Leaving bike outside long term


Information and questions on GL1500 Goldwings (1988-2000)
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adrinalino
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2024 1:53 pm
Location: Nederland
Motorcycle: gl 1500

Leaving bike outside long term

Post by adrinalino »



Hi everyone,

My name is Adrian, and I am Dutch. I hope I can get your advice on the GL1500. The GL1500 has been on my wish list for a long time, but one of the reasons I haven't bought one yet is the fear that the bike might not be capable of coping with the Dutch weather.

I'd like to know how weatherproof the GL1500 is with all it's electronics. At the moment, I own a Honda NTV650, and it has always been flawless. I don't own a garage, so the bike has to stay outside in the sun and rain all year. We get only moderate frost in the winter. I can imagine that the leather seat might have issues, but I can make a new cover for it.

Are there any other problems I can expect?

Thanks for helping a Dutchie out!

Cheers,
Adrian


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Rambozo
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Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
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Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Rambozo »

Because there is a lot of plastic, the sun will age it more quickly. Rain isn't much of a problem. The switches are greased from the factory, and a good cleaning and new dielectric grease will keep them working rain or shine. After looking at a bunch of 1500s that have been stored outside, I would at least try to use a bike cover if possible. Mine spends a lot of time outside and it shows. However, it works fine, and are just cosmetic issues that I have to deal with.
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Charlie1Horse
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Motorcycle: 1986 GL1200A Aspencade
1992 GL1500I Interstate
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Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Charlie1Horse »

I have a GL1500 and a GL1800. Both of them are outside because I have no room in my small garage. I have kept them out there for years. I cover the seats with some upholstery plastic, medium thickness. This keeps the local cats from getting on the upholstery and clawing the material to shreds. Personally, I don't like cats but, a lot of you do. Then I cover the entire bike with a 9 X 12 heavy duty tarp and keep it in place with bungee cords. This keeps the rain off and helps keep the sun from fading the paint. I have never, so far. had any trouble with the way I choose to protect it. I have been doing this for a number of years with great success. I have to, however replace the tarps about every six months. I am wanting to replace my one car garage with a larger one soon which will give me room inside but, until then. . . . I hope this answers your question adequately.
Russell
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WingAdmin
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Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by WingAdmin »

I would get a good quality full bike cover and keep it covered when outside. It will prevent it from aging from the sun and rain (which will definitely cause embrittlement of the plastic and accelerate corrosion).

Another option would be something like this:



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Rambozo
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Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Rambozo »

I was looking at many of those kind of garage storage thingies. I couldn't find one that would fit a stock 1500.
Now that I have a Madstad windshield I should remeasure and look again.
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Hans van der Lugt
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Location: Ede , Gelderland, Netherlands
Motorcycle: 2004 GL1800A

Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Hans van der Lugt »

Hi Adrian,
I live in Ede, my 1800 is outside anytime the weather allows riding. 9-10 months a year.
I bought the cheap (50 Euro) cover from Bikers Best.
That works fine. Although one side of it loses color since the summer.
But better the cover then the bike.
I knotted a neon shoelace with a steel shopping cart coin to the hook. So you can reach it more easily.
The cover is put in the right saddle bag during riding. And goes on every evening. Keeps the bike clean and the saddle dry.
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Snowmoer
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Motorcycle: 2012 GL 1800
1977 GL 1000
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Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Snowmoer »

Definitely get some type of full cover. The weather will age your bike quicker than you think. The sun also ages the tires quicker. The seat is vinal unless the previous owner had it recovered with leather. Can you put one of those plastic sheds on your property that the bike would fit inside? That would protect it from the rain and sun. But, it is not a permanent building.
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offcenter
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Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by offcenter »

Leave it outside??
Not me! Mine means too much to me.
As Snowmoer said, the sun and weather will age the bike quickly.
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
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Solo So Long
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Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Solo So Long »

Some of us don't HAVE an "inside" to put the Wing into.

One problem with covers is that when plastic ages in heat or direct sunlight, it tends to stick to other plastic that it's in contact with, such as the windshield. If you have to use a simple plastic cover, get a king-size contour bedsheet to cover the bike, then put the plastic over that.

That fold-over "garage" would be great, except that it doesn't fit the Wing.

I wish that I had the setup that one guy I knew in LA had. His apartment building had been build in the 1930s, and they had put in a sidewalk elevator to get to the basement storage. It had eventually been abandoned for some reason. He made a deal with the owner that let him get it working again, and use it for parking his KZP. He added a garage door remote, so he simply had to ride onto the sidewalk, hit the button, the cargo lift would come up, he would ride onto it, and then the whole thing would lower back down to the basement, with him still sitting on it. The opposite when it was time to hit the streets. When word got around, we all had to go watch this. It earned him the nicknames Green Hornet and Batgirl.
Cewonz
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Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Cewonz »

Hi Adrian
I have no garage as well so what works for me I put on a half cover that fits snugly around the bike. I then bought a full cover two seater Golf Cart Cover! I added two heavy duty adjustable buckle clamps to the front & back. The cover comes with one already in the middle. It does the job perfectly. No sun or rain touches the bike & breathable. Keep sun off the tires. Covers the bike completely. I added heavy duty buckle clamps for fit & wind protection! Hope this helps.. It's doing wonders for me!

Corey in N.Carolina
Silvereagle1833
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Motorcycle: 1997 GL1500 Aspencade

Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Silvereagle1833 »

Change your life style. Get that thing in a garage. No excuse. I won't sugarcoat it. Motorcycles are small in size. People are lazy.
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Hans van der Lugt
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Location: Ede , Gelderland, Netherlands
Motorcycle: 2004 GL1800A

Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Hans van der Lugt »

What if there are no affordable houses, let alone garages for sale in your town?
We live in a very crowded country.
We bought a recreational house so our adult daughter and partner have a place to live.
I can rent two garages, but they are 3 miles from home. No use if you want to commute on your bike.
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Tim 1956
Posts: 273
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Location: South Florida usa
Motorcycle: 1994 Honda GL 1500i Goldwing (Interstate)

Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Tim 1956 »

adrinalino wrote: Thu Aug 29, 2024 2:16 pm Hi everyone,

My name is Adrian, and I am Dutch. I hope I can get your advice on the GL1500. The GL1500 has been on my wish list for a long time, but one of the reasons I haven't bought one yet is the fear that the bike might not be capable of coping with the Dutch weather.

I'd like to know how weatherproof the GL1500 is with all it's electronics. At the moment, I own a Honda NTV650, and it has always been flawless. I don't own a garage, so the bike has to stay outside in the sun and rain all year. We get only moderate frost in the winter. I can imagine that the leather seat might have issues, but I can make a new cover for it.

Are there any other problems I can expect?

Thanks for helping a Dutchie out!

Cheers,
Adrian
https://wingstuff.com/shop/motorcycle_covers The best cover is out of stock that I have been using for over 4 years now in the south florida heat and rain and 2 category 2 hurricanes. I have half of a roof and side of a house for my 94 honda goldwing 1500 i It's been working great. I am groot. :-)
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Tim 1956
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Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Tim 1956 »

Silvereagle1833 wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2024 2:50 pm Change your life style. Get that thing in a garage. No excuse. I won't sugarcoat it. Motorcycles are small in size. People are lazy.
say what? wow. way to talk to a Dutch person or any person. Not everyone has the money or buildings to house a motorcycle. I have never had an indoor place for my 94 goldwing 1500 in over 4 years in 2 category 2 hurricanes. With just half a roof over it and side of the house it is still fine. https://wingstuff.com/shop/motorcycle_covers I have the best wingstuff cover at $79.00 it still works great and keeps everything dry. Be nice and respectable. NO Excuse. I won't sugar coat it. No call for that language when he did not present it. and calling him lazy. Wow. You should be sober when writing a post on here. Others and the owner of this site monitor everything. Please don't show foreigners what some americans are like. WE/I am nothing like that. :roll:
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Happytrails
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Motorcycle: 1991 Goldwing 1500 SE
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Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Happytrails »

My first bike was Honda 400CM and it was kept outdoors. Was renting at time so no garage or carports. Bike was well used but the elements really take its toll on a motorcycle. Sold it a couple years later for what I paid for it but put a little time and money into it. Would have benefitted from a cover I bet. You can only do what you can with your current situation and would just make the best of what you can do. Possibly find a good cover that doesn't cost too much. Also maybe keep eye out for garage close by if you think you could rent. Some people here store bikes in a storage rental unit during the winter snows. Good luck with your new bike.



1991 GL1500 SE Anniversary Edition
Sun Flare Gold Metallic
Vallant Brown Inset
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Tim 1956
Posts: 273
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: South Florida usa
Motorcycle: 1994 Honda GL 1500i Goldwing (Interstate)

Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Tim 1956 »

Happytrails wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 11:17 pm My first bike was Honda 400CM and it was kept outdoors. Was renting at time so no garage or carports. Bike was well used but the elements really take its toll on a motorcycle. Sold it a couple years later for what I paid for it but put a little time and money into it. Would have benefitted from a cover I bet. You can only do what you can with your current situation and would just make the best of what you can do. Possibly find a good cover that doesn't cost too much. Also maybe keep eye out for garage close by if you think you could rent. Some people here store bikes in a storage rental unit during the winter snows. Good luck with your new bike.

picture-i35-unit.jpg
exactly. thank you. any of us can only do what we can do. We can't magically make a storage unit appear. The wingstuff cover I bought 4 years ago seems to be out of stock from time to time because it is their best. and I told them how it held up under a cat 2 hurricane in september 2017 and now just last week with hurricane milton. for $80.00 usd it can't be beat and the south florida sun has not damaged it but faded it somewhat. but no tears or rips or holes. If I had to replace it every 4 or 5 years for that price, it would still be well worth it as my bike still looks and runs the same almost every other day or a few days in a row all for short rides to the local wal mart or cvs pharmacy. I have to stay close. :-)
Solo So Long
Posts: 593
Joined: Thu Mar 26, 2020 4:07 pm
Location: Northern Nevada
Motorcycle: 1999 GL1500 50th Anniversary SE
1989 GL1500 FOR SALE
A pack of Super Cubs
Z50A (pre-headlight)
Formerly (in order):
Honda Super Cub (bought 1968, sold ?)
Kawasaki Coyote (early 1970s)
Honda 350 (mid 1970s)
Kawasaki KZ900-PS (1977)
Honda Super Cubs (various years)
Kawasaki KZ1000C (1978)
Kawasaki KZ1000P (various years, 1980 - 2005)
Honda 360 (1983)
BMW R1150RT-P (2001)
BMW R1200RT-P (various years 2007 - 2018, NEVER AGAIN)

Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Solo So Long »

Silvereagle1833 wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2024 2:50 pm Change your life style. Get that thing in a garage. No excuse. I won't sugarcoat it. Motorcycles are small in size. People are lazy.
Super Cubs are small in size. MiniTrails are small in size. Goldwings . . .uh not so much.

Motorcycles are also just FINE being parked outside. After all, that's where most folks RIDE them. In sun, rain, even snow . . .if your bike can't handle being PARKED outside, you have the wrong bike.
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Tim 1956
Posts: 273
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Location: South Florida usa
Motorcycle: 1994 Honda GL 1500i Goldwing (Interstate)

Re: Leaving bike outside long term

Post by Tim 1956 »

WingAdmin wrote: Thu Aug 29, 2024 8:06 pm I would get a good quality full bike cover and keep it covered when outside. It will prevent it from aging from the sun and rain (which will definitely cause embrittlement of the plastic and accelerate corrosion).

Another option would be something like this:



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That won't work when you get a wind storm or a hurricane in florida or other parts of the country. MY wingstuff cover went through Hurricane Milton again with no problems. That is 2 cat 2 hurricanes that it protected my 1500 with. I can't say enough for that cover. Just a single bungy cord under the middle from both front pegs and one bungy cord on the front tire to pull it tight into the rim. No tears or wet bike up inside or anything. cat 2 hurricane approved. :D


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