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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Mad Dog on January 29, 2012, 03:05:48 PM

Title: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: Mad Dog on January 29, 2012, 03:05:48 PM
Hey all,

As my bike is my main commuter vehicle I ride it to work rain, hail or shine. I dont have anywhere to park it undercover at work so it has to sit out in the rain from about 9am to 5pm  :sad: Will doing this cause any damage to the bike??

Thanks
Title: Re: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: Dizzledan on January 29, 2012, 03:14:32 PM
Technically, there is more damage done to the bike, because of the eroding effect it has, but the bike was built to withstand it. Kind of like everytime you ride your bike deteriorates a little, or every day is another day closer to death.

If you're that concerned, get a waterproof cover.  Drying it the best you can, and getting it hot all the way (to help evaporate water trapped in the pipe, or on the engine) is what I do and mine is fine.
Title: Re: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: twocool on January 29, 2012, 04:32:59 PM
Quote from: Mad Dog on January 29, 2012, 03:05:48 PM
Hey all,

As my bike is my main commuter vehicle I ride it to work rain, hail or shine. I dont have anywhere to park it undercover at work so it has to sit out in the rain from about 9am to 5pm  :sad: Will doing this cause any damage to the bike??

Thanks

I'd be more concerned leaving it out in sun!  Sun  will dry out the seat cover vinyl and it will crack over time...sun will also damage rubber parts, like grips, and eventually paint.  Also the bike will get real hot in the sun...maybe not the best for the gas in the gas tank...gas expands with heat, and vaproizes too.

I try to park in a shady spot, and or slip on a lightweight cover....lucky I can park inside at work.

Cookie
Title: Re: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: ohgood on January 29, 2012, 04:33:43 PM
Quote from: Mad Dog on January 29, 2012, 03:05:48 PM
Hey all,

As my bike is my main commuter vehicle I ride it to work rain, hail or shine. I dont have anywhere to park it undercover at work so it has to sit out in the rain from about 9am to 5pm  :sad: Will doing this cause any damage to the bike??

Thanks

not the rain, the SUN is your enemy. it will dry out seats, controls, and cables faster than you can keep up.

for the rain, spraying a rag with wd-40 and wiping down the bars/nuts/bolts occasionally does wonders. it won't kill the rust, but it will push the water out. gs's rust like no tomorrow. lay down on your back with a camera and start snapping (flash). you'll see wonderful pockets of orange everywhere !

i carried a $19 walmart cover with me in a saddle bag everywhere when i lived in florida. keeps the crappy never ending sun off of it, and helps prevent kids climbing on it. not that they'll hurt anything, but my boogers are mine... etc
Title: Re: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: slipperymongoose on January 29, 2012, 05:02:35 PM
My bike has been in the rain only thing I'm worried about is the chain, I should really put a cover on it but meh it's only fresh water.
Title: Re: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: rayshon on January 29, 2012, 05:42:10 PM
Quote from: aussiegs on January 29, 2012, 05:02:35 PM
My bike has been in the rain only thing I'm worried about is the chain, I should really put a cover on it but meh it's only fresh water.

I'd be more worried about it messing up some of the electronics lol
Title: Re: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: slipperymongoose on January 29, 2012, 06:12:09 PM
What happens when your out on a ride and it buckets down?
Title: Re: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: mister on January 29, 2012, 06:32:22 PM
The bike will be fine. Just be sure to lube the chain.
Title: Re: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: Adfalchius on January 29, 2012, 07:54:51 PM
Quote from: ohgood on January 29, 2012, 04:33:43 PM
my boogers are mine...etc
:laugh: Careful...that might end up under your name.

For fading plastic (red or black), I use Back to Black...it works wonders!  For the rust...I powder coated my frame...that'll give mother nature what for!
Title: Re: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: slipperymongoose on January 29, 2012, 08:32:27 PM
Quote from: Adfalchius on January 29, 2012, 07:54:51 PM
Quote from: ohgood on January 29, 2012, 04:33:43 PM
my boogers are mine...etc
:laugh: Careful...that might end up under your name.

For fading plastic (red or black), I use Back to Black...it works wonders!  For the rust...I powder coated my frame...that'll give mother nature what for!

Nothing like flipping the bird at nature!  :flipoff:
Title: Re: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: Twisted on January 30, 2012, 12:58:14 AM
Quote from: Adfalchius on January 29, 2012, 07:54:51 PM

:laugh: Careful...that might end up under your name.


Sweaty palms huh? Something you not telling us here?
Title: Re: Leaving bike out in the rain
Post by: Adfalchius on January 30, 2012, 08:32:59 AM
Quote from: Twisted on January 30, 2012, 12:58:14 AM
Quote from: Adfalchius on January 29, 2012, 07:54:51 PM

:laugh: Careful...that might end up under your name.


Sweaty palms huh? Something you not telling us here?

...uh...just a transitional title before I graduate to something much more sexy and intimidating...

I use a Corbin seat on by bike, but since I store it outside, I take an old shabby stock seat and switch it out after I ride so the Corbin doesn't take a weather beating.