I just bought the 990SD but unfortunately won't have a garage for it until end of June, so I'll have to store the bike outside for 4 weeks.. Not very happy about this, especially as the bike is like new in show room condition and knowing the UK weather, I'm pretty sure it will rain a lot during these 4 weeks.

For rain protection, I'm thinking of simply using a bike cover. The only problem is, that I'll be using the bike every day and if it's raining when I ride home, it probably wouldn't be wise to put the cover on if the bike is already wet. Or what do you think? I was also thinking if it would be better instead, to make a cover out of a plastic panel and attach it to the corners of my fence, so the bike could probably dry better if I have to park it there when its wet.

For theft protection, the bike's gonna have a disk lock, chain lock and a GPS-tracker fitted. Luckily the neighbourhood is one of the safest in the area so this shoulnd't be a problem, but you never know..

Would you have any tips for me for storing it in the garden? I'm mostly worried about moisture causing problems :S

Anyone else in your neighbourhood with a garage? might be willing let you have some temp space? offer money / beer?

Keep it sprayed with this

I kept mine outside for 5 years under one of these:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GARRISON-MOTORCYCLE- ... 4897.l5658

No rust, no problems.

£100 may be too much for you but it's cheaper than a garage in London!

I keep mine covered under an oxford stormex with a chain and disc lock. I spray the bolts and parts that can deteriorate with WD40 on a regular basis.

The amount of time i've ridden home in the rain and had to cover it up, still wet, are actually very few and far between. And when it does happen, the bike gets a good clean and covering in wd40 that weekend.

So far, touch wood, no hassles. It's been two years.

These bikes might not be as hard wearing and tough as a Honda kept outside, but they're defintely not as bad as a Ducati.

Where are you based?

Mine was stored outside for about 3 years with just an Oxford Stormex cover over it. Every time I washed it, I put a layer of the afore mentioned muc-off stuff or some PTFE spray that I "acquired" from work. It went under the cover wet a fair few times, but if you get a decent cover then it should be able to let your m/c "breathe" and the moisture should escape without letting more in.

Yes I do have a few rusted fasteners, but whether that was contributed my having it outside or not I don't know, seeing as I live by the coast in "sunny" Scotland. Even when I first got it and it was always stored in a garage it still managed to gain some corrosion. Perks of the place I live!

As others suggest - its all about the right cover. I've found that using the right cover and placing the bike beneath a shade, sturdy trees, or shadows of structures really helps. Moisture, sunshine, marine aerosols, temperature, road grime - these are your enemies.

Best way is to open front door and drag the fooker into the house, just behind the front door in the hall if you have one

^^Like this?

My boy and his little friends would paint, climb over and jump off, fill with power ranger and Lego super hero's and eventually knock over and be squashed by any bike stored in the house! Much much safer outside or, as I'm lucky enough to have one in the garage

Hmmm, maybe some tough love where kids are concerned then, maybe a little guidance, for example, threaten the beat the fooking living daylights out of them if they so much as come within 10 metres of the bike...... maybe some razor wire and some sort of electrified booby trap in case they stray too close, nothing too serious, don't want to hurt them, I am thinking of something like a tazer like the coppers use just to make them jump around a bit

Funny isn't it, when I was a kid, I would not have dreamed of going near something that belonged to my dad, if you did, they best thing you could do was hand yourself into the police station and beg to go into witness protection, as it would be the only place you would be safe, if you were lucky he might just throw you out if the house to fend for yourself, with the threat of death if you tried to return. But that was only the lucky ones, ahhh the good old days aye

When you get your garage also get a dog.

Make a hoop (upside down "U" structure out of hog fence, cover with visque, add a small fan for ventilation.
When finished using, turn it into a green house for your veggys.
Hog fence is weldment of cross rods about 1/4 dia with centers about 4 inch on center. They come in panels about 4 feet by 8 feet.
SWAG cost $50USD.