamGreen wrote:
Find a buddies house or business to stash it in or get a van or enclosed trailer
My buddies have buddies that like to press buttons! The others aren't really an option at the moment.
motoXracer971
Posts
325
Joined
8/28/2015
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
3/15/2016 3:58pm
mb wrote:
Get to know your neighbors, be nice to them. Live on the first floor, hit the ghetto $1 car wash before going home, stick a bolt...
Get to know your neighbors, be nice to them. Live on the first floor, hit the ghetto $1 car wash before going home, stick a bolt in the tank vent tube. Had 4 different MX bikes and an R6 in my apartment without problem.
This is my M.O. right here. Except the complex has a carwash and it happens to be 100ft from my door.
motoXracer971
Posts
325
Joined
8/28/2015
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
3/15/2016 4:00pm
I've been doing this for the past year and a half. 1. a first floor apartment is a must. I started out in a 3rd floor...
I've been doing this for the past year and a half.

1. a first floor apartment is a must. I started out in a 3rd floor and getting the bike up was a major pain in the ass. luckily it was only an 85 at that time. I have now moved to another place and live on the first floor. thank god cause kid has moved from an 85 to a 250f.

2. pretty sure its illegal as stated the gas is the major issue. its a safety thing, imagine if the building caught on fire, if it were to reach your apartment it would accelerate with the gas.

3. security, hopefully you have 2 bikes, if so chain them together just to make it impossible to get out the door. if not chain the wheels together so they cant roll. no one wants to spend a lot of time breaking in and stealing a bike. they want to get in and roll out.

4. acknowledge the neighbors. they will be the ones to rat you out.

5. takes some serious coordination to get maintenance done on your apartment. last thing you want is larry the maint guy to come fix a leak and see that you have a bike in the apartment. he will either tell management or hes the guy that has keys to your place and bolt cutters. so you will have to have a plan to get it out and keep it somewhere else for maint calls. or even routine inspections like im dealing with now.

6. find a near by carwash. that's where you will have to wash the bike. so factor in that time on the way home from the track. never never bring a dirty bike into the apartment. if your neighbors see pushing a nice clean bike they are less likely to complain. now if there is a dirt trail from your truck along the side walk and into your apartment well neighbors are gonna hate you.

7. do not go cleaning air filters in the bathtub or kitchen sink. buy a few pre oiled filters and when you can go to a friends house or over at the car wash clean them all at one time. that stuff makes your tub look crappy.

8. do not start the bike on the property again that will for sure piss of neighbors.

right now everyone in my building knows about the bikes in my apartment, and no one has an issue with it. if they ask questions or show interest in the bikes I stop and talk to them. if they have small kids I offer to let them sit on the bike while I push it. but generally I like to be in and out as quick as possible. that means loading up everything else first. setting up the ramp and straps then rolling the bike out of the apartment and straight into the truck, im driving off without sitting around for more than a minute or two. same thing on the way back but in reverse. bike off the truck first and everything else after.

good luck.



All good points, man, thanks!
motoXracer971
Posts
325
Joined
8/28/2015
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
3/15/2016 4:04pm
Not sure if it's anyone else's business what's in your apartment. Change the oil down the bath tub. And flush your shop towels. That might be...
Not sure if it's anyone else's business what's in your apartment. Change the oil down the bath tub. And flush your shop towels. That might be just cause for eviction.

Ever look into a storage unit for $30 a month ? Or buy a van for your daily driver and keep her in there locked up.
Haha! Yeah, but I don't trust an offsite storage unit because I couldn't get there to check it as often as I'd like to. If it were to get stolen they'd be long gone by the time I realized anything. My complex has garages but none available for a few months.
Falcon
Posts
12550
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA, USA
3/15/2016 4:18pm
Property Manager says it's OK... game on!


Just don't give him any reason to keep your security deposit. (Dirty carpet, oil stains, etc...)
3/15/2016 4:37pm
mb wrote:
Get to know your neighbors, be nice to them. Live on the first floor, hit the ghetto $1 car wash before going home, stick a bolt...
Get to know your neighbors, be nice to them. Live on the first floor, hit the ghetto $1 car wash before going home, stick a bolt in the tank vent tube. Had 4 different MX bikes and an R6 in my apartment without problem.
This is my M.O. right here. Except the complex has a carwash and it happens to be 100ft from my door.
again be careful about advertising the bike. that's what you would be doing using the on site car wash. I also made it point to casually bring up in conversation that 1 my son is home schooled so there is always someone in the apartment and 2 we are armed. that's enough to keep any thoughts of bike heist at bay.

you may want to think twice about the onsite garage as well. plenty of thefts happening at homes with garages attached let alone across the parking lot. in the apartment would be much safer.

its all about the prevention cause once its gone it gone. of course you could just insure the thing and hope for the best. either way enjoy your kx450f roommate try not to hang to many shirts on the handlebars during laundry day (oh yes you will) lol.

3/15/2016 4:38pm
side note as long as the bike is kept clean and in good maintenance you wont smell gas or oil no need to worry about it.

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