Winter Scooter Usage: Rain in particular

[grey.hound]

So, parking in the rain during winter, any thoughts? What to do, things to be aware of. I never rode my other scooter to work in the event of rain. I do however plan on using my BMW. My concern is damage due to water. Thanks,
GH

 

[JaimeC]

Don't worry about it. When you park it for the night, is it in a garage or under a cover? If under a cover, make sure it BREATHES. You do NOT want a waterproof cover, as that will trap all the moisture and humidity and hold it around your vehicle. Best to just leave it uncovered, so the air can circulate freely around it. When it stops raining, it'll dry off that much quicker.

In a garage, just give it a quick wipe down and make sure the space around it is free and clear so it'll dry off (engine heat works wonders for that).

 

[grey.hound]

Not an issue overnight in my garage. At work it will be out in the elements with no cover.

 

[Jesse Diaz]

I have mine parked in my garage at night but will also have it exposed to the weather during the day. I installed my scooter cover which covers some of it including the seat but I'm worried about the dashboard

 

[grey.hound]

Yeah, the dash is my concern.

 

[Snowdog]

The dash should be waterproof enough to park in the rain once in a while, it wouldn't hurt to cover it though. For short periods, park into the wind, and leave the windshield in the down position, which will help.
Worry about the brakes, as the pistons can become sticky if wet often. At the end of the ride, hit the brakes hard then wobble the bike, this will exercise the pistons by allowing maximum motion. Do this often if you detect dragging brakes. You might also find the parking brake, center stand, and side stand getting sticky in wet weather.

 

[Xian Forbes]

BMW offers an inexpensive half cover that breathes well enough but protects the dash seat top box from Sun and rain. It's small enough that I leave it on the bike all the time stowing either under the seat or in my tail bag. Constant solar radiation will age your machine more than a bit of wet so I use mine 99% of the time rain or shine.

 

[JaimeC]

Spray all the moving parts (brake levers, side stand, center stand, etc.) down with WD-40 after you're parked for the night. You'll be fine.

 

[yellasei]

dash will be fine, the switchgear might be an issue though, over here we have a product called ACF50 and it is a spray on anti corrosion solution, quite messy and smelly but works well. if you are just riding through rain all will be ok, again over here, our road maintainance people spread rocksalt on the roads to stop them icing over when the temp gets low!!!! this stuff is leathal and corrodes all plated metal parts that much it strips the plating!!!!

 

[Snowdog]

dash will be fine, the switchgear might be an issue though, over here we have a product called ACF50 and it is a spray on anti corrosion solution, quite messy and smelly but works well. if you are just riding through rain all will be ok, again over here, our road maintainance people spread rocksalt on the roads to stop them icing over when the temp gets low!!!! this stuff is leathal and corrodes all plated metal parts that much it strips the plating!!!!

Same here.

 

[grey.hound]

We get mild winters here. 10 inches of rain on average and a few nights below freezing. No salt or anything like that. I just wondered what to prepare or expect during a rainy day while my bike is parked out on the ooen.

 

[grey.hound]

BMW offers an inexpensive half cover that breathes well enough but protects the dash seat top box from Sun and rain. It's small enough that I leave it on the bike all the time stowing either under the seat or in my tail bag. Constant solar radiation will age your machine more than a bit of wet so I use mine 99% of the time rain or shine.

Is this the scooter coat for rider protection or a cover for when parked?

 

[Xian Forbes]

The scooter coat does both. I also use a half cover meant for an R1200rt to properly cover my bike when not in use.

 

[grey.hound]

Any particular size for the scooter cover?

Bike Cover - BMW Motorrad Travel Half Cover - Large - - A&S BMW Motorcycle Parts and Accessories

Found a specific cover for the scooters:
http://www.sierrabmwonline.com/prod...her-motorcycle-cover-covers-77028527017-p-685

I've heard mixed things about full covers. Enough reports of bikes being knocked over to make me cautious. Of course again, here in CA, if the wind gets more than 20mph that's news; and a 550lb. bike doesn't seem to easily knocked over by our standard winds.

 

[Snowdog]

Any particular size for the scooter cover?

Bike Cover - BMW Motorrad Travel Half Cover - Large - - A&S BMW Motorcycle Parts and Accessories

Found a specific cover for the scooters:
77028527017- Covers- Sierra BMW Online- BMW C650GT|C600 Sport All Weather Motorcycle Cover

I've heard mixed things about full covers. Enough reports of bikes being knocked over to make me cautious. Of course again, here in CA, if the wind gets more than 20mph that's news; and a 550lb. bike doesn't seem to easily knocked over by our standard winds.

Always park into the wind.

 

[Xian Forbes]

A C series scooter with a top box is about the same dimensions as an RT. half covers work excellent. I have that same cover listed in A & S for my sport. 100% works awesome. And is easy to stow.

 

[exavid]

I prefer a half cover to protect the bike when away from home. They cover the area like the panel, handlebars and seat which is the most important to me. Also a half cover goes on and off easier than a full cover as well as taking up less room when under the seat. A cover also tends to deter those who get too interested in the bike as a side benefit. Whenever the bike is parked inside no cover so whatever got wet will dry more quickly. There's really no need to do much special to the brake levers, they should be lubed with a bit of grease. Better than oil and won't be washed out of the bushing. I prefer a shot of contact cleaner/lubrication rather than WD40 but either is a good idea to shoot sparingly into the switches a couple times a year. These bikes were built to provide transportation and are able to take a bit of weather. Watch out if your rainy season is just starting because the oil in the pavement tends to rise to the surface until it's washed off and can make the ride interesting. This time of year the ABS is really a great item to have.

 

[grey.hound]

I ordered the half cover; got it today and fits nicely. Thanks for the information.