Do durable motorcycle covers exist ?

[Dan79]

I have tried a few motorcycle covers over in 7 years of owning bikes and got through four of them. I've tried heavy duty ones and lightweight ones, costing between £20 and £60 a time, but all the ones I've tried fall to pieces after about 18 months if I'm lucky, 12 months otherwise.
Is it normal for bike covers to only last that long ? The salesman in the shop reckons I'm lucky to get a year out of any bike cover but is he just trying to sucker me into forking out yet again for something that will end up in landfill before too long? Or am I being unreasonable in expecting manufacturers of bike covers to actually come up with something durable ?
Any suggestions for practical alternatives to commercial bike covers welcomed !
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Previous bikes - 1984 Honda VF500 (FII) Interceptor and 1990 Yamaha RXS100
Current bikes - 1984 Honda VF500 (V30) Magna

[Fisty]

I have a breathable green one bought from Granbys for £40. Used it everyday for 7 years now and its still perfect. Infact its outlasted all my bikes.
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TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Ariel Badger]

They last forever at an indoors bike show.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[dansrockin]

ive got one of these https://www.oxford-shop.co.uk/item3251.htm
had it about 4 years now and its still in good condition, just a few scuff marks on it. its got a lined inside to stop sratching and is heat proof so you can put it straight on the bike.
dan

[Philious]

I bought a halfrauds medium sized bike cover, its a silvery material similar to what they make tents out of, it does the job hasn't torn or perished yet. It was £20-£30 if I remember correctly and I've had it well over a year.
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Previously; Honda XR125 - Yamaha DT125r - Aprilia Rs125 - Suzuki GS500e, Currently; Kawasaki ZX6R + ZX10R
Theory : Passed 28/7/09 Module 1: Passed 21/09/09 Module 2: Passed 23/09/09

[T0MMY]

Lidl are knocking them out for £8 just now. At that price they only need to last a year.
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[bathtub]

[supZ]

had an £18 oxford one for over a year and its in as good condition as when i bought it (albeit far dirtier )

i would like a more heavy duty one but its done it job very well so far (lets through a bit of damp in a real heavy downpour but i normally cover my bike in a towel first so that catches any seepage. still, damn good for £18
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[stinkwheel]

What about a proper canvas one rather than the usual [insert synthetic material here] cover you get in shops.

A proper, canvas tarpaulin sheeting will not rip in the wind and will not melt if it contacts a hot exhaust. It is also breathable. They are pretty waterproof too and can be reproofed using Thompsons water seal if necessary.

Not cheap (£50-60) but should last until it is either stolen or blown away. Google for canvas motorcycle cover.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Clanger]

I had a green tarpaulin type as Stinky has suggested, it lasted me fine for years and years until it got slashed by the jealous tw@t who lived in my shared house...

Then I got one of those all singing and dancing Oxford breathable one with slits for chain to go through the wheels, it's even got fleece on the inside.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Ditto]

Whats all this heatproof malarky all about?

I only have a £15 cover from argos and i always just stick it straight on the bike after a ride, hot exhaust and all. Never had any problems. Never melted or anything.
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CG 125 > Bandit 600 > CBR 600 FY > Street Triple R

[Dan79]

Thanks for all the replies, I will look into these.
(For scratch protection I find a big sheet of felt is perfect for laying between the bike and the rain cover.)
cheers !
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Previous bikes - 1984 Honda VF500 (FII) Interceptor and 1990 Yamaha RXS100
Current bikes - 1984 Honda VF500 (V30) Magna

[Dazbo666]

Mine is another one similar to the type that stinkwheel described...

I think mine was about £30, bought 5 years ago, already protected two bikes really well, and still going strong.
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[dodger]

I have a Classic Additions one https://www.classicadditions.com/.

Not cheap by any means but still looking good after almost 3 years of abuse. It has started to crack at the very bottom, due to the cold and scraping along the floor, but is still in very good condition.

I've heard good things about the expensive Oxford one so may get one of them when the time comes...
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My Bikes: Piaggio NRG| Aprilia RS 125| Suzuki GSX-R 600|Yamaha Fazer Ducati 848
Europe 2008

[No More Names ......]

I 'm due to buy this one, the bees knees if you were to beleive the test it came out easy top on ....... vs the ozford stormex and the rest of the main players ...

https://www.rg-racing.com/browseType/Bike_Covers/BC0001BK.aspx

I'm still tempted by this, but a bit big .... were a oner .. no more ..

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTORCYCLE-COVER-BIKE-STORAGE-COVER-BARN-TENT-SHED_W0QQitemZ180473734425QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item2a0512a519
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DOD Wrote: It was very interesting - the desolation of some of the areas of that city is quite remarkable. Shows what terrible town planning can do.

[Clanger]

Apparently Aldi are selling bike covers NOW...and for fairly cheap too. Might be worth it in the short term.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[colin1]

[P.addy]

[No More Names ......]

So i'm not the only one who mistakes KAC for a male shotputter i see ...

........................................................................................
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Flip Wrote: You're a bloke, you don't need kids. You need a vehicle, someone to shag, a dog and a shed. AKA Cuntdudes life and ambition ... A ++

DOD Wrote: It was very interesting - the desolation of some of the areas of that city is quite remarkable. Shows what terrible town planning can do.

[ncrn]

[colin1]

[Clanger]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

My stormex's are very durable. 6 years and still going.
Silicone spray them (esp along seams) every month or so.

If one gets soggy at the hem, i use the other.

They are faded, but like i said still working fine and have good reinforced stitching around the chain holes.

Pat
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[jwharwell]

I got a cover similar to the "deluxe protective cover" from this website: https://www.mightycovers.com/Motorcycle-Cover.htm. It has held up very well for several years.

[N cee thirty]

i cover my cg in a cattle feed bag,it seems to out last other bikes well
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'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

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