Total Motorcycle Community Forums

In a couple months I'm going to be moving into a place where I don't have access to a garage. (Rhode Island by the way). I could walk down into the basement but the door is usually blocked by some lady's car. In the off chance that shes a total dogs when I ask her about switching parking spots with me so that I can move my truck in and out of that spot at will,,, guess I invest in a cover and throw it in a corner?

Covers/tarps seems to be what most do, anyone have horror stories with these during inclimate weather? Any advice?

if you have a hot and popular bike... don't leave it outside. rent a storage unit.

if you have a beater or something that's not popular... then yeah, just buy a cover for it and maybe chain it to something.

Its an '05 SV650.

I imagine the topic of missing bikes hits home for you, that sucks man.



Its an older lady so if push comes to shove Ill offer her my services ala the movie Kingpin and she'll probably switch with me,,,,

I've kept my bike under the covers for the past 2 months. The cover seems to do a very good job keeping the elements off the bike, though you'll get some condensation or morning dew. I lock my forks and I have a cable lock for the bike.

I don't have a garage and have not had one for several years. I park my bike outside and use one of these -

Kryptonite Stronghold - The kit for it included concrete bits for drilling holes for the also included concrete expansion bolts.

with one of these -

Master 9-link Street Cuffs. One end to the frame and one to the Stronghold.

and then I put it under the bike cover -

Dowco Weather-all Plus cover. Has a vent and is sturdy and rainproof.

I also have good insurance because I know I cannot stop someone who really wants my bike. But it will be a hassle and noisy to take it the way I've secured it.

We bought a Bike Barn because we thought we couldn't fit the bike in the garage. As it turns out, we can now fit two bikes in the garage

Anyhow, the Bike Barn is a cover.

Shorts - how do you like the bike barn? I thought about getting one for my bike, but it is a bit pricey. In your opinion is it worth it? What are your likes/dislikes...

You're correct, it is kinda pricey for what it is. Unfortunately I can't tell you how it works. He haven't even opened up the box to install it on the floor I built there in the back yard We ended up selling one truck, buying a way smaller truck, and rearranging the garage where we could get two motorcycles in there with both trucks.

So, not sure if we're going to even use it. If that's the case, we might end up selling it. But for now, we're hanging onto it.

I was helpful huh?

I rented a storage unit...not happy with the cost, but sleep much better than having it outside

Ah, everyone worries too much about leaving it outside. Insure it, secure it down, and cover it up. If they want it, no garage, alarm, gun, or big dog will stop them - I don't care what you say about your big dog either. I think most bike thefts are crimes of opertunity - if you make it easy, they will take even a crappy bike. If you have a primo bike, they might go out of the their way, but you will be able to do little to stop determined scum. If your bike is an average to poor bike, and if you cover it and make it hard to roll away or lift, they will most likely be detered. I would never waste my money on an alarm or Lojack - IMHO that will not stop a determined dirt bag who wants your specific bike. My cuff and Stonghold are not beyond being damaged to take my bike, but they will have to make a bunch of noise and they will work for prize - the prize being a 3 year old bike with almost 20000 miles on it.