How to Store Motorcycle Gear Between Rides: Hanging, Drying and Keeping Armour in Shape

Dry every piece fully, then hang jackets and pants on wide padded hangers, lay gloves flat, stuff boots upright, keep the helmet in a bag, and store the lot somewhere cool, dry and out of sun, ideally a closet rather than a damp or uninsulated garage. Take armour out of the garment for long-term storage and keep it flat. No standards body gives storage rules for riding gear; the advice below comes from retailers and from two makers, and we say so where it matters.

Part of our motorcycle riding gear guide. This page covers storage only; it does not cover cleaning or leather care.

Key takeaways

• Dry first. Do not put gear away wet.
• Wide padded hangers for jackets and pants, not wire; gloves flat; boots upright with something inside.
• Breathable bags, not sealed plastic.
• Keep gear away from sun, heaters, hot cars and chemicals.
• No source gives space figures or a humidity limit, so measure your own space.

A storage plan by piece

The "needs in space" column is our summary of the methods above, not a sourced measurement. Wardler suggests a bedroom closet, a ventilated wardrobe or a gear rack and gives no dimensions.

Dry first, and without heat

Fully dry gear before it goes away, because leftover moisture can cause mildew, including on inner linings. Wardler says leather should air-dry naturally, boots should stay away from heaters that can dry the leather and make it prone to cracking, and helmets must be dry before storage.

Heat is a theme across makers. Knox says to air dry its protectors at room temperature with no dryer or heat source. Shoei, quoted in a 2013 article, lists heat that could melt a helmet among the reasons to retire it. Ruroc says not to put its helmet away wet.

Armour: out of the garment, flat, not folded

Wardler and Denimotto both say to remove armour for long-term storage so it does not leave prints on the fabric, bend or deform the pockets. Store it flat with nothing heavy on top. Knox adds that its back protectors should not be left on the floor or under heavy items and that the jacket or back protector should not be folded in half. It also says to keep protectors out of direct sunlight and away from heat.

Storage does not extend a maker's age rules. For example, the same maker advises replacing its protectors every five years regardless of condition. See when to replace each piece of your motorcycle kit.

The helmet

A helmet maker's support page says to store its helmet in a cool, dry place, out of direct heat and away from long exposure to sunlight, fuels and chemicals. Denimotto says to keep it upright in a helmet bag and not balance it on a mirror or hook, which it says can deform the liner. A retailer also says not to leave gear in a hot car. For helmet age and crash rules, see helmet standards explained and the replacement guide above.

Garage or closet?

Denimotto warns that basements and unheated garages often hold moisture that causes mildew and rust, and that uninsulated garages swing in temperature, so it prefers a closet in the living space; it suggests a dehumidifier or silica gel if needed. It gives no humidity figure. Great Bikers Gear says to store gear cool and dry, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, and not in a cold, moist place.

If a garage is your only option, the sources above point to a wall bar for padded hangers, a closed cabinet or shelf for gloves and armour, and a breathable bag for the helmet. That is our reading of them, not a tested layout.

Bags and covers

Use breathable cotton or canvas bags for jackets and vests, and avoid sealed plastic for long storage because it traps moisture; plastic is fine only as a short-term dust cover. Wardler also says not to use airtight plastic bags. Avoid mothballs directly on gear, because the odour lingers.

Before the next ride

Check the gear against the sources' wear signs in when to replace each piece of your motorcycle kit, and check the set still fits together in the riding position with how motorcycle gear should fit as a set. For the complete checklist, see how to choose proper motorcycle riding gear.

For one store's racing-gear guide, read Leather Collection's racing gear guide. Despite its title, as we read it the post is about choosing and fitting a race suit and gives no storage advice.

FAQ

Should you hang a motorcycle jacket?

Retailers say yes, on a large padded hanger, not a wire one, because riding gear is heavy and can strain collars or shoulders. If hanging space is short, one says to roll instead of folding.

How do you store motorcycle gear in a garage?

Sources prefer a closet in the living space to an uninsulated garage, because garages can hold moisture and swing in temperature. If you must use one, keep gear dry and out of sun and heat, and do not leave armoured garments on the floor.

Where should you keep a motorcycle helmet?

In a cool, dry place away from direct heat, sunlight, fuels and chemicals, upright in a bag.