motorcycle cover

[Clutch]

Hey everyone,

I didn't think this qualified as a technical question. I am looking to purchase a good quality motorcycle cover for my 81 R65, but am not sure what size to get. I'd like something that fits over my Krauser bags, but isn't too loose when the bags are off. Does anyone have any size/brand suggestions?

thanks,
Chris

[Yikes]

Since I have no garage, I wanted to get a really good quality cover for my bike to live under.  I got a Large Dowco Guardian that has worked well for me for nearly 2 years.  The Large size cover easily goes over the side cases and stretches down nearly to the ground.  There is a little slack over the handlebars between my upright mirrors, but that should be taken up when I put my windshield on (like I see your bike has).  A café style bike with no cases, windshield and with bar end mirrors could probably get by with a Medium size, but I’d recommend the Large.  There is a cloth lining over the windshield area to prevent scratching the shield and the bottom sectors of the cover are made of that silver ironing board cover cloth that can go right over the hot engine and pipes.  In spite of that, I have managed to burn a few small holes in the regular coated polyester part of the cover, but Dowco sent me a spare carrying bag, made of the polyester material, to cut up to patch the larger burn holes.  And they did that for free!  

I’m still hoping to replace the cover with an actual bike shed that will accommodate a second bike.

John McC  

[larstorders]

i would reccomend the 'Bike Barn'. I picked one up from ebay, £56. Quality and spacious and very quick and easy to use.

[Justin B.]

I have the same as Yikes, seems to be a good cover...

[Altritter]

From Yikes: <<The Large size cover easily goes over the side cases and stretches down nearly to the ground.  There is a little slack over the handlebars between my upright mirrors, but that should be taken up when I put my windshield on (like I see your bike has).  A café style bike with no cases, windshield and with bar end mirrors could probably get by with a Medium size, but I’d recommend the Large.>>

+1 on that! Wish I had seen this thread two weeks ago. On 24 May I went to Bob's BMW (drove my Bug rather than the bike because it needed exercise) and bought a Guardian medium more or less on impulse. It fits over my Shoei Sport Fairing (somewhere around an RS in size) and upright mirrors, and is a fairly tight fit over the BMW touring cases. Problem is, there is little or no margin for expansion.

When I tried the fit on the bike, my inclination was to return the medium for exchange because I hope to change to a slightly higher windscreen sometime soon. I took it out onto the deck of our house to refold it for the box, and being a conscientious customer, put it on the picnic table to keep it out of the dirt. To my horror, the red paint on the table had oxidized, and it left some smudges on the silvered portion of the cover. I tried brushing the stains off, but had no luck.  

I'm not comfortable trying to return the medium in that condition to Bob's, so I'll make do with it for the present. If I change windscreens, I'm likely to buy a large cover, in which case I might make available a slightly used medium for a very reasonable price. Stay tuned.

[nhmaf]

+1 on the Dowco covers - I think that is the only brand that I have bought in the past 20 years and 4 or 5 bikes' worth...

[Justin B.]

I bought a cheapie Nelson-Rigg cover (before I bought the Guardian) but it was waay too small...

[suecanada]

I seem to be collecting covers! Since the accident, when I lost one cover and since another old cover finally gave up the ghost by rotting from the sun, I have been on the lookout for another. I am looking to downsize in both size and weight for all the gear for my next trips. So i bought the Nelson Rigg Deluxe all season large cover. Too large for me for ease of travelling. I figured I could do better. The Dowco Guardian Ultralite, was pretty well what I had but the travel duffel bag is smaller now and so is its pocket. The cover by Aerostch is the final choice. It will go with me on trips as it is so easy to pack in the rear pocket of my waterproof duffel. Took the winds in MI. It is ripstop, packs in it's own sewn-in bag easily, has elasticized bottom with grommets to tie down with, and comes in a light silver as a choice over hot black. The Dowco Guadian Ultralite large looks fine for a choice if tiny, tiny stowaway is not needed. So does the Nelson Rigg large sz. deluxe all-season cover. Both have good bags and cylinder head heat protection which the Aerostich does not.

So large seems the size except for the Aerostich which is a medium.
My bike has bar end mirrors and the classic sidecases to cover and a up to 18 inch windscreen. All these covers handle that. They go right down so I am sure they would handle upright mirrors too. Hope that helps.

[Clutch]

hey all,

Thanks for the input! I ended up getting a large Nelson Rigg Defender 2000. It should be here tomorrow. I want (at least I think I want) the extra grommet hole at the front tire, which is something that influenced my choice. The Dowco covers didn't have that. We'll see if I'm happy with it or not.