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September 28, 2011

Motorcycle Cover Care

Filed under: Motorcycle Covers — Tags: , , — Esther @ 8:46 pm
Motorcycle Cover

Wash your motorcycle cover by hand with warm soapy water.

Your motorcycle cover will provide the best protection if you keep it clean and use it properly. The following tips will help you take care of your motorcycle cover so that it can fully protect your bike.

How should I clean my motorcycle cover?

The best way to wash your motorcycle cover is to hand wash it with warm soapy water and a soft sponge. Machine washing and harsh cleaning products can degrade the waterproof and UV coatings on the fabric. Let the cover air dry. Do not tumble dry. For tough stains that don’t wash out with soap and water, use a mild liquid detergent to spot treat the stains. Rinse thoroughly and air dry.

Can I install the motorcycle cover on a hot bike?

Motorcycle covers with heat-resistant panels are safe for hot pipes. The panel is designed to withstand high temperatures and won’t melt on your pipes. If your motorcycle cover does not include heat-resistant panels, wait until the pipes cool down to install the cover.

Can I install the motorcycle cover on a wet bike?

We recommend letting the bike dry (or using a soft towel to dry it) before installing the cover. Although your motorcycle cover is breathable, it is designed to keep moisture out. Too much moisture trapped underneath the cover can affect the cover’s performance.

October 19, 2010

Motorcycle Cover Installation

This motorcycle cover includes heat shields for protection from hot pipes.

This motorcycle cover includes heat shields for protection from hot pipes.

Installing a motorcycle cover is simple, but there are a few things you need to be aware of, such as snag points, hot pipes, and proper fit. The following instructions will help you learn the proper way to install a motorcycle cover.

  1. Read all instructions included with the cover before installation.
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  3. If your motorcycle cover includes a heat resistant lower panel, you can install the cover immediately after riding. However, waiting just 5 or 10 minutes can greatly increase the life of the cover.
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    If the motorcycle cover does not include heat shields, wait until the pipes have a chance to cool down before installing the cover. The cover can melt on the hot pipes if installed too soon after riding.

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  5. Locate the front tag of the cover, indicating the portion of the cover that goes over the front of your motorcycle.
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  7. Drape the front of the cover over the front of the motorcycle.
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  9. Pull the cover down over the windshield and handlebars, taking care not to let the material catch on sharp points. Mirrors, muffler ends, shifters, brakes, foot pegs, and antennas are potential snag points that can accelerate the wear on your cover or even puncture it. Avoid these snag points as you install and remove the cover.
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  11. Tuck the front of the motorcycle cover down over the front wheel. The cover should reach past the centerline of the wheel.
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  13. Drape the back of the cover over the seat and rear of the motorcycle. Avoid snag points as you pull the cover down over the sides and rear of the motorcycle. The cover should be long enough to reach past the centerline of the rear wheel, and the elastic hem should fit snugly around the bottom of the motorcycle.

If your motorcycle cover includes grommets, you can use a bike lock to secure the cover underneath the motorcycle. The grommets also allow you to tie down the cover in case of windy conditions.

December 15, 2009

Motorcycle Cover FAQs

How do I know which size cover will fit my motorcycle?

Use our motorcycle sizing chart to find the right cover for your bike’s make and model. If you have a custom motorcycle cover, contact our customer service (888-263-7028) to see if our covers will work for you.

How do I clean my motorcycle cover?

The safest way to clean our motorcycle covers is to hand wash them with mild soap and warm water. Use a soft brush or sponge to brush away excess dirt and gently clean the cover. Allow the cover to air dry completely before storage or use.

How waterproof are your motorcycle covers?

Our motorcycle covers are designed to repel water and “breathe,” meaning that any condensation or heat vapors that build up underneath the cover are allowed to escape through vents in the material. Keeping the cover clean and free of debris will allow the water repellant coating to work best.

I use my motorcycle cover on road trips. Which cover should I buy?

The DuraShield Travel Motorcycle Cover is great for road trips. It’s a lightweight, compact cover that easily stores on board and keeps your motorcycle clean, safe, and protected, whether overnight or just for a few hours. Use the integrated grommets and a cable lock for extra security. Just stuff the cover in the included mesh storage bag when you’re ready to head out again.

I use my motorcycle cover for storage. Which cover should I buy?

The DuraShield Lined Motorcycle Cover is a luxury cover that pampers your bike during storage. The cover material is thicker for added protection and longer-lasting durability. Plus it’s got a breathable vent system to prevent moisture damage, a heat resistant lower panel that lets you throw the cover over hot pipes, and a “pillow quilt” lining that cocoons your paint and windshield.

I store my motorcycle in the garage. Do I really need a motorcycle cover?

Yes. Dirt and dust are stirred up every time you open or close the garage door. Over time, that dirt and dust will build up on your bike. If you want to keep your bike clean and in prime condition, use a motorcycle cover to protect it from dirt and grime.

How long will my DuraShield motorcycle cover last?

Our motorcycle covers are built to last. They come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a 5 year warranty. With the right care (cleaning the cover, keeping it clean, avoiding rips and tears, etc.), your cover will last even longer. Also, your particular climate affects how long the cover will last. The harsher conditions that you expose your cover to, the sooner it may need to be replaced.

October 27, 2009

How to Clean a Motorcycle Cover

Filed under: Motorcycle Covers — Tags: , — Esther @ 11:52 am
Keep your motorcycle cover clean for the best protection.

Keep your motorcycle cover clean
for the best protection.

Does your motorcycle cover provide the level of protection that it did when it was new? If not, it may be time to wash your cover. The maintenance requirements for your motorcycle cover are simple and easy. Read on for more tips on how to clean a motorcycle cover.

Rinse Your Motorcycle Cover Regularly

Rinsing your motorcycle cover once a month with a garden hose will slow down the accumulation of dirt, enhance the protection your cover provides, and cut down on how often you need to “deep clean” your motorcycle cover.
Note: Do not use a pressure washer to hose down your cover.

Hand Wash Your Motorcycle Cover with Mild Soap

Hand washing your motorcycle cover is the safest and gentlest way to clean your cover. Use a solution of mild soap (such as Ivory) and warm water to clean your cover with a sponge or soft brush. Wash both the inside and outside of the cover for the best results.

Harsh soaps or detergents can strip away the protective UV and waterproof coatings. If the soap you use is too harsh, you may need to reapply these coatings with a UV fabric spray and waterproofing spray.

Rinse and Air Dry Your Motorcycle Cover

Rinse the cover thoroughly before letting it dry. Any soap residue left on the cover may compromise its quality. There should be no suds left on the motorcycle cover after you rinse it.

Do not dry the motorcycle cover in a dryer. Allow it to air dry instead. Make sure the cover is completely dry before using it on your motorcycle or folding it for storage.

Keep Your Motorcycle Cover Free From Debris

Brush off leaves, dirt, snow, and debris from the surface of your motorcycle storage cover on a regular basis. Keeping your cover free from debris allows the cover to perform up to the standards it was designed to meet. For the best protection, clean your motorcycle cover on a regular basis.

September 29, 2009

Motorcycle Cover Care: UV Protection

Protect your motorcycle cover from UV damage.

Protect your motorcycle cover
from UV damage.

Motorcycle cover care is important if you want full protection for both your motorcycle and cover. All DuraShield Motorcycle Covers (full lined and lightweight travel covers) are UV treated to minimize the damage to your cover that comes with prolonged exposure to the sun.

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Even though your cover is pre-treated with a UV coating, the quality of the UV protection (as with any other motorcycle cover) will fade over time. Just like your motorcycle needs a fresh coat of wax to protect it, your motorcycle cover needs a fresh coat of UV inhibitors to keep your cover fully protected from sun damage.

As the UV coating blocks the UV rays as part of its job, the UV rays slowly break down this protective UV coating. To ensure that your motorcycle cover is blocking as many UV rays as possible, you need to reapply the UV coating on a regular basis.

To prolong the life of your motorcycle cover, we recommend applying a UV-blocking fabric spray to the cover once or twice per year. How often you need to reapply the UV inhibitor depends on how much your cover is exposed to the sun. The more sun exposure your cover gets, the more often you will need to apply a fresh coating of UV-blocking spray.

Some UV fabric protectors may actually harm your bike cover. Never use sprays that contain harsh solvents or additives, such as ScotchGuard. Only use an approved UV fabric spray, such as 303 Fabric Guard.