Unfortunately, I have to leave my bike outside. So I put a cover over it to try to keep it somewhat decent. The last cover I bought was a cheapie from Wal-Mart ($20), and held up okay, but it now has some huge holes in it.

I am looking for a cover that can withstand being outside and in the morning sun. I usually leave my bike covered for days, until I get time on the weekends to ride (unless I am going out of town for an extended period, then I take it with me.).

One thing I am concerned with is my bag guardrails are starting to rust. No matter how much polish I keep on these things, they want to rust on me. It's always the "high side" top rear part of the bar that does it, too. Would a better cover help keep condensation off of the bike? (I am assuming that is part of my problem.)

I was thinking of one of those Cycle Shell things, as it keeps the cover off the bike. Whaddya think?

No, building a garage is not an option, but I was looking into buying a 5x10 enclosed trailer to use as a portable garage...

 

Would suggest something under the bike to prevent moisture evaporating out of the ground/concrete coming up under the cover.

I'm in the military and leave my bike...in the garage...for 6 months or more at a time. I always cover it, but one time I covered it and left it on the concrete floor with nothing underneath the bike. By the time I got back there was a ton of condensation under the cover that had risen out of the concerete floor. Next time I put one of those rubberized rugs under the bike and covered it...nowhere near the amount of moisture present when I got back.

Since you are storing yours outside I would try one of those bubbles you zip the bike into or maybe a gator hide set-up like this one with a rubber outdoor rug under the bike....
http://www.gatorhide.com/touring.html

 

my ridding partner has the cycle shell. he has been using it 1 1/2 years now and he swears by it.

http://www.cycleshell.com/

 

Hey, like your trailer idea for keeping your bike in, better for security also. One thing to consider for the trailer though. They will hold moisture also. Think about getting a vent and vent louvered cover and install on the roof to let moisture escaape, Camper supply houses have just these things.

 

just put a sign on it that reads " FREE"

 

I have a cycle shelter, which I used for my Fatboy all last year. It worked great. It didn't matter how hard the rain fell or the wind blew, the bike always stayed dry. Once up, all I had to do was ride up on it and pull the cover over it. It worked really, really, really well...

Cycle Shelter

 

I have the same issue NeonHomer, I like the Cycle Shell idea, but its pricey!!!

 

I've stored my bike in a 6x10 enclosed trailer for the past 2 years. I live in Indiana and it's about 28 now. The bike is nice and toasty with a small electric space heater. 750/1500 watt. It stays on 750w and it's about 50 degrees in there now. I have never had a moisture problem in the trailer. I take it with me when I travel for work. It was in Knoxville in June & July and in Atlanta in Sept.& Oct.

 

To combat the moisture, go back to your Harley dealer. Or any other bike dealer. They all have huge, 18 inch long, moisture proof packs that were packed with the bikes for shipping. They are kinda like huge versions of the silica packs in with most products.
Most dealers just throw them away as they get one or two with every bike. All you have to do is ask for them.

 

Thing with the big silica packs - would they work inside the Cycle Shell? As soon as taxes come back, I am getting either a cycle shell or cycle shelter.....