Leaving a motorcycle outside — even for a single night — exposes it to rain, UV fading, tree sap, bird droppings, and dust that slowly wear down paint, seals, and electrical connectors. A quality motorcycle cover is one of the cheapest ways to protect a bike that costs thousands of dollars, and putting one on takes less than a minute.
Below are five motorcycle covers worth considering, from budget-friendly universal fits to premium covers built for year-round outdoor storage. As always, we verified current availability and pricing on Amazon before publishing.
What to Look for in a Motorcycle Cover
- True waterproofing vs. water-resistance. These aren’t the same thing. A genuinely waterproof cover uses taped or sealed seams; a water-resistant cover will handle light drizzle but can soak through in sustained rain.
- Heat shields matter if you cover a bike right after riding. Hot exhaust pipes can melt cheap cover material. Look for covers with a heat-shield panel near the exhaust if you don’t want to wait for the bike to fully cool.
- Venting prevents trapped moisture. A fully sealed cover can trap condensation underneath, which is its own slow-motion damage problem. Vents let moisture escape while still keeping rain out.
- Sizing is everything. Oversized covers flap in wind and let rain blow underneath; undersized covers strain seams and won’t close properly. Measure your bike’s length, and account for any added windshield, top box, or panniers.
- Lock-holes add real security. A cover that includes grommets for a cable lock through the front wheel makes your bike a slightly harder target for opportunistic theft.
1. Dowco Guardian WeatherAll Plus — Best Overall
Dowco has been making motorcycle covers since 1977, and the WeatherAll Plus is their flagship for a reason. It’s built from 300-denier solution-dyed polyester with a proprietary triple-coating process, and every seam is sealed with heavy-duty woven polyester tape rather than just stitched. The reflective Moisture-Guard vent system lets trapped moisture escape while adding nighttime visibility, and a soft cotton lining protects the windshield from scratches. Heat shields let you cover the bike without waiting the usual 10+ minutes for pipes to fully cool.
Pros: Genuinely waterproof taped seams, heat shields for quicker use after riding, soft windshield liner, sewn-in pocket for an optional cover alarm, limited lifetime warranty
Cons: Pricier than universal budget covers; sizing runs by bike category rather than one-size-fits-all
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2. Nelson-Rigg Defender Extreme — Best for Sun & UV Protection
Nelson-Rigg’s Defender Extreme uses their UltraMax fabric, developed over four years specifically to resist fading and breakdown from UV exposure — a real consideration if your bike sits in direct sun for hours at a time. It’s 100% waterproof with heat-taped seams, includes integrated heat-resistant panels near the exhaust, and has a perma-venting system for air circulation. Reflective strips along the sides and back add visibility when the bike is parked in low light.
Pros: UltraMax fabric built specifically for UV/fade resistance, fully taped waterproof seams, reflective visibility strips, compression storage bag included
Cons: Sized specifically by bike category (sport, cruiser, adventure, etc.) so measuring carefully matters
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3. Favoto Motorcycle Cover — Best Budget Pick
Favoto has built a reputation as the value option in this category, and independent testers have called it the best bang-for-your-buck cover on the market. It’s made from 300D Oxford fabric with a silver interior coating for extra sun protection, includes two lock-holes for a cable lock, two windproof buckles, and three reflective stripes for nighttime visibility. At well under $50, it covers the essentials without the premium price tag.
Pros: Genuinely low price for a waterproof, lockable cover, reflective stripes for visibility, includes storage bag
Cons: Lighter-duty material than premium options — expect a shorter lifespan under constant outdoor exposure
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4. XYZCTEM All-Season Motorcycle Cover — Best for Large & Touring Bikes
Touring bikes, cruisers with saddlebags, and full-dress Harleys need more coverage than a standard sport bike cover offers. XYZCTEM’s cover comes in sizes up to 116 inches to accommodate large touring motorcycles, choppers, and bikes loaded with accessories. It’s made from waterproof nylon Oxford material with a PU coating, includes lock-holes and windproof buckles, and comes with its own storage bag.
Pros: Available in genuinely large sizes for touring bikes and choppers, waterproof PU-coated fabric, lock-hole security, budget-friendly for the size
Cons: Sizing needs to be measured carefully — going too big leads to flapping in wind
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5. Dowco Guardian UltraLite Plus — Best Lightweight & Travel Cover
If you tour and need to pack a cover in your luggage, the UltraLite Plus solves the bulk problem. It uses a lighter 75-denier rip-stop polyester instead of Dowco’s heavier 300D fabric, which packs down small and dries faster after rain. It’s water-resistant rather than fully waterproof — very close, per Dowco, but not seam-taped like the WeatherAll Plus — making it better suited to travel and quick coverage than permanent outdoor storage in heavy rain climates.
Pros: Significantly more compact and packable than heavier covers, dries quickly, double-stitched seams, sewn-in exterior pocket for gloves or small items
Cons: Water-resistant, not fully waterproof — not the right choice for permanent outdoor storage in wet climates
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Which One Should You Get?
For a bike that lives outside year-round, the Dowco WeatherAll Plus is the safest long-term investment — fully taped seams and a lifetime warranty are hard to beat. If your bike bakes in direct sun most of the day, the Nelson-Rigg Defender Extreme‘s UV-focused fabric is worth the upgrade. Riders on a budget should start with Favoto, and owners of large touring bikes or cruisers with added luggage should look at XYZCTEM‘s bigger sizing. If you’re touring and need something that packs small, the Dowco UltraLite Plus is the practical choice.
A motorcycle cover protects your bike while it’s parked — pairing it with a GPS tracker covers the security side too, in case the bike ever gets moved without your say-so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cover my motorcycle right after riding it?
Only if the cover has heat-shield panels near the exhaust; otherwise, wait roughly 10-15 minutes for the pipes to cool. A cover placed on hot exhaust components without heat protection can scorch or melt.
Will a cover stop my bike from getting stolen?
Not on its own — a cover mainly deters casual, opportunistic theft by making the bike less visible and less convenient to move quickly. Covers with integrated lock-holes let you run a cable lock through the front wheel for a bit more resistance, but a dedicated lock, disc lock, or GPS tracker is a stronger layer of protection.
How do I know what size cover to buy?
Measure your bike’s total length (front tire to back tire) and account for any windshield, top box, panniers, or other accessories that add height or width. Most manufacturers recommend sizing up if you’re between two sizes, since a cover that’s too small won’t close properly.
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