Winter motorcycle cover: why and how to protect your motorcycle from the cold?
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a closed shelter to park their motorcycle. In winter, your machine may find itself at the mercy of bad weather. Residue can be deposited on the exterior of your motorcycle and eventually damage your paint. It is therefore necessary to invest in a motorcycle cover.
The benefit of protecting your motorcycle from the cold
Leaving your motorcycle outside without protection in winter is still a bad idea. Winter is certainly conducive to all kinds of inconveniences such as dead batteries, flat tires, rust and others. It is therefore necessary to take some usual precautions such as investing in a motorcycle cover . This way, you will find your 2 wheels in good condition and ready to get back on the road without any problem in the spring.
In winter it is cold and rain falls all night long. In the morning, you will have to warm up the engine for 5 minutes before leaving for work. You are also forced to wipe down to avoid sitting on a soaked saddle. Protecting your motorcycle in winter therefore saves considerable time and ensures you ride dry .
Protect your motorcycle with a winter cover
The best motorcycle protection in winter will be dry and protected from bad weather. In this case, you can use a motorcycle protective cover. But be careful, a 100% waterproof cover encourages condensation and can cause corrosion . Therefore avoid a cotton or wool model which absorbs humidity, responsible for corrosion and mold. Choose a waterproof motorcycle cover that is also well ventilated.
For outdoor use, choose quality motorcycle covers to guarantee optimal protection against rain and snow . This is the case with the high performance motorcycle protective cover. The latter offers great resistance against rain and cold. The different brands offer covers adapted to each type of motorcycle such as Yamaha, BMW or Honda.
Criteria for choosing a winter motorcycle cover
For optimal protection, a good selection of motorcycle covers is essential. In this case, you can take certain criteria into account to make the right choice. Among the most important criteria is the waterproofness of the motorcycle cover . You must then ensure that your accessory is perfectly waterproof. In this case, turn to materials such as nylon, polyester motorcycle cover or PVC.
Furthermore, danger can also come from within. Condensation can certainly form under the cover and encourage the appearance of rust. So opt for a breathable model to evacuate this condensation . Finally, choose your motorcycle cover based on the options offered. Some products have different options such as a drawstring, an anti-theft opening, an anti-scratch lining, etc.
Other equipment to protect your motorcycle from the cold
Exposed to a very low temperature, your motorcycle becomes cold. Which can affect your driving comfort. In addition to the motorcycle protective cover, you can also increase protection against the cold using heated grips . Discreet, this equipment replaces the original handles or adapts to them. Adaptable models often come in the form of a kit. The latter is composed of:
- a pair of handles,
- a control to be attached to the handlebars,
- electric wires,
- connectors,
- a fuse holder.
Combined with hand guards or sleeves, heated grips constitute an effective solution against the cold. Furthermore, you can also pair your heated grip with a heated saddle or heated personal protective equipment such as a Heated vest or heated socks . This equipment helps you avoid unpleasant cold sensations when traveling on a motorcycle in winter.
Tips for preparing your motorcycle for winter
Winter imposes both adapted driving and additional constraints. The goal is to be able to ride safely while protecting your motorcycle from corrosion. First tip, remember to keep the moving parts of the motorcycle well lubricated . In fact, the cold stiffens the controls, leading to low precision and the possibility of broken cables. It is therefore advisable to lubricate them by making the grease penetrate well. Lubricate the chain more frequently.
It is also advisable to put antifreeze in your coolant, especially if your motorcycle is liquid cooled. Finally, the cold also causes moisture to stagnate in the terminals and electrical connections of the harness. Then remember to spray an anti-corrosion product on each of them.