condensation under motorcycle cover

[hintzir09]

I just got back from vacation in CO and when I got back to WI we had temperatures in the mid 50's. As I walked past my back my arm rubbed against the motorcycle cover and I felt it was wet. When I lifted the cover the bike was covered in condensation. I'm assuming this is due to the rapid temperature change along with the melting of all the snow...leaving lots of moisture in the air.

Should I be concerned about this damaging the bike in any way? The garage is not heat and the bike is just on the concrete. Should I put anything under the bike? Suggestions would be helpful.

-Ian-

[gened12]

Condensation can lead to rust, and moisture in the gas tank (you kept your bike full and added a fuel conditioner right?). My bike spends winter in a heated (40 deg) garage under a bike cover. I use a small portable fan installed at floor level to keep air movement (15$ or les at your local WalMart) that is enough to keep the baby dry all winter, despite of the temperature variation.

Cheers

[Mongo]

Yeah that could raise hell with the bike. I would take the cover off, wipe down the bike, run it to warm it up and dry out the cover. When the temps between the bike and the weather equalize you will be ok. This weather is incredible. 60 in NH in January! Craziness.

[hintzir09]

Thanks for the advice.

I like the fan idea and may get a scrap piece of carpet to put the bike on for the winter.

-Ian-

[PAULBACH]

A big piece of plastic will work just fine.

[MLS2GO]

But to keep condensation from forming in gun safes, you use a golden rod, which is a enclosed small heat source that plugs in and keeps the temperature a few degrees higher than the outside of the safe. This very effectively keeps all condensation out of the safe. I have used one for years.

[soffiler]

I have heard that some people will put a 40-watt lightbulb into a trouble light and place it under the bike, sort of like that "golden rod" idea.

I've also heard that you can buy giant plastic bags and put the bike inside them along with some silica "DO NOT EAT" gel.

The fan idea sounds like it might be promising.

Me? None of the above. I ride a GS. What, me worry?

[wmubrown]

The golden rod is meant for small, enclosed spaces and won't help in a garage. I don't like the idea of a lightbulb at all - should that vinyl/plastic bike cover come in contact with it, the bulb is likely to burn a hole through it (if it's putting out enough heat to keep the moisture down it likely is). The fan is the best way to go - also, if you look at a new cover down the road, get one with air vents at the top - it doesn't let rain in but will let air circulate and keep the moisture down underneath the cover. Nelson Rigs covers have this feature.

[deilenberger]

Just a thought..

Leaving the "cover" off - and covering the bike with an old sheet to keep dust off would likely eliminate the condensation. Moisture can freely flow through an old sheet.

It's cost effective also (I use one over the bike when I'm doing dusty things in the garage..)

[lewlei]

Sometimes, covering the bike can do more harm than good. While wintering-over in Florida several years ago, I had a small Honda get very rusty from morning dew and a few years later pretty well ruined a Harley the same way. Of course riding on the coast highway in the salt spray from the ocean and not washing it off helped too. I learned that I needed to get out early in the morning and uncover the bike and let it dry in the morning sun.

Friends in Florida have gone over to a dust cover rather than a rain cover. These are great when parked in carports or garages. They breathe and don't have the moisture build-up.

Lew :blah

[deilenberger]

Friends in Florida have gone over to a dust cover rather than a rain cover. These are great when parked in carports or garages. They breathe and don't have the moisture build-up.

Lew :blahDust cover = old sheet. About a no cost option.. :whistle