Do You Cover It Up?

[Ken]

My first full season commuting on the ST this year. I park in an open lot with no shade. On my way home yesterday, I was thinking about the bike bike being in the direct sunlight all day and the effect it has on color fading, plastic pieces, the seat, and the reports I've read about the windshield becoming a parabolic reflector and branding the dash. So my question is, do you put a cover on your ST when it's out in the sun all day?

[ccryder]

I have a cover but my parking spot at work is in the shade so I don't cover it. I mostly use the cover traveling or for storage (which isn't too often or too long).
Neil S.

[tccox]

No shade in my parking lot and our gawd a mighty awful southern summers. Yep, better believe I cover it up. Use the Tour King half cover and love it. And after nearly two years my 04 ST still looks like new.

[Trekker]

I keep my cover with the bike and usually just use it when it looks like rain. I too park in a sunny lot at work and should probably cover it everyday for the reasons you mentioned Ken. Lately have found my ride covered with a little dusting of tree pollen, yuck!

To be honest...it is another layer of gear to put on and take off (just like clothes & boots)....and if we take the time with our bodies, we could take the time with our rides. So....I will start to cover it up!

[AZST]

We get a little bit of sun here in Phoenix.

I have a windshield cover for the ST that was gotten from Cee Bailey to prevent dash branding. It covers the shield completely and there is a flap that covers the gauge plastic. I usually park the bike in shaded areas if I can, however, not always possible. I was thinking about getting a cover from Geza....they are a little spendy for me at the moment.

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[Gug]

Interestingly enough I have been doing some research here and have decided to purchase a Nelson Rigg UV2000 XL cover. I try to keep the bike relatively clean and here at work in Detroit there is alot of fallout in the air that ends up settling on my bike. For that alone hopefully it will be worth it.

[GRN]

Nelson Riggs UV2000 half cover... super light, packs VERY small, good price (great value), and holding up really well a year later. Use it whenever it's going to be out for more than a few hours... work days, overnights, etc.

[nm6r]

I don't use a cover when travelling but it is indoors when at home.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[racer1735]

I always cover it sits outside overnight when I'm on the road, but not during regular daytime situations.

[SteveST1300]

I will cover it if I am out on a trip. Otherwise its in the garage. I also use the Nelson Rigg UVXL2000 its a great cover mine is almost 3 years old now still in great shape. :03biker:

[GI_Alan]

I will cover it if I am out on a trip. Otherwise its in the garage. I also use the Nelson Rigg UVXL2000 its a great cover mine is almost 3 years old now still in great shape. :03biker:

What size nelson do you use? The LG or XL.

Alan :06biker:

[nurseBob]

Since I can't park in the garage at home (owned by the cat...) I cover up in the driveway. At work I can park in the garage (and for free too!!!).

[vintagemxr]

I'm a test engineer in the Weathering Test Dept. for a car manufacturer. In essence, I am paid to watch paint dry. I absolutely guaranteeeee you that regular, prolonged exposure to sunlight will fade paint, cause black plastic and rubber to gray and break down, and cause the other various materials on your beloved ST to break down in little ways you can't see but affect them long term. The materials on bikes appear to be worse about this than the materials typically used in automobiles. Also, a black vinyl or leather seat exposed to the direct sunlight can, given a little time on the hottest days, reach spot temperatures of 100 degrees celsious (212 F). Who wants to walk out and sit down on that?? :eek:

Also, a thread from last year about "dash banding" (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6911&page=2&highlight=thermocamera) caused by sun exposure.

Doug

[sherob]

Garage at home and work... XL old Tshirt over shield if parked in sun for long period ;)

[GodFather]

Yes on trips and when left out in a parking lot for a long period of time. When home, its in the garage. I have the DOW breathable cover XL fits everything including the top box.

[SpEd]

I used to always cover my 1500 Wing due to paying so much for the Corbin. I continued to cover my 1800, but have gotten out of the habit with my ST. I placed my order for my cover from MAW yesterday and will start again. I've recently noticed that my GIVI is fading due to exposure to the sun so I'm gonna stop that.

[NewsMag]

Geza cover in a stuff sack is about the size of a thermos. I always carry mine and use it for lunch stops, overnights, and sunny days. Even in shaded areas it will keep the tree sap off your ride.

Ask Louie Louie how to get it jammed in the stuff sack - he's a certified Geza geezer now!

[Coop]

Okay Louie.........let's have the story!

[Gonzo]

I work at the Van Nuys airport, so the air is dirty in every sense of the word. Also there is little shade. My Top Box is very convenient to store it during my 100 mile a day commute. I even cover it up in my garage at night. Seems to work well; my shiny STealth Black machine does not seem to get very dusty.
Gonzo

[markosde]

Well I though about getting a cover to keep the dust off of it while it sits in the garage....but other than that...it's always in my garage when not being used...I don't commute to work because I work from home....so do I really need one?

[vfourlife]

I garage mine at night and have a carport to park under at work. I only use the geza cover when I travel or camp.

[EdsST]

I work 12 hour shifts where I'm basically stuck on our operations room - so there's no reason to let the bike bake in the Florida Sun. I use a Nelson Riggs 1/2 cover

[ShinySideUpAZ]

I have the Geza Large sport classic for daily use. Really love it. I also have a piece of crushed velvet I bought and slotted to cover the front of the bike, dash, and handle bars when making quick stops, more that 5 minutes - less than two hours. I spent three years at the General Motors Proving Grounds in Apache Junction, AZ as a Test Engineer, and I will also testify that you should do all you can to limit the exposure of sunlight to your ST.

[vnsfxr]

I only cover up when on the road. Motel/Hotel parking lots.

I've got shade at work and a garage at home.

[CruisingDog]

I try and park the bike in the shade if possible.

When at work I sometimes have no choice and just have to leave it out in the sun. otherwise if I can find a tree thats where I park.

[mather3]

I use a Dowco Guardian XXL (from local Honda shop) it covers the windshield when up and the backrest nicely or $90. This I leave at work and cover after it has set for 15 min. in the AM. When we travel, I throw on a Silvertech XL ($20 at Target) it keeps dirt and curious eyes off the bike in hotel lots. The sun here in Florida does a number on paint and plastic so the cover is on if left out for a full day at work. Both go on quickly and fit in their storage bags when off the bike.

[Tor]

Rain or shine. I always cover it, with a Nelson Rigg UV2000 halfcover.