Published by Tim Huber Oct 24, 2022
Published by Tim Huber Oct 24, 2022
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Whether garaged or kept outdoors, motorcycles can massively benefit from the protection afforded by a bike cover. From simple rain covers to long-term storage capsules, motorcycle covers exist in a wide variety of forms — a fact that can make this seemingly straightforward product space slightly trickier to shop in than one may first think. Recognizing this reality, we’ve scoured the segment to deliver this guide to the best motorcycle covers for indoor and outdoor use. Alongside counting down our picks for the latest and greatest models available, we’ll also be exploring what factors one should consider when in the market for a new motorcycle cover.
The Six Most Important Areas To Consider When Buying A Motorcycle Cover
While on the surface, it may seem like there isn’t all that much to shopping for a motorcycle cover, the reality is that there’s actually a handful of finer points that are crucial to consider before deciding on your purchase. Below, we’ll briefly outline half a dozen of the most pivotal areas to factor in prior to pulling the trigger on your purchase.
Intended Use: How you plan on utilizing your bike cover should ultimately serve as the jumping-off point for your search as there are different models aimed at different applications such as on-street use, long-term garage storage, rain protection, etc.
Primary Construction: The material that comprises a motorcycle cover’s shell is almost certainly the single biggest factor that determines overall quality — and separates high-end covers from their cheaper, more budget-focused counterparts. Often fortified via UV and/or weather-resistant coatings (typically of the polyurethane variety), motorcycle cover shell constructions are typically composed of rugged yet lightweight polyester, nylon, or blends of the two. Additionally, the construction technique used to piece together this material — such as welded seams — will also play a pivotal role in a model’s overall quality and durability.
Liner: Underneath a bike cover’s shell is often a softer liner material that helps to prevent scratches or damage while a bike is parked. This is another area that helps to distinguish the more high-end bike covers from lower-priced models, as the latter are often single-layer items that are devoid of inner soft liners. At times breathable membranes and ventilation systems or ports are also paired with primary shell constructions.
Security: Most motorcycle covers feature elements that allow them to be locked onto the motorcycle, such as sewn-in grommets for a cable or U-lock. While pretty much every motorcycle cover can be defeated with a knife and a set of bolt cutters or an angle grinder, covers nonetheless serve as a major deterrent, increasing the likelihood that thieves will pass over your bike, taking the path of least resistance and moving on to an easier target. These items also make it much harder for thieves to know what is lying beneath a cover, further mitigating the likelihood of theft.
Fitment: While in theory, one can use any bike cover that’s large enough to cover the entire vehicle, the reality is that using a cover with dimensions made specifically for a particular size and genre of motorcycle not only makes for a much easier and convenient user experience, but the more snug-fitting covers also provide better protection for your bike, both from thieves and the elements. What’s more, quite a few of today’s more premium motorcycle covers also feature elastic cords or straps at the bottom of the cover that allows for a more secure fit.
Additional Features: While primary construction, liner material, size, and security features are the most important areas to focus on when shopping, there is a myriad of supplementary features that some motorcycle covers have been bestowed with that can bolster convenience or utility. This includes features such as zippered access points, transparent windows to display license plates or parking stickers/tags, and pass-throughs for antennas and battery tender cables, just to name a few. A decent number of today’s more high-end moto covers are also sold with an included stuff sack for neatly transporting or storing the cover when it’s not being used.
Best Sportbike/Superbike Cover: Designed specifically for supersports and superbikes with high-pipe and under-seat exhaust systems, the CoverMax High Pipe Sportbike Cover is a heavyweight all-weather cover that features a PU-coated 420-denier polyester shell and a heat-resistant PU-coated poly-cotton bottom — both of which are pieced together using waterproof heat-sealed seams. The cover boasts a sewn-in soft windshield liner and built-in vents, plus elastic cords have also been sewn into the bottom of the cover, allowing it to hug the bike’s tires and belly pan. Sold with an included storage bag, this cover is also produced in two different sizes.
A quality cover made specifically for sport & superbikes.
Best Daily Use Pick: A lightweight yet rugged cover that’s incredibly conducive to everyday use, the R&G Racing Outdoor Cover is a well-designed and crafted item that’s made by an extremely reputable racing parts purveyor. Adorned in R&G Racing graphics, the cover is constructed from a waterproof shell that sports an elasticated bottom and loopholes for locking at the front and rear of the bike. On top of being sold in black or silver color options, R&G Racing’s Outdoor Cover is also produced in multiple sizes made specifically for different types of bikes from adventure motorcycles to superbikes to scooters.
A stellar, lightweight daily use & commuter pick.
Best All-Weather Cover: Capable of withstanding just about anything the elements can throw at it, the Nelson Rigg Defender Extreme Motorcycle Cover is a weatherproof model that boasts heat-taped seams and a shell that’s made from rugged UltraMax fabric. This cover features integrated heat-resistant panels for exhaust protection, a circulation-bolstering Perma-Venting system, full UV protection, metal grommets for locking, a soft windshield liner, a quick-release belly strap, and external reflective strips that allow the cover to more easily be seen in inclement weather. Backed by a lifetime warranty and sold with an included compression sack, the cover is also offered in cruiser, sportbike, ADV, touring bike, UTV, and two-bike variants.
A cover offering robust protection from the elements.
Best Stretch Cover: If you want an even more precise fitment, stretch covers are the way to go, as these items perfectly conform to the lines and contours of a motorcycle’s frame and bodywork. Easily one of the best choices currently on the market, the Oxford Protex Stretch Motorcycle Cover is constructed around a three-layer shell that’s ventilated, weatherproof, and resistant to small bumps. Additionally, this British-built bike cover has also been outfitted with holes for locking, an elasticized bottom, reflective panels, a soft lining, water-resistant seams, a pouch for storing its lock, and an optional transparent window to display a license plate. This item is also compatible with one of Oxford’s Solariser battery chargers (which are sold separately).
An ultra-snug, frame & body-hugging stretch cover.
Best Easy Fitment Choice: The Dowco Guardian Weatherall Plus Ratchet Motorcycle Cover is a hardwearing cover that features heat-sealed textile-based taped seams and a heavily-water-resistant ClimaShield Plus fabric construction — a special solution-dyed heavy-duty polyester material. Protected by a limited lifetime warranty, the cover also features sewn-in pockets for wheel locks and cover alarms, an included storage bag, an interior liner, an improved exhaust heat shield design, a reflective moisture GuardVent System, a mildew-resistant undercoating, and an elastic shock cord and under-bike web strap together afford a super snug fit. What makes this item unique, however, is its rope ratchet system that allows the cover to be cinched down over the motorcycle with incredible ease.
A precise & easy-to-use ratcheting cover.
Best Framed Cover: Offering markedly higher levels of protection than standard soft moto covers, the VEVOR Folding Motorcycle Shelter utilizes a tent-style frame that’s comprised of 0.9″ galvanized square tubing and draped in a rugged PU-coated 600-denier polyester Oxford fabric shell with a PU-coated inner liner. On top of possessing the ability to be anchored to the ground and locked, VEVOR’s Folding Motorcycle Shelter also breaks down and stows away in a compact carrying case with a grab handle. This moto shelter can also accommodate bikes as long as 103” — which is large enough to house even the biggest and longest baggers and tourers.
A tent-style framed moto shelter.
Best Cruiser/Bagger Pick: Rather than having to be pulled down and slipped over each side of the bike, the Dowco Guardian Weatherall Plus EZ Zip Motorcycle Cover uses a simple zippered shell that makes putting on and taking off the cover a breeze. What’s more, this cover also features sewn-in grommets for a cable lock, weatherproof seams, a cotton liner around the windshield, a mildew-resistant polyurethane undercoating, a Moisture-Guard vent system, an improved exhaust heat shield design, an antenna pass-through, an elastic shock cord sewn into the bottom of the cover, and a polyester webbing strap — the latter two of which allows the cover to be better secured it to the bike. This cover also sports a ClimaShield Plus construction — a waterproof and breathable 300-denier polyester fabric with a durable water-repellent top coat.
An ultra-rugged, weatherproof, zipper-closure bike cover.
While they didn’t quite make the cut for our list of the 7 best models on the market, the additional items below is nonetheless well-worth considering when shopping in the bike cover space.
If you’ve got an ebike, a scooter, or any other last-mile vehicle that you want to cover — without the scoot feeling like it’s swimming in a cover — then SUPER73’s bike cover is a stellar option. Made from a weatherproof construction, this item features bottom-hem buckles to keep it in place, U-lock-compatible metal grommet locking points, taped seams, and an included SUPER73-branded storage bag.
The ultimate long-term storage moto cover, the CarCapsule BikeCapsule 8′ Indoor Cover is an all-in-one system that includes a protective bubble with an environment that’s regulated via a fan and a charcoal air filter. Capable of being set up in only two minutes, the capsule features a self-healing coil zippered-secured opening, a 0.30mm clear PVC top cover, and a 0.45mm base mat that’s mildew, abrasion, and flame resistant, as well as completely impervious to oil, gas, and antifreeze. Sold with an included fan, power supply, and washable charcoal filter, this moto capsule can easily fit bikes with hard luggage, fairings, and panniers, plus is also offered in a massive 12’ length version.
Looking to further fortify your bike’s security? Then be sure to check out our guide to the best pieces of anti-theft motorcycle gear to help keep your 2-wheeler safe and secure.
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