The road is calling you. I know you’ve heard that call quite a few times this spring and beginning of summer. The call for a long ride on your bike–a road trip. Road trips unleash the adventure we long for. Oftentimes, motorcycle road trips can be a bit of a challenge with the unknowns of packing down a 600 pound bike with clothing, your motorcycle cover, and everything else you need to bring along. Take the guesswork out of your packing routine with these tips.

Road trip ready Motorcycle Covers

Engine Airflow

Too often have we heard stories of bikers strapping down a bag or sleeping bag to their front fender. Remember that the engine needs proper airflow to keep it cool, and no one wants an overheated engine. The cooling air comes across the front fender and over the engine.

Central Mass

The CG (center of gravity) of most bikes lies near the top of the transmission case. Keep this in mind when planning to distribute weight around this point. Your want your bike to ride evenly and have a solid center of mass. Utilize saddle bags and other storage wisely and remember your CG.

Load Limits

Your bike and gear have load limits that should be observed, keeping you free from potential dangers or incorrect load placement. If you overload your bike, will it crash? Hopefully not, but it could certainly increase the chances, and it will increase stopping time.

Tire Pressure

With the increase in load, tire pressure should be increased to allow for a consistent ride. Riding on tires without enough air pressure will cause the tire to overheat and possibly come apart in transit.

Exhaust Avoidance

Keep your exhaust pipe and other ‘burn ready’ areas from contact with your saddle bags and luggage. Saddle bags can burn or become dislodged from heat exposure.

Rain Ready

Rain is inevitable for any road trip. Protect your bike with a travel motorcycle cover when you stop to eat or spend the night. A motorcycle cover will keep your bike dry and ready to ride, no matter the weather.

Adjust Handling

With the load adjustment, your handling will be different from a bike that has no additional weight. Strengthen your suspension and tighten connections.

DuraShield Motorcycle Covers

Is your motorcycle protected from theft and weather damage? DuraShield motorcycle covers keep your bike under wraps for travel, storage, and outdoor parking.

While it used to be that the only motorcycle cover you could get your hands on was a plastic tarp, with the advance of fabric technology, now you can take your pick of breathable, weather-resistant motorcycle travel covers. In fact, some fabrics are light enough that you can fold them up into a pocket-sized case for on-board storage.

Protect your bike with a motorcycle travel cover.

Who needs a motorcycle travel cover?

If you ride your bike and park it anywhere for a period of time—such as overnight at a hotel or in the parking lot where you work—you can give your bike extra protection with a motorcycle travel cover.

If you go on motorcycle trips, you’ll definitely want to get a motorcycle travel cover. This type of cover offers your bike protection when you’re not riding but without the bulk of a full-size, lined cover.

Why use a motorcycle travel cover?

Letting your motorcycle bake in the sun without the protection of a motorcycle cover can take a toll on your bike’s color and finish. Exposure to UV rays, ozone, and urban pollution can make your bike look dingy before you know it.

The other bonus for using a travel cover is that the cover hides your motorcycle from prying eyes. If thieves can’t readily see what type of bike you own, they’ll be less likely to steal it.

What to look for in a motorcycle travel cover

When it comes to choosing a travel cover for your motorcycle, size matters. The fabric should be thin enough to fold or roll up into a compact size but still protective enough to keep out rain and condensation.

The fabric should be breathable to avoid trapping moisture underneath the cover (such as the condensation that forms as your bike cools down). Ideally, you’ll want to choose a cover with a heat-resistant shield so that you don’t have to wait for the bike to cool down before you throw the cover over it.

Most motorcycle covers come with built-in grommets so that you can secure the cover in windy conditions or thread a cable lock through the grommets to secure the cover to your bike.

Another feature that comes in handy is a stuff sack or storage bag. This makes it easier to keep your cover in a compact bundle that takes up as little space as possible in your storage.

Motorcycle Travel Cover Sale

Get ready for spring with a motorcycle travel cover for your bike! Our motorcycle covers protect against rain, moisture, and UV rays while allowing your bike to breathe. Free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 U.S.

Protect yourself and your motorcycle with these safety tips.

Riding a motorcycle means taking more risks than if you were riding in a car, which is part of the draw for some riders. Risk and thrills are part of the fun, but you also need to think about safety if you want to make it home safe and sound.

Here are a few motorcycle safety tips to keep in mind this riding season:

1. Take a motorcycle safety course.

Even if your state doesn’t require it, taking a safety course should be a no-brainer. Riding a motorcycle requires certain skills that you’ll want to practice in a controlled environment before you test them out on the road. Learning how to ride safely is worth the time and money you’ll invest upfront. It could save your life down the road.

2. Know your limits.

If your friends push you to ride faster or farther than you’re comfortable with, learn how to say no. Respect your limits, for your own sake and for the sake of those with you.

Don’t take a passenger before you’re ready, and start out giving rides to a skilled rider rather than a newbie. They’ll be less likely to move around, lean the wrong way, or make sudden moves.

3. Watch the weather.

Riding a motorcycle is risky in bad weather. With only two wheels, you have less traction than a car, and wet or icy pavement can make handling your motorcycle difficult. Avoid riding your motorcycle if rain, snow, ice, fog, or other potentially dangerous conditions are in the forecast.

4. Wear protective gear.

While you can’t always prevent accidents from happening, you can take extra precautions to prevent injury. Wear a helmet, boots, and protective riding gear when you’re out on your motorcycle. Leave the shorts and flip flops at home.

Protective gear can protect you from asphalt burns in case you lose control and need to lay the bike down. It also protects you from exhaust and engine heat, rocks kicked up by the vehicles around you, and other road hazards.

5. Look twice.

Don’t assume other drivers will see you. Look twice before changing lanes or merging into traffic. Check your blind spot for cars and motorcycles. Drive defensively, and take responsibility for your own safety.

DuraShield Motorcycle Covers

Is your motorcycle protected from theft and weather damage? DuraShield motorcycle covers keep your bike under wraps for travel, storage, and outdoor parking.

Keep your motorcycle covered overnight and at rest stops.

Don’t hit the highway until you spend a little time planning. Motorcycle road trips should be free and spontaneous to a point, but limited storage, physical exhaustion, and bad weather can quickly derail your plans if you fail to think ahead.

Get a tune-up.

Before you head out for a road trip, whether it’s a few days or a few weeks, you’ll definitely want to do some maintenance on your motorcycle. Although you can’t totally prevent any mishaps while you’re out on the road, making sure your bike is in the best shape possible will reduce your chances of breaking down on the highway. Do the tune-up yourself or take it to a certified motorcycle mechanic for a complete checkup.

Check the forecast.

Traveling by motorcycle is a far cry from traveling by car when it comes to the weather. Wet roads are hazardous for motorcycle riders, and getting soaked in the rain isn’t usually the experience you want when you set out for a motorcycle road trip. Check the forecast beforehand, and pack appropriate clothing. Always bring rain gear, even if the forecast is dry and sunny.

Pack carefully.

With limited on-board storage, you’re going to have to leave the kitchen sink behind. Pack only what you need, but don’t leave out essentials like a tire repair kit, waterproof riding gear, a cell phone and charger, map or GPS device, and a first aid kit.

Know your route.

You don’t have to map out every road you’ll take, but having a general idea about where you’ll be and when is important for letting family or friends know where you’ll be, just in case something goes wrong. It’s also helpful to know that you won’t be stuck 50 miles from the nearest motel when you decide to veer off the main highway and take the scenic route.

Cover your bike.

Keep your bike covered—literally and figuratively. Use a travel motorcycle cover to protect your bike from rain, snow, and the elements. A motorcycle cover also gives your bike a low profile to deter theft. Keep your bike covered figuratively by making sure your motorcycle insurance is up to date. Add supplemental travel insurance for extra peace of mind.

A motorcycle cover keeps potential thieves from easily determining the make and model of your bike.

There are two main types of motorcycle theft: The first is where the thief rides away on your bike, and the second is where a group of thieves lift and load your bike into the back of a truck and drive away with it.

If you want the best protection for your motorcycle, you need to be prepared for both types of scenarios.

Bike Locks

A lock that protects the ignition will cut down on your chances of ride-away theft, but it still makes you an easy target for lift-and-load theft.

Locking up to a solid, immovable structure (like a street lamp) cuts down on both types of theft. The heavier the chain or cable, the better.

Attach the cable through part of the frame on your bike, and make sure the cable is high enough and tight enough that it doesn’t rest on the ground. For extra security, use more than one type of lock.

If you’re riding with a few other buddies, you can loop a cable through all of the bikes and lock them up together. That makes it harder for the lift-and-load thieves to carry out their crime.

Motorcycle Cover

Covering up your bike with a motorcycle cover can also reduce the chances of theft. If the thief can’t make out the make and model of your bike, he won’t know if it meets his requirements and will be less willing to take a risk. He’ll move on to the next bike that’s not so well protected.

Bike Storage

Where you leave your bike can also make a difference. At home, store your bike out of sight in the garage or shed if possible. Cover up the windows in your garage in case any thieves come snooping around.

If you’re parked outside a restaurant or office building, park your bike in a well-lit, heavily trafficked area. It won’t guarantee safety, but it’s better than parking in a dark alley.

Last Resort

Finally, protect your bike with motorcycle theft insurance. Let’s hope you’ll never have to use it, but in case you do, you’ll have some sort of consolation.

A motorcycle cover protects your bike from dirt, UV rays, and moisture.

Protecting your bike with a motorcycle cover is a simple, cheap way to keep it looking good and prevent weather damage. Different types of covers are available, depending on how you store your bike and where you ride.

Motorcycle Travel Cover

Need a compact bike cover for the road? Motorcycle travel covers are designed to protect your bike from rain, UV rays, and the elements while away from home.

Since travel covers are compact and lightweight, you can easily store them in a saddle bag with room to spare.

Motorcycle Dust Cover

If you store your motorcycle indoors, all you may need is a breathable cotton cover that repels dust and dirt. A motorcycle dust cover will not keep out moisture, so if your bike will be sitting out in the rain, you’ll need a waterproof cover.

Lined Storage Cover

A fully lined, water-resistant motorcycle cover provides protection from sun and weather exposure. The soft lining protects your bike’s finish, while the water-resistant, breathable outer cover protects your bike from rain and snow.

Some motorcycle covers are specially coated to protect your bike from UV rays. In sun-drenched states, UV protection is especially important.

Lined motorcycle covers can be used for travel, but they will take up more space in your luggage than a travel cover.

Spring is in the air at DuraShield Covers, and we’re ready to peel off the motorcycle covers, tune up the bikes, and hit the pavement. Here are a few pics that got us reminiscing about last year’s rides.

Take any pics lately? Post them on our Facebook page.

Rick's Ride 2011

Showing off a brand new Harley

Protect your bike during storage with a motorcycle cover.

If you plan to store your motorcycle for over a month, it’s important to take the right steps to winterize and prepare your bike for storage. You want your bike to be clean, purring, and ready to ride when warmer weather rolls around.

Storage Options

Where can you store your bike? Your storage options will depend on whether or not you’re willing to pay for storage, your connections (friends and neighbors who have extra storage space), and whether you want to store your bike indoors or out.

Assuming your wife puts her foot down when it comes to storing your motorcycle in the living room, your best option for protected storage is a shed or garage. A climate-controlled environment is best, but any four walls and a roof is better than outdoors.

Storing your motorcycle in a garage or shed means you can lock up your bike and keep it out of sight, which gives you peace of mind when it comes to keeping your bike from getting stolen.

If you don’t have a shed or garage, you might be able to rent space from a friend or neighbor. The next best scenario is to store your motorcycle underneath an awning, covered porch, or carport. Overhead protection is better than nothing.

Winterizing and Cleaning

If you plan to store your bike for a few months, you’ll need to winterize it and protect it before storage. Wash, dry, and wax your bike to remove road salt, chemicals, grime, and dirt. Protect exposed metal parts to prevent rust or corrosion. Winterize your bike to prepare it for storage, following your own winterizing routine or this checklist from Road Runner magazine.

Cover Protection

Regardless of where you store your bike (indoors, outdoors, shed, or carport), it’s important to protect your bike with a motorcycle cover. The type of cover you need will depend on where you store your bike. A dust cover protects your motorcycle in a climate-controlled, indoor environment. A storage cover protects your bike in a garage or outdoors.

Your outdoor storage motorcycle cover should be breathable and waterproof. A venting system allows condensation to escape and prevents rust, corrosion, and mold.

Dust Motorcycle Cover with PolyPro

DuraShield’s Motorcycle Dust Cover is now available with breathable PolyPro material. This soft polypro material is designed to prevent moisture buildup while keeping dust and dirt off your bike.

The double-stitched seams make this motorcycle cover durable, and integrated grommets allow you to use tie downs to secure the cover. A matching storage bag makes it easy to store your cover when not in use.

Features:

• Breathable PolyPro Construction
• Integrated Grommets with Tie Downs
• Color Matched Storage Bag
• For motorcycles with windshields, fairings, sissy bars, and/or back rests/tour packs
• Available in Medium, Large, and X-Large

New! DuraShield Standard Motorcycle Cover

DuraShield Covers has a new motorcycle cover available. The Standard Motorcycle Cover is similar to our Lined Motorcycle Cover but without a cotton lining for a lower price. The Standard bike cover is lightweight for travel and folds up into a tight package for storage.

The DuraShield Standard Motorcycle Cover is versatile for indoor and outdoor use. The 300 denier poly fabric is waterproof, dustproof, and UV resistant. The lower portion of the cover is constructed with heat-resistant material that will not melt on hot pipes. No need to wait for your bike to cool down before installing the motorcycle cover!

A premium “Vent X” venting system allows condensation to evaporate without damaging your engine, pipes, or chrome, while effectively blocking rain and snow from seeping through the cover.

Grommets and tie downs are included for keeping the motorcycle cover secured in windy conditions. You can also thread a cable lock through the grommets to secure the cover and act as a theft deterrent for your bike.

A matching storage bag comes with the motorcycle cover at no extra cost. Use this handy storage bag to store your cover when not in use. This cover is available in X-large, large, and medium sizes. Free shipping on all orders to the continental United States!