To cover or not to cover

[Wapping]

Don't go.

Too risky, too much doubt.

Stay home.

 

[Pukmeister]

Take a bike cover.

If your tent blows away you'll still have somewhere dry to sleep.

 

[Nutty]

Take a bike cover.

If your tent blows away you'll still have somewhere dry to sleep.

Tent, you say. We're staying in Britains finest public houses & B&B's!

 

[Wapping]

We're staying in Britains finest public houses & B&B's!

You have obviously changed your mind about going to Scotland then.

 

[Nutty]

You have obviously changed your mind about going to Scotland then.

Is it rubbish up there then?

 

[solidstate100]

Is it rubbish up there then?

No its not. Some of the best biking roads and scenery in the country (possibly Europe), especially in the western regions. The accommodation is much like anywhere else - some excellent, some good, some average, some shit.

If you take your tent the accommodation is as good as you make it - and often the scenery is better!

The weather and the midges, however........

 

[Wapping]

Is it rubbish up there then?

Yup

 

[solidstate100]

Yup

Ignore him. Wapping is (i understand from my time here) a thoroughly top chap but a grade A leg puller....

 

[WindyChuffer]

Take it in the tent with you and sleep with it.



Whats your issue? Do you think its going to melt?

 

[tommygun]

The only valid reason would be security, to keep it out of the view of undesirables.....

.....but I really couldn't be arsed on all counts..getting it dirty is all part of a tour!

What he said. And also helps keep the bird-shite/sap off if parked under a tree.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Was your bike ok?

 

[TLSgazza]

Was your bike ok?

Probably can't remember, it was 2 years ago

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Probably can't remember, it was 2 years ago

Still relevant

 

[Nutty]

Was your bike ok?

It was fine. I took a Mexican support crew in the end, and they would spend the evenings polishing the bike and singing songs to it.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

It was fine. I took a Mexican support crew in the end, and they would spend the evenings polishing the bike and singing songs to it.

 

[Decster]

Ignore him. Wapping is (i understand from my time here) a thoroughly top chap but a grade A leg puller....

he loves pulling chaps middle legs

 

[duckspeed]

Mother would tell me it's not made of sugar and won't melt.........

Although thinking about the paint on my bike maybe they are made of sugar..??

 

[Mad_Accountant]

OK here's an interesting question.....

I understand the condensation issues when covered, however if I bring the bike home wet it stays wet and uncovered, that way the fresh air has the best chance of drying it when the weather changes.

Actually running the bike soon dries it nicely and I have a 5 mile journey to work that could be utilised. Normally I would not subject a 1200 to regular 5 mile journeys but in the interests of burning off moisture maybe I should rethink?

Would the harm to the engine outweigh the corrosion benefits? (No jokes about how long I keep my bikes please, this one is a keeper!)

Opinions (and abuse) please.....

Regards to you all

 

[DrPete]

Leave the cover behind, but take a brush and dustpan so you can sweep up all the paint that falls off it.


Enjoy the trip! Don't spend any time wondering about odd engine noises or when your fuel pump controller will fail in the wet.

Of course if you wanted to be cruel to your mate, then dribbling a little engine oil on the final drive seal and down the drive housing is guaranteed to yield a snigger.

 

[Bendy toy]

Mine lives outside and gets covered simply to make it less attractive. The cover is plain nylon so keeps drizzle off but not heavy rain. The bike isnt corroding any worse than any other 08/45K bike that gets used as regular transport.

In short - taking a bike cover on tour/holiday is totally pointless. If parking the bike in the wet is such an issue use only hotels with garages.