How do you protect you bike in the rain?

Question

This is a novice question but how do you protect it, when it's parked and you can't get to it before it rains? Or does it even matter?

Answer 1

protect it from what?  when it rains it gets wet, you dry the seat before sitting down and off you go

the only protection from water needed is when you have a velocity stack or conical breather... they usually use a sock to keep them from getting waterlogged

Answer 2

I ride my bike daily rain or shine and have never had any trouble.

Answer 3

Put a motorcycle cover over your bike when you park it.

http://street.parts-unlimited.com/11/102

Every motorcycle shop sells them.

They're designed to keep water off your bike and they breath to let moisture escape

Answer 4

Wrong answers about it not mattering.

The stock seats and custom leather on many bikes need protection, like waterproofing leather with a conditioner and basic stock seats with breathable vinyl that allows water to soak into the foam and cause it to rot or decay mush faster.

Many bolts are plain steel without without coatings or alloys that won't inhibit rust. You can replace them with billet aluminum bolts. Polished aluminum surfaces will oxidize faster without proper care if allowed to be wet.

If keeping up the appearance of your bike matters, then steps are necessary. Water can infiltrate your cables and cause them to rust - you won't find out until it's too late....

If you want less cost and better appearance, protect it by covering it when you can and drying it off as soon as you can. But saying it won't matter is not general to all bikes, it will matter to many.... and it's what pretend owners say or people that don't care about appearances say....  

Answer 5

I do not. My 2005 Kawasaki VN1600 has been outside everyday and i live in Oregon. I have no problems.

Answer 6

do you see people running out in the rain to cover thier cars,boats,ski-doo's,planes,trains ,etc,etc,etc,?

no need to cover it at all

Answer 7

Do you ever wash it? Same thing.

Answer 8

if its a decent make of bike, you dont need to. A cruiser etc with wax on it, serviced regualarly will do fine, now other types of bikes with chain drive or chineese (Not j*p) steel might rust. But its more for looks (We like em shinney) that we put them inside.

Answer 9

If I were you I would lay across it, blocking the rain, until it's sunny and clear again.

Answer 10

The ocassional rain will do nothing to the bike, except leave spots on the finish which will simply come off the next time you wash it. On the other hand a bike that is constantly in the rain can develop rust on the fraim but the engine and its electrical components are fully incased and will stay dry. Don't fret if you just get stuck at work or at the mall and it rains on it but I would find a way to keep it in a garage or buy a cover from Wal-Mart at the very least. Good luck and keep it rubber side down.

Answer 11

Wax and a throw over cover after she cools down some.