The feeling you get from riding a motorcycle can’t be experienced on any other vehicle. The ability to just swerve your way through traffic makes you feel special and so do the cool upgrades you can add to your two-wheeler. While all this sounds fun, there is no fun in having no motorcycle protection at all.
Just like you wear a jacket, textile or leather motorcycle gloves, a helmet and other safety gear and apparel, you need to have some sort of protection for your motorbike as well. No, I’m not talking about crash protection (even though it’s super important), instead, I’m talking about the times when your motorcycle is sitting still. You still need to keep it safe and sound even when you’re not on it. And to do so, there are usually two options: motorcycle covers and sheds. Let’s see how these two compare and which option is the best for you.
Souce:zerustproducts
Motorcycle Covers
Benefits
One of the most important reasons why people cover their motorcycles is protection from the elements. When it comes to motorcycle covers waterproof models will also keep motorcycle components from rusting and your two-wheeler dry as a bone. A motorcycle cover will also keep it clean from dust and dirt which means you won’t have to wash it that often too.
Concealment is a major benefit, especially when living in an urban area and covers do offer that too. Your motorbike won’t be as noticeable to potential thieves if you pick a cover with a neutral colour. If you don’t have space for your motorcycle in your garage a cover will provide enough protection for you to keep it outside.
What to Consider
When it comes to motorcycle covers waterproof fabrics offer greater protection. This is the best solution to keep your motorcycle dry whilst letting condensation evaporate. Evaporation is crucial as moisture trapped under the cover can cause certain components to rust over time.
You also want to have protection from the sun. The UV rays sent by the hot flaming ball in the sky are known to damage the paint of your motorcycle and fade away the colour of the cover too. You don’t want to lose on concealment just to save some money. It’s better to spend that on a UV protective cover than on finding your bike stolen afterwards.
Heat resistance is another feature which your cover should have. Whilst UV rays can deteriorate the cover, the heat coming off from your motorcycle’s engine can literally burn a hole in it. Therefore you should get a cover that allows you to put it on your motorcycle even if it hasn’t cooled down.
Source:juliepro
Types of Covers
There are two types of covers: full-size and half covers. Half covers only cover half of the bike usually the gas tank, seat and the area around the handlebars. They are not the best when it comes to concealment but can provide excellent protection against UV rays and decent protection against the elements. They are also easy to pack and store in the trunk of your bike for protection while away from home.
Full-sized covers are those that cover the entirety of your motorcycle. These go down to the bottom of the tires and as you’d expect, they are the perfect solution for concealment.
How to Put on a Motorcycle Cover?
Putting a cover on your motorcycle is easy. Start by covering the handlebars and headlight first and stretch out the cover all the way to the seat. Once that’s done, pull the cover down at the rear, then make your way to the front of it through the sides.
How to Fold Motorcycle Cover?
Folding a motorcycle cover is done by first setting it on the flat ground stretched out. Then, you fold one half of it towards the middle and do the same with the other half. Next, you fold the top (somewhat pointy) part of the cover and roll it up until it fully fits in your bag.
Source:urbansheds
Sheds
Benefits
If you want a more secure option, sheds are the right solution for you. Whilst they do provide the same sort of protection as a cover, they do it at a much greater level. For example, while a cover protects your motorcycle from the elements it doesn’t do it quite as good as a shed. A shed has your motorcycle covered form every angle and while it takes up more space, it is way more secure. While you don’t get concealment, you get a safer place for your motorcycle.
What to Consider
There are three types of motorcycle sheds when it comes to the material: steel, wooden and plastic. Steel sheds are known to be the strongest out of the three. Whilst rain can cause corrosion over time, getting a shed with an anti-corrosive coating can prevent that. Steel sheds are heavier than both plastic and wooden sheds which means they are not as easy to get blown away by strong winds. There’s one downside though, they are not as customisable as wooden sheds.
Wooden motorbike sheds are the most customisable but also the least favourite when it comes to maintenance. They need to be treated every now and then to keep them safe from the rain, insects, rot, mould and fungus.
Plastic sheds are a super convenient choice since they require the least amount of maintenance whilst being the most affordable option. They are the lightest out of the three which means they are not the best when it comes to sturdiness or security.
