To cover or not to cover...

[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/

 

[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]

Too Pricey For Me

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]

That Would Work

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]

POWER PLUG / RECEPTICLE

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 !!!! :yes::yes::yes:....... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Just don't forget to leave the light on! :thumbup:
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 !!!! :yes::yes::yes:....... Mike :thumbup:

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]

Still can't get electrical to battery tender...

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 !!!! :yes::yes::yes:....... Mike :thumbup:

... 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]

Well Then

... 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 :thumbup:

 

[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 :thumbup:

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

Gary

 

[BigGuy66]

Again - this is why I love these forums....

...because I never thought about taking the battery out and keeping it in my garage on a tender... :banghead: :bowdown: 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.... :dontknow:
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 :thumbup:

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... :banghead: :bowdown: 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.... :dontknow:
Jim

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

 

[murphybrown]

For me with similar storage situation

... 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...:thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

THOSE SO-CALLED SECURITY TORX

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

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