Outdoor storage advice?

I've always stored my bike in a heated shop but now it's going to be outside under the eaves.

What are some of the better covers you've used? And do you have suggestions on keeping mice away?

Any and all tips appreciated.
Thanks.

 

Same here, have it under a fifth wheel--- good decent cover and made for my topbox


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You're cheating.

You live in SoCal.......

 

Oh that's right
Sorry


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It's not cheating, it's called playing it smart!

 

I knew someone that bought this type of storage shell listed below. Myself I have used Nelson Rigg mainly and I thought they had good construction.

http://www.cycleshell.com/

 

Unfortunately, I live part-time in the LA metro area, and I wouldn't call it playing it smart. LMAO. Central Cal or extreme NorCal maybe, but not LA metro. You'd have to have give me some inch thick rose-colored glasses to think LA metro is anything but a traffic infested toilet.

 

For commuting, not that great but the surrounding areas are just awesome for riding motorcycles, being that it's pretty much year round riding I'll put up with lane spitting, been doing it for the past 30+ years...

 

When I stored mine outside, I added extra grommets to the cover, so I could keep it from flapping and potentially scratching in the wind. Also, used a cable lock.

 

Nelson Riggs with a cable lock through grommets for security and to prevent blow aways.

 

Covers don't last forever, bought a Cycle Gear cover in late 2013, then got another for the 8th gen and used the old one on my 83 after refurbishing. 83 has a blue and white Corbin seat, old cover started to deteriorate and stained white portion of the Corbin seat leaving a broad purple stain. I tried everything; bleach, cleanser, acetone, nothing would touch it. Left cover off, next day after sitting in the sun all day stains were just about gone, now totally gone! A great mystery, moral of the story, when the covers start to go, get rid of them.

 

If it sits in the sun it might not last a year. At least around here. They get thin and after a while tear and fall apart.

 

I think that there was a coating on the underside that deteriorated before the outer fabric. That is what stained my seat.

 

Just keep in mind that if your bike cover keeps the water off, it also traps the moisture inside. I bought a relatively cheap bike cover when I drove truck for a while. I had to park it where assholes in trucks would drive through puddles and slash gravelly water on the bike. It worked well to keep the bike clean, but then I did not leave it covered for weeks on end. You being in the PNW, I would be really hesitant on leaving it stored under a bike cover all winter long. I would worry that rust may set up somewhere.

I like the idea of that porta garage concept shown above. Allows for air circulation around the bike.

 

I bought a 5' X 8' fabric shed last winter for my motorcycle to live in, and found that it does get pretty damp inside. This year, I plan to fabricate a floor from plywood on top of some 2X4's, with a thick plastic sheet on top. The 2X4's will also have some of that plastic garden edging underneath. My thinking is that even that little bit of lift off the concrete will really reduce the moisture inside the shell. I will also pull a tarp over the top. That will keep the fabric from soaking, but still let the shed breathe. I'm hoping that will provide a fairly moisture free environment for the winter. The nice thing about the size, is that the motorcycle fits in there, along with some other stuff like jack stands and extra car wheels/parts bins.

Jose

 

What is your budget?

Do you have space to put it somewhere safe?

A cheap 2 man pop up tent will cover most options

 

be sure to block the end of the exhaust pipe and airbox inlet to keep small rodents from storing tidbits inside.



(round tail ground squirrel)

 

I live in Philadelphia and keep my 4th gen outside year round on my sidewalk. Bought this cover a few years back and it's held up very well. No rust on the bike and it has a vent under the right mirror portion to allow the bike to breath and keep out condensation. With temps ranging from the 90's in summer and teens in the winter, this cover has done the job. I do ride daily even in the winter, so I haven't had rodent issues associated with long term storage. Here's a link to the cover.

https://www.revzilla.com/product/dowco-guardian-weatherall-plus-motorcycle-cover

 

I think your saving grace is the frequent use of the bike in the winter so even if there was moisture in there, it gets aired out, although probably rained on, frequently when riding. But getting info from those with experience is the cats ass.

 

I actually like riding in the rain most of the time. It helps me keep a healthy respect for the bike with the occasional heart stopping slip n slide. I'm not much for cats although I do enjoy ass of the female persuasion.