Leaving parked in the open.

[zalanz]

I am struggling for space in my garage and thought of buying a cover to leave the bike outside all year. Anyone have experience of doing this?

[michaelphillips]

I am struggling for space in my garage and thought of buying a cover to leave the bike outside all year. Anyone have experience of doing this?

my scoot stays outside all year chained to a metal post with additional chains, i always use a cover that has two eyelets at the front and rear of scoot to run the chains thru and belly strap. that way they dont disappear with wind or theft, if on your drive way i would use anchors on pavement

[Waldorf]

Why use a cover? Cars, scooters, motorcycles, bicycles are meant to be out in all weathers.
My Silverwing is outside, uncovered all year round. The odd bolt-head shows signs of rust but a little grease or similar applied stops that.
Unless you physically dry every square inch of your scooter when you park it in the garage after it's been out in the rain it'll rust just as readily.
Regular washing and polishing protects.

[Data]

My Burgman 400z abs stood outside for the first 9 months of it's life in all sorts of rain including snow and freezing rain without any cover. At work we had no where to store the bikes but in the open car park. Didn't do it any harm. It always cleaned up like new and has never rusted. I am a bit fastidious about cleaning and protecting mind you. I waxoyled the frame and underparts and FS365'd everywhere else. I use super resin polish on all the shiny bits too.

[michaelphillips]

Why use a cover? Cars, scooters, motorcycles, bicycles are meant to be out in all weathers.
My Silverwing is outside, uncovered all year round. The odd bolt-head shows signs of rust but a little grease or similar applied stops that.
Unless you physically dry every square inch of your scooter when you park it in the garage after it's been out in the rain it'll rust just as readily.
Regular washing and polishing protects.

the intention of a cover is mainly to stop the passers by from fiddling .. you know what young kids are like, in my mind prevention is better than cure

[alphacrust]

You'll use a cover for a few months whilst the weather is good and it's not too much of a hassle putting it on. Give it a few rainy days and a desire to get inside before you get p*ss wet and you'll soon realise it's more hassle than it's worth!

[gn2]

You'll use a cover for a few months whilst the weather is good and it's not too much of a hassle putting it on. Give it a few rainy days and a desire to get inside before you get p*ss wet and you'll soon realise it's more hassle than it's worth!

So true.
I persevered with the cover on my new Forza for a few months but one the snow stopped the cover got put away.

[johnp]

All my bikes stayed outside, just had a good quality cover and ground anchor

[Black Wing]

I cleaned mine last week and left the cover off. Two days later it was covered in yellow sticky flowers from my neighbour's Lime Trees. Also had Seagull shit on the cover in the past- better on the cover than on the bike in my view!

[Waldorf]

The OP didn't specify the location of his parked scooter; there are neither 'passers-by' nor trees exuding sticky stuff in the courtyard of the flats in which I live. Seagulls would have to mimic Harrier jump-jets in the Falklands if they wanted to score hits on my scooter as it's parked very close to the wall of the building. I answered within the bounds of my experience.