I am moving from NY to FL soon.
I may ride or ship my bike.
Two questions:
1) If I ride and purchase a bike cover to use while staying at a hotel, must I wait until the engine and exhaust pipes cool down before putting on the cover? Or, does the cover not touch hot areas?
2) Once in FL, where it is much hotter than in NY and my bike has always been in my garage, I will have no garage at my new home in FL, is it a good idea to keep the cover on my bike at my new home? Or does the cover actually make the bike hotter - and do more damage than what the cover does to protect it from the sun and rain?
Finally, after reading posts here, I should get a cover with a Honda logo?

 

Light colored covers wont absorb the heat like darks covers will and yes, covers will protect your Harley better than leaving it out in the elements. I recommend letting the bike, especially the exhaust cool down before putting the cover on. At least in Florida you will have some great days to ride.

 

I live in Upstate NY (near Rochester) in a townhouse rental with no garage. So I know of what you speak (sort of). But it rains here a lot and sometimes without much notice thanks to those god forsaken great lakes that bring every kind of crappy weather right into Rochester.

1. I always cover my bike when I'm not riding it with a plain no logo HD cover and I usually wait to cover it up when its cooled off to the touch but still warm. The cover does touch the tailpipes, but thats it. So I wait a little while. I just don't want to trap heat in there if I can help it, or singe my expensive cover. Even tho it breathes.

2. Like I said, my cover breathes so I'm not concerned about keeping it on the bike on a hot day. I think in FL where the sun is a lot more intense it would be helpful to protect the paint against sun fade. Not only that, but theres always bird crap and tree stuff on my cover. Construction in the area kicking up dust, commercial airliners flying overhead dumping their fuel etc, etc.

And if you're riding a Harley, why the hell do you want a Honda logo on your cover...for decoy/theft deterrant purposes? I don't get it I guess cuz I wouldn't think it would fit right, but whatever.

 

These are bothe better solutions to the storage issue you have. It is up to you to decide which way you go but I think if it was me I would go with the bike barn solution for its warranty and durability.

http://www.motoshell.com/ 6 month warranty

www.thebikebarn.net lifetime warranty

 

Dowco makes breathable covers with built in heat pannels in case it touches the exhaust. As for the honda cover, lol, some HD owners do that to deter those people out there with sticky fingers. If someone wants your bike bad enough, 4 big guys, 2 poles, 20-45 seconds later your bike is history. If you ride it, I would invest in saddlebag security somehow, park in well lit areas and close to your room as you can get it and if possible cable lock it to a pole or something and have good insurance in case all the above fails. Good luck with your trip man.

 

I also moved from NYC to Florida. I had a garage in both locations. I really like the covers/ tents above. If you are going to leave a bike outside you really want to get a full cover. Down here we still get hail and major storms. Forget the Honda cover, buy a HD heavy duty outdoor cover and wait until it's warm to the touch to cover the bike. Plan on buying a new cover in about 2 years because of sun damage. Be aware of snakes and others little friends that will used your cover to stay out of the sun/ weather also. If possible look for a place with a carport or garage/ storage room. If not, try renting a garage near by. Keep a good coat of wax on the bike and chrome. What part of Florida are you moving too ??? Good luck with the move. JIM

 

I live in NC and have spent months at a time in Florida on assignments. First of all I don't mean to sound crass but asking if you should let the bike cool is a... Ah, leave it alone. As far as a good cover I agree you do not want to advertise you are covering your HD with an overpriced HD cover. I have a Nelson Riggs which is waterproof and breathable. Has weathered out plenty of Fl storms and a great value at less than 50 bones.

 

I live on the beach in FL in a condo. Bike stays on my patio. Due to space limitations the bike barn was to big so bought a Cycleshell. This is one of the best investments I made. Nice durable plastic floor metal plates for stand and tire stop for front. Takes me second to completely cover the bike. Have had some many 25+ windy days and no problem. At work right off the Atlantic I throw a cheap nylon cover over it. The bottom is different material so the heat doesn't effect it.

 

Let the bike cool.

buy a custom cover with no logo

it is a form of low level security. (out of sight - out of mind)

 

I just ordered a cycle shell to use at my camp in the summer because I have no garage there. It wouldn't work on the way down, but once in Florida it would be perfect. You have to check it out and read all the info on the page perfect set up.