Rain Cover & Winter Cover

5178 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by CuddyBuddy, Sep 9, 2018

CuddyBuddy

Discussion Starter · Nov 8, 2017 (Edited)

It's been two weeks since I picked up my Versys 2012. Lots of things to learn, and I thank this board for helping me through my learning process.

This evening's question is rain cover and winter cover. In my Gold Wing I always carried a rain cover. Do people pack a rain cover in their Versys? If so, which one works best for the Versys 1000?

And for those who put their bike away for the winter, do you cover it? If so, do you use the rain cover? Or something else? (I ask because with my Gold Wing I had very light cover. Useless as a rain cover, but great as a dust cover during winter hibernation). I park my bike in the garage. Unheated, but safe from the elements.

Thank you!

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

twowheels

· #2 · Nov 8, 2017

CuddyBuddy said:
It's been two weeks since I picked up my Versys 2012. Lots of things to learn, and I thank this board for helping me through my learning process.

This evening's question is rain cover and winter cover. In my Gold Wing I always carried a rain cover. Do people pack a rain cover in their Versys? If so, which one works best for the Versys 1000?

And for those who put their bike away for the winter, do you cover it? If so, do you use the rain cover? Or something else? (I ask because with my Gold Wing I had very light cover. Useless as a rain cover, but great as a dust cover during winter hibernation).

Thank you!

Don't store your bike over the winter under a cover outdoors if you can avoid it. I did this with a previous bike once, it was enough to learn to never do it again. It will rust as covers trap moisture and blowing snow will get up under the cover. I do use a cover over my bike to store it for the winter in a garage, but only to keep the dust off. If you are forced to store it outdoors under a cover or in a damp location spray the bike down (frame, engine, bolts, chain, brake disks, etc.) with fogging/misting oil first. It will make a mess but you can clean it off in the spring. Bikes do not use the same anti corrosive primers as cars and rust and corrode extremely readily.

Reactions: 1

CuddyBuddy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 9, 2017 (Edited)

twowheels said:
Don't store your bike over the winter under a cover outdoors if you can avoid it. I did this with a previous bike once, it was enough to learn to never do it again. It will rust as covers trap moisture and blowing snow will get up under the cover. I do use a cover over my bike to store it for the winter in a garage, but only to keep the dust off. If you are forced to store it outdoors under a cover or in a damp location spray the bike down (frame, engine, bolts, chain, brake disks, etc.) with fogging/misting oil first. It will make a mess but you can clean it off in the spring. Bikes do not use the same anti corrosive primers as cars and rust and corrode extremely readily.

Thanks TW. I neglected to mention that over the winter I store my bike in the garage. (I added that to the original post).

fasteddiecopeman

· #4 · Nov 9, 2017

CuddyBuddy said:
...And for those who put their bike away for the winter, do you cover it? If so, do you use the rain cover? Or something else? (I ask because with my Gold Wing I had very light cover....I park my bike in the garage. Unheated, but safe from the elements.

Thank you!

I cover my V's w/ a rain-cover, in the garage, ON stands, battery OUT and on a maintenance charger run thru' a timer - winters in BC, summers in AZ.

Vadim

· #5 · Jul 23, 2018

Have to keep it outside during winter in NYC

Hello Folks,
Sadly mine will have to brave the cold winter outside. I have this crazy idea, LOL, cause not sure what else to do to protect the bike.
Spray the bike down with WD40, bag both wheels with hefty black bags, remove the seat\battery and cover the bike with outdoor XXXL size bike cover. Basically will try to cover every part of the bike.
Will it work?
All suggestions welcome, please.

Thanks,
Vadim

fear_factory84

· #6 · Jul 23, 2018

Vadim said:
Hello Folks,
Sadly mine will have to brave the cold winter outside. I have this crazy idea, LOL, cause not sure what else to do to protect the bike.
Spray the bike down with WD40, bag both wheels with hefty black bags, remove the seat\battery and cover the bike with outdoor XXXL size bike cover. Basically will try to cover every part of the bike.
Will it work?
All suggestions welcome, please.

Thanks,
Vadim

I had to do the same with my versys 650 when I lived in Dublin, Ireland. Perhaps I was using the bike almost daily for commuting.

I went to a local guy that sprayed it with ACF50 all over. Then every evening I used an Oxford Aquatex cover (xl + topbox, maybe a little big for the versys, I onwed it already for the previous bike).

I had to tie down the bike with many straps to avoid wind issues, and in that way it survived the usual Irish winter storms with 90 km/h wind guts.

I was able to tie it and untie it in 5-10 mins

I agree that if you don't use it, the bike will get wet in the inside.

If you google around perhaps there are bike sheds made like tents and tools to remove moisture from them. They are expensive but they can be an option for you.

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Reactions: 1

Vadim

· #7 · Jul 25, 2018

fear_factory84 said:
I had to do the same with my versys 650 when I lived in Dublin, Ireland. Perhaps I was using the bike almost daily for commuting.

I went to a local guy that sprayed it with ACF50 all over. Then every evening I used an Oxford Aquatex cover (xl + topbox, maybe a little big for the versys, I onwed it already for the previous bike).

I had to tie down the bike with many straps to avoid wind issues, and in that way it survived the usual Irish winter storms with 90 km/h wind guts.

I was able to tie it and untie it in 5-10 mins

I agree that if you don't use it, the bike will get wet in the inside.

If you google around perhaps there are bike sheds made like tents and tools to remove moisture from them. They are expensive but they can be an option for you.

Thank you fear_factor84!

otto_versys_blotto

· #8 · Jul 25, 2018

CuddyBuddy said:
This evening's question is rain cover and winter cover. In my Gold Wing I always carried a rain cover. Do people pack a rain cover in their Versys? If so, which one works best for the Versys 1000?

I picked up this one by Nelson-Rigg. I liked it because it packs tiny (compression straps are the bees knees) so I can take it to work. It's been through super windy (comes with bungee/grommets to tie down) and super rainy days, seems to be holding up fine. Not sure if it's the best one for long term storage, but for the size/price/features it was a good bang-for-buck imo.

https://fortnine.ca/en/nelson-rigg-deluxe-all-season-cover

CuddyBuddy

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 26, 2018

otto_versys_blotto said:
I picked up this one by Nelson-Rigg. I liked it because it packs tiny (compression straps are the bees knees) so I can take it to work. It's been through super windy (comes with bungee/grommets to tie down) and super rainy days, seems to be holding up fine. Not sure if it's the best one for long term storage, but for the size/price/features it was a good bang-for-buck imo.

https://fortnine.ca/en/nelson-rigg-deluxe-all-season-cover

Otto - what size cover did you get?

otto_versys_blotto

· #10 · Jul 27, 2018

CuddyBuddy said:
Otto - what size cover did you get?

XL fits my bike well. Even with the panniers on, it still almost completely covers both wheels.

CuddyBuddy

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 7, 2018

otto_versys_blotto said:
XL fits my bike well. Even with the panniers on, it still almost completely covers both wheels.

Thanks Otto. I ordered the XL today.

Reactions: 1

Dave31410

· #12 · Aug 7, 2018

fasteddiecopeman said:
... winters in BC, summers in AZ.

Shouldn't that be the other way around?

fasteddiecopeman

· #13 · Aug 7, 2018 (Edited)

Dave31410 said:
Shouldn't that be the other way around?

I was WONDERING if SOMEONE would notice that, and misunderstand it...!

:wink2:

Of course, the MEANING should be clear..."...and on a maintenance charger run thru' a timer - winters in BC, summers in AZ..."!

fear_factory84

· #14 · Aug 9, 2018

otto_versys_blotto said:
XL fits my bike well. Even with the panniers on, it still almost completely covers both wheels.

regarding the size, it's a good thing that the cover doesn't reach the ground.

Mine was catching water from the ground as it was too big for the versys 650.

Reactions: 1

webmost

· #15 · Aug 9, 2018

Vadim said:
All suggestions welcome, please.

Move the hell out of Ontario.

fasteddiecopeman

· #16 · Aug 9, 2018

:funnypost:

CuddyBuddy

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 9, 2018

Nelson Rigg Cover

CuddyBuddy said:
Thanks Otto. I ordered the XL today.

Hey Otto - just wanted to say that I finally put brand new my Nelson Rigg cover to use. Very happy with it. Thanks again for the recommendation. :thumb:

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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