WATERPROOF cover recommendations

[Guest]

I have a Walmart cover, which is anything but waterproof. Any recommendations for a good, waterproof cover? Considering a Dowco Guardian, which is a little pricey, but worth it to me to keep the bike dry.

[dorkburger]

My Dowco lasted for about 10 years or so. Maybe half of that time was spent outdoors on the bike during the spring thru fall. I just threw it away this summer when it began coming apart at the seams. I would buy another.

[sailorman1617]

Thanks for the recommendation, ordered one today.

[Steve]

Yes, the Dowco cover is good, but you don't want "waterproof".

What you want is "weather resistant". If it's truly waterproof, condensation will build up on the inside, and all your chrome will rust, the clearcoat on the paint will fog up and the bike will start looking like crap. That is assuming you are planning on leaving it covered for the winter.

If you are just keeping the bike outside overnight and uncovering it for a ride every day, "waterproof" is just fine.

Enjoy your new Dowco.

.

[sailorman1617]

Yeah, sealing it up without some ventilation isn't a good thing. But they are open at the bottom, and there are a couple vents in the upper part, so should be OK. Hope to get it indoors for the winter but might not be able to and it sits outdoors the rest of the year. After sitting for years under a cover and blue poly tarp, there was plenty of rust and corrosion to deal with and I don't want to have to do that twice. Still have a ways to go to get all the bolts and polish the engine covers. But not too bad for a 34 year old bike that spent it's life outdoors :-)

[sailorman1617]

Yeah, sealing it up without some ventilation isn't a good thing. But they are open at the bottom, and there are a couple vents in the upper part, so should be OK. Hope to get it indoors for the winter but might not be able to and it sits outdoors the rest of the year. After sitting for years under a cover and blue poly tarp, there was plenty of rust and corrosion to deal with and I don't want to have to do that twice. Still have a ways to go to get all the bolts and polish the engine covers. But not too bad for a 34 year old bike that spent it's life outdoors :-)

[Gorminrider]

I think a vapour barrier under a sheet of plywood or similar..(paving stones?pallets) can help condensation troubles...or being in the dryest "microclimate" (nearer the house, under the eaves ) can make a big difference too. The middle of the lawn or out on the street in the open is usuallynever as good.