Opinions on long-term driveway/outside parking?

Hello all... after lurking the boards, I'm interested in maybe getting a Spyder. I haven't test ridden one yet, so I don't even know if I'd want it, but I have a much more immediate concern: namely, how suitable/durable is the Spyder for parking outside?

My situation: Washington DC area, with DC weather (~40 degree rainy winters and ~90 degree humid summers). I don't have a garage, only an asphalt driveway without a carport. I could possibly install a vehicle tent in the back of the driveway, but that's not an ideal solution for me or my neighborhood. So, realistically, I'd have to keep a Spyder outside 24/7, protected by a regular ol' tarp when parked.

Now, I've had no issues doing this with cheap-ish bikes (duallys and 250cc touring bikes)-- take the tarp off, inspect head to toe, and ride off. Spend more time babying after a winter, but it's not like I've ever kept any of those bikes for longer than a 2-3 years.

Alas, the Spyder is significantly more complex than those bikes, and NOT a cheap vehicle-- i.e., I'd like to keep one for the long haul in as best shape as I possibly can.

I think as a practical matter I'd store the Spyder over the DC winter (Nov-Feb), either at a dealer location or a friend's garage. But the rest of the year, I'd like to have it on hand out in my driveway (otherwise, what's the point?).

So, good idea? Or is it an unavoidably bad idea, i.e. don't bother buying one? I'm not buying a new house with a garage anytime soon, so I'm interested in any options/tips folks might have...

Thanks!

Any vehicle stored day after day, under those conditions, will suffer. If less than perfect paint, and deteriorating rubber bother you, you will be unhappy. You have lived with what this type of storage does, before though, so I think you can accept the inevitable difficulties.

You might want to consider the BRP Outdoor Storage Cover, instead of a tarp. It fits snugly, fastens securely, is durable, and has soft material inside to keep from scratching the windshield. As another alternative, you could consider a trike model Bike Barn.

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Originally Posted by daveinva

Hello all... after lurking the boards, I'm interested in maybe getting a Spyder. I haven't test ridden one yet, so I don't even know if I'd want it, but I have a much more immediate concern: namely, how suitable/durable is the Spyder for parking outside?

My situation: Washington DC area, with DC weather (~40 degree rainy winters and ~90 degree humid summers). I don't have a garage, only an asphalt driveway without a carport. I could possibly install a vehicle tent in the back of the driveway, but that's not an ideal solution for me or my neighborhood. So, realistically, I'd have to keep a Spyder outside 24/7, protected by a regular ol' tarp when parked.

Now, I've had no issues doing this with cheap-ish bikes (duallys and 250cc touring bikes)-- take the tarp off, inspect head to toe, and ride off. Spend more time babying after a winter, but it's not like I've ever kept any of those bikes for longer than a 2-3 years.

Alas, the Spyder is significantly more complex than those bikes, and NOT a cheap vehicle-- i.e., I'd like to keep one for the long haul in as best shape as I possibly can.

I think as a practical matter I'd store the Spyder over the DC winter (Nov-Feb), either at a dealer location or a friend's garage. But the rest of the year, I'd like to have it on hand out in my driveway (otherwise, what's the point?).

So, good idea? Or is it an unavoidably bad idea, i.e. don't bother buying one? I'm not buying a new house with a garage anytime soon, so I'm interested in any options/tips folks might have...

Thanks!

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:welcome:
If i were in your shoes' I would get the Spyder And the cover made for the Spyder, Get fire and theft insurance, and have fun riding it. It's not a delicate machine it can handle being out side. Go for it :thumbup:
If you don't you'll miss out on a whole new riding experience.:clap:

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Originally Posted by NancysToy

You might want to consider the BRP Outdoor Storage Cover, instead of a tarp. It fits snugly, fastens securely, is durable, and has soft material inside to keep from scratching the windshield. As another alternative, you could consider a trike model Bike Barn.

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I figured on an "official" cover that actually fits like a glove, but I'm now kicking myself about the "trike barn"-- I've seen those before for motorcycles, why the heck did I not think that, gee, maybe they make those for trikes, too? D'oh!

Hmmm...

Or a nice shed with double doors painted to match your house.:thumbup: They are wind and weather proof. Bit on the expensive side though.

[QUOTE=M2Wild;292044]Or a nice shed with double doors painted to match your house.:thumbup: QUOTE]
:agree: and :welcome: :2thumbs:

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Originally Posted by NancysToy

Any vehicle stored day aftyer day, under those conditions, will suffer. If less than perfect paint, and deteriorating rubber bother you, you will be unhappy. You have lived with what this type of storage does, before though, so I think you can accept the inevitable difficulties.

You might want to consider the BRP Outdoor Storage Cover, instead of a tarp. It fits snugly, fastens securely, is durable, and has soft material inside to keep from scratching the windshield. As another alternative, you could consider a trike model Bike Barn.

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I agree. We do not have a closed garage for our Spyders either, but the BRP Outdoor covers are doing an excellent job of protecting them so far. And I do not let dirt or moisture stay on them either. When I get home, I wipe the machine down and cover it up. So far it's working very well.

Having said that, if I were in your position I would absolutely look into the bike barn solution. For a Spyder that is going to be truly exposed, IMO you can't ask for better protection that doesn't involve erecting a hard enclosure of some sort. :thumbup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NancysToy

Any vehicle stored day aftyer day, under those conditions, will suffer. If less than perfect paint, and deteriorating rubber bother you, you will be unhappy. You have lived with what this type of storage does, before though, so I think you can accept the inevitable difficulties.

You might want to consider the BRP Outdoor Storage Cover, instead of a tarp. It fits snugly, fastens securely, is durable, and has soft material inside to keep from scratching the windshield. As another alternative, you could consider a trike model Bike Barn.

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I just purchased a :spyder:RTs this past fall and take delivery of it this spring and I have a situation similar to yours. During the winter months I will pay for indoor storage and have my dealer prep it for winter storage and store in his indoor storage area. When spring arrives he will get :spyder:out of storage and get :spyder:ready to ride. I will be buying an outdoor Storage cover from BRP part #219400173 and covering :spyder:when not in use. This cover will breath and a tarp will not. I would have bought a trike barn as Scotty has mentioned but it is a little big for my backyard patio as :spyder:will be kept behind my locked gate when not in use. I always spend the money to buy a good cover and pay for indoor off season storage for all my toys and the toys have seemed to looked good for a long time, also when I go to sell them I have no problem in selling them or getting a descent price for them too.:thumbup:

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Originally Posted by boborgera

:welcome:
If i were in your shoes' I would get the Spyder And the cover made for the Spyder, Get fire and theft insurance, and have fun riding it. It's not a delicate machine it can handle being out side. Go for it :thumbup:
If you don't you'll miss out on a whole new riding experience.:clap:

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:agree:+1

:welcome: Hope you get a :spyder2: !

My wife and I both own :spyder: RT-S's and keep them under a "carport". We keep them both covered when we're not ryding. So far, so good!

Like others have said - a breathable UV protecting cover is the way to go, and you should be fine. Do not use a tarp, which traps in moisture. Mine spends the winter in my garage with an ATV cover on it (which actually fits pretty well, and was about 1/3 the cost of an official Spyder cover). But I've stored vehicles outside during the winter (in harsher climates than DC) before with car covers and they do fine. The snow don't really hurt them - it's the road salt that kills vehicles.

BTW - in my experience, unless you find some special Spyder event, it's hard to get a test-drive on one (or any motorcycle, for that matter). I had to make a leap of faith and buy mine without ever having driven one. My first two hours of riding (in parking lots and just around the block) I was terrified and thought I had made a mistake. I especially had a problem with accidentally throttling up during tight turns at low speeds (such as turning into driveways). It's a gutsy motor, and if move your wrist too much while extending your arms... Anyway, once I fugured that out, I felt much more comfortable. By 10 hrs logged in the saddle I was hooked. Good luck!

I am in the same boat here & use the outside cover yr around. the last 2 yrs the brp cover is in need of replacing-small holes. I am looking into Nelson Rigg covers-both full and half ones instead of brp. costs less to.

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Originally Posted by Brunswick

BTW - in my experience, unless you find some special Spyder event, it's hard to get a test-drive on one (or any motorcycle, for that matter)......

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:hun: I don't know about the specific dealers around you, but if you have the proper endorsement, most dealers offer demo rides. Without an endorsement, you may be relegated to the parking lot or practice course, just like you are if you go to the demo truck at a Spyder event.

Hello. I bought my Spyder this summer & have kept it outside covered with the full-length BRP cover. That's not long enough to give an informed opinion. The cover does a great job of keeping snow, ice, dust etc off the bike.
On reason I do this is because I ride every chance I can all year long. My part of NY gets a fair amount of snow & ice during winter. I won't ride in those conditions, the Spyder isn't meant for that. I probably will have 500-600 miles during the winter season. I have done this with 2-wheelers for about ten years, keeping me sane during the dark time of the year. I never encountered problems with them outside. After rides I do go to the car wash to rinse off salt.
Anyway I went a little off the mark. Good luck no matter your decision. Welcome to the Spyder community

If you have the room, and can afford it a drop ramp cargo motorcycle trailer is another possible option. It would be like having a mobile garage, and your Spyder is locked up. I have 6' x 12', it's tight but it works.

Thanks everyone for the advice, and the warm welcomes!

It may be a while before I can get one-- in fact, depending on how kind my Uncle Sam is to me this tax season, I might not even be able to do it this year. :( That said, I've seen some Spyders for rent around town, I will definitely jump at that when the time is right (I tend not to trust demo rides / test drives, I'm a REAL picky buyer, but having a weekend's worth of experience would do the trick).

Anyway, I'll definitely be looking into the Trike Barn option (can't build a shed on the side of my house, alas, but the barn will do nicely, and leave me enough space to get back and forth to my backyard).

BTW, checking out their website, they have a heater accessory for sale... anyone ever use one? Humidity can be an evil thing around these here parts, but wonder if such a thing is overkill.

Use the spyder cover during the riding season and come winter rent a space at a storage garage. Just an idea.

I bought a 8' wide 10' deep plastic shed from home depot for less then $900 Then i ran electricity out to it for my battery tender, lights etc. [figure it paid for it self in about a year]

I too had consider the shed. However, the uptight folks who wrote the restriction and covenants in my neighborhood don't allow sheds unless it matches the house. Additionally, a shed has to be approved by the architect committee. :gaah:

Just looked up Bike Barn. They have one to fit the RT. Cost is very reasonable.


http://www.thebikebarn.net/can_am_sp...ter_cover.html

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Originally Posted by daveinva

I have a much more immediate concern: namely, how suitable/durable is the Spyder for parking outside?

My situation: Washington DC area, with DC weather (~40 degree rainy winters and ~90 degree humid summers). I don't have a garage, only an asphalt driveway without a carport. I could possibly install a vehicle tent in the back of the driveway, but that's not an ideal solution for me or my neighborhood. So, realistically, I'd have to keep a Spyder outside 24/7, protected by a regular ol' tarp when parked.


So, good idea? Or is it an unavoidably bad idea, i.e. don't bother buying one? I'm not buying a new house with a garage anytime soon, so I'm interested in any options/tips folks might have...

Thanks!

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Dave,
I live just south of Old Town in an apartment building. I cover the bike if there is inclement weather coming, and wiped off a little bit of frost from the seat this morning before riding into the District.

Bottom line: Get a cover and enjoy the bike.

Have been utilizing the BRP Outdoor Cover since the day I got my :f_spider: in June 08. I do have access to a cover porch that the I drive the :f_spider: on to when the weather is bad. Otherwise it stays on the driveway - under the cover. I have had no issues other than normal wear and maintenance. :f_spider: runs well and still looks good. Of course I wish I had a gargare to put FANG in but alas money and room to construct an issue.

:2thumbs: For the Bike(Trike) Barn. I used mine for two years until the Spyder got a spot in the carport. It is so much more convenient than the outdoor cover when you are home.

I think Tom in NM was the first to store his Spyder in a Bike Barn.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=15160