To cover or not to cover...

[Brian Kay]

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...

What about a temporary storage unit, at a facility that rents them for $100/month?...it's only for 3 months tops, and would keep that spyder dry, and out of the elements.

[solidgranite]

Have you considered one of these?

http://www.thebikebarn.net/

For they money: they offer a lot of protection.

They look great, and they'd to a good job...except for 2 things: 1) we get some fairly strong winds here, and 2) the price is way too high for me. But thanks very much for the suggestion!

[solidgranite]

What about a temporary storage unit, at a facility that rents them for $100/month?...it's only for 3 months tops, and would keep that spyder dry, and out of the elements.

Yup, a rented storage unit would work just fine. I might not even need it for three months. I'm not concerned about the cold...just the ice and snow. I'll give them a call and see what their rates are. I don't need a BIG unit, just one with space to back in the Spyder, and electrical outlet to set up a battery tender. Thanks for the suggestion!

[JimVonBaden]

Yup, a rented storage unit would work just fine. I might not even need it for three months. I'm not concerned about the cold...just the ice and snow. I'll give them a call and see what their rates are. I don't need a BIG unit, just one with space to back in the Spyder, and electrical outlet to set up a battery tender. Thanks for the suggestion!

Unless they have a removable light bulb in the unit, you likely wont find many with power plugs. It is a fire hazard for them, and people tend to do stupid things in storage units. Maybe if it is designed for auto storage.

Check with your HD dealer. Lots of them do winter storage, probably less than $100 a month. They will also plug your bike in.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Yup, a rented storage unit would work just fine. I might not even need it for three months. I'm not concerned about the cold...just the ice and snow. I'll give them a call and see what their rates are. I don't need a BIG unit, just one with space to back in the Spyder, and electrical outlet to set up a battery tender. Thanks for the suggestion!

If it has a light , it probably is in a socket. If there is NO receptacle , just get an adapter that has the receptacle and the socket combined at the hardware store and screw that into the overhead socket.....now you have someplace to plug the maintainer into and keep the light bulb !!!! ....... Mike

[Bob Denman]

Just don't forget to leave the light on!
Plug in an LED bulb, if you want to try and maintain a lower power usage...

[JimVonBaden]

If it has a light , it probably is in a socket. If there is NO receptacle , just get an adapter that has the receptacle and the socket combined at the hardware store and screw that into the overhead socket.....now you have someplace to put the maintainer into and keep the light bulb !!!! ....... Mike

Sometimes. Many lit storage units use 12 volt lighting to reduce power consumption. Also, many are on a motion sensor, so even if 120V, no power to charge a battery unless you enter every 20 minutes.

[BigGuy66]

If it has a light , it probably is in a socket. If there is NO receptacle , just get an adapter that has the receptacle and the socket combined at the hardware store and screw that into the overhead socket.....now you have someplace to plug the maintainer into and keep the light bulb !!!! ....... Mike

... because my storage unit I'm renting doesn't have any receptacles or light bulbs and I haven't figured out a way to use the solar panel that Battery Tender makes because it would need to be outside and it would probably be stolen and/or covered in snow for a couple of months.... guess I'll just leave it and wait until spring to see if it starts again.
Jim

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

... because my storage unit I'm renting doesn't have any receptacles or light bulbs and I haven't figured out a way to use the solar panel that Battery Tender makes because it would need to be outside and it would probably be stolen and/or covered in snow for a couple of months.... guess I'll just leave it and wait until spring to see if it starts again.
Jim

.........Considering what a battery costs .... if the Spyder is put away for months .... I would take out the Battery ..... It's not that difficult ......... Mike

[cognaccruiser]

.........Considering what a battery costs .... if the Spyder is put away for months .... I would take out the Battery ..... It's not that difficult ......... Mike

Yes I have to agree with this. If plan A isn't working them move on to plan B.

Gary

[BigGuy66]

...because I never thought about taking the battery out and keeping it in my garage on a tender... About that taking the panels off.... it appears that some of the torx bolts have a center post or knob about where my knees are on the bike. Is there some kind of special tool to loosen those? My regular torx doesn't fit into the bolt because of that center post....
Jim

[40Xshooter]

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

Sounds like you're describing a 1/2 cover which covers the seat, windshield and trunk. It will let air circulate underneath it and keep crap off critical parts. I also park it over carpet with cardboard underneath the tires. This helps prevent concrete moisture from getting to parts that can pit. Can't really see the necessity to put it in the air.

[JimVonBaden]

...because I never thought about taking the battery out and keeping it in my garage on a tender... About that taking the panels off.... it appears that some of the torx bolts have a center post or knob about where my knees are on the bike. Is there some kind of special tool to loosen those? My regular torx doesn't fit into the bolt because of that center post....
Jim

Sounds like a security Torx. They have them cheap at Harbor Freight. I have a set.

[murphybrown]

... 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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I park Spyder (tires at least) on padding, usually carpet...but cardboard works also. I do not cover. I also make sure that I have done everything to prevent those nasty wire eating critters (mice, squirrels, etc etc etc) from taking up residence. Thank I throw an old clean sheet over only to help minimize the dust...nothing tight fitting...Put some Star tron in a full gas tank (unless you are able to use non ethanol gas..I'm not). Pat "Red" on his rump and say have a good winter...

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Sounds like a security Torx. They have them cheap at Harbor Freight. I have a set.

They are NOT REMOVEABLE - don't EVER touch them ..............Mike .................... I sent a warning PM to Big Guy 66 ........

[Bob Denman]

Leave them alone!!

[JimVonBaden]

They are NOT REMOVEABLE - don't EVER touch them ..............Mike .................... I sent a warning PM to Big Guy 66 ........

Correction, they ARE removable. Whether or not you should, I couldn't say. I was just answering what kind of Torx they are.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Correction, they ARE removable. Whether or not you should, I couldn't say. I was just answering what kind of Torx they are.

..Dear JVB, we all like to helpful here so I think you should REMOVE yours and report back what you learned .......... Dear BigGuy66 ...... I would really, really wait for JVB's report before you even think about touching them ...... .................... one of my motto's is "TRY NOT TO HARM ", ....Mike

[JimVonBaden]

..Dear JVB, we all like to helpful here so I think you should REMOVE yours and report back what you learned .......... Dear BigGuy66 ...... I would really, really wait for JVB's report before you even think about touching them ...... .................... one of my motto's is "TRY NOT TO HARM ", ....Mike

Yes,and some like to be smug! Repeat, I never said he should remove them, I was only telling him what kind of screws they are!

This is the second time you are like this, I suspect it is a normal thing for you!

[cognaccruiser]

Well there are some that are not supposed to be removed and are purely decorative. I guess someone can remove them if they wish. But removing them won't help with removing any Tupperware. This has been pretty well documented in the past.


Gary

[BigGuy66]

All warnings and advice heeded. I will NOT remove them. AND I also know WHY I shouldn't remove them. Glad I asked! Remember - I'm the guy that loosened the negative terminal under my seat and didn't have the thin bent 10 mm wrench and the skinny fingers to tighten it. I do listen.


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[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Yes,and some like to be smug! Repeat, I never said he should remove them, I was only telling him what kind of screws they are!

This is the second time you are like this, I suspect it is a normal thing for you!

That's like giving a 10 year old a very large firecracker and a lighter .....and after they blow their hand off stating ......WELL I DIDN'T TELL HIM TO LIGHT IT ....... .... I would put you on my IGNORE list , but I'm afraid I'll miss one of your Mis-leading posts ..... and not WARN people of the danger of your ignorance................ Mike

[Bob Denman]

Remember - I'm the guy that loosened the negative terminal under my seat and didn't have the thin bent 10 mm wrench and the skinny fingers to tighten it. I do listen.

If you think of those shiny "Security Torx" (Or whatever they're called), as another prank; like the one that the BRP engineers played on you with the terminals under the seat: you'll be okay...

I suspect that there's about two reasons to ever remove them:
Re-painting the entire bike
Complete panel removal and replacement

[JimVonBaden]

That's like giving a 10 year old a very large firecracker and a lighter .....and after they blow their hand off stating ......WELL I DIDN'T TELL HIM TO LIGHT IT ....... .... I would put you on my IGNORE list , but I'm afraid I'll miss one of your Mis-leading posts ..... and not WARN people of the danger of your ignorance................ Mike

Please do. There are better ways to give warnings than snarky and demeaning remarks. It is not necessary to try to demean someone's input when all you need to do is advise. I know your type. You know a lot, so figure you can say it any way you like, and assume everyone else is an ignorant fool!

I am not new to the internet, and know more about wrenching than most. Your attitude towards my comments is typical of people who are afraid that someone else might figure out they do not actually know it all.

Oh, and your advice to NOT use a torque wrench on the other thread, really?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Please do. There are better ways to give warnings than snarky and demeaning remarks. It is not necessary to try to demean someone's input when all you need to do is advise. I know your type. You know a lot, so figure you can say it any way you like, and assume everyone else is an ignorant fool!

I am not new to the internet, and know more about wrenching than most. Your attitude towards my comments is typical of people who are afraid that someone else might figure out they do not actually know it all.

Oh, and your advice to NOT use a torque wrench on the other thread, really?

Dear JVB, you have the right to your opinion.... and because it's the internet what you say doesn't have to be truthful .... and you can dis-avow any responsibility for anything anyone does that ends up badly ..... There are plenty of people today who have this attitude..... I'm not one of them ........ AND PLEASE .... do not send me any more NASTY - VITRIOLIC PM's or I will report you to the Administrator ........ Respectfully , Mike