Tarp or No Tarp?

[solidgranite]

My 2012 RT SE5 has to spend all year outdoors. I have no garage or place to keep it out of the weather. My question is: should I wrap the Spyder in a tarp during the worst winter months when I can't ride it, or should I leave it "exposed"? Someone told me that tarping it would lock in the moisture, and cause rust faster than leaving it exposed. I know I could buy a Spyder "cover" for it, but that doesn't completely enclose the bike...just most of it. With a tarp and bungees, I could totally enclose the bike. Anybody got any advice of this issue?

I'm in NC so winters are usually pretty mild, but we do get some ice and snow, and temps below freezing. I keep the Spyder hooked to a battery tender all year long, even though the battery is only a year old. If the temps are above freezing, and there's no ice on the road, I'll take it for a ride. A "horse trailer" would probably do the trick. I could cover up all the windows and openings, and make a ramp for entry and exit. The challenge is the Spyder's width...and my landlord may not allow me to put a horse trailer on the property. Same with a large wooden crate... The storage facilities are an option, but I don't have the $$$ for the monthly rent.

[2dogs]

Factory cover will cover the entire spyder and still allow it to breathe. The cover has vents that will allow moisture to vent out. Research some other covers that are much like a tent-style cover that will help to overcome the moisture problem. Good luck finding what you need.

[JayBros]

I agree with 2dogs but what I would do is, if you actually swear off riding during the coldest months I'd rent a self-storage bay large enough to hold it, put some Stabil in the gas tank with a full load of nonethanol gas and lock it up.

[Deanna777]

Factory cover will cover the entire spyder and still allow it to breathe. The cover has vents that will allow moisture to vent out. Research some other covers that are much like a tent-style cover that will help to overcome the moisture problem. Good luck finding what you need.

The factory covers also have: integrated exhaust panel, and protective flannel windshield liner, 300 denier polyester water repellent, they attach very easy with clips.


Deanna

[K80Shooter]

Park it in a storage locker? I know guy's that do this with boats up on Reelfoot lake.

[trong]

Tarp is for temporary cover only and it might scratch your paint. For your Spyder I would get a cover made of 300 denier fabric by one of reputable companies to cover it up, long term or short term. There are plenty of them sold online for around $100 or so. The OEM Can-am cover is a little pricey at $250. What I do is cover the windshield with a large trash bag before i put on the cover to prevent windshield get scratches, done that for years and windshields keep looking like new.

Cheers!

[canamjhb]

Exposed to the weather?....no. Enclosed in a non-breathable tarp?..... no. Choose to do something else or you will do harm to your bike. And, it probably won't be cheap to fix. Good luck..... Jim

[MrMagicFingers]

Exposed to the weather?....no. Enclosed in a non-breathable tarp?..... no. Choose to do something else or you will do harm to your bike. And, it probably won't be cheap to fix. Good luck..... Jim

Your going to have a bill at the end of this regardless... a bill for storage in a "U-Store" place or a bill for damage that you will NEED to get fixed. Having critters finding a place to winter under the Spyder skin will be costly when they start chewing on wires and such. Rusting of the frame and damage to the paint etc from chaffing of the cover plus a dozen others things.

Don't try to cheap out. You will regret it.

Tim

[Steve W.]

One other thing to consider: IF you cover it with a tarp, can you GUARANTEE that there will be no wind flapping it around? A moving tarp is at least as good as 200-grit sandpaper on a painted finish. Also consider that the finish on a Spyder does not seem to be as durable as most other automotive finishes, so it's even MORE vulnerable.

.

[RICZ]

I'm with the self storage guys here. Another benefit not mentioned is that many of those have an electrical outlet that can be used for a Battery Tender. Not having to replace your battery saves you well over $100.
Whatever you do, DO NOT start a hibernating bike unless you are going for at least a half hour ride.

[Plarimer]

If you leave it outside unattended either with a tarp, cover or out in the open, animals will make the nest within the body of your ride. Trust me I bought mine from my estate sale that had sat outside are all winter covered with a company cover. I found nuts, nest and other debris all throughout the body. Luckily they didn’t eat the wiring. I agree with the above to spend a little bit more and get some inside storage.

[JayBros]

RICZ added two important points I neglected to mention regarding the electric outlet and not starting a hibernating bike. Check your county building code because some do NOT allow electric receptacles in them because people try to live in them and cook on hot plates.

[Bfromla]

Maybe good time for investment of enclosed trailer as bike garage & good in case need for transport also for consideration
http://www.thebikebarn.net/ sorry not in hibernation area to know more just info from notes found here.

[Deanna777]

My 2012 RT SE5 has to spend all year outdoors. I have no garage or place to keep it out of the weather. My question is: should I wrap the Spyder in a tarp during the worst winter months when I can't ride it, or should I leave it "exposed"? Someone told me that tarping it would lock in the moisture, and cause rust faster than leaving it exposed. I know I could buy a Spyder "cover" for it, but that doesn't completely enclose the bike...just most of it. With a tarp and bungees, I could totally enclose the bike. Anybody got any advice of this issue?

I live in a state my spyder hibernates in the winter( Off topic I m on my sled when the sledding season starts) back on Topic, let your insurance company know for insurance purposes. Put a full cover on it. and be sure to put on a battery tender, change the oil, and hope for a short winter!


Deanna

[2dogs]

My spyder resides in her own wooden almost air-tight garage with a tender hooked to her. I visit her a couple of times a week and check the mouse traps I set underneath. Generally, we have a warm spell at least once a season and when that comes along I give her about a 30-mile stretch just to keep her happy and everything turning as it should. Then I fill her up with Chevron or Shell and put her back to sleep to await springtime.

[Plarimer]

Put Irish Spring soap under the chassis. Little varmints hate it.

[ARtraveler]

Another vote for an actual cover made for the Spyder. Much better than a tarp. Storage is a better option, but you have to make that decision.

The suggestion about NOT starting a hibrenating bike is also good. If you are going to fire it up, make sure you do at least a half hour RIDE so that the fluids get well circulated. Idling only does not do it good enough.

[K80Shooter]

One of those small shipping container's are perfect for a storage shed.

[WDAVEY]

I don't know about Can-Am dealers, but many Harley dealers will store your bike indoors over the winter with battery tenders IF you get an oil change, or new tires or some other service to keep their techs employed during the off season. Might be worth a phone call.

[solidgranite]

Put Irish Spring soap under the chassis. Little varmints hate it.

Really??? Never even considered that...LOL But if it keeps varmints away, I'll do it!

[pidjones]

Unless you are in one of the high altitude Western regions of NC, you should have plenty of periods available to ride year-round! Just get some heated gear and go for it!

[duke50]

I have a like new BRP full cover that I need to sell only used a few times. pm if interested.

[Plarimer]

Really??? Never even considered that...LOL But if it keeps varmints away, I'll do it!

Used it for probably 30 years. Works really well on cars.

[K80Shooter]

Used it for probably 30 years. Works really well on cars.

I never used Irish Spring either, which fragrance?

I do keep moth balls in vented containers around and on both my tractor and lawn mower during the winter and that works for me. Before I started this I had to remove vole, mice and chipmunk nest's from my mower yearly plus repair the wiring.

[PapaHotel]

Maybe good time for investment of enclosed trailer as bike garage & good in case need for transport also for consideration
http://www.thebikebarn.net/ sorry not in hibernation area to know more just info from notes found here.

I have a 12 ft enclosed utility trailer. The R/t wouldn't fit, but my F3 will. It is just as good as a garage because it is sealed from all of the moisture found in either rainy or snowy seasons.