Motorcycle Covers - Who likes what?

There are quite a few mc cover makers out there, Dowco, Nelson Rigg, to name a few. What would you guys recommend. I keep my bike parked in my complexes underground parking where it's mostly dry but dusty.

dukeracr, Feb 17 2005, 08:14 PMThere are quite a few mc cover makers out there, Dowco, Nelson Rigg, to name a few. What would you guys recommend. I keep my bike parked in my complexes underground parking where it's mostly dry but dusty.

Walmart for under $20. smile.gif

dukeracr, Feb 17 2005, 08:14 PMThere are quite a few mc cover makers out there, Dowco, Nelson Rigg, to name a few. What would you guys recommend. I keep my bike parked in my complexes underground parking where it's mostly dry but dusty.

hey dukeracr, I have the dowco weatherall, there are some pics somewhere on the site here of the Large version. It's kinda baggy but it covers the whole bike. It has a vent for condensation, and there's a padded part in the front to not scratch the windshield, and it fits over the shield of the vtec perfectly, I mean it's exact. Hank

I've got one I quit using because if the bike isn't perfectly clean, the wind blowing it back and forth all day at our office was beginning to leave little scratches on the paint. We have extreme low humidity here so even if the bike was clean, by the end of the day there would still be a light coat of dust under the cover, even with it tied down tight. If you're in an enclosed area, you will get better results. My bike is also in my garage at home so prying eyes are not a problem. Come to think of it, I also removed the bra on my car because I thought it was doing more harm than good to the clear coat. I can wash off the dirt. I can't wash off the scratches.

I keep my bikes under a six car garage.

The mailman, Feb 17 2005, 08:05 PM
I've got one I quit using because if the bike isn't perfectly clean, the wind blowing it back and forth all day at our office was beginning to leave little scratches on the paint. We have extreme low humidity here so even if the bike was clean, by the end of the day there would still be a light coat of dust under the cover, even with it tied down tight. If you're in an enclosed area, you will get better results. My bike is also in my garage at home so prying eyes are not a problem. Come to think of it, I also removed the bra on my car because I thought it was doing more harm than good to the clear coat. I can wash off the dirt. I can't wash off the scratches.

Mailman... you took the words right out of my mouth... I agree... I see a lot of customers bikes scratched by bras and covers due to wind and grit...

for a dry covered garage, the perfect cover is a cotton sheet. totally breathable, light(so it won't scratch any standing dust/dirt), cheap and easy to get. and easy to wash!
tongue.gif

I vote the $20 Walmart thing. Wish I had a 6 car garage. Ours is a 2 car that contains 2 bikes, some extra furniture, and a whole lotta stuff, but no cars.

Truck sits outside and has a $20 Walmart cover. Guaranteed for 2 years, but it's burnt out from the sun in maybe 1. Shoulda kept the receipt. Still better than frying the paint and upholstery. rolleyes.gif

Bikes don't get much dust since it's usually closed. Maybe I should look under the bras though. biggrin.gif

I'm a big fan of the Part Unlimited covers. The are military grade, I have never seen an MC cover this heavy. They are around $65 beer.gif

I got a Dowco with my bike. It's really nice and heavy with the windshield padding, vent and grommets on the bottom so you can lock it over the bike. It fits over the Givi Wingrack pretty good. They seem to be better made to withstand the UV rays, which is important here in the desert. I think the cheaper ones seem to sun rot really quickly, but if you're just covering it in the underground garage, the $20 cover is the cheaper way to go and will keep the bird poop off. Plus it will keep prying eyes from seeing your pretty one.

Covercraft all the way.

I have no garage, so my bike stays out in the elements all the time. I've used a Dowco before, but because they dont have a soft liner, they will scratch and wear your paint down. You dont need extremely dusty or windy conditions for that to happen either.

I've used a Covercraft for the past 3 years (same one in fact) with no complaints. No fading of the cover or bike. Soft interior to protect the paint.

The only downside to Covercraft (last time I checked...) is that they do not have aluminized panels to prevent burning of the material if you put it directly on a hot muffler.

Still, thier the only cover I'll use on my bike. wheel.gif

Re: Covercraft - Me too. Been using them forever. They're not perfect but seem to last longer than the others. I'm using an XM-102 on my VTEC with factory hardbags. It's a tight fit over the bags so I'll need to find one just a bit larger next time. It's best to get a snug fit to minimize flapping.

I have a covercraft too.

no garage, bikes sits in the back of my house.

I'm looking for something small and light, like a Nelson Rigg UV-2000... Just to cover from the handlebars to the back of the seat. Anyone seen other options in this size range?

[quote=dirtbag,Feb 17 2005, 11:07 PM]
for a dry covered garage, the perfect cover is a cotton sheet. totally breathable, light(so it won't scratch any standing dust/dirt), cheap and easy to get. and easy to wash!
tongue.gif

[/quote]

+1.gif , I keep my bikes under old bedsheets in the (heated) garage.

If you're not quite up to putting down a Jackson at Walmart and you can get a hold of some UBER strong harddrive magnets you can do what I did and buy a $10 latex-cloth painting sheet. It doesn't keep out the rain but nonetheless makes a good cover. I use the magnets to keep it on the bike buy pinning the loose end on the brake rotors. comp13.gif

[quote=thereisnospoon,Mar 28 2006, 06:54 AM]
I'm looking for something small and light, like a Nelson Rigg UV-2000... Just to cover from the handlebars to the back of the seat. Anyone seen other options in this size range?

[/quote]I have been using Geza covers on all my bikes. They are expensive,but very well made and very stretchy. I use them mostly for UV protection at work. Pack well also. Ronndo99

oh yeah, and I don't have a garage sad.gif . Maybe some day soon when that perfect job comes along.

I got one from the local car parts place that I like quite a bit. I keep it on even though my bike is in my 2 1/2 car extra deep garage. My Jeep Grand Cherokee, GMC Safari van and deep freeze all keep it company. Nice thing, with the cars parked right I can pull the bike right out and pull it right in without having to move anything.

Mine doesn't scrath the screen, is nice and loose, and covers the entire bike all around the bike and under it. I keep the cover on because it gets dusty with the garage doors open, that and I have kids. I have recently learned that kids are demons and will somehow find a way to destroy everything that isn't theirs, laugh.gif

Later,
Jeff

[quote=SEBSPEED,Mar 28 2006, 11:09 AM]
I keep my bikes under old bedsheets in the (heated) garage.

[/quote]

So I'm not the only one. I've found that the bottom sheet of a twin bed with the elastic at the bottom fits perfectly. I stretch it over the Givi rack, front fender and both foot pegs. Looks like it was meant for it.

[quote=2003_VTEC_Rider,Mar 28 2006, 12:02 PM]
I have recently learned that kids are demons and will somehow find a way to destroy everything that isn't theirs, laugh.gif

Later,
Jeff

[/quote]
Amen on the kids destroying stuff! But think back. . . how much of your dad's stuff did you destroy? goofy.gif It's all about keeping things equal in the universe! Doesn't make it any better, but makes it sound more "fair." laugh.gif

i got me a fly azz dowco elite...its sweet but hard to pack for trips

[URL=http://www.dowco-inc.com/CoverGuide.asp?seg=2&ct=3]dowco covers[/URL]

darn hyperlink tool not working???

one more try
[URL]http://www.dowco-inc.com/CoverGuide.asp?seg=2&ct=3[/URL]




edit....nope, not working

Ditto on the twin mattress bottom sheet...perfect fit for the VFR and makes a great garage cover. When on the road or parked at work I use a medium Geza Gear cover--the thick neoprene-like material makes for great protection against the sun and elements. FYI...I have an "almost brand new" medium Nelson Rigg UV-2000 I would sell cheap.

+1.gif for the Geza Gear cover. Packs small enough to carry in a tank bag. I have an early one where the mirrors stick through. The small mirror covers don't get used much.

[URL=http://www.gezagear.com/]Geza Gear[/URL]

Original Honda cover, expensive but no scratches en the fabric 'breaths'

[quote=�art West-VL.,Mar 28 2006, 02:20 PM]
Original Honda cover, expensive but no scratches en the fabric 'breaths'

[/quote]

Is that what I have? It came with the bike and I've been wondering?

It's grey with the Honda wing on each side and "Honda" on the nose and tail.
The material is almost like a "k-way" jacket but thicker.
It has elastic that draws under the front wheel and the rear.
There are draw strings that are heavy nylon.I think you can turn it "inside out" like a k-way jacket and it folds into itself for storage.

There are no prizes if you are right.
(I wouldn't know anyways)
I thought it was kind of cheap (the material) looking and thought it might be aftermarket? But what do I know.

[quote=Somebody, blah blah, and have you noticed than none of the quotes or URL thingies in this thread have worked??]
Motorcycle Covers - Who likes what?

[/quote]

Arses.

I like bottoms on my VFR, particularly those of my woman and I. (Although there are some nice ones around my workplace I wouldn't mind seeing perched on it....)

Not for long storage, but for general travel and to keep admirers away.

The Dow travler half cover has served me well, rolls up into a 6x6 inch bag. Not water proof but resistant and keeps the majority of rain off the bike, and has excellent sun block.


For waterproof at home type cover choose something different

Actually, I [I]do[/I] have a bike cover, no idea what brand/make, but it's very good. Bought it an autoparts store about 10 years ago, for the VF500, and since we moved houses/cities I have used it only once - when I had the VFR in the garage, and the VF on the front deck. Man, was my wife grumpy with me for having tow bikes! But I felt like a millionaire, going, "Hmmmmm.... now how shall I go to work today? The car, the truck, the VF500, or the VFR?"
Hey - lookit that there! Even the italics and stuff don't work in this forum. That's weird... blink.gif

Just a word of warning don't cover your bike until engine cools down, the built up heat when you cover it causes condensation then rust, same if it rains & your bike is outside under cover & sun comes out uncover bike till ground cover drys out.

I had actually read that covers wreck the paint on cars, due to dust/rubbing/sweating whatever, so I guess the same is true for bikes. But, if you have to store your bike outside, then it's better'n having leaves, snow, bird poop, cat hair or meteorites on it. blink.gif

I have my VFR parked in a carport, too. (Wish I had a 6 car garage like gr8vfr!!). My concern is people either taking the cover off to check the sweet goods, or just taking the cover period! My solution: I have just about mangyiest, smelly, cat-peed on, greasy, old stickered, burnt around the exhaust cover possible. Sure works good! tongue.gif

I don't think it's the same.
This one has the black Honda sign only on the front.
Both sides have flaps with holes where there can be a rope put through to secure the cover tight on the bike, rope goes under the bike.
On the front, below, there are two holes for the U-lock to go through, "hole-wheel-hole"
On the back, there are two adjustable 'click-locks' (not sure what they are called in English)
Also above the fuel tank, there is a 'click-lock'
I guess all these things are meant to shorten the cover, when there are no bags on the bike.
With a fully loaded bike, the cover still gets over the whole thing

edit: putting the cover on, while a little whet, should be no problem because the fabric is kind of "Goretex-like"

sorry for my bad English...
�art



[quote=MachineBuilder,Mar 29 2006, 01:50 AM]
Is that what I have? It came with the bike and I've been wondering?

It's grey with the Honda wing on each side and "Honda" on the nose and tail.
The material is almost like a "k-way" jacket but thicker.
It has elastic that draws under the front wheel and the rear.
There are draw strings that are heavy nylon.I think you can turn it "inside out" like a k-way jacket and it folds into itself for storage.

There are no prizes if you are right.
(I wouldn't know anyways)
I thought it was kind of cheap (the material) looking and thought it might be aftermarket? But what do I know.

[/quote]