cover on road trips?

[Meachmeister]

I'm debating on taking my bike cover (dowco) with me when we leave this upcoming week on a 5000 mi road trip thru the rockies, just wonder if its worth the trouble. Just got back from a shorter trial ride (1200 mi) along the SC coast without the cover. Because of the humidity the nightly dew was like it had rained but otherwise we didn't have any rain. Anyone wish they had taken a cover along that perhaps had a lot of rain at night (during the day we'll just ride on unless its really storming, etc.)
Meach

[Yoidaho]

Just something else to deal with...for me I just have a cloth to wipe down my seat & shield.
I'm not to concerned about bike getting wet/dirty because I'm out riding and bikes get wet & dirty. Ride on...~M :mcrider:

[ReRide]

Its sure one less thing to pack, but I tend to take my cover with me. I like keeping the dew off the bike, but I always feel it might be more likely people will leave the bike alone if it is covered up.

[cadillac2002]

I always find it to be more trouble than its worth. Half the time I don't use it because I have to wait for the pipes to cool to put it on and it takes up valuable space.

[Jbarnett]

I pack a small seat cover from Coveralls called a Seatskin... all I need to keep the seat dry. Packs VERY small...

http://www.coveralls.biz/

[djoyner]

I always take and use my cover on overnite trips. I have a clock, thermometer, speakers, etc. on the bike that would be fairly easy to remove with basic tools (I believe in out of sight, out of mind). I have a cover I purchased from JCWhitney that folds into a small bundle that I strap to my luggage.

[Knight]

I did a trip through the Rockies this last weekend
the first night i parked under the motel awning , near the front door
snuggled up to a big Yammy . I forget what the seat was like in the morning because i couldn't find my key ,after searching all my pockets
i discovered it right where i had left it ,in the ignition

Maybe covers are a good idea

;)

[Terminals]

i couldn't find my key ,after searching all my pockets
i discovered it right where i had left it ,in the ignition

;)

:yikes:

[GTvtx]

there is not NEAR the amount of dew in the western states as we experience here on the east coast.

carry a hand towel instead.

its much more useful.

[RobT]

I'm debating on taking my bike cover (dowco) with me when we leave this upcoming week on a 5000 mi road trip thru the rockies, just wonder if its worth the trouble. Just got back from a shorter trial ride (1200 mi) along the SC coast without the cover. Because of the humidity the nightly dew was like it had rained but otherwise we didn't have any rain. Anyone wish they had taken a cover along that perhaps had a lot of rain at night (during the day we'll just ride on unless its really storming, etc.)
Meach
Not only that rain but sometimes over night moisture and sometimes other campers stir up a LOT of dust with their comings and goings.
Not a full on cover but something that will snug on just the top half. Maybe elastic ends wth a couple grommets to tie down to keep from flapping around. I wouldn't want anything more than rain resistant nylon or such that packs down small.

[NDAna]

I cover mine. Not to keep it clean or dry but to keep out prying eyes. And we have PLENTY of dew in the western states. Just roll it up long and skinny and bungee it on to pack.

[rteegolf]

I also take a cover. Not because I am worried about the bike getting wet but someone from getting a little too interested. Out of sight out of mind theory. It has worked so far. Of course it is not going to stop anyone who really wanted something from taking it. But I feel a little better.

[Jon Roberts]

I've considered the same option for the last 4 years when my son and I have taken some nice trips. I still haven't done it but it does seem like a good idear. Almost any motel will give you clean rags to clean your bike if you ask, in fact, they would PREFER that instead of using the bathroom towels in the AM, just ask. Carrying "stuff" is always an issue, I prefer not to carry anything more than necessary.

Jon

PS--I could care less if someone trashes my bike, that's why I buy insurance. In fact, I wish someone would steal my bike, I would love to upgrade!

[rv9apilot]

GTvtx Nice looking RV in the pic. I have an RV9A I built.

[scarter]

I bought a cheapie cover (from somebody who sold them on eBay for $35 and makes them himself - I forget who) and took it with me on a trip to Oregon earlier this year. The cover is powder blue and really ugly, but it does repel rain, and it takes up a whole lot less room than my Dowco cover; I bought a compression bag from Walmart (3/$10) and scrunched it up and bungeed it to the back when travelling. It actually takes up very little room.

Although I never needed it to keep the cycle dry, it did keep nosy, curious and larcenous people away when it was parked overnight in the motel parking lot. For that it was worth it.