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[yort4041]

Today I uncovered my bike pretty eary in the morning and discovered the cover was damp and the bike had a little condensation on it. I live in an old house here in New Orleans and the garage is detached and not at all "air tight"
Does anyone have a reccomendation for keeping it dry? I saw the Harley Bubbles. Look kinda funny, but if they work its okay with me.
One last question, the bubbles stay plugged in. Is this costly on your electric bill? Thanks for any help.

[Fired00d]

Try a dehumidifier.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[hogasm]

Bubbles don't require alot of electricity. Need to be careful not to poke a hole in it.

A dehumidifier uses more electricity but will keep the whole garage dry.  You will need to keep an eye on the dehumidifier. The reservoir will need to be dumped regularly or plumb it to the outdoors.

 

[The Mysterious Q!]

I have a similar problem with my cloth cover. I put it on the scoot always and after I ride I put it on before bed and if the scoot is a little warm it still goes on. And on a humid day as soon as the cover comes off it gets all wet til you warm it up. I may get a breathable cover and see if that helps. Later,Q

[BayouBiker]

Today I uncovered my bike pretty eary in the morning and discovered the cover was damp and the bike had a little condensation on it. I live in an old house here in New Orleans and the garage is detached and not at all "air tight"
Does anyone have a reccomendation for keeping it dry? I saw the Harley Bubbles. Look kinda funny, but if they work its okay with me.
One last question, the bubbles stay plugged in. Is this costly on your electric bill? Thanks for any help.

I'm in NOLA-(504) also...
The condensation is impossible to eliminate...
If you got the 'Bubble', when you go to take your bike out, it would still accumulate the condensation.
We've got 3 bikes and have tried everything to combat this issue.

The amount of humidity here is too high to have anything make a difference once you get the bike out of a dry, covered area into the ambient air.
The only time I didn't get the condensation is when I left the bike out uncovered, but under a carport. When your garage is closed it still keeps the humidity level lower than outside air. You could try leaving the door open overnight once (depending on your location in the city) & see if it makes a difference.
When I get the bikes out, I let 'em sit for awhile and it usually dries without leaving waterspots.

PM me if ya want to meet up in the Quarter by Johnny White's sometime... 

[hd-dude]

Park your bike on a thick rubber mat, it will help the moisture from rising out of the concrete.

[110tHunDer]

 
When we lived on the coast in NC (veeeeeeery high humidity as hogasm will testify) I ran a dehumidifier and a couple of smaller oscillating fans 24/7.  Did a great job and no problems with condensation after that.  Be sure and get a good dehumidifer (I use a Whirlpool) sized right for your garage, if you go that route.

You can go the route of the bubble or a storage bag, but unless you're thinking about it for long-term storage, they're sort of a hassle to get the bike in and out of on a regular basis.

[TORKER07]

Check for roof vents and soffit vents to let the humidity out. Rapid temperature changes will cause concrete and metal to condensate when going from cold to warm. I added insulation to the walls and ceiling in my garage to help slow the temperature change rate. I think this would help your situation.

[porthole]

Don't cover it.
I stopped covering mine because of that.

[grc]

Reduce the humidity level with a dehumidifier, or raise the temp of the bike above the dew point.  Any cool surface will condense moisture out of the air if it's temp is at or below the dew point, no matter where you are.  As others have noted, dehumidification and air circulation (no cover) are the best approach.  Unfortunately, however, once you open the garage door and move the bike outside condensation will form if the conditions are right.

Here's an idea, move up here in the frozen north where the relative humidity is so low your skin dries out and cracks.  No condensation problems here.

Jerry

[hogasm]

When we lived on the coast in NC (veeeeeeery high humidity as hogasm will testify) I ran a dehumidifier and a couple of smaller oscillating fans 24/7.  Did a great job and no problems with condensation after that.  Be sure and get a good dehumidifer (I use a Whirlpool) sized right for your garage, if you go that route.

You can go the route of the bubble or a storage bag, but unless you're thinking about it for long-term storage, they're sort of a hassle to get the bike in and out of on a regular basis.

We live within .5 miles of the ocean. Can hear it from our back porch.

We also carpeted the area in the garage that the bikes are in. Went down to the carpet store and bought a remnant for near nothing. Make sure it is rubber backed. Makes a world of difference.

Another thing that you did not mention is it is soo corrosive here that we spray down the bikes with a corrosion inhibitor after washing them.

[Keats]

Reduce the humidity level with a dehumidifier, or raise the temp of the bike above the dew point.  Any cool surface will condense moisture out of the air if it's temp is at or below the dew point, no matter where you are.  As others have noted, dehumidification and air circulation (no cover) are the best approach.  Unfortunately, however, once you open the garage door and move the bike outside condensation will form if the conditions are right.

Here's an idea, move up here in the frozen north where the relative humidity is so low your skin dries out and cracks.  No condensation problems here.

Jerry

absolutely right......keep bike always warmer than air temp (blow warm air on bike) and try taking as much water out of air as possible (dehumiifier)

air bubble will not stop the condensation issues

[ccr]

It sounds like if you have that much condensation in your detached garage (we have one too) that you have to keep an eye on storing accesories out there.  Things like helmets and seats.  Fabric will get a mold on it quick.

[dayne66]

http://www.zonkshop.com/red-wing-peet-boot-dryer-p-261.html

Talked to an old guy at a gas station the other day...he puts one of these boot driers, with the top part off, on the floor(sheet of plywood) under the cover of his old Indian and claims no condensation problems.

[Pete7539]

http://www.zonkshop.com/red-wing-peet-boot-dryer-p-261.html

Talked to an old guy at a gas station the other day...he puts one of these boot driers, with the top part off, on the floor(sheet of plywood) under the cover of his old Indian and claims no condensation problems.

Lays it down flat under bike or leaves it standing up next to it under cover? Don't know if it'd work or be a hazard laying flat is all. Currently using a fan, but like the idea of that better.