Tips and tricks on getting the most out of your cover to protect your bike year after year.
If you own a motorcycle it is more than likely that you own a motorcycle cover or have done it at one point or another. Their job is to be a shield for your bike stopping sun damage, cracking leathers, and brittle plastics.
Don’t be sad when your cover wears out, that means it has done its job. How long it lasts is partly up to you. There are a few tips and tricks to extending the life of your motorcycle shelter and cover for as long as possible.
Get a cover that works for your budget, any cover is better than no cover. Cheap covers can last as little as a year or less with careless handling. Checking out the motorcycle reviews is a mixed bag of highs and lows, that’s why we suggest looking at the weight of the product. The heavier it is, the thicker the material and the longer it is going to last.
A high-quality shelter cover typically lasts 3–4 years in full sun on its own, and longer with a Double Duty UV cover over it and some regular care. A cover’s price is generally a good reflection of how long it is going to last. But nothing is going to withstand the constant exposure to the sun and oxidation over time. There are a few tips and tricks to extending the life of your motorcycle shelter and cover.
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1) Reduce Sun Damage: Apply UV Protectant
The sun causes oxidation which is when a material loses electrons; essentially, it is the material breaking down. On motorcycles this is particularly damaging to clear coat, plastics, and leathers.
A little UV protectant goes a long way in extending the life of your storage cover for your motorcycle. Use it on your motorcycle cover and other waterproofs a couple of times a year to help prevent ripping and extend its life by keeping the fabric pliable and moisturized.
2) Reduce Mold & Mildew: Air It Out
It might be common sense, but mold and mildew are a constant in any environment. To help reduce buildup, open your cover, or turn it inside out and let it dry after a heavy rain. Alternatively, you can place a small fan inside the bike shelter to keep humidity down and air circulating. Speedway motorcycle clamshell covers come with vents that should be left open except when it is raining.
3) Stop Rips From Spreading: Patch Them
To stop rips from growing, patch them with outdoor fabric patches. If you are in a pinch use some duct tape to stop the rip from spreading. One less cover out of the landfill goes a long way collectively. Also, be careful with your cover when you’re pulling it on and off the bike. A motorcycle cover without a shelter frame should not be placed on a bike when the pipes are hot.
4) Keep It Clean: Wash Your Cover
Give your cover a gentle wash a couple of times a year; it has earned it. As a bonus treat it with UV protection either in the wash or afterwards. A year’s worth of grit and grime on a shelter will shorten your cover’s life and covers without a frame are more likely to scratch your bike when they have a bunch of dirt in them being dragged around.
5) Reduce Sun Damage: Shade Your Cover
It might sound a little silly, but keeping your bike stored under shade with a cover on it will dramatically help keep your cover for longer, keeping your bike clean, dry, and dust free when parked. Speedway Shelters has a Double Duty UV cover that adds extra shade over your shelter and can extend the life of the main cover by several years.
The Best Type of Cover for Storing Motorcycles
Keeping your motorbike covered and out of the elements is the key to maintaining your bike how it looked the day you got it. So what ever you do, don’t leave your bike out to rot in the sun. Most of the time our motorcycles wind up not being covered because the cover rips and gets thrown away. Or you just get frustrated pulling it on and off the bike every time you ride it.
A good-quality motorbike cover is going to be made of an Oxford weave. The number tells you how thick it is: a 200D Oxford cover is the thinnest we would suggest, while a 600D Oxford motorcycle cover is going to last much longer.
That is why we recommend getting a motorcycle shelter. These clamshell storage units act as a motorcycle shed. The clamshell frame allows you to easily cover your bike quickly and effortlessly, without risking scratches on your paint. It also protects the bike from falling branches and discourages theft. (No portable shelter will stop a falling tree, though.)
Bike shelters also allow you to quickly park your bike with hot pipes. Their covers are made of a thicker material and typically last 3–4 years in full sun before needing to be replaced (longer with a Double Duty UV cover), while the steel frames can last over 10 years. That makes them the ideal choice of cover for long-term storage.
Motorcycle Cover Care FAQ
How long does a motorcycle cover last?
It depends on the cover and how you treat it. A cheap cover can last a year or less if it's handled carelessly. A good shelter cover usually lasts 3 to 4 years in full sun, and longer with a Double Duty UV cover over it and regular care. Sooner or later, sun and oxidation wear out every cover.
How do you clean a motorcycle cover?
Wash it gently a couple of times a year. A year of grit and grime shortens a cover's life, and a dirty fitted cover can scratch your paint as it drags across the bike. In the wash or after it, treat the cover with a UV protectant to keep the fabric from drying out.
What material is best for a motorcycle cover?
A heavy Oxford weave. The number shows the thickness: 200D is the thinnest worth buying, and 600D lasts much longer. Weight is a good guide when reviews disagree, because a heavier cover means thicker fabric. Speedway shelter covers are 600D urethane-coated polyester with taped seams.
How do you stop mold and mildew on a motorcycle cover?
Let it dry out. After a heavy rain, open the cover or turn it inside out and leave it until it's dry. Under a shelter, a small fan keeps air moving and humidity down. On a Speedway Shelter, leave the vents open except when it's raining.
How do you protect a motorcycle from rain and sun outside?
Keep it covered, and park in the shade if you can. Shade makes both the bike and the cover last longer. Put UV protectant on the cover a couple of times a year. For outdoor storage all year, a shelter holds a thicker cover off the bike on a frame, so it won't scratch the paint and you can park with hot pipes.
Can you patch a ripped motorcycle cover?
Yes. Patch it with an outdoor fabric patch so the rip stops spreading. In a pinch, duct tape will hold it for now. Be careful pulling the cover on and off the bike, too. If a shelter cover is past saving, a replacement cover fits the same frame, so you don't need a whole new shelter.
