Will a cover be much use?

I'm going to have to prepare my bike for winter, as obviously I won't be
riding it (due to circumstances rather than being a wuss).

Is getting a cover for it going to be any good? I know about things like
draining the petrol, putting oil/WD40 in the cylinders and on the bike
itself and moving the bike around so the tyres aren't in the same place
but would a cover be any good?

I suppose it's better than nothing but I didn't want to get a load of
moisture caught underneath it and return to a rusting heap in April.

Cheers

 

What about one of those vacuum pack things. Like a big plastic bag and
you suck all the air out with a hoover.

--
cane [at] ukrm.org | fireblade, r30
botafo t#50 f#03 YTC #15 bbb #6 apostle [kotl]
New? http://www.ukrm.net/faq/ukrmscbt.html
Rideout? http://www.horrible.demon.co.uk/botafof/
"Brace yourselves ladies, I'm coming in dry"

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Cane said:

That's not a bad idea.

If they're good for being outside then that will be the way to go.

Cheers

 

Best idea sounds like Cane's - but another good alternative is a canvas
one. If it's going to be raining constantly, they will let moisture
through if it pools on top of it, but will dry out - whereas a plastic one
won't.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Rexx said:

Ah, so it will let moisture out as well. Keep 'em coming, I'm not
decided yet. The ideal solution would be a garage and a greenhouse
heater but circumstances dictate that I have neither.

 

When I kept the cbr outside, it was under a canvas cover, then with a
standard blue plastic tarpaulin over the top if the weather was bad for a
few days, obviously attached with bungee cords.

If you had the space and the funds, how about one of those little mini
bike garage things, that you put the bike on a tray and slide in?

 

Oh, an additional idea:
You know those little dessicant bags you often get in electrical goods
packing? Save up a few of those - or alternatively, buy one of those
dessicant boxes that are advertised for putting in your wardrobe to keep
your clothes from going damp - and stick it inside the cover (if you get
one of those vacuum ones). That will ensure that any damp that is on the
bike won't slowly distribute itself all over the metalwork.

I have a large sachet in my car, mainly for through the winter to stop the
windscreen from accumulating too much moisture.

 

In

they used to have huge bags of it in the delivery crates of
Kawasakis so check your local kawa dealer he may have loads of it
going spare

--
Steve Parry

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

http://wrexhamseals.tripod.com

 

May be better to fill the tank & use fuel stabiliser (Demon Tweeks/local
garden centre), assuming it's a metal tank. Empty tanks can start to
rust.
Also block exhausts & air inlets to keep crap/rodents out.

Many moons ago I lived in a 7th floor flat in Erith, & had a Ducati MHR.
I made a wooden crate for it out of exterior grade ply & 2x3s to use as
a garage, & chained it to a post in the car park. Hinged end & top for
easy access, & a big bag of cement on the floor to absorb moisture. I'd
do the same again if I was in your position.

 

[snip]

And, as the little bags insist on telling you,

"Do not eat"

HTH

 

Whinging Courier wrote

Don't bother with all that shite. I will come round and
thra^h^h^h^hride it for you once a week.

 

Get one of these:
http://www.forestedge-retail.co.uk/acatalog/Bike_Covers_from_Oxford.html

I think a Stormex (bottom of the page) is prolly your best bet, being
waterproof and _breathable_. let some ventilation round your bike and
you'll be OK - but I'd give it a good layer of wax on the painted bits
and WD40 or FS365 (the anti-corrosion stuff from those nice people at
Scottoiler) if I was you.

 

Waxoyl on the chrome, alloy, frame, electrics, under seats, tanks etc.
That'll help stave off the corrosion.

The green canvas covers have always served me well. My bikes live most
of their lives outside. Avoid the cheap plastic type as they can melt in
sunlight and damage the paintwork. As well as trapping condensation.

 

Yes but get a breathable one, make sure it's big enough. And Waxoyl
everything. Plug the exhausts and air intakes.

 

I've got one which is waterproof and breathable. Put it on a wet bike
it'd be dry by the morning.

This is starting to be useful:
http://bikesource.co.uk/index.php?viewCat=89

 

You'll also find kilo bags of it for free at a steel stockholder's yard.
They bung it in and around wire coils during carriage.

I've blagged several of the things for just such needs.

--

Dave

GS 850 x2 / SE 6a
SbS#6? DIAABTCOD#16 APOSTLE#16? FUB#3
FUB KotL OSOS#12? UKRMMA#19