Bike Cover?!?!?

[mkaczmarek]

Well, I wasn't sure how to classify my questions, I guess it could easily go under GS Owners, or Tips & Tricks...hmmmmmmmmm, I guess since it deals mostly with preserving the Appearance of the bike I'll post it here.

I has a 1979 GS1000E and want to get myself a good quality Bike Cover to keep it from getting covered with dust when it sits in the garage. We have fresh concrete that was poured just last year and it hasn't been sealed yet, so its more dusty than usual.

I stopped by my local Suzuki Dealer and they had some for $140USD which in my opinion is STEEEEEEEEEEP.

I think I'd be willing to spend up to about half that for a nice bike cover.

Basically I wanted to see what users here have and if they're happy with the products.

What should I stay away or watch out for (perhaps poor quality, bad stitching or poor quality material).

Also, Fit wise, it would be nice to buy a bike cover that fits properly.

All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

==================================================
1979 GS1000E

"NEVER MESS WITH A GS"
"The less you know, the more you believe."
"We thought that we had the answers, it was the questions we had wrong."

[lord1234]

I just picked up a guardian brand cover from DennisKirk for 35 bux...

[mkaczmarek]

I just picked up a guardian brand cover from DennisKirk for 35 bux...

How's the material and stitch quality and overall fit on the GS? btw, what bike do you have? what size did you get?

[mkaczmarek]

No One Has A Bike Cover?!?!?

I was expecting a few more responses I guess...but is the lack of responses due to pretty much nobody having a "retail" bike cover? I was considering buying material and sewing it myself, I can handle a sewing machine and it should be a rather easy job. Any suggestions for type of material etc?


==================================================
1979 GS1000E

"NEVER MESS WITH A GS"
"The less you know, the more you believe."
"We thought that we had the answers, it was the questions we had wrong."

[lord1234]

Stitching is great...I got the one that fit the GS450 for my GS400, and it fits great...check out dennis kirk...you probably want the "Large" size cover for yours, but if you look at Fitment they will show where your bike fits in terms of size.

btw: it has rained the last 2 days...and my bike is nice and dry

[bgmart450]

We got 2 small Nelson Riggs covers somewhere around 35$ a piece or so. We used to have to park on the street and I had my plate stolen so we got them so we could lock them.

The covers are pretty darn good, I haven't had any complaints about them, they kept out rain and snow no problem (and lazy vandals).

[Jethro]

I have a Dowco that cost about $65. It's really nice. I don't know how the other companies fit, but the med. fits my 1100E perfect. Can't imagine what the XL fits, even a Goldwing could swim in there I imagine.

[Mysuzyq]

Mkaz, check out Walmart....I got a decent cover there (medium) for around $30.00 CAD....if you need a cover for a garaged bike, it does'nt need to be anything fancy (though I have no complaints about the Wally covers quality). I had a similar problem, except that the offending material in this case was sawdust, from wood working etc.


Tony.

[mkaczmarek]

Thanks guys, now I know that MEDIUM should be good enough in my case, I figured I'd need some kind of "X/XX/XXX/L" good I asked.

I do have a "GS1000S" type fairing and mirrors (duh). but I guess Medium should do just fine.

I'll update once I get the cover.

[KGB]

Thanks guys, now I know that MEDIUM should be good enough in my case, I figured I'd need some kind of "X/XX/XXX/L" good I asked.

I do have a "GS1000S" type fairing and mirrors (duh). but I guess Medium should do just fine.

I'll update once I get the cover.

Whatever cover you get, make sure it has cotton or some nice cloth
so it doesn't scratch the windshield.
I have a Nelson Rigg, xl I think it said touring on it, as it came with cloth stitched in for the windshield on my 1000S.
Very good quality, haevy weight, water proof, about 65-70 bucks
3 years no rips or tears.

[bgmart450]

Yeah I like the cloth insides for the front of the bike on the Nelson Riggs.

On a somewhat related note... what would be a good way to clean a cover? One of mine had some oil drip on it pretty bad a while back. Sprayed a good majority of it off, but I was wondering if there was a way to get them cleaner without destroying it.

[lord1234]

realistically I don't think you can...short of buying another one...

[mkaczmarek]

Did you consider taking it to a dry cleaner and asking how much it would cost and if it would be cleaned up well? Worth a try I figure.

[mach]

I have a Dowco Weather-All for my Roadie. It was like $50 ish from MAW.
The door on my garage has not been able to close since the 1950's (don't ask).
Anyway, it does a great job protecting the bike and keeping all the bird poop off it!

The GS usually lives in the cellar for the winter......

[LHO39]

Nelson Riggs covers

I bought two of these covers and they are great. My comment though is about size. For mid-size naked bikes the Large is good however I have a luggage rack and travel trunk on my little GS300L. For that the XL is much better. (I bought one of each.) Anyone with bags, a trunk and a windshield or fairing better get the XXL.