Do You Cover Your Bike on Multi-Day Trips?

[st2sam]

NEVER, but trips are the only time it sits outside in the weather.
If it rains during the night no problem, wipe it down (seat first) with a nice clean towel, wallah - clean bike...

[Sport-Touring]

[ST-DocLizard1]

I have always used a cover when traveling. There are too many pluses in my opinion not to use one. My current Nelson Rigg Cover has been on every trip with me since '96.

Doc

[birdrunner]

If I had a real ugly bike, I'd want to cover it too.  

[MK96xj]

The only time I use my cover is when I leave the bike overnight at the airport. While riding it on trips it is usually too dirty to throw a cover on and 1) get the cover nasty 2) possible scratch up the finish of the bike with a nasty cover.

Plus it is one more thing to carry.

[Ricochet Rabbit]

I never cover it unless it's in the garage where it's not windy. A cover acts as a sail or parachute and catches a lot of wind.

The bike can go down - that would be bad.

[Dan]

Nope.

[Chuck 500]

The only reason i would is to keep it dry.  

[ChrisZRX]

That's ghey!

[mugwump58]

I used to bring a cover on longer trips and used it occasionally. At MotoGP in Indy during the hurricane year, I saw all kinds of bikes get blown over, all had covers on; mine didn't and was fine.  
On a western trip while the bike was covered in Moab, someone stole the cover. That put an end to traveling with a bike cover.

I saw the Ducatis all in a row. My cover was gone when I got back. The wreckage of peoples pop ups protected my tent. No more cover....

[coho]

I cover it with bugs, does that count?

[CanadianBird]

I cover mine every night and even cover it every day at work.
When I worked in NYC; I also locked the cover to the bike.
Out of site = out of mind.

I cover my bike every night, I also cover it when I travel. Had the same cover for 10 years. Out of sight=out of mind. I have lots of room. To me it's worth it. I also lock the wheels when I travel.

[KingCast]

That's why I hit up ebay for a travel cover. I figure if I'm only using it a few nights each year, it doesn't have to be the heavy duty beast that my daily cover is. So I'm getting one that they say packs up small and light (yet doesn't cost an arm and a leg like most of the ones I see through normal vendors).

And in a pinch, I'm thinking the cover could pull double duty as a tarp, or to hold small items that can then be attached with bungee cords, or whatever. I can see it serving a few functions at least.

And if all else fails, I'm only out twenty bucks, so if I don't like it, or it doesn't work, or I need the extra capacity, it can hit a trashcan.

Laminar has the half-cover, it's not for hiding the bike but just to keep rain water out of the essentials.

http://www.laminarlip.com/

Somewhere in there on the laminar lip testimonials there is a video page where I discuss the laminar lip on my Sprint ST, great stuff for $100.

[D-Mac]

I bought a cheap Dowco half-cover for a month-long trip this summer. I'll never tour without it. It's small to pack and it takes 20 seconds to cover the bike. With a half-cover I don't have to wait for the bike to cool off before I put it on, and it keeps the rain/morning dew off the bike.

[the drummer]

Must be a Mich.BMW thing!! I always cover with a Cover-max 1/2 cover.
 Simple and quick,stashes easy....hell yes!!

[Pelagic]

I bought a cheap Dowco half-cover for a month-long trip this summer. I'll never tour without it. It's small to pack and it takes 20 seconds to cover the bike. With a half-cover I don't have to wait for the bike to cool off before I put it on, and it keeps the rain/morning dew off the bike.

I cover the bike most of the time when touring and have the same Dowco cover. I love it. It fits in the tail piece under my seat. It's especially important along the coast where the dew/ocean spray can be pretty slimy.  

I have a three point security plan when traveling; 1) remove anything of value, 2) cover the bike so it's less interesting and less likely to be fussed with and 3) park next to a Harley. I figure given a choice the common thief would pick the other bike.    


.... but then I am a Michigan native.

[stew71]

Only with dead bugs.

[Acadian Rider]

Never.  

[Jackson]

I carry a small cover on trips, but only use it occasionally, sometimes to keep rain or dew off the bike, or depending on the location, to deter people from screwing with the bike.

[X1Glider]

Never.  If it rains, it's the only time the bike gets the dirt washed off.

[photojojo]

I have but rarely do.