not garaging bikes.

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lazarus · #1 Post by **lazarus** » Tue May 26, 2015 8:23 pm

Hitherto I have been lucky and been able to keep my bike in a heated garage attached to the house. For the future this isnt going to be possible so I am wondering how practical are the alternatives. I am not a "detailer" but I do like to keep what is a nice bike ( 2012 GS1200) in decent condition if only for the resale. And contrary to their reputation BMWs corrode almost as fast as Suzuki.

So what are the alternatives that people have found worked OK? I could create a sort of car port along the side of the house. The garden shed is not accessinle by bike. We have a driveway for off road parking but we are on the regular route for the local travellers scrap collection service

What do you do?

squadron Nero · #2 Post by **squadron Nero** » Tue May 26, 2015 9:00 pm

I don't have a garage, I keep mine under a good quality bike cover, proper breathable waterproof one not one of the popular dust covers. Works well for the summer months when the rain is only every other day. I've considered building a carport / bigger shed but it isn't really practical for me and I do have access to a garage that I use during the dark months. If I didn't I would probably go the route of building a good quality insulated and secure shed / out building.

Or try this, wifey wasn't too happy but she hasn't got the strength to move it

fatboy · #3 Post by **fatboy** » Wed May 27, 2015 6:52 pm

I got so pissed off with bike covers retaining condensation and then rotting (even bloody expensive Oxford ones), I bought one of those steel framed tent things thats big enough for the Falco.
Its done ok over winter, have just enough room to work on bike.
I dont expect it to last for ever but so far I think it was £80 well spent....
Im guessing Mrs L would not consider it a suitable lounge adornment ?

squadron Nero · #4 Post by **squadron Nero** » Wed May 27, 2015 7:28 pm

I've had a couple of Oxford ones over the years and tbh they're the worst of the lot and yes I'm talking about the expensive ones too. The one I've got at the moment is the best I've had so far, no condensation, doesn't leak, soft on the inside. Can't remember the brand name, I bought it direct from the manufacturer at the NEC show. I'll have a look tomorrow just for reference.

But yeah even better and a little more security too in one of those folding tricks.

#5 Post by **mangocrazy** » Thu May 28, 2015 11:50 pm

Is it not possible to make the shed bike-accessible (or build one that is?) If you have the space and can afford it, providing secure covered accommodation for your bike is the best thing you can do. Heating is an optional extra...

randomsquid · #6 Post by **randomsquid** » Fri May 29, 2015 2:04 pm

I quite fancy these or similar

http://speedwayshelters.com/

At the moment the Falco lives under one of the expensive Oxford covers and it's not bad to be honest, better than the last one I had of theirs.

The Honda gets wet and cold, it's only a Honda.

BikerGran · #7 Post by **BikerGran** » Fri May 29, 2015 2:16 pm

randomsquid wrote:
The Honda gets wet and cold cos being a Honda it's reliable however badly I treat it.

There, fixed that for you..........

fatboy · #8 Post by **fatboy** » Sat May 30, 2015 4:01 pm

The tent thing I bought is not a folding jobbie but permanent,
2 metres high, 2.4 m wide, 1.8 m deep, zippered flap/door thing,
Keeps the weather out !

BikerGran · #9 Post by **BikerGran** » Sat May 30, 2015 9:57 pm

Has it been fully wind-tested?

MartDude · #10 Post by **MartDude** » Sun May 31, 2015 10:53 am

^^ like the shitbox?

fatboy · #11 Post by **fatboy** » Sun May 31, 2015 3:04 pm

BikerGran wrote:Has it been fully wind-tested?

Severely tested BG !
It ended up upside down in the hedge,during one of our frequent very windy days,I had to take the sides off to reduce the sail area.
I then put it back in place with 4 corkscrew type anchors

randomsquid · #12 Post by **randomsquid** » Sun May 31, 2015 9:06 pm

BikerGran wrote:
randomsquid wrote:
The Honda gets wet and cold cos being a Honda it's reliable however badly I treat it.

There, fixed that for you..........

It knows that if it gets arsey it'll feel the pain of 8000 rpm....

wayno · #13 Post by **wayno** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 7:11 am

You want one of these

http://www.die-motorradgarage.de/