Protective covers for motorcycles

Motorcycles are often left out in the open, in all kinds of weather. A good protective cover offers some protection, but finding the perfect cover for your specific machine is not easy.

The following choices and options help you make the right decision.

First, select your vehicle. Motorcycles, motor scooters and quads do not have the same basic shape. Secondly, the purpose of the cover plays a role. Does it only serve to protect from dust during indoor winter storage, or will the motorcycle be kept outside and do you want to keep dust, rain and sunlight away?

When choosing a cover for outdoors, you should take two additional criteria into account:

• The UV resistance of the cover material. UV-resistant fabric will not discolour or become brittle from prolonged exposure to sunlight.
• If your motorcycle is on a public road, it is a legal requirement that your number plate remains visible.

Tip from the RAD house

Let your bike - and especially the engine and exhaust - cool down after riding before using the cover. The high temperatures can cause the cover to melt and even ignite.

Covering up a wet bike after a rainy ride is not a good idea either. The cover is designed to repel water on the outside, which also works the other way around.