Hey, I was wondering what you guys think of motorcycle covers.  For a bike that's kept outside all the time, is a cover a good idea?  I know it would keep rain and the sun off the bike but would it trap moisture inside that can cause harm? Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks.  

Most covers will allow moisture (humidity) to escape from the inside, but they will not allow moisture in from the outside.  I keep my bike in a garage so I can not attest to how well they actually work.  It will certainly prevent fading from exposure to UV radiation though.

I drove my GS to an outdoor parking lot to pick up a work car most of last year...I bought one of these:
 
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=2379&department=657&Division=6

It covered my bike in rain, cold and I never noticed any condensate on the inside... it has vents at near the handlebars.  I got it on ebay for around $50.  

My work location changed and I now use a parking garage, but I keep the cover around for the times I'm leaving it overnight outside or I go somewhere that I know It'll be left outside all day.  It also has a bottom grommet/tiedown that I added a small length of chain and a small combo lock...not really secure but it makes it a little difficult to mess with the bike or my belongings.

Don't you have to wait before you put the bike cover back on the bike after a ride for it to cool off?  I have been riding my bike to work and plan to continue to do so, but as of yet I have not brought my bike cover with me because of the time it would take for the bike to cool down before I could put the bike cover on.  Suggestions?

Some covers (the plastic ones) need the bike to be cool before you put them on, or they melt in places.
Been there, done that , scraped the plastic off my exhaust.

However some covers are heat resistant and can be put on the bike straight away.
These covers tend to cost a little more, but it's worht it in my opinion.

I picked one up from Walmart for pennies. I think it was right at $20 so I figured it couldn't hurt to check it out. Lower part is a heat-resistant canvas-ish material (I still come inside and take off my gear before I slap on the cover..) and the top is a "scratch-resistant" material. Doesn't feel like anything fancy, but it's not going to hurt the paint on my '94. Has vents near the bars and it rained for days this week, took it to school today and no condensation or anything. Worked like a charm.. it's nice to have a clean bike even after it's been raining!

So yeah. Unless you have money to burn I can't see any reason to get a more expensive cover.. Covers are DEFINITELY a good idea if your bike lives outside. Mine evidentally has all it's life.. uncovered. My handlebar switches are all faded to grey, my speedo/tach faces are all discolored and my seat was pretty faded and yucky too. The paint and decals looked like crud before I polished it up too...

Anywho. That's what I think....

trey

Thanks guys, I'll look into getting a cover when I get my new bike.

Wait, before you go you might want to research the use of a "Half-Cover".

I bought one as an official Suzuki accessory, and it's great.  It covers the mirrors, gauges, tank, seat, lights and tail piece (including my tail pack).  The advantage is it's half the size of a full cover when folded.  

I emptied a can of water proofing spray on it and everything covered is dry as a bone.

I can't direct you to a picture, and unsure if it's still sold through the dealers.  If interested, it's Suzuki Part Number is 99950-65321.  Fits my 2001.  Should fit over your 2004 fairing as well.

Others sell something similar (though likely without "Suzuki" emblazened on it).  Easy on -- Easy off.  

Roy...

I think I'll be picking up the standard Suzuki full cover next week. Found it online for about $96 when everyone else is selling it for about $120. Check it out here:
http://www.oneidasuzuki.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=16283&partner=froogle

I decided to try out the Wal-Mart cover that treybrad had suggested since it was so cheap and let me tell you it is wonderful.  After a 20 - 30 min ride to work I get off take my gloves and helmet off.  Take the cover out of my backpack and on to the bike it goes.  No worries.  The bottom of the cover is a different fabric than the one I had been using.  So let me just say if you were looking for a cover at a good price this is the one.  

I picked this one up from Target in October, not sure how good it is in extreme weather as I am only using it to keep dirt/dust off of it while it is stored in the garage for the winter. Since my grandmothers garage roof was leaking this winter I'd say it was defidently $30 well spent.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-1/qid=1108599998/ref=sr_2_1/601-5595045-7188132?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B0001D9OIK

Yep, looks just like the one I have (and VBall24 it sounds like). Mine does just fine in heavy rain, bike stays dry. I'm not sure about snow... that's not too much of a concern down here, but I don't know why it wouldn't work.

trey

Yeah it looks like and sounds like the same one we got from Wal-Mart...we just paid $10 less.  :mrgreen:

I have a 04 gs500f also. I bought a cover from the dealership for about $40. I live at the beach so it works great to keep the salt spray off my bike. Just make sure you get one large enough since you have a fairing on your bike. I would have bought one too small of it wasn't for the salesperson at the dealership reminding me about the size of the fairing.