To cover or not to cover...

[BigGuy66]

... that is the question. Gonna store the ryde for the winter. Should I put the full cover on, the half cover on, or no cover on? It will be in a storage unit with no heat and concrete floor.
Jim


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[Saluda]

I leave the cover off, similar storage set up. Stays clean where I have it, like the air circulating.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I leave the cover off, similar storage set up. Stays clean where I have it, like the air circulating.

Don't cover ....Air circulating is a good thing.... dust etc can easily be washed in the spring ..... I think you should put something on the seats , trunk , windshield ( put Saran wrap & plastic because of bird droppings ) to prevent cats etc from nesting on the bike. Moth balls under ..........good luck ...... Mike

[Bob Denman]

I don't cover mine.
My reasoning: If you create an enclosed, dark place: unwanted critters will find it.
It's easy enough to wash the dust off at the start of the next riding season anyway!

[BigGuy66]

... i will not cover the ryde. Thanks for the experienced answers. Now - who can I get to come to my storage unit and wash the dust off in the spring?
Jim

[pegasus1300]

I will do it for Air Fare. I haven't been ti Indiana in a while.

[JimVonBaden]

I'll buck the trend, a little bit. I would cover it with an old sheet on it loosely. Plenty of air, but it keeps settling dust off. Though dust washes off, it still damages the pain and draws moisture out of plastics.

[Bob Denman]

I'll buck the trend, a little bit. I would cover it with an old sheet on it loosely. Plenty of air, but it keeps settling dust off. Though dust washes off, it still damages the pain and draws moisture out of plastics.

It can only damage the paint, if you run your hand over it...
Don't do that, and everything is fine!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I'll buck the trend, a little bit. I would cover it with an old sheet on it loosely. Plenty of air, but it keeps settling dust off. Though dust washes off, it still damages the pain and draws moisture out of plastics.

Did you read / see this on the Internet ??? ....... if so it must be TRUE ....... Mike

[Firefly]

Not sure on the covering vs. not as I ride mine year round or am working on it so no cover hear.. but mine is in heated storage.

Two things to consider when storing:

1. Battery tender it if you can.
2. Jack it up with an ATV jack from the middle just enough to get the tires off the ground. The stock tires are 2-ply crap and you might end up with some flat spots if you don't jack it up.
3. (I know it's more than 2) Fill the tank full to keep as much air out as possible, put some kind of fuel stabilizer and run it for a bit.

[Chupaca]

If you are in an enclosed area there is no need to cover it. As mentioned the critters love the covered dark spaces with maybe a little heat and soft humming from that battery tender....

[JimVonBaden]

Did you read / see this on the Internet ??? ....... if so it must be TRUE ....... Mike

No,it is personal experience. But if being snotty and condescending makes you feel like a big man,then go right ahead.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Dear JimVonBaden......you obviously didn't see the humor in my post and it was intended to be HUMOROUS..... that's what the laughing emoticons ( ) indicate !!! ....... Sorry if it ruffled your feathers ....... Mike

[Tango]

I vote no cover. Tom

[JimVonBaden]

Dear JimVonBaden......you obviously didn't see the humor in my post and it was intended to be HUMOROUS..... that's what the laughing emoticons ( ) indicate !!! ....... Sorry if it ruffled your feathers ....... Mike

My apologies IF that was intended as humor.

[oldguyinTX]

No cover, but dryer sheets under the seat (changed weekly), steel wool in the exhaust, and Peppermint spray under and around the Spyder when I change the dryer sheets. Lots of mice here, even in my garage. Nasty little buggers, they love to chew on stuff, make nests & more mice. So far three winters and no problems. Oh, and a battery tender too.

[solidgranite]

I'm in northeast NC, and we do get a bit of winter every year...freezing temps, along with some ice and snow. I have no indoor space available for the Spyder, and not even a paved driveway. It'll be parked on the lawn (on a level spot). I have an old car cover that's long and wide enough to fully cover the bike, and its "breathable". I can easily cinch it on with bungies. I can run it every few days and move it around to avoid flat spots on the tires, but there will be periods of time when it'll get covered with snow and/or ice. Should I cover it or not?

A biker friend suggested that I buy a one-car sized covered trailer to put it in for the winter, but I can't afford it. It's going to be outside all winter...

[Bob Denman]

Have you considered one of these?

http://www.thebikebarn.net/

For they money: they offer a lot of protection.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I'm in northeast NC, and we do get a bit of winter every year...freezing temps, along with some ice and snow. I have no indoor space available for the Spyder, and not even a paved driveway. It'll be parked on the lawn (on a level spot). I have an old car cover that's long and wide enough to fully cover the bike, and its "breathable". I can easily cinch it on with bungies. I can run it every few days and move it around to avoid flat spots on the tires, but there will be periods of time when it'll get covered with snow and/or ice. Should I cover it or not?

A biker friend suggested that I buy a one-car sized covered trailer to put it in for the winter, but I can't afford it. It's going to be outside all winter...

This is what almost everyone does over-nite if it's going to rain and they are at an event ..... It's temporary , don't sweat it ...... It won't be hurt by short term weather ......jmho, Mike

[youngers]

... i will not cover the ryde. Thanks for the experienced answers. Now - who can I get to come to my storage unit and wash the dust off in the spring?
Jim

what part of north central Indiana ? I am near Louisville ky !

[geoshmo]

I have an enclosed trailer that both Spyders go into for the winter. It is rodent proof and also dust proof so I do not cover the Spyders. I do use a battery tender but that is all I do.

[cuznjohn]

i never covered any of my bikes.

[BigGuy66]

There is no electricity at my unit - any options to use a battery tender or something else?


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[JimVonBaden]

There is no electricity at my unit - any options to use a battery tender or something else?


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If it will definitely sit several months, just pull it out and charge it at home.

[Firefly]

Battery Tender has some solar options.....

http://www.batterytender.com/Solar/