Motorcycle covers are an essential accessory for the avid motorcyclist because they protect a bike from dirt, dust, and the elements, including wind and rain. The weather can eventually cause a bike to break down, so buying a heavy-duty motorcycle cover is a great idea to keep it in top condition.
However, the market for them is vast and wide. Not all of the products in stores and online are good quality, even though they can cost a great deal of money. Below is our guide to the best motorcycle covers available. This guide makes buying a motorcycle cover easy and provides some useful pointers so you know what to look for before you make an investment.
The Best Motorcycle Cover
This is a waterproof motorcycle cover and general bike rain cover. It has a universal fit, so those looking for a cover for their Harley-Davidson, Honda, Suzuki, etc. can purchase this one without worrying about the size.
It protects your bike from various weather conditions as the material is treated so that it protects against UV rays, rain, dust, heat, and even tree sap.
It comes with a storage bag, so you can easily take it with you wherever you go. It also has lock holes, so you can secure it and protect it from thieves. Overall, it has been carefully designed to answer your motorcycle rain cover needs.
- Universal fit
- Lockholes and windproof buckle
- Made from 210D Oxford fabric
- Brand XYZCTEM
- Model XYZCTEM-210
- Weight 1 lb
This sleek looking motorbike cover features a versatile design. It will protect your bike against the rain, making it one of the top waterproof motorcycle covers on the market. It also has a Moisture-Guard vent system, so there is little to no moisture or condensation build up inside when the bike is covered.
It comes in a variety of sizes and suits those that need a small scooter motorbike cover as well as those who are looking into buying large Harley-Davidson bike covers. It also features a sewn-in hole for a wheel lock.
- Drawstring pack included for portability
- Reflective strips allows for nighttime visibility
- Elastic shock cord for a snug fit
- Brand Dowco
- Model 50124-00
- Weight 4 lbs
This waterproof motorcycle cover protects motorbikes from extreme weather. It has 210 Oxford fabric, and the manufacturer chose to use two thread stitching, which results in a highly durable bike cover.
In addition, the adjustable elastic band along with the windproof buckle design protects the bike in the windiest conditions while also protecting it against the heat, dust and UV rays.
- Safety lock holes to protect against theft
- Reflective strips to see the bike in low lighting
- Universal fit, so suitable for Harley Davidson bike covers too
- Brand Anglink
- Weight 1.55 lbs
Motorcyclists want a bike cover waterproof enough to withstand even the strongest downpours. This motorcycle cover from Nelson-Rigg manages to do that as well as provide protection against any UV damage.
It comes with a clever ventilation system so that no condensation builds up on the inside of your liner while you are away from your bike overnight. The cover also protects your bike’s windshield against scratching and hazing.
The free compression bag is a helpful accessory as it allows users to pack their motorcycle rain cover in no time.
- Variety of colours
- Can be bought in a range of sizes
- Sold with a free compression bag
- Brand Nelson-Rigg
- Model MC-904-02-MD
- Weight 1.65 lbs
When looking for the best motorcycle cover, it is important to think about what you will do with that motorcycle cover when you are riding the bike, presuming that you will want to use it at the end of your journey. This motorbike cover comes with a backpack, allowing users to easily carry it on their back while riding on the freeway.
It is water repellent as it is made with WeatherGuard polyester, and it has been treated to provide UV protection. It comes with a soft liner and is heat sealed around the seams on the inside.
- Comes with backpack, wire cable and lock
- Fits up to 18” bike lengths
- Black and silver design helps make it visible in low lighting
- Brand Formosa Covers
- Model hw500 lock
- Weight 15.2 oz
This is an all-season motorcycle cover with some innovative features that the manufacturer has managed to weave into the clever design. For starters, while it is waterproof it is still breathable so that high winds can pass through the cover, making it safe to use in gusty weather.
It is also incredibly durable as all the seams have been sewn with the utmost care. The strong elastic on the bottom makes it a highly suitable outdoor motorcycle cover that will fit almost all motorbikes given the range of sizes it comes with. The inner sides of the cover are protected with a special coating, making it scorch resistant.
- Comes in a variety of colors
- Different sizing makes it a suitable bike cover for many motorbike brands
- Has cut out sections to allow the bike to be locked
- Brand Nuzari
- Model 69-1
- Weight 4.3 lbs
This is a classic looking black bike cover with red embroidery on the front that will cover the majority of motorbikes as it comes in a variety of sizes. It can be used by those that want or need a heavy-duty motorcycle cover as it is extremely sturdy. It is made with excellent materials and has a nice design.
The manufacturer taped the seams and gave the cycle cover an elastic hem so that it will fit tightly to provide optimum protection. This means that your bike will be safe from both the wind and rain as well as the sun or snow. In addition, it is reflective in poor lighting so that your bike will be visible even at night, helping to keep it safe.
- Comes in a variety of motorbike cover sizes
- Well priced for a full cover made of high quality materials
- Taped seams help make it a waterproof motorcycle cover
- Brand Badass Motogear
- Model BMGMCL
- Weight 4.1 lbs
This half cover is excellent for those who are a little tight on space. It folds up to fit in small storage compartments. This makes traveling on long road trips exceptionally easy. You can always return to a dry seat if you leave your motorbike outdoors when it is raining or overnight when it is susceptible to dew.
Additionally, it is treated so that it protects against the sun and manages to block out 99 precent of the sun’s harmful rays. It also protects against other elements, including rain, as the heat-sealed seams make this bike cover waterproof. It comes with an elasticated bottom so it will fit snugly around all bikes.
- Seams are electronically heat sealed to ensure the cover is waterproof
- Elastic bungees help fit all bikes
- Specially treated to become UV protected
- Brand Nelson-Rigg
- Model UV-2000-04-XL
- Weight 1.1 lb
This motorbike cover is suitable for anyone needing a Harley-Davidson motorcycle cover. In addition, it’s also geared towards a multitude of other makes and models, including Yahamas and Hondas. It is a great option for those who find it hard to find waterproof motorcycle covers for their bikes.
One of the best things about this cover is that it’s highly durable. It is made from 190T Oxford fabric, which provides your bike with a high level of protection from the rain. Plus, it won’t fade, which can be a problem with rival brands. The cover is long lasting given its resistance to environmental factors and is a great value overall. The black and orange design is also attractive, making it a simple, affordable, and practical option.
- Comes in XXX Large to fit all bikes including Harley Davidson
- The cover comes with a carry bag
- No logos or lettering for those that prefer plain designs
- Brand Tokept
- Model Tokept-10048
- Weight 1 lb
Ultragard is a reputable maker of motorcycle covers, and this touring motorcycle half cover is an excellent product. It provides users with excellent value for the money, especially when you consider the quality design and materials that are used to create it.
The cover is water resistant due to the polyurethane coated polyester material that also provides a level of protection against inclement weather as well as dirt and pollution.
Additionally, the fabric is UV resistant, which extends its working life as well as minimizes any fade in color that can make motorcycle covers look old before their time. The company maintains that the cover is ‘scorch resistant’ so you won’t burn it on the exhaust pipe or other hot parts.
- Double stitched seams for durability and longevity
- Comes with an elastic hem and bungee cord for the ultimate fit
- Has a long warranty of five years
- Reflective logo makes it easy to see in bad lighting
- Brand Ultragard
- Model 4-458BK
- Weight 1.95 lbs
What to Look for When Choosing a Motorcycle Cover
When choosing a motorcycle cover, it is good to think about a couple of fundamentals requirements before finally settling on one for purchase.
Firstly, decide whether you need your cover to be used either indoors or outdoors or both. We would recommend going for an outdoor one as it can then be used indoors too so that you get more use out of it.
Secondly, think about the size of your bike. Some of us will only need a small bike cover as our motorcycles will only be a little urban runabout. However, bigger bikes will obviously need a much larger size. Take the time to measure your bike and check the measurements of the motorcycle cover you have in mind.
Benefits of Using a Motorbike Cover
Without a doubt, the main benefit of using a motorbike cover is to protect your motorcycle from all the elements when it is left outside. It is key to ensuring that your bike will have a long life as it will stop it from rusting, getting dirt and dust in the engine and simply having too many of its parts exposed to weather like snow and sun. All of these can have a material impact on how well your bike runs, and therefore how often you need to have it taken to the auto shop for a fix. By buying a motorbike cover, it is not exaggerating to say that you could be saving yourself money further down the line in mechanic costs.
Secondary only to the weather is the security protection a motorbike cover provides. While they are obviously made of fabric and so are not a form of armor when used motorbikes are at least hidden from view so that the phrase out of sight, out of mind comes into play. While it is obvious what is underneath a cycle cover, the type of bike you have is at least hidden. It means it is one more step that a thief has to undergo to steal your bike and often, they will deduce that it is just not worth the risk of that extra step, given that an old banger could be hidden under the bike rain cover and nit the latest Ducati.
Different Types of Motorcycle Cover Materials
Motorcycle covers vary greatly from one manufacturer to another. One of the ways that they vary the most is through the materials that the manufacturer has chosen to use. They are key to investigate and confirm before purchase as they can make a huge impact on the efficacy of your motorbike cover.
If in doubt, the best quality materials that are most suitable for both simple cycle covers and also the best waterproof motorcycle cover will be a lightweight polyester material that has been stringently tested for its waterproof ability. You definitely do not want a motorcycle cover material that allows water simply to be soaked in. You need a material that will make rainwater bead off, as well as be able to protect against wind and rain.
The lightweight traits of a material are key too as it makes the covers far easier to fold up thus resulting in a far more portable motorbike cover than ones that are made of heavier, thicker materials.
Motorcycle Cover Installation and Care
To gain the maximum benefits from your motorcycle rain cover, users need to install them and properly care for them to ensure that they last and that they also protect the bike as they are meant to. Bearing this in mind, it is always best to have an in-depth read of the instructions that your specific motorbike cover comes with.
However, if in doubt, make sure that when you cover your motorcycle with your chosen bike rain cover, that you tighten the elastic at the bottom so there is always a taut and snug fit. This means that it will never be exposed to the elements, even in very strong winds. Additionally, be careful when placing it over just used exhausts and parts like the handlebars that stick out. The best motorcycle cover will be robust enough not to tear, but it still pays to be careful around these awkward bike parts.
In terms of care, make sure that you wipe down and dry your cover with a clean, soft cloth every time you use it. This is essential before you fold it up and pack it away so that there is no chance of mildew growing.
Best Motorcycle Covers FAQ:
Q: What size should I get?
A: The size of your motorbike cover will depend on what type of bike you have. The best motorcycle cover will have clear instructions as to what size their motorcycle rain cover fits, so ensure that you measure up your bike according to their sizings. Buying a motorcycle cover that is too big or too small is a waste of money, so it is a good idea to spend that extra five minutes taking the time to measure your motorbike, even though this can be tedious.
Q: How do I clean my motorcycle cover?
A: As previously mentioned, cleaning your motorcycle cover is essential. If you do it regularly, it should not be an onerous task, as all that is needed is for the cycle cover to be wiped down with a soft, clean cloth that is not abrasive. Additionally, ensure, once you have wiped it down and removed any dirt from the surface, that you then dry it with another soft, clean cloth. If any water is left on your motorcycle cover before it is folded up, mildew can attack even a heavy-duty motorcycle cover.
Q: How do I lock my motorcycle cover?
A: How exactly you lock your motorcycle cover will vary from cover to cover depending on the manufacturer – in fact, some motorcycle covers won’t come with lockable features as standard. However, as a general rule of thumb, the best method to follow is to chain lock your bike where the cover has slots available. If your cover has slots in the front and rear, pass a chain through there and lock. If possible try to lock through a part of the bike that is not the wheel, as wheels are an easy part for a thief to remove. Try locking it through another part of the bike itself, if your chain and lock vent allow.
Q: Do I still need a cover if I keep my bike in the garage?
A: Keeping your bike covered while in the garage is good practice. While your garage is much safer from the elements as well as thieves, it will still add an extra layer of protection for your bike from dust and any other nasties that can get into even the best-maintained garages out there. Additionally, it also hides your bike from any prying eyes that may be looking for an opportunity for a burglary.
Q: Are motorcycle covers waterproof?
A: While most will claim to be waterproof, in practice, not all are. However, all the ones that we have listed are waterproof as standard as this provides the very best protection for your bike in all weather. When your bike cover is waterproof it also helps provide a certain level of protection against the wind too. These are two of the main environmental factors that motorcyclists will want to keep their bike from.
Our Top Pick
Our top pick is, without doubt, the XYZCTEM All Season Waterproof motorcycle cover because of its flexibility for use across all types of motorbikes as well as its durability that helps to make it our best motorcycle cover we think is available on the market. It helps to protect against all the elements which are what all motorbike users will want from a motorbike cover.
Plus, the elastic bungee cord at the bottom is able to provide a snug fit regardless of the size of your motorbike so that you can use it as an outdoor motorcycle cover with ease. Plus, the storage bag that it is provided with is incredibly useful, adding to this bike rain cover’s uses.
Users of this classic black all season bike cover will not be disappointed.
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