suggestions for good (best) motorcycle cover

[suthrncop]

just got my bike back from the paint booth and WOW....Need advice on a good cover to help protect the paint when it is in the shed and when out overnight riding....any suggestions...looked at carcovers.com and Dowco.....the Carcovers looked good but don't know anything about them..anyone have or tried them or any other suggestions??
thanks

[hubcapsc]

and when out overnight riding.

Covers are like sails when it is windy... I remember a really nice knocked over Valkyrie at Cheaha
last year...

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

In the shed, I'd use a cotton dustcover (I use old king water bed sheets).

On the road I use this 1/2 cover; packs tiny, drys very quickly, keeps prying eyes away in motels, and though not completely waterproof, protects the electicals in downpours, and no metal hooks to scratch paint.

http://www.hondadirectlineofshadyside.com/stores/product.asp?pid=409&str=2&ID=710810925

The Dowco Guardian is as good as any if you want a full cover.  I'd not get a zipper model to avoid scratching, and I go up at least one full size cause they are always PITA with the bottom elastic.

http://www.hondadirectlineofshadyside.com/stores/byProduct.asp?prd=Covers&str=2&ID=710810925

(The HDL product reviews are always worth your time)

[fudgie]

I got a Dowco for the garage. On the road I have a half cover from Tour Kings in TX. At work or out west I have a 100% water proof one from somewhere.

[csj]

I've used an Oxford cover. It is not totally waterproof,
but it does keep the prying eyes off the bike.

Like Hubcap says, cover acts like a sail, it'll pull itself
completely off in a good wind. That's why I use a bungee
to hold mine on.

[Chrisj CMA]

I like Dowco.  When I first got the Valkyrie I bought a Dowco Guardian (I think thats the name) I used it for 6 years.....mostly at Daytona Beach, where even if it didnt rain the dew was heavy as rain water in the morning and there was lots of salt in the air........Well after six years it stopped being waterproof and it started leaving the soft (cotton-like) inner coating all over my bike.  When I called them about it they simply said "send it back in the original box"  Good thing I still had it.......in a week I had the next generation guardian cover sent to me absolutely free....Still got it, but I cant find the box.   Ill buy another one when this one wears out

[suthrncop]

thanks all I was looking at the Dowco but wasnt sure if it was lined.....looks like that is the way i'll go.. and I know about that wind at Cheaha...I made it up there a few years back on a borrowed Boulevard..my valk was in the shop at Cheaha time and my honda dealer loaned me the boulevard dor the trip....anyway I came out of the office after checking out to find it had blown over...

[R J]

I have a Dowco I use some of the time outside on trips, in the garage it gets a king size bed sheet blanket thrown over it.

I have had patches of paint worn off by the wind blowing the cover on my old wings.   That's the reason I say I use it some of the time.    If it is windy, I don't cover MGM up on a trip.

It is easier to wash it than to polish out those cover blemishes.   It's old like me now, so it doesn't get the TLC it got when new.

[donaldcc]

      How many people cover their bike in the garage??  Is that only for you riders that live in the snow and cold and do not ride 4 - 5 months a year??  I'm out riding a few times a week all year, washing regularly and parking always in the garage.  hardly ever see dust on it.

  do have a cover for trips but have never used in garage. 

[98valk]

best cover and longest lasting I have ever had. been in use now for 11 yrs. stitching still perfect as is the elastic band.
http://www.nelsonrigg.com/store/product.aspx?pid=484

blue will fade the slowest in the sun

[gordonv]

You mentioned you wanted a cover to protect your new paint job.

Personally, I wouldn't trust any cover to do that. If the bike isn't 100% clean, and the cover 100% clean, I think you'll get scratches over time.

I think you would be better off just leaving it uncovered, or like I did, buy one of those really cheap $0.01 + shipping, which is just a really lite nylon, just to keep the dust off it while stored.

[NITRO]

I have one of Dowco's as well. I don't remember the name on it, but it's their top-of-the-line model and works incredibly well. Plus it comes from a Wisconsin-based company, so it's a no-brainer for me!

[fudgie]

Mine sets covered in the garage when I dont ride. Keeps the dust and rain-when the door is open- off the bike. My cover has not scratched my bike since I had it painted in 02.