Author Topic: Waterproof Bike Cover? (Read 16918 times)

JeffOlson · « **on:** June 14, 2015, 10:25:13 AM »

We are making a lifestyle change. We just sold our newer, fancy house in a suburban bedroom community and have moved to a very old, rustic farm house on acres of land.

Our dogs love it (and I am warming up to it), but there is no garage (or barn) I can use. Consequently, I will need to park my daily commuter Norge out in the elements.

Should I get a cover for it, or just not worry about it? It is sunny and warm now. However, come fall, it will be cold and wet.

not-fishing · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2015, 10:30:23 AM »

Depends on how long you're going to stay

I'd at least get one of those shade awnings with side panels and stake it down (or cast it in concrete).

If I was planning on staying for 5 years I build a Barn with a studio apartment, big screen, bar, loading bench, workbench, bike lift, car lift, basement........... ...

Mark

Dean Rose · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2015, 10:31:12 AM »

DOWCO covers are what I used when we had an apartment.

Dean

Triple Jim · « **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2015, 10:32:41 AM »

It it were me, I think I'd build a fair sized shed, maybe like you can get from Home Depot, put it on a concrete slab, and insulate it well. Then I could optionally run a dehumidifier if necessary. In my experience, the problems saved from chasing corrosion and fuel system problems would be well worth it, and you'd have a great place to do maintenance on it.

rocker59 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2015, 10:35:53 AM »

Are you parking it on dirt? That won't be good for it, even if you cover it. Hopefully you've got a concrete pad, or at the very least a nice packed gravel pad to park it on.

Even covered, the bike will be subject to the elements 24/7, so will suffer for it. Moisture will rust and corode anything that can rust and corode, and the cover will probably scratch the paint because of wind ruffling it constantly.

Consider spending some money for a small detached garage to keep the bike and other things in.

Mayor_of_BBQ · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2015, 10:37:06 AM »

If you have never left your moto outside, you will be shocked how soon your gauge needles fade, your seat cracks, and how many cobwebs etc accumulate. Not to mention when it hasn't rained in a few days, but when you sit on your seat it goes 'squish' and water seeps out of the stitching and wets your ass.

I'd get a cover at a bare minimum...

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2015, 10:55:36 AM »

a canopy is better than a cover which can trap moisture. what Rocker said, parking on earth will be bad.

JeffOlson · « **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2015, 11:01:32 AM »

It is parked on packed gravel at home and in a garage during workdays at my office.

ItsForrest · « **Reply #8 on:** June 14, 2015, 12:30:54 PM »

Bike covers never seem to last very long, especially when taking them on and off every day, and the cheap ones trap moisture.
I would look into one of those pre-fab sheds for the short term until I could build a proper barn or garage. Check out the sheds they sell at Home Depot or Lowes. You can get a pretty nice shed big enough for storing and working on a bike out of the elements for a pretty reasonable price.
Also, there are sheds and storage buildings that you can rent. I have not done the math to see if it's worth renting one vs. buying but if you aren't in a position to drop a thousand or two on a decent one, at least there are options to look at.

John A · « **Reply #9 on:** June 14, 2015, 01:04:13 PM »

Inter granular exfoliation ,uniform etch and the heartbreak of galvanic action. I would use something from shelter logic .

lucian · « **Reply #10 on:** June 14, 2015, 01:18:15 PM »

Living room? Awe please honey ?

Penderic · « **Reply #11 on:** June 14, 2015, 01:21:38 PM »

Should be able to get one of these in kit form at a lumber yard....

Mine has lasted 5 years now - the cover is starting to fray a bit at some folds but it has been a very good shelter for the bike. Taken quite a beating and the zippers still work!

Another but much nicer looking one that I have seen advertised somewhere on the net....

Francis · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2015, 01:22:22 PM »

Well ,are you renting or did you buy the place. Depending on your answer to dictate the type of shelter you should get....with that said ,yes shelter would be a good thing!!
Even a tent style shelter on a treated wood base sitting on a bed of gravel would be very nice and easy on the wallet and your ride.

JeffOlson · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2015, 02:44:15 PM »

We are renting for a year, while we remodel our old beach cabin. A tent-like strructure with a floor looks like a great idea!

O · « **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2015, 03:06:36 PM »

I have one of these for the riding season, and am very happy with it - http://www.cycleshell.com/

In the winter though, the bike hibernates in the walk-out basement.

flangeman_70 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 14, 2015, 03:12:43 PM »

Check this out
https://www.louis.de/en/artikel/acebikes-universal-folding-garage/10008314?list=86429769
This just for reference
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Acebikes-Motorcycle-Folding-Garage-Motorshelter-Motorbike-Shelter-/251970869413?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aaaa258a5

Red07 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 14, 2015, 04:17:26 PM »

You should be able to build/buy some sort of shed or shelter on the cheap. I put up an Arrow brand metal shed ( 10x12 ) for about $500. That included the 2x4's and 3/4" plywood for the floor. Didn't take long at all. Perfect for a Norge and supplies!

Got it all at Menards.

Could be sold or moved when the time comes to move to the beach cabin.

Randy

sib · « **Reply #17 on:** June 14, 2015, 04:45:02 PM »

No one has mentioned rodents yet. They love to ruin motorcycles.

Lannis · « **Reply #18 on:** June 14, 2015, 05:15:08 PM »

Quote from: JeffOlson on June 14, 2015, 11:01:32 AM

It is parked on packed gravel at home and in a garage during workdays at my office.

Garaged 5 days a week when the sun is high will be good for the gauges and paint.

I (were I you, and I've been in your situation before) would build a simple 4-post raftered shed, maybe 6' x 10' in plan and 8' high; even if it's not sided at all, it will protect from sun and direct rain, and allow air to move, AND be a convenient shaded place to do simple maintenance.

Lannis

malik · « **Reply #19 on:** June 14, 2015, 05:36:49 PM »

Even with the best cover I've found (made by Wunderlich & sold at BMW Motorad places, and thus costly) the moisture rises to corrode aluminium, steel & everything else. The more you can protect it from the moisture and humidity, the better. One of those garden sheds sold in kits would be a vast improvement over a cover, or even a lightweight tent. Aim for dry first, and then insulate to keep the temperatures more even. it shouldn't have to cost much.

Mal

biking sailor · « **Reply #20 on:** June 14, 2015, 05:38:39 PM »

Buy a small enclosed trailer, with a door the lays down as a ramp. Get a decent used one and if you no loner want it, it can always be sold on. Had a few buddies do this for storage of MC's while in apartments and such. Dual function, trailer and storage unit!

Triple Jim · « **Reply #21 on:** June 14, 2015, 06:07:46 PM »

Quote from: malik on June 14, 2015, 05:36:49 PM

Aim for dry first, and then insulate to keep the temperatures more even.

Insulation helps a lot with the dry part, too. With a well insulated shed in cool weather, ground heat will keep the inside temperature well above the outdoor temperature, reducing relative humidity.

Kent in Upstate NY · « **Reply #22 on:** June 14, 2015, 06:30:45 PM »

I've left my 01 Cal special outside for the last 13 years. Nothing that new paint won't fix. Still runs great. However, our new place has multiple garages and I don't know if my bike can handle such coddling.

krglorioso · « **Reply #23 on:** June 15, 2015, 12:48:16 AM »

What Triple Jim said. Build a shed. There is no excuse for leaving a bike out in the elements. Problems magnify exponentially when you do that. Some lumber yards sell shed kits.

Ralph

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #24 on:** June 15, 2015, 05:59:37 AM »

Quote from: JeffOlson on June 14, 2015, 10:25:13 AM

Consequently, I will need to park my daily commuter Norge out in the elements.

Is it outside at the other end of your commute i.e. when you get to work?
Sunlight will do more damage than rain, at the very least get a good cover.

I keep mine in an underground parking garage, I swear I hear them chuckle as I walk past.

bratman2 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 15, 2015, 06:54:29 AM »

I like the little trailer idea and like mentioned you can sell it when you move. Mine Norge stays in the carport at home and is actually in the double door storage room on the back of our office complex at work. Work location is way better than home. It even feels air conditioned in the summer. Some of my fasteners have already started rusting.

Dilliw · « **Reply #26 on:** June 15, 2015, 07:05:49 AM »

http://speedwayshelters.com/index.php

Someone posted about these a while back:

arveno · « **Reply #27 on:** June 15, 2015, 07:07:46 AM »

Quote from: Kent in Tehachapi on June 14, 2015, 06:30:45 PM

I've left my 01 Cal special outside for the last 13 years. Nothing that new paint won't fix. Still runs great. However, our new place has multiple garages and I don't know if my bike can handle such coddling.

How old is this pic ? you should post a pic of your bike after 13 years outside on the elements.... i bet a paint job wont fix it .

charlie b · « **Reply #28 on:** June 15, 2015, 08:43:47 AM »

My first bike was left out in the elements most of it's life. Kentucky, NY state, AZ and NM. In NM it was on a porch. When at work it was in the open as well. After 10 years I tore it down and repainted it (mainly cause I was replacing all the bearings and fixing some of the wiring). Good as new.

Currently my bike lives on a covered porch, but, at work it is out in the open.

As stated above, I'd be more concerned about rodents. If you put the bike under cover it should be rodent proof. Those little buggars love warm, dry nooks and crannies. Where we live I leave the hood open on the truck (it doesn't get driven much). Makes the engine compartment not as attractive to them.

I love the covered trailer idea. Just make sure you make it mouse proof as well.

TBShorty · « **Reply #29 on:** June 15, 2015, 10:27:12 AM »

When I lived in Chicago I rented a shipping container and had it dropped in my back yard. I cut a hole and installed a roof vent then rand a cord and plugged in a box fan and a heater in the winter. This worked very well for 4 yrs. and when we moved to Arizona I did a litle metal and welded the hole for the vent closed. Didn't hear one word of complaint for the container guy about the hole repair. I don't remember the rent of the thing but it was very affordable.

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Author Topic: Waterproof Bike Cover? (Read 16918 times)

Penderic

biking sailor