Bike Covers
Harley ToolsDiscuss Bike Covers in the Harley Products & Services forums; As the riding season will soon be slowing down I am starting to think about what I need to do to store my Harley safely for the winter. I hate ...
As the riding season will soon be slowing down I am starting to think about what I need to do to store my Harley safely for the winter. I hate that thought but need to be ready.
What kind of bike covers work best in a garage with no heat? Or does it make any difference?
__________________ Jay Dee
The slowest fast guy on the road.
Seeing that we don't really have winter in Fl., I don't have to do any prep to the bike, but I do have some advice as far as a bike cover. When I first got my bike I bought a nice HD cover for it, elastic along the base to keep it snug, heat resistant stuff along the pipe area so you could throw it on if the pipes were still warm. I used it twice, what a pain in the... The elastic makes it a pain to get over the pegs, license plate, mirrors, fenders.etc.. Just get an old sheet or blanket and throw that over the bike, it is a lot easier to pull off and throw on the workbench!!!
Hammerhead just about took the words right out of my mouth..or keyboard,I guess.
I've got an FL with windsheild & saddle bags,etc..and just use 2 old twin-bed fitted sheets..one from front of gas tank to behind rear fender and one width-wise across the front of the bike. All you need them for indoors is "dust-covers"..noting that nothings going to keep humidity/condensation off your bike..and it's not like you'd have to worry about wind blowing them off unless your shelter is like REALLY drafty
Oh,yeah..and like Steel said..good coat of wax on paint,etc..and maybe the likes of WD-40 or vaseline on chrome stuff.
__________________ "If at first you don't succeed, try again...then swear"
Mark Twain
I found Wolf brand motorcycle covers at Walmart for a resonable price. They are breathable and have a softer material on the inside in various places to prevent any paint scratches. The bottom has elastic but it is not difficult to put on or take off. They come in various sizes depending on how big the bike may be.
The only thing is let the engine and pipes cool prior to putting the cover on to prevent melting the fabric.
I put mine on all the time even during the summer.
In winter i purchased a Harley Bubble and the bike goes in and no other cover is needed. The bubble has constant air circulating and no moisture buildup is possible. They are not cheap, but neither is my bike.
If my bike gets too dirty before i can clean it, i do not put the cover on so i don't get the inside of the cover dirty.
Try to get the bike tires off the ground in winter storage if possible to prevent flat spotting. If you can not get the tires clear of the floor, periodically (one a month) move the bike around to get it resting on another part of the tire.
One other thing, if you are storing on a concrete floor, either get a piece of 8x4 plywood to seperate the tires from the concrete or in my case i have a dedicated place in the garage for my bike all the time so i purchased the lock together flooring from Harley also 8x4, this keeps the bike and tires off the concrete floor. Remember concrete holds moisture.
Also connect your battery tender to your bike during storage to keeps battery fully charged. I use my tender after each ride even in summer. Will prolong the life of the battery and insure it always starts.
__________________ 2010 Tri-Glide Ultra Classic
Tallmadge, Ohio
Riding is everything... everything else is just waiting!
I've used a Wolf cover from Walmart (under $25 at the time) and it's worked just fine. I also recommend putting a bucket of Damp-Rid under the bike. It'll help collect any moisture that might not breathe through the cover.
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