A lined motorcycle cover provides weatherproof protection for outdoor storage.

A motorcycle cover is a simple and inexpensive way to keep your bike clean and safe from the damaging effects of the environment. Whether you keep your bike inside or out, a quality cover can protect it from dust, moisture, scratches, and other hazards. Travel motorcycle covers keep bird droppings off your paint job and help prevent your bike from getting stolen while you’re away from home.

1. Choose a cover type.

Decide whether you need an indoor or outdoor motorcycle cover. An indoor cover, also known as a dust cover, is less expensive than an outdoor cover. It provides protection from dust, dirt, and debris, and the lightweight material (usually 100% cotton or a poly/cotton blend) allows the bike to “breathe” and keeps moisture from getting trapped next to the bike.

Outdoor covers come in a variety of styles and levels of protection, including lightweight travel covers, lined waterproof covers, and collapsible shelters. Travel covers fit easily in your on-board storage for use on the road; however, they are not as thick or protective as a lined cover. For home storage, a lined motorcycle storage cover or a collapsible shelter provides the most protection against moisture and sun damage.

Whichever type of cover you use, make sure it is breathable or includes vents to allow moisture and condensation to escape. If moisture is trapped beneath the cover, it can damage your bike and encourage the growth of mold and mildew.

2. Measure your bike.

Get the dimensions of your motorcycle by measuring from the point furthest forward to the point furthest back. Note that accessories such as luggage, seat rests, and windshields may affect the way the cover fits. Check with the manufacturer before purchase if you have any questions about the fit.

3. Check the sizing chart.

Find the right size cover for your motorcycle by checking the sizing chart. Also make sure the dimensions of the cover are large enough for your bike. If your motorcycle is in between sizes, choose the larger cover for a better fit. Note that the cover is not designed to reach all the way to the ground, but it should come down at least halfway over the tires. The extra few inches of clearance allow the bike to breathe.

Use additional boat cover tie downs for trailering.

Making sure your boat and cover are secure while trailering is important not only to prevent damage to your boat but to ensure the safety of other drivers on the road.

Tie downs serve two important functions: securing the boat to the trailer (typically at the bow, gunwale and/or transom) and securing the cover to the boat.

Boat Trailer Tie Downs

The bow strap secures the bow of the boat to the trailer tongue. Do not rely on the winch strap to secure the bow. The gears and cable on a trailer winch—whether electric or manual—are not designed to hold a load and may fail during trailering. Always use a tie down other than the winch strap to secure the bow to the trailer.

Gunwale straps stretch over the width of the aft section of the boat and secure the boat to the trailer, preventing the boat from bouncing on the bunks or rollers.

Transom straps secure the boat transom to the trailer and restrict vertical and lateral movement of the boat while trailering.

Tie downs with ratchet straps and padding are the safest way to secure your boat to the trailer. Ratchets ensure a tight fit, and padding protects your boat’s finish from scratches and wear. Make sure the tie downs do not cross any sharp edges that could fray the straps and compromise the safety of your boat.

Boat Cover Tie Downs

Before using your boat cover for trailering, make sure it is approved for trailer use. Trailerable covers are generally made from thicker material and offer a tighter, more secure fit that is able to withstand the forces of high speed travel.

The number of cover tie downs needed for trailering varies, depending on boat size and how the cover fits. As a general guideline, use additional cover tie downs for trailering, as compared to how many straps you use for storage. Make sure the straps do not cross over any sharp edges that could damage the strap and boat cover.

This camo UTV cover comes with reinforced grommets and a matching storage bag.

A UTV cover is one of the least expensive ways you can protect your machine from weather damage and general wear and tear. It can save you money in the long run by protecting your UTV from moisture damage, paint damage, and scratches. It can also save you time by keeping your machine clean and free of dust or dirt. The cleaner you can keep your machine, the less often you need to wash it. Just pull the UTV cover off, and you’re ready to ride!

How to find the right UTV cover:

1. Decide whether you need a trailerable cover or simply a storage cover. Trailerable covers must be thick enough and durable enough to withstand the forces of high speed travel, and they should include tie down straps and grommets. Storage covers vary in thickness. UTVs stored in a sheltered area may only need a light cover. Outdoor storage demands thick, weather resistant material.
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2. Measure the length, width, and height of your UTV, including accessories that stick out beyond the length of the UTV, such as racks, brush guards, and other add-ons.
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3. Compare your vehicle’s measurements with the manufacturer’s cover measurements. If your UTV falls between sizes, purchase the larger cover.

Note: The UTV cover should not extend all the way to the ground. A few inches of clearance is recommended to allow airflow underneath the cover.

An ATV cover is the best way to protect your bike during storage, trailering, and in the outdoors. It keeps dirt, rain, and bird droppings off of your bike’s finish and shields it from UV rays and weather damage. It also deters vandalism and theft.

Below is a comparison chart of the trailerable and storage ATV covers available at DuraShieldCovers.com.

Specifications	DuraShield Covers	DuraShield Covers	DOWCO
Model	Trailerable ATV Cover	Universal ATV Cover	Guardian ATV Cover
Water Repellent?	Yes, Water-Tec Coating	Yes, Water-Tec Coating	Yes
Mildew Resistant?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Material	300 Denier Poly	200 Denier Poly	100% Nylon
Seams	Double-Stitched	Double-Stitched	Double-Stitched
Tie Down Straps	3 Click-fit Straps	None	None
Hem	Elastic	Elastic	Elastic
Gas Tank Access?	Yes	No	No
Storage Bag?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Trailerable?	Yes	No	No
Colors	Black	Camouflage, Gray	Black
Sizes	L (up to 75″ long) XL (up to 85″ long)	L (up to 84″ long) XL (up to 89″ long)	XL (up to 81″ long) XXL (up to 94″ long)
Warranty	5 Year Limited	5 Year Limited	2 Year Limited

Keep your pontoon cover clean and free of snow, dirt, and leaves.

Your pontoon cover will provide the most protection if it is kept clean and free of debris, leaves, and snow. The protective coatings on the cover are designed to work best when they are clean and clear of obstruction.

Dirt and other elements tend to eat away at the special UV and weather resistant coatings, destroying their effectiveness. Dirt, snow, and leaves can also clog up the pores and vents in the fabric, trapping moisture inside.

To allow the cover to do its work in protecting your pontoon, you should keep the cover clean and free of debris.

Cleaning the Cover

Your pontoon cover may be treated with special UV and weather resistant coatings. If so, we recommend that the cover be cleaned with a soft brush and lukewarm water only. The cover may be machine washed in COLD water with NO SOAP. The use of soap or detergent may remove the protective coatings added by the factory and may void the manufacturer’s warranty. The cover should be line dried but may also be machine dried on a delicate or air only setting.

Brushing Off Snow and Leaves

In the fall and winter months, keep the pontoon cover free of leaves and snow. Use a push broom to clear the leaves and snow off of the cover. Every time you clear the driveway and sidewalks after a snowfall, make it a habit to brush off the pontoon cover as well.

Storing the Cover

Some manufacturers, including DuraShield, include a storage bag with their cover. Prior to storing the cover, make sure it is completely dry and free of any large debris.