Commuter cover options: half cover/awning?

[cantridenuf]

Hi everyone! Great site and very informative reading. I will post some pics as soon as weather conditions improve. I love my recently purchased '05 and just cantrideunuf - especially when the fickle spring weather here in Central Oregon does its usual thing as is the case now.

I have pored through old posts and can't find any info regarding covers. Here is my dilema: when commuting to work I am burning multiple holes in my full cover when I attempt to throw in on the hot machine. So do I get a half cover? Can anyone recommend awnings? What do you commuters feel are the best options and brands for the Nomads? I just want to protect my baby from U/V exposure.

Thanks, and ride safe.

Bob

[schoeney]

Welcome to the board Bob!

Another NW guy....I love it! I am not a commuter so I can't help with the cover but I am sure someone will jump in to help.

Make sure you visit the NW portion/forum so you can meet all the local guys.

I have a sister that lives in Bend so I am sure I will be your way sometime this summer.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by cantridenuf

Hi everyone! Great site and very informative reading. I will post some pics as soon as weather conditions improve. I love my recently purchased '05 and just cantrideunuf - especially when the fickle spring weather here in Central Oregon does its usual thing as is the case now.

I have pored through old posts and can't find any info regarding covers. Here is my dilema: when commuting to work I am burning multiple holes in my full cover when I attempt to throw in on the hot machine. So do I get a half cover? Can anyone recommend awnings? What do you commuters feel are the best options and brands for the Nomads? I just want to protect my baby from U/V exposure.

Thanks, and ride safe.

Bob

I just use the Kawasaki Nomad cover. With the crash-bars and bags, it doesn't touch anything hot enough to melt it. So, I haven't had the problem you are speaking of.

Good luck, and welcome aboard.

[caddman11]

I bought a top cover off ebay for $10 delivered and use it everyday at work. Goes on in 30 seconds, keeps the sun, rain and bird sh*t off, stores easily in a bag, and yes you can burn holes in it. It just covers the seat and tank, but that's all I was looking for. This works for me and I have the same type of weather going on here in the Chicagoland area.

[tazfl]

I bought one of these "Qwik Shade" covers years ago for my 1500 classic
http://www.qwikshade.com/

Unless they've changed them since i bought mine they don't keep the rain off since they're not waterproof...but...they do keep the sun and UV's off. I loved mine, they roll up very compact so they take no room in the saddlebag, they're a breeze to put on and off and the husband / wife that own the business are great to deal with. very nice people. Hmmmm, I'll have to see if my one of the classic will work on the nomad, probably too small since they make one for touring bikes.

[cactusjack]

I have a Dowco Guardian cover that I bought a couple of years back, but seldom used. Mostly because I'd get to work and then have to back to the parking lot 30 minutes later to put the cover on. I recently bought a Dowco Traveler cover that I haven't tried yet. It's a half cover which will keep the direct sunlight, tree droppings, and dust off the bike. We don't get much rain here, so rain protection is secondary.

[ringadingh]

I just have a generic cover, I think its similar to the ones you see on Ebay, Im pretty sure that the lower panels in it are made of some heatproof material. I don't use it that often, mainly as a dust cover over winter.

[ringadingh]

And I forgot to say "Welcome to the forum from Canada"

[dogdoc]

Welcome Bob from TX. I just use a $20 full cover from wally world. I put it on hot and have had no burns. You can even leave out the muffler tips if your still worried about a melt down. the lower part is a durable material. Alot of guys use these on here.

Doc

[mcdaddy]

I use one of these. I cut a hole in it (with an iron on patch on each side) for the CB antenna to stick through.

http://www.nelsonrigg.com/store/product.aspx?pid=487

[cantridenuf]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feedback. Those Quickshades look pretty slick, and might be a great option both for commuting and touring since they should store up into a fairly compact bundle. They don't list one for the Nomads, though on their websight. I shot those folks an e-mail about fitting one onto a Nomad and will post their response later.

Bob

[ringadingh]

For the guys in Canada, I just recieved my new Princess Auto catalog today. It has an XL bike cover on sale for $49.99. It seems like a good price since I paid about $69.99 for the one I have, and they appear to be about the same.

[nomad561]

I have a Dowco cover with the heat resistant panels in the bottom and when I ride to work,by the time I get my helmet off and my stuff ready to take with me the bike is cool enough to install the cover (6-8 minutes)
I am looking at 1/2 covers just for the reduced space needed and the ease to put on.