New bike - storing outside :(

I just picked up a '98 VFR800FI this weekend and I could not be happier. At 20 years old it's my second VFR (used to have a '96 750). I'm a college student in Washington and I'm home for the summer in Colorado where I have the luxury of storing the bike in my dad's garage. Unfortunately I'm going back to school in about a month where I don't have a garage at my house. I'm looking for some advice on ways to keep the bike happy storing it outside, keeping in mind it rains pretty frequently where I live... Any suggestions?

 

So just a decent cover will be good enough?

 

A cover helps with keeping people from sitting on it too.

Freakin' kids at my old apartment thought my bike was a jungle gym.

 

Guess this is going to be easier than I thought. Also I have a disk lock to keep that front tire in place. And it's going to be parked at the front of my driveway in front of cars so getting at it will be difficult. Thanks for the help. It'll be interesting getting used to rain riding after this beautiful Colorado summer.

 

I keep both my bike outside all year long. Dowco is the cover I prefer. I've had them outside since 04.

 

Please don't skimp out on the cover. They're an investment to keep you bigger investment happy. Make sure it fits tight, because a flapping cover will over abuse the paint job.

Disc lock in the front and a heavy covered chain in the rear. I have a simple alarm system that also helps. The good thing about 5th gen VFR's is you don't hear much about them getting stolen. Most people don't know what they are so they don't care. Plus they're pretty hefty. I'm sure thieves prefer light and quickness.

 

Mine sits outside, usually without a cover since I ride it everyday and am too lazy to put the cover on and off all the time. I wax it at least once a month and she keeps on purring and looking pretty damn good.

 

Mortrude said Dowco, anyone else have suggestions on covers?

 

I'm interested in this thread because it will help me determine what to do with my bike as I move off to college in September. I know a cover would be good and a brake loak, but how much should I invest in that kind of stuff when my bike probably isn't worth more than $2000? Also, OP where are you going to school? I'm going to be going to EWU.

 

I go to the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. Opposite sides of the state. That's too bad. Good to see another college student on here. My dad said the other day that the VFR is an old guy sport bike and I was a little offended (even though he's owned two of them). I told him they're the intellectual's sport bike. Speed + Comfort = Smart

 

I use fully enclosed covers for all my bikes - Amazon.com: Fully Enclosed Motorcycle Cover: Sports & Outdoors

 

Personal preference. The bike as a tangible may only be worth $2k, but what about everything else that comes with it? The convenience? The chicks? The ability to readily find a parking spot? The chicks? Not having to walk the campus over and over? The chicks?

I believe in getting the best you can afford if the situation warrants it. If you're spending a year or 5 at college, and you want the bike to last, then take care of it.

Did I mention the chicks?

 

Truer words have never been said. My first week back on a VFR basically consisted of me watching people in cars and on the sidewalk check out the bike. I sure did miss that feeling. I can't even imagine what it's going to be like taking it back to a college campus. I mean... the fresh air and freedom and all that are great... but there's nothing like driving a head turner.

 

get a really good cover, dont get just a tarp ,(they blow off) i just got an old gpz and the thing sat out side . and now i have to replace all the parts that got destryed by the weather,by the way it only has 5k miles. get a good water repellant cover off e-bay or ?8691chuck

 

Link---->> CycleShell Enclosure - Outdoor Motorcycle Cover - Protection

Link---->> http://www.portablegaragedepot.com/index.cfm?catid=72

Link---->> http://www.shelter-solution.com/motorcycle-garage.html

 

My 5G VFR lives outside under a Dowco Guardian Weatherall Plus cover. It's a bit pricy, but the quality is excellent as compared to the tarp style covers. I've been very happy with it and haven't noticed any wear on my paint from the cover. The "sportbike" size fits perfectly.

 

My poor VFR survived a year at college minus winter storage with nothing but a nice coat of meguiars wax to protect it most of the time as I rarely parked it long enough to want to put the cover on.