What cover do you have?

I do not have a garage and have two bikes that have been outside under less than ideal covers. I want to buy a proper bike cover so the HOA won't say that I am storing "Stuff" on the driveway.

I was looking at this one since they have a $10 off coupon: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200327036_200327036?isSearch=450352

Does anybody have this one? Is it any good? What do you garage-less owners use?

 

i used one a few times at work, we have a community cover, and found in the hot summer sun you could bake a cake under it. i think the bike was hotter with it than without it. i know the battery, tci, reg, and coils were. That one looks good for over night but for the daytime something like this might be better
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1473/i/nelson-rigg-uv-2000-half-cover

 

You could always move to where you have free will in regards to what is in your driveway. . . . no cover needed, and if it needs to be covered toss a tarp over it.

My parents condo association wouldn't allow pickups to be parked overnight on the driveway - I will NEVER understand that. . . . .

 

The truth is that a lot of people complains about HOAs until they have to sell their home and realize that having a well maintained neighborhood increases property value and makes it more attractive to home buyers.

 

We don't have a HOA where I live... well, I guess I'm my own HOA...... anyway, we do have a zoning officer though. The previous one was a piece of work...........he stopped by one day with an unfounded, and outright wrong complaint. I told him and showed him so, but he didn't take to kindly to being corrected so he decided to show me his pistol in a quiet-but-obviously-hinting-at-a-threat way. Well, I kept him locked in an eye-to-eye stare and said in a calm, level, and very steady flat voice, "if you wanna show me your pistol, I'll show you my rifle"........he let his shirt drift back shut and got in his truck. Haven't seen him here in many years.

 

Not sure of the best way to go when no garage is available. Just wanted to comment that I aged my xj considerably when I stored it on my back patio temporarily with what I considered was a decent cover. I believe the problem in my situation was ventilation, and like the cover you posted it states it reduces moisture through ventilation, but reducing may not be enough. So, whichever way you go make sure adequate ventilation is a priority. Also, coating some of the parts while in storage might be a good idea to reduce corrosion. It has been a while, but what I most remember in the few months I stored my bike on the patio was the chrome, plated parts, and clear coated aluminum seemed to suffer the most.

 

You go Dave!

 

I'm afraid of Americans!lol A zoning officer gets a gun! Up here they're lucky to have a clipboard! Also, how the heck does owning a pickup decrease property value? Cadillac and Lincoln make them now... And those "Harley Davidson" Fords... not "low rent" vehicles!

 

Be afraid... Be VERY afraid-----

 

I use this: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1425/i/nelson-rigg-deluxe-all-season-cover?WT.ac=SLIsearch
I like it for winter storage, but then I have a shed (leaky) that the bike goes in when the garden tractor is on snow duty.
I would think that a cover might lead to the HOA officers thinking that you are just storing the bike and not riding it.
For something long term I would look into a small shelter like this: http://speedwayshelters.com/index.php
Add a pellet dehumidifier and you will have something that's almost as good as a garage.


As far s HOAs go: I've never lived in one, and never had problems with property values. If I see that a neighbor has a mess I assume it's because they need help with storage or cleanup, and offer to do so.

The HOA is symbolic of the great american dichotomy: Freedom first, so long as it's the sort of freedom that I approve of.

 

The guy down the block from me uses this cover.
http://www.bikebandit.com/riding-ge...ansport/covers/ultragard-classic-medium-cover
I only see him riding away. If the opportunity arises I will ask him if he is happy with it - he covers his bike every night for about 7 months out of the year, on the street. I ass-u-me that in the winter it gets squeezed in the garage.

 

In my opinion the most destructive issue with storing outside is trapped moisture under the cover. As long as the cover allows the bike to dry totally after a rain then it should be fine. Parking on concrete is definitely better than parking on the lawn or dirt which are constantly releasing water vapor.