Keeping Bike Outside

[byrdo444]

Just moved into a new place with no garage storage. It's a safe area and we have an enclosed driveway where I can put my bike. Now it's not the nicest thing, but I want to keep it nice for years to come. What's the best way to keep a bike outside? Today I hung a tarp from house as a sort of tent/overhang so that the bike won't get wet. It doesn't really rain here in the summer, but I've had problems in the past with the dew making my old moped rust a bit. Any tips? Should I get a cover? If so what kind? Or is there a better solution?

 

[Big R]

Any bare steel should be painted / chromed / replaced with stainless. Other than that, bikes are made to get wet. When I ride to work and leave the bike out overnight (steady midnight shift here....) I either leave a rag on the seat to gather the moisture, or use a dry rag in the morning to wipe off the seat / tank / mirrors / etc.

 

[frogman]

I'm one of the opinion that covers make the bike rust faster because they hold in what moisture they get under them. Yes there are those that are supposed to breath but that means they are still holding water under them at some point.

Depending on your situation, you can find some metal/plastic covering for that walkway at local big box stores or the like and put it up in place of that tarp. Will last for a really long time compared the tarp. If the place is yours get to building a garage! ;D

 

[jrswanson1]

http://www.ecanopy.com/shk-mccd.html

 

[byrdo444]

I'm one of the opinion that covers make the bike rust faster because they hold in what moisture they get under them. Yes there are those that are supposed to breath but that means they are still holding water under them at some point.

Depending on your situation, you can find some metal/plastic covering for that walkway at local big box stores or the like and put it up in place of that tarp. Will last for a really long time compared the tarp. If the place is yours get to building a garage! ;D

That's what I was thinkin, thanks for the tips everyone!
Maybe I could build somethin like this:
http://www.amazon.com/ShelterLogic-6x6x6-5-Series-Shed-Gray/dp/B001G7Q230/ref=sr_1_49?ie=UTF8&qid=1368481215&sr=8-49&keywords=motorcycle+cover&tag=stephprodu-20