Motorcycle Waterproof Covers

[drbaig]

Simple question. How long do waterproof covers usually last ?

Oxford Rainex comes with a 12 month warranty. Apparently one of the best covers out there. I've had it for 13 months and I think its starting to let water in.

I expected the thing to last a few years considering it cost £60.

https://i58.tinypic.com/2mdgbgp.jpg
https://i62.tinypic.com/xkpvzl.jpg
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yzf 600r

[Taught2BCauti...]

If I was running a company that made them, I would choose a material that started to fail shortly after the warranty period expired - so look for one with a longer warranty!
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Dave70]

I have an Oxford Stormex and two and a half years later it still does the job as well as when I bought it.
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There ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk.

2012: R125 killed by white van. 2016 R125 killed by 30,000 miles of redline. Current: 2016 Kawasaki ER6f.

[map]

I did read (think in another thread on here) lining can go. Something about looking like riding off in snow. That's R&G ones (thread here). Wondered if Oxford could be similar.

If lining gone are you sure it's not condensation?

Took cover off mine this morning (think it's Argos or Aldi one) and I'm sure it's still waterproof (only used for 3 weeks) yet inside was wet. Not dripping, soaking but a damp sheen.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[drbaig]

I did not buy stormex as rainex does a better job according to the reviews on line. I would have normally got a cheapo cover but I bought this as I wanted the bloody thing to last at least more than a year. Didn't expect it to fail after a year.

I have not seen this happen before today morning. Normally there is a light bit of dampness but the cover is normally wet on the outside if it has been raining. This morning the cover looked dry on the outside and had droplets all over the bike on the bike after I took it off..

I don't think it is condensation. It could not be that much condensation, could it ?
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yzf 600r

[map]

[Taught2BCauti...]

It could be condensation - especially in damp weather.

You could try covering the bike with an old bedsheet or a few old towels before putting the waterproof cover on.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Dave70]

[drbaig]

Bought it on the 1/09/13 from getgeared. So almost exactly 13 months.

I expected condensation to be like thin film. This looked like rain droplets. I've never seen the bike this wet after I've taken the cover off. Although it has been raining constantly since Monday so maybe I am a little harsh but "WATERPROOF" membrane should be not letting any water in regardless of how much rain has been chucking. Otherwise what is the exact point of selling something as waterproof.

I will see how it copes during the next few days and then will give getgeared an email to see what they say. The might as well be telling me to bugger off as it is not under warranty, but you never know. However, if that is the case then I probably could be doing with a cheap cover and replacing it every so often. It would be a cheaper alternative when taking cost effectiveness into account.

@dave this is the review https://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/Ride%20Magazine/Product%20test%20pdfs/12%20Dec%2008%20Covers.pdf
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yzf 600r

[wr6133]

£20 oxford Aquatex has lasted me 2 years (though I did have to replace the plastic clip after I trod on it and the elasticated bottom is now a little flappy) and still going strong. That's on the bike outside all year round. From that I'd expect a £60 one to last 6 years or I'd feel shafted.

[drbaig]

Yes, I do feel a bit miffed. Actually it is not £60, it is 55. But I paid that keeping in mind that it should last me a good few years.

I will keep an eye on it for the next couple of days as it is heavy rain forecast and see how it goes. It does seem quite a lot for it to be condensation, but if it is then I don't know.

It might be the case that the cover was resting on the bike instead of a tent like formation from the screen to the tail. So I have made it snug under the tyres to create a tent shape/form for easier water displacement. Time will tell.
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yzf 600r

[Dave70]