Cover Alternatives

[Gank]

There was a post here I read recently where someone was asking about motorcycle covers, citing the various problems with them. I can't find that thread, but hopefully this will help someone.
I got fed up with my cover scratching my windshield. I purchased this fold up garage from a company in British Columbia called Bike Barn. It was $450 shipped, weighed about 70 pounds, and took me 2 hours and 1 beer to assemble.

This is what it looks like open.


And from the side, so you can see how the bike fits in there.


It opens and closes like an accordion. It takes about 1 second to open or close it, so it's nice if you're trying to beat the rain.


This is how it looks when it's all buttoned up.


If you're putting the bike away hot, or if you're inside the bike barn doing work, you can open the top vents for a little fresh air.


Heck, even my cat Ginsu approved.


The web site for the company I bought it from is BikeBarn, Motorcycle Covers, Motorcycle Shelter, and Enclosed Motorcycle Covers I purchased the widest "Trike" model so I could easily be inside with the bike to wipe off rain drops or do whatever tinkering. It took about five days to arrive from BC. There are steel plates in the front that can be secured with concrete anchors, but I haven't installed them yet. (According to the sales guy, the weight of the bike barn itself will prevent it from moving in the wind, but I have my doubts.) There is a security lock that slides into place when the unit is closed to help prevent people from getting inside. (Slide included, padlock not included.) The cover doesn't contact the bike anywhere, so can't scratch, mildew, melt, or cause any other problem. I'm happy with it.

[iron pony]

man, that would be pretty cool for keeping your bike in the back yard or drive way.
Good winter storage cover it seems also.

[coppertales]

military pup tent for years. It fits my KZ1100s perfectly. However, if you don't have a windshield and sissy bar/luggage rack, it will be too long and lay on the ground. I get them at the local surplus store for 20 bucks or so and last for years....chris3

[jeffs99vulcan]

I really like that Bike Barn... a little pricey though, but it looks well made.

You can get one of these for $88:



This is a poor picture, makes it look huge, the bikes were photoshopped in I think. The $88 one is 12'x6'x6'...

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by jeffs99vulcan

This is a poor picture, makes it look huge, the bikes were photoshopped in I think. The $88 one is 12'x6'x6'...

Either that, or they put a couple of kiddie bikes in there...

I actually wish I could use one of either type. Unfortunately, I don't think they're landlord approved.

[jeffs99vulcan]

Originally Posted by CTRider

Either that, or they put a couple of kiddie bikes in there...

I actually wish I could use one of either type. Unfortunately, I don't think they're landlord approved.

That's the catch... I get the VERY FORTUNATE availability of parking my bike in a sea container at work... can't get much better than that! We have several we use for storage, but they are very rarely all being used, and I make sure to keep one empty! If we ever needed to use all of them at the same time, I'd get one of the canvas garages like in my pic above...

[snardle]

My HOA would run me out of the the neighborhood but I like it.