Hey guys. I just bought a gs 500 this past weekend. I was wondering what type of cover would be best? i went to denniskirk.com which has pretty good prices (i think?) but it lists a medium and large cover? is there a cover that anyone knows of that fits the bike really well? i'm looking for just a basic water-proof cover that'll vent well.
thanks for the help,
Dorianfes
I have a Ducow (sp?) (two cows) one.. cost me 75 at cyclegear
It is the defender model if I am right or is it teh guardian. I used it only once so far. Will use it this weekend when I leave for LA for the weekend.
I ordered the Nelson-Rigg UV2000 from from www.imotorcyclestore.com and I just love it: waterPROOF, blocks 97% UV rays (keeps paint/seat from faiding), is a snug fit with bungees and shock cord all around, and my Medium was only $30 + S&H.
Some people on the board prefer ones that cover the whole bike, but I wanted something I could pack into its own carrying pouch and take with me to work. You see this is a half cover, but it covers the bare necessities. This also makes it easier to get on/off. Check this link for pics and details: http://www.imotorcyclestore.com/html/Street/nelson_rigg/covers/uv2000.html
for about $15 and an hour of work you can build your own. go to your local hardware store and buy a tarp ($8) that's a little wider than your bike is long, and about a foot or two longer than you bike is tall. also buy a grommet kit ($5) and some clothes line ($2). fold the tarp in half widthwise and connect the two ends using the grommets. it should now form a big pocket. then run grommets along both bottom edges and thread the clothes line through the holes. put it over your bike, pull the line tight and tie it off.
I used Dow covers, I usually get the 750cc version, as they are sized by the bike in cc's, but I would get the next size up, so the 750.
Flash, great link! I've been looking for that style of cover to use at work, too, for a long time! Thanks! It doesn't dry out your battery though, right?
Quote from: zoltanfor about $15 and an hour of work you can build your own. go to your local hardware store and buy a tarp ($8) that's a little wider than your bike is long, and about a foot or two longer than you bike is tall. also buy a grommet kit ($5) and some clothes line ($2). fold the tarp in half widthwise and connect the two ends using the grommets. it should now form a big pocket. then run grommets along both bottom edges and thread the clothes line through the holes. put it over your bike, pull the line tight and tie it off.
Tarps are not soft on the inside. I cover my lawnmower with one and it's rustling around in the wind has rubbed all of the paint off the corners of the mower's hood. I would not want such stiff material strapped to my motorcycle.
Tarp would be icky... no real venting either. I was talking about getting some type of waterproof fabric and making one like Flash has... I'll let you know what I find and how it turns out. Course at 30 buckaroos I may price the fabric and change my mind! ;)
scratch wrote: It doesn't dry out your battery though, right?
I never thought of that. Is that even possible? Could someone please comment on this? (I better check my battery just in case)
glenn9171 - how did you quote zoltan like that?
The reason I ask that is because, when I used a Dow cover (covered the whole GS) in Hawaii, all the battery fluid evaporated, because it got so hot underneath the cover; there was no air allowed to cool off the battery. Now, granted this was in Hawaii, and the bike got a lot of sun (that's why I covered it), but I experimented with the cover off and the battery did not evaporate. It only took a couple of days to completely evaporate, with the cover on, and never had a problem without the cover. When I went on long underways (Navy), I pulled the battery, then covered the bike.
my bike supports the top on it's mirrors, it's barends, and over the passenger grab bar, so it's doesn't touch the bike much, plus, when it's drawn tight at the bottom, it doesn't move on the bike much, if at all. i think the reason it did that to your mower was because it was too lose and moved around enough to rub the paint off.
Quote from: Flashscratch wrote: It doesn't dry out your battery though, right?
I never thought of that. Is that even possible? Could someone please comment on this? (I better check my battery just in case)
glenn9171 - how did you quote zoltan like that?
You quote someone like this by clicking the "Quote" button at the bottom of the post you wish to quote. Put your cursor at the end of their quote, hit Enter once to start a new line and start typing. Do not use the "Reply" button...only the "Quote" button at the bottom of the specific message you want to use.
Quote from: FlashSome people on the board prefer ones that cover the whole bike, but I wanted something I could pack into its own carrying pouch and take with me to work.
I use a Nelson-Riggs Defender 2000 Med size whole bike cover. About $75 and packs up into its own bag thats the size of a very small back pack (about 13"x13"x5") and the bag comes with backpack-like straps to carry it with.