Squirrels taking bed material from my cover?

Momaru · November 15th, 2011, 07:31 PM

So a couple months ago, as I'm leaving my apartment to go to work, I see my bike cover's sitting a bit oddly. On closer inspection, it's torn in several places: at the mirrors, a bit on the front tire, even through the heat shield material, and a huge spot over the rear seat.

Living in a college apartment complex in a big college town during football season (and being somewhat of a misanthrope), my immediate thought was someone decided to sit on my bike while still covered (it happened a couple years ago without the cover).

But after thinking a moment, that's not right; these holes are kinda ragged in places, not the relatively neat linear tears you'd expect from old nylon weave. And there's fabric outright missing, mostly from the section over the seat...

DSC07214.jpg DSC07215.jpg DSC07216.jpg DSC07217.jpg

I took the cover in that night, patched it all up with duct tape and put it back into service, problem solved. Also stripped the fairings for some work that I'd been meaning to do, starting work on KC's shift indicator prototype install.

Next morning, there's new holes around the duct tape, even larger than the last and the upper part of my 'dash board' has been nibbled on, where it meets the top part of the upper cowl. Of course, this is now the day before a major storm is supposed to hit, thankfully I've got a friend nearby that let me use his carport for a few days.

Eventually I figured out it was our local tree rats (squirrels) tearing up my three-year old cover, probably for bedding. Guess they wanted

-retardant nests.

Needless to say, I got a new cover. No problems since, thinking it was just the old material that gave way to the little rodents.

Anyone else had something like this happen?

Firehorse · November 15th, 2011, 11:13 PM

heehee, that sucks but it's funny too. Hpe they moved onto less useful bedding.
Never had the squirrels mess with my bike but a groundhog set off my alarm once.

Mr.E · November 16th, 2011, 12:46 AM

Hmm... anyone know if akima was visiting the states recently?

Jk jk lol

saxnbass · November 16th, 2011, 10:52 AM

Akima.... want to maybe leave that cover alone? or tell your squirelly brethren to leave that cover alone?

akima · November 16th, 2011, 02:34 PM

* Squirms inside her rear-seat sized, nylon weave bedding *

Wasn't me!!

* Bashfully offers Paul a nut *

Momaru · November 16th, 2011, 04:15 PM

Thanks for the offer, I love chestnuts! I can't imagine all that old nylon was nearly as tasty, but hope it's toasty!

Once I got over the initial frustration that week, I had a great laugh. It was time to replace that cover (it started out black) and I can't think of a better way to recycle something like that. Reminds me, I need to go put a fresh corncob on the feeder...

akima · November 16th, 2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momaru

Thanks for the offer, I love chestnuts! I can't imagine all that old nylon was nearly as tasty, but hope it's toasty!

It's not as toasty as human nests:

Perhaps one day they will let me inside.

massacremasses · November 16th, 2011, 05:12 PM

that picture needs a meme....

its so damn cute.

November 15th, 2011, 07:31 PM	#1
Momaru ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: Roanoke, VA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue 250R Posts: A lot.	Squirrels taking bed material from my cover? So a couple months ago, as I'm leaving my apartment to go to work, I see my bike cover's sitting a bit oddly. On closer inspection, it's torn in several places: at the mirrors, a bit on the front tire, even through the heat shield material, and a huge spot over the rear seat. Living in a college apartment complex in a big college town during football season (and being somewhat of a misanthrope), my immediate thought was someone decided to sit on my bike while still covered (it happened a couple years ago without the cover). But after thinking a moment, that's not right; these holes are kinda ragged in places, not the relatively neat linear tears you'd expect from old nylon weave. And there's fabric outright missing, mostly from the section over the seat... DSC07214.jpg DSC07215.jpg DSC07216.jpg DSC07217.jpg I took the cover in that night, patched it all up with duct tape and put it back into service, problem solved. Also stripped the fairings for some work that I'd been meaning to do, starting work on KC's shift indicator prototype install. Next morning, there's new holes around the duct tape, even larger than the last and the upper part of my 'dash board' has been nibbled on, where it meets the top part of the upper cowl. Of course, this is now the day before a major storm is supposed to hit, thankfully I've got a friend nearby that let me use his carport for a few days. Eventually I figured out it was our local tree rats (squirrels) tearing up my three-year old cover, probably for bedding. Guess they wanted -retardant nests. Needless to say, I got a new cover. No problems since, thinking it was just the old material that gave way to the little rodents. Anyone else had something like this happen? __________________________________________________ Proud member of the Blue Army
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

November 16th, 2011, 12:46 AM	#3
Mr.E That rider dude. Name: Eric Location: Orlando, Fl. Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 White Ninja 250 SE. Posts: A lot.	Hmm... anyone know if akima was visiting the states recently? Jk jk lol __________________________________________________ Mods: flushmount Led front binkers, diode mod, pazzo levers, clear tank pad, racing replica grips, bike monkeys integrated tal light, zx-2r vinyls, rearsets, red bar ends, and more red accented stuff.

November 16th, 2011, 04:15 PM	#6
Momaru ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: Roanoke, VA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue 250R Posts: A lot.	Thanks for the offer, I love chestnuts! I can't imagine all that old nylon was nearly as tasty, but hope it's toasty! Once I got over the initial frustration that week, I had a great laugh. It was time to replace that cover (it started out black) and I can't think of a better way to recycle something like that. Reminds me, I need to go put a fresh corncob on the feeder... __________________________________________________ Proud member of the Blue Army

November 16th, 2011, 05:12 PM	#8
massacremasses Avid Kitteh Poster Name: Justin Location: Norcal Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Yamaha TTR 50 SUCK IT Posts: A lot.	that picture needs a meme.... its so damn cute. __________________________________________________ I powdercoat stuff Help me pay for my addiction I say funny stuff. http://twitter.com/JustinPWNSyou sometimes... I write like a 12 year old too, http://justinpwnsyou.wordpress.com/

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November 15th, 2011, 11:13 PM	#2
Firehorse ninjette.org sage Name: Ms.T, Queen of the Night Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250 Posts: 938	heehee, that sucks but it's funny too. Hpe they moved onto less useful bedding. Never had the squirrels mess with my bike but a groundhog set off my alarm once.

November 16th, 2011, 10:52 AM	#4
saxnbass ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Nashville, TN Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 CBR600rr Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Akima.... want to maybe leave that cover alone? or tell your squirelly brethren to leave that cover alone?

November 16th, 2011, 02:34 PM	#5
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	* Squirms inside her rear-seat sized, nylon weave bedding * Wasn't me!! * Bashfully offers Paul a nut *