To cover or not to cover....

Discussion in 'UK Motorcycles' started by Donnie, Nov 10, 2009.

  1. Donnie

    Donnie Guest

    that is the question
    Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
    The wet seat of a bike after a night of rain,
    Or to take arms against nocturnal precipitation,
    And by opposing it? To ride: to be dry;
    No more; and by using a bike cover we end
    The heart-ache and the thousand wet arses
    That flesh is heir to, 'tis an achievement
    Devoutly to be wish'd. To ride, to be dry;
    To ride: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;

    bzzzzzt............

    Normal service has resumed..

    Right, so, I keep the CB on the drive / allocated parking space where
    it's as secure as it can be without digging up and putting in a ground
    anchor. To be fair, not likely anyones gonna nick 95 CB500 really.

    Anyway, i know its what many class as a hack but to me its my only
    proper bike and im using it every day so dont want to risk buggering it
    up or ill be relegated to the car for my admittedly short commute.

    So, to cover or not to cover?

    What do ye do? Am i really bothered about rubbing a bit of rain off the
    saddle in the morning and the mirrors and clocks? nope, but by not
    covering it is there likeliehood of genuine problems? that's what I'm
    really worried about to be honest.

    I have tried covering the bike after its been raining to keep more off
    it, still wet in the morning, which i know people say dont cover an
    already wet bike.
    Ive tried covering it when dry and its rained and the rain still seems
    to get through or its condensation.
    Ive tried leaving the cover off and theres no rain overnight and still
    its wet through condensation.

    So really, it seems to matter not a jot what i do and hence im
    beginning to think covers are a waste or time and effort, but what say
    the font?
     
    Donnie, Nov 10, 2009
    #1
    1. Advertisements

  2. Donnie

    Colin Irvine Guest

    <applause>

    I think if I was in the position of having to keep a half-decent bike
    outside I'd bite the bullet and get a really good breathable and
    waterproof cover.
     
    Colin Irvine, Nov 10, 2009
    #2
    1. Advertisements

  3. Donnie

    Eiron Guest

    Rather than a cheap vinyl cover from Argos, which takes the lacquer off
    your paintwork.
     
    Eiron, Nov 10, 2009
    #3
  4. Donnie

    Catman Guest

    ....but since it's a 95 CB500, it'll be fine as it is?

    --
    Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
    Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
    116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS 156 V6 2.5 S2
    Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
    www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
     
    Catman, Nov 10, 2009
    #4
  5. Donnie

    72degrees Guest

    Until I get a flash new mohair roof for the MX5 I am keeping a 'car
    cap' on it when parked behind the gates. Sort of slightly fleecy lined
    silver stuff from Halfords. Certainly keeps the rain away from the
    cracks in the vinyl (that's what comes of putting a 12 year old vinyl
    roof up and down like a yoyo). As to condensation, it's hard to say as
    it isn't a complete cover, but certainly not enough to drip in to the
    car, so that's alright then. The fleecy surface does seem not to
    scratch the paintwork whilst being deployed and removed though.
     
    72degrees, Nov 10, 2009
    #5
  6. Donnie

    eamo Guest

    ahem

    For in that ride of damp what crud will come
    When we must trundle down this mortal coil,
    Must give us pause: there's the respect
    That makes calamity of so shite a ride;
    For what could bear the whips and scorns of rain
    The gritter's crap, the salt man's flow,
    The pangs of unfilled holes, the road's decay,
    The bastard leaves and the piles
    of steaming poo that the farmer makes,
    When the bike itself might its quietus make
    with galvanic rot? should we ACF50 wear,
    And grunt and sweat upon a weary bike,
    But then the dread of something on top of that,
    The undiscover'd cranny in whose bourn
    No metal survives, puzzles the will
    And makes us rather keep bikes indoors
    Than have risks under covers that we know not of?
    Thus crevice corrosion does make cowards of us all;
    And thus the native hue of laquer coating
    Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of rust
    And alloy bits of great form and function
    With this regard their currents turn awry,
    And lose their sheen and lustre.


    Eamonn
     
    eamo, Nov 10, 2009
    #6
  7. Donnie

    ogden Guest

    move somewhere with a garage.
     
    ogden, Nov 10, 2009
    #7
  8. Donnie

    Cane Guest

    Humph, thought it was going to be another Bukkake thread.
     
    Cane, Nov 10, 2009
    #8
  9. Donnie

    Pip Guest

    This is your life, isn't it?
     
    Pip, Nov 10, 2009
    #9
  10. Donnie

    Donnie Guest

    Colin Irvine said:
    Oh Christ yes, half decent but this is really a hack possibly less than
    hack status depending on your point of view.

    If I had something like im on the lookout for next year, ie a decentish
    BMW or Pan Euro Id definitely be covering it.

    As it is, this covers one of those Bike It jobbies
    http://www.bikeit.co.uk/accessories_product.asp?ID=50

    and its not as premium as I would have thought to be honest, glad i got
    it trade :-/
     
    Donnie, Nov 10, 2009
    #10
  11. Donnie

    Donnie Guest

    Eiron said:
    oh yea, they're shite those things, had one years ago for a scooter and
    the stuff it was made of soon started to harden and crack leaving big
    holes therefore kinda fucking up the theory of it being a waterproof
    cover :-/
     
    Donnie, Nov 10, 2009
    #11
  12. Donnie

    Donnie Guest

    Pip said:
    lol.
    Pisses all over my short attempt though eh?
     
    Donnie, Nov 10, 2009
    #12
  13. Donnie

    Donnie Guest

    Cane said:
    another?? Didn't see the first one!
     
    Donnie, Nov 10, 2009
    #13
  14. Donnie

    eamo Guest

     
    eamo, Nov 10, 2009
    #14
  15. Donnie

    eamo Guest

     
    eamo, Nov 10, 2009
    #15
  16. Donnie

    TMack Guest

    Sir needs one of these - worth every penny IMHO (just under £300 inc
    delivery). I have a 100w electric greenhouse heater under mine, which
    prevents condensation and keeps the Ducati dry. I can park a wet bike in it
    at night and its dry in the morning.

    http://www.thebikebarn.net/standardmodel.html
     
    TMack, Nov 10, 2009
    #16
  17. Donnie

    wessie Guest

    <also reply to Colin>

    I have a vented cover from M&P. I used it at my last gaff before moving to
    this place with a garage. It is very good at preventing condensation plus
    it reduces billowing as air can escape. The vents are covered by velcroed
    flaps.
    http://www.mandp.co.uk/home.aspx Product Code: 500088
     
    wessie, Nov 10, 2009
    #17
  18. Donnie

    Simon Wilson Guest

    Hardtop. ykims.
     
    Simon Wilson, Nov 10, 2009
    #18
  19. Donnie

    Pete Fisher Guest

    Unfortunately the proceeds of the Nordwest clearance sale won't run to a
    new mohair roof (plus fitting) *and* a hard top. As soon as early spring
    came I would take the hard top off anyway, and I had the roof down
    occasionally in February last year. I find the heater so effective given
    the small cabin that it gets perfectly comfy even without a hardtop.
    Though I suppose the hardtop protects the roof in heavy frost ? At least
    the cap keeps the windows free of ice, and if the weather does dry up a
    bit during the day and lure me out it's the work of seconds to remove it
    and stow it in the boot. The car has already got the frankenstein bolts
    and the other mounting bits, so I may keep an eye on Ebay.
    --
    +----------------------------------------------------------------+
    | Pete Fisher at Home: |
    | Voxan Roadster [ SPACE ! ] Yamaha WR250Z |
    | Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
    +----------------------------------------------------------------+
     
    Pete Fisher, Nov 10, 2009
    #19
  20. Donnie

    Donnie Guest

    TMack said:
    Dont think the neighbours would appreciate that in my allocates space
    somehow.
    I'd suffer their stares of disapproval if i had a nice bike worth more
    than a few grand but not a ?300 honda cb, a bike barn would double the
    price :)
     
    Donnie, Nov 10, 2009
    #20
    1. Advertisements

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.