Storage

[The Fisherman]

I am looking at buying an 1150 RT.

I do not have a garage at home and would really appreciate some straight answers regarding if it is ok to keep my bike outside with only a good cover over it. There may be an option to buy a small trailer and keep it there but would rather not go that way. I live in Atlanta where the weather is not too bad in winter and I would check the bike regularly. What do you think?

[BradfordBenn]

As you said the weather in Atlanta is not too bad, so why not ride year round and then you are not really "storing" the bike.

A friend of mine is doing the trailer thing in NJ with his three bikes and it works out pretty well for him. The one thing he did which I thought was smart was get a trailer that was bigger then what he needed, that way there is room for others.

[dlearl476]

If you have room for it, used storage containers are pretty affordable and make dandy mc garages. Then again Atlanta, I'd ride year round.

[RTRandy]

I received a BMW cover as a gift when I first got my RT that is specifically made by BMW for the RT. Quality and function is outstanding and it even has reflective parts to it and a window for the licence plate. Not sure why the window but perhaps it is intended to identify your bike when parked with others.

In any case I don't use mine. Reason is the bike stays in my garage and while the quality of the cover is super, it would be a big pain to travel with in my opinion. It like covers the bike almost to the bottom of the wheels. Instead I have a cheaper and more compact cover to put on it when it is parked outside the motel room on trips.

This cover would be perfect if you wanted to cover it each night where you live and I would be happy to part with mine if you want to pay the shipping. Even in great weather there is often dew that forms in the morning that will constantly soak your seat and the instruments.

[The Fisherman]

Thank you for your very generious offer. I may take you up on it once I get a bit further. Thanks again.

[BobFV1]

Since you don't live near the beach or in another particularly corrosive environment, and the RT does not have an exposed chain and sprocket, parking outside with a cover might be okay, especially if you ride a lot. I would not have a bike with a chain and store it outside - I had my Ducati stored outside for a while here in AZ and I developed a little chain rust, even under a cover!

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

perhaps consider storing the battery though with the ATL humidity? I used to live in FL and the batteries had a shorter life expectancy than a chicken in a refugee camp. It would seem illogical to assume that you can connect a tender if it is being stored outside right?

[tiginbna]

Dont know if this helps or not, but might offer another option.

www.cycleshell.com

Tig

[lorazepam]

perhaps consider storing the battery though with the ATL humidity? I used to live in FL and the batteries had a shorter life expectancy than a chicken in a refugee camp. It would seem illogical to assume that you can connect a tender if it is being stored outside right?

Just need to protect the charger. other than that you are good to go.

[Mika]

The onwers manual suggestions are a good starting point. I was forced to store my R100 outside during an IL winter one year. Followed the directions in the manual and put a full cover over it and the bike did fine.

The only other thing I would suggest is covering openings on the bike. For example wedge a tennis ball into your exhaust pipe. It will keep critters from taking refuge in the can. Mice and chipmonks can show up in the strages places.

[rjp3579]

Dont know if this helps or not, but might offer another option.

www.cycleshell.com

Tig

I checked out the website and this looks nice. Anyone have one of these to give an opinion?
Thanks..

[username]

a guy in my neighbor hood uses one, and i assume he likes it. i see it set up all the time. (of course, i havent peeked to see if there is a bike underneath it...) he's had it about a year.

[GS20Rider]

I am looking at buying an 1150 RT.

I do not have a garage at home and would really appreciate some straight answers regarding if it is ok to keep my bike outside with only a good cover over it. There may be an option to buy a small trailer and keep it there but would rather not go that way. I live in Atlanta where the weather is not too bad in winter and I would check the bike regularly. What do you think?

I had two bikes stored on my back porch with a rain cover on them. I ride all year long but didn't have a garage at the time. The R1150GS didn't seem to suffer much, the 1800 Goldwing did have some corrosion develop on the wheels, engine gaurds and valve covers.

I have since then built a big garage and sold the goldwing. My GS is a happy camper now.

[dlearl476]

>Not sure why the window but perhaps it is intended to identify your bike when parked with others.


So the losers they hire as security guards don't rip your cover trying remove it to see your plate because they're SURE your bike has to be stolen, or about to explode, or is Osama Bis Laden's or some other BS that runs though their paranoia addled pea-brains in between fresh batches of donuts. :banghead

Barney Fife lives!

[rjp3579]

Some local jurisdictions require the tag to be able to be read if parked on the street with a cover. Just fyi... :sick