How to Choose a Motorcycle Cover (and Use It Properly Over Winter)

How to Choose a Motorcycle Cover (and Use It Properly Over Winter)

A good cover is one of the cheapest ways to protect a motorcycle. It keeps rain, dust, bird mess and UV off the paint, and it hides the motorcycle from anyone walking past. But a cover that is the wrong type or the wrong size can do more harm than good. Here is what to look for.

Indoor or outdoor?

This is the first decision, because the two are built for different jobs.

  • Indoor covers are light, soft and very breathable. They keep dust and scratches off a motorcycle that lives in a garage or shed. They are not waterproof.
  • Outdoor covers are made from heavier, water-resistant fabric with taped or welded seams. They are designed to shed rain and stand up to wind and sun.

If your motorcycle lives outside, even under a carport, choose an outdoor cover such as our universal-fit outdoor motorcycle cover.

Waterproof is not enough: it must breathe

A cover that keeps rain out but traps moisture in will leave the motorcycle sitting in condensation. Over a few weeks that can mark paint, tarnish chrome and encourage corrosion on fasteners and electrical connectors. Look for a fabric described as breathable or with built-in vents, so damp air can escape.

Getting the size right

Covers are sold either for a specific model or by general size. A model-specific cover fits most closely. A universal cover suits more motorcycles but check its length, width and height against your own machine, and remember to allow for:

  • a top box or panniers
  • a tall touring screen
  • wide handlebars or hand guards

Too small and the cover will strain at the seams and leave the wheels exposed. Too big and it will flap in the wind, which rubs the paint and lets rain in underneath. If you only want to protect your luggage, a pannier cover set is a lighter option.

Features worth having

  • Heat-resistant panel around the exhaust area, so you can cover the motorcycle shortly after a ride. Even so, it is best to let the exhaust cool first.
  • Elasticated hem and an under-belly strap, to stop the cover lifting in the wind.
  • Reinforced lock holes near the wheels, so you can pass a disc lock or chain through the cover.
  • Soft lining on the screen area if your motorcycle has a large windscreen.
  • Reflective strips, which help if the motorcycle is parked on a driveway or roadside.

Using a cover over winter

If your motorcycle will be laid up for a few months, a few minutes of preparation makes spring much easier:

  1. Clean and dry it fully before covering. Road salt and dirt trapped under a cover keep working on the metal.
  2. Look after the battery. Connect a smart charger or optimiser, or remove the battery and store it somewhere dry.
  3. Fuel. Follow your manufacturer's advice. Many riders fill the tank to reduce condensation and add a fuel stabiliser.
  4. Tyres. Inflate to the recommended pressure and, if you can, use paddock stands to take weight off the tyres.
  5. Lubricate the chain and any exposed pivots so they do not seize or rust.
  6. Check under the cover every few weeks for damp, and air it out on dry days.

A cover is also security

Thieves often look for a particular model. A plain cover hides what is underneath and makes a quick look harder. Combined with a disc lock or chain through the lock holes, it adds a useful extra layer. Our motorcycle security guide covers this in more detail.

Products in this guide

Check the fit details on each product page. See the full motorcycle covers and security range, or ask us if you are not sure which cover suits your motorcycle.