We are always reminded to stay safe on the road and wear protective gear when riding on a two-wheeler. While that’s of utmost importance, one shouldn’t forget to protect the motorcycle itself. You obviously can’t equip your two-wheeler with safety gear, but you can keep it protected from the elements and prying eyes with a cover. It may not seem like much but a cover can also help prevent dust and dirt from entering the engine and protect the upholstery from the sun. You may think that any cover would do as it is just a simple piece of nylon or fleece that goes over your bike but there is actually more to it than that.
What to Consider
Material
While the majority of motorbike covers are water-resistant, not all of them are waterproof. Motorbike covers waterproof protection serves to keep water out at all costs which is extremely important in areas where there is heavy downpour. Water resistant covers, on the other hand, allow for condensation and some breathability whilst being able to only keep moisture away.
A lightweight and affordable waterproof option would be a polyester cover but if you want something that also has great abrasion-resistant properties, you should go with nylon. Nylon can also have better waterproofing properties but that depends on how the material has been woven. Polyurethane is a material that makes motorbike covers waterproof but at a whole different level than nylon and polyester. The excellent properties of polyurethane can extend even further with some covers containing UV blocking chemicals/ pigments too.
Size
A cover should not only accommodate your motorcycle but also the accessories on it. While you can get a cover that’s bigger than your bike and not have to worry about that, it is still not a good idea. An oversized cover will droop onto the ground and flap in the wind – this will pick up dirt and water and scatter it all over the bike. A motorbike cover should fit your two-wheeler and preferably have an elastic edge so it can provide a snug and secure fit.
Security
A cover that doesn’t have tacky colours won’t give away the position of your bike, hence it won’t be an easy target for thieves. This doesn’t mean that your bike will be totally unnoticeable but at least it won’t be as easy to spot.
Portability
Whilst the more protection a cover offers the better it is for your motorbike, this can actually be a burden too. A thick cover means a heavy one and if it has a lot of safety features too, then it can get a little bit annoying when you’ll want to bring your cover on a long trip. This is where you need to make some compromise by leaving out features you won’t need as much.
Other Features
There are covers that come with a bag where you can store the cover when not in use. You can also get one with an anti-theft lock in the form of lock holes through which you can pass the lock. Motorbike covers can have grommets too which won’t let you cover be blown away by the wind.
Maintenance Tips
Washing
Always wash it by hand. There are some which can be washed in the washer, but you’ll need to check the user guide for that. Proper cleaning solutions include soap or washing powder.
Drying
The best way to dry a bike cover is to leave it to dry hanged out in the sun. Do not use a machine dryer or hair dryer as this can damage it.
Storing
The best place to store your cover is in a clean cabinet or the storage bag it came with. This way you will keep your cover away from pests, dust and abrasions. Make sure the storage location is also dry as damp places can lead to the formation of mould.
Source: Specialisedcovers
How to Put on a Motorcycle Cover?
Start by placing the cover over the front part of the bike where the handle bars are and then make your way down little by little. This way you can go over to the rear side and do the same thing, just make sure the cover is fully stretched out and goes down all the way to the middle of the tires.
How to Fold Motorcycle Cover?
To fold a bike cover the best way possible you need to first turn it inside out. Fold the outside and then the inside. Once you fold the top, the cover should have a long rectangular shape and you can start rolling it up. When rolling, make sure to press with your hands on the rolls so that the packing is more compact. Lastly, just tuck it into the bag it came in.