ROAD & LAB THE RiDE pRoDucT TEST

RiDE DECEMBER 2008 54

RiDE Best Buy is one of the most coveted awards in biking. A product bearing this tag has passed our tough tests with flying colours and is great value for money. The RiDE Recommended tag also highlights great kit.

DECEMBER 2008 RiDE 55

HoW WE DID IT

R&G Superbike £39.99Contact: 0845 330 6239 or www.demon-tweeks.co.uk

TesTer’s NoTes: It’s got the lot, it works a treat and the price is right. The R&G Superbike cover has ventilation, two straps underneath and slots for a chain lock front and rear. It’s waterproof and withstood our

heat test. There’s elastic all the way round the bottom, which can make a cover tricky to use, but R&G have overcome this by making the elastic easy to stretch, resulting in a cover that’s easy to get on and a snug fit while it’s in use. ride VerdicT: Weight 1.1kg ease of use 5/5 Waterproofing 10/10 extra features 4/4 Heat resistance 2/2 Total 21/21

=1Manufacturers were asked to supply a cover suitable for a Yamaha R1.

WaterproofingThe single most important test, with 10 points available. We checked waterproofing by simulating a five-minute shower using a hosepipe with a handgun attachment.

Ease of useMarked out of five. We checked how simple the covers are to use by repeatedly putting them on and taking them off. This shows if they are a good fit as well as seeing if they have a tendency to snag and tear. We also examined them for anything that might damage paintwork.

Extra featuresFour points available. Two marks for

effective ventilation, which lowers the risk of corrosion-inducing condensation. If covers have slots to pass a lock through, an extra mark is awarded for each wheel.

Heat resistanceSome of these covers come with a disclaimer advising against using them while the bike is still hot. Fair enough – at least they’re up front about it. But we reckon that having to wait can be a pain when you’re freezing cold and soaking wet, so we held every cover on the hot exhaust link pipe of our freshly thrashed R1. Two marks available for successful heat resistance.

n The weight of each cover is noted in the individual verdicts but no score is attached.

HoW WE DID IT

OVERALL

RATING21/21

HoW WE DID IT

The simplest bit of kit we’ve ever tested – and there’s a huge difference between the best and the worst

Words olly crick Pictures Mark Manning & rory Game

OUTDOORBIKE COVERS

THE pERfEcT bIkE covER

HoW THE ScoRES WoRk

WATERpROOfInGAn outdoor cover that doesn’t keep rain out is simply not doing its job. You pay £50 and still get a wet saddle? No thanks.

GOOD fITThe size and shape need to be compatible with your bike. If you use a topbox, you need a cover that can handle that without riding up to reveal your rear wheel.

HEAT RESISTAnTIf the cover can’t cope with a hot engine, exhaust and brakes it will get holed and let water in, as well as leaving bits of fabric stuck to the bike.

nO SnAGGInGPutting the cover on or taking it off shouldn’t involve tussling with footrests, handlebars or any other sticky-out bits. Or at least the fabric should be tough enough not to tear when it gets caught.

LOCK SLOTS Suitable slots will allow you to pass your padlock through the cover as well as through the bike itself, so the cover remains attached rather than providing overnight shelter for a homeless person.

VEnTILATIOnDecent ventilation will avoid the corrosion that can be caused by moisture getting trapped inside a cover.

KInD TO pAInTIf the cover or its straps scratch your bike, it’s done more harm than good.

STRApSAttaching one side of the cover to the other side underneath the bike requires it to have straps, or at least holes through which you can pass straps.

ROAD & LAB THE RiDE pRoDucT TEST

RiDE DECEMBER 2008 56

RiDE Best Buy is one of the most coveted awards in biking. A product bearing this tag has passed our tough tests with flying colours and is great value for money. The RiDE Recommended tag also highlights great kit.

DECEMBER 2008 RiDE 57

Oxford Rainex £44.99Contact: 01993 862300 or www.oxprod.com

TesTer’s NoTes: Just as effective as the R&G cover, and if anything even better equipped, but the extra fiver means it misses out on the Best Buy award. Being elasticated front and back it’s easy to get on and

off. It’s ventilated, has a belly strap with a snap connector, and not only chain lock slots but also small pockets to hold the lock bodies off the ground. It didn’t leak and its soft inner lining didn’t melt onto our hot exhaust either. ride VerdicT: Weight 1.8kg Ease of use 5/5 Waterproofing 10/10 Extra features 4/4 Heat resistance 2/2 Total 21/21

=1

Motrax Deluxe £39.99Contact: 01933 418414 or www.motrax.co.uk

TesTer’s NoTes: It’s ventilated, has front and rear reflectors plus reflective piping, a snap connector belly strap and chain slots front and rear. Vents at the handlebar ends double as holes for bar straps if you’re

tying the bike onto a trailer. The exhaust areas have heat protection on the inside, and it’s waterproof. It’s elasticated front and rear, but our ‘large’ size cover was extremely baggy, leaving lots of material on the ground.ride VerdicT: Weight 1.6kg Ease of use 3/5 Waterproofing 10/10 Extra features 4/4 Heat resistance 2/2 Total 19/21

=3

Coverite Silvertech £44.99Contact: 0117 971 9200 or www.thekeycollection.co.uk

TesTer’s NoTes: This shiny cover goes on and comes off easily, but our ‘up to 1100cc’ sized cover was baggy on the R1. The belly strap is a cord you tie between reinforced eyelets. There are no chain slots or

ventilation. Made from 100 per cent polyester with a special water repellent coating, it proved waterproof in our test. The hot exhaust test made the material tacky and pliable, but it didn’t perforate.ride VerdicT: Weight 0.86kg Ease of use 4/5 Waterproofing 10/10 Extra features 0/4 Heat resistance 1/2 Total 15/21

=5

DB Caliber £59Contact: 01782 744100 or www.dbcovers.co.uk

TesTer’s NoTes: This completely waterproof semi-reflective blue cover proved to be a great fit on our R1 and easy to get on and off thanks to the elastic at the front and back. It hangs just above the ground, allowing for

good drainage and ventilation – which is handy as there are no ventilation flaps. There are reinforced chain slots at front and rear and two snap connector straps underneath. Extra panels at both sides ensure hot exhausts have no effect. ride VerdicT: Weight 1.4kg Ease of use 5/5 Waterproofing 10/10 Extra features 2/4 Heat resistance 2/2 Total 19/21

=3

Classic Additions £65Contact: 01938 561717 or www.classicadditions.co.uk

=5

Covercraft £66Contact: 020 8540 3863 or www.covercraft-europe.com

=5

Super WeathaWaka £30Contact: 01384 413841 or www.feridax.com

=8

Hein Gericke Tornado £59.99Contact: 0800 165165 or www.hein-gericke.co.uk

=8TesTer’s NoTes: Although a baggy fit when on the bike, this ‘medium’ size cover was awkward to get on and off because of the tight elastication. Features include a clip-together belly strap, ventilation

flaps, reflectors on the front, rear and sides, and chain slots for both wheels. The fleecy inner fabric ensured the Tornado passed the hot exhaust test, but unfortunately the seams leaked during our waterproof testing. ride VerdicT: Weight 2.4kg Ease of use 3/5 Waterproofing 5/10 Extra features 4/4 Heat resistance 2/2 Total 14/21

TesTer’s NoTes: Elasticated front and back, this cover goes on and comes off easily enough. It features small reflectors front and back but no ventilation flaps or chain slots. There are eyelets for a belly strap, but

no strap. It proved to be waterproof in our test – before our hot exhaust melted a hole straight through it. It’s also available in a different shape that leaves room for a topbox.ride VerdicT: Weight 2.4kg Ease of use 4/5 Waterproofing 10/10 Extra features 0/4 Heat resistance 0/2 Total 14/21

TesTer’s NoTes: This silvery reflective cover fits well and is easy to get on and off, with elastic front and back. There are no slots for passing a chain through, and reinforced eyelets but no belly strap. A ventilation

flap sits on top of the petrol tank, which sounds like a neat feature but in fact it let water dribble in during the waterproofing test. Although the instructions advise leaving a hot bike for 10 minutes before covering, it survived the heat test.ride VerdicT: Weight 1.3kg Ease of use 5/5 Waterproofing 6/10 Extra features 2/4 Heat resistance 2/2 Total 15/21

TesTer’s NoTes: Elasticated front and rear, it’s simple to get on and off, although our ‘LL’ size was a little baggy. The electronically welded seams make it waterproof. It has a fleecy lining and exhaust heat shields,

but they didn’t stop the outer material going soft and shiny when placed on the hot exhaust link pipe. It comes with a belly strap, but no reflectors, vents or slots for a lock and chain. ride VerdicT: Weight 2.1kg Ease of use 4/5 Waterproofing 10/10 Extra features 0/4 Heat resistance 1/2 Total 15/21

OVERALL

RATING21/21 OVERALL

RATING19/21

OVERALL

RATING19/21 OVERALL

RATING14/21OVERALL

RATING15/21

OVERALL

RATING15/21

OVERALL

RATING14/21

OVERALL

RATING15/21

ROAD & LAB THE RiDE pRoDucT TEST

RiDE DECEMBER 2008 58

RiDE Best Buy is one of the most coveted awards in biking. A product bearing this tag has passed our tough tests with flying colours and is great value for money. The RiDE Recommended tag also highlights great kit.

DECEMBER 2008 RiDE 59

Held 9003 £38.50Contact: 01283 820508 or www.held-biker-fashion.de

TesTer’s NoTes: Although easy to get on and off, this isn’t a perfect fit for the R1: it doesn’t quite conceal the underslung rear brake caliper. It has ventilation flaps and a bungee-type belly strap between reinforced

eyelets, but no slots for passing a chain through. It smoked on our hot exhaust but didn’t show burn marks or holes. During the waterproof test water dribbled over the seat unit. ride VerdicT: Weight 1.5kg Ease of use 4/5 Waterproofing 6/10 Extra features 2/4 Heat resistance 2/2 Total 14/21

=8

Bike It Deluxe Heavy Duty £27.99Contact: 0845 330 6239 or www.demon-tweeks.co.uk

TesTer’s NoTes: It’s called heavy duty but this cover is in fact the lightest in the test, and suitably easy to put on and take off. Its aluminised lower sections stopped it melting on the hot exhaust but it

leaked a tiny amount all over during the waterproofing test. It features ventilation panels and a bungee belly strap between reinforced eyelets, but there are no slots for a chain. ride VerdicT: Weight 0.5kg Ease of use 4/5 Waterproofing 5/10 Extra features 2/4 Heat resistance 2/2 Total 13/21

11

Oxford Stormex £64.99Contact: 01993 862300 or www.oxprod.com

TesTer’s NoTes: A mixed bag – and not as impressive as the less expensive Oxford Rainex. The elasticated bottom makes putting it on and getting it off awkward. There’s ventilation, a snap connector belly

strap, reflective front and rear triangles and piping, and slots both front and rear for a chain. The fleece-backed outer ensures hot exhausts aren’t a problem, but the seams leaked during the waterproof test.ride VerdicT: Weight 2.3kg Ease of use 1/5 Waterproofing 5/10 Extra features 4/4 Heat resistance 2/2 Total 12/21

=13

Lintek Lightweight £19.99Contact: 01933 350410 or www.lintekparts.com

TesTer’s NoTes: You can forgive a cover quite a lot when it’s this cheap. The waterproofing gets a perfect 10, but beyond that you can see where they’ve cut corners. It’s made of a grippy plastic that has a

tendency to snag on footpegs, so care needs exercising if you’re to avoid tearing the cover, and it holed quickly on a hot exhaust. There’s no ventilation, no slots for a chain, no reflectors and no belly strap, but eyelets for one.ride VerdicT: Weight 1.9kg Ease of use 3/5 Waterproofing 10/10 Extra features 0/4 Heat resistance 0/2 Total 13/21

=11

Bike It Heavy Duty pVC £15.99Contact: 0845 330 6239 or www.demon-tweeks.co.uk

TesTer’s NoTes: This ultra-cheap semi-reflective cover is completely waterproof – or it was until we not only perforated it during the exhaust test but also tore a hole with a footpeg the first time we used it. It’s

reasonably easy to put on and take off, and there’s a belly strap, consisting of two cords, to hold it in place. There are, however, no ventilation flaps and no flaps for a chain. ride VerdicT: Weight 1.2kg Ease of use 2/5 Waterproofing 10/10 Extra features 0/4 Heat resistance 0/2 Total 12/21

=13

Oxford Aquatex £19.99Contact: 01993 862300 or www.oxprod.com

TesTer’s NoTes: The looks of the semi-reflective camo option are a matter of taste but the waterproofing performance is a matter of fact: it leaked heavily during our five-minute shower test. It’s extremely light,

easy to get on and off, and comes with a snap connector belly strap. There are no ventilation flaps and only one chain slot, at the front. It smelled like it was burning on the hot exhaust, but no visible damage was done.ride VerdicT: Weight 0.6kg Ease of use 5/5 Waterproofing 1/10 Extra features 1/4 Heat resistance 2/2 Total 9/21

15

Specialised £44.65Contact: 01943 864646 or www.specialisedcovers.com

TesTer’s NoTes: This lightweight cover would have been simple to get on and off if it hadn’t been such a tight fit on the R1. There are no chain slots, reflectors or ventilation flaps, although the makers claim the

material is breathable. They also say you should allow a bike to cool for two minutes before covering it, but we ignored that advice and ended up with a hole caused by the hot exhaust pipe. In the waterproof test it leaked slightly all over. ride VerdicT: Weight 0.8kg Ease of use 3/5 Waterproofing 5/10 Extra features 0/4 Heat resistance 0/2 Total 8/21

16

OVERALL

RATING21/21

The R&G cover is Best Buy this month thanks to a faultless performance. It did everything we asked and weighs just over a kilogram, making it easy to handle.

The Oxford Rainex is Recommended for a similarly brilliant performance. Like the R&G cover it scores 21 out of 21. It costs £5 more and weighs an extra half kilo, which combine to stop it getting the Best Buy award, but it’s a fine bit of kit.

The Motrax Deluxe is not far behind, on 19 points. Get one in the right size and it will do the job nicely. Also on 19 is the DB Caliber, which costs £20 more and lacks the Motrax’s ventilation.

As with so many bike accessories, fit is crucial. Buy the correct size of cover for your bike and it will be easier to use and more effective.

A good fitting cover that you use without hesitation can also be a useful aid to security by keeping the bike hidden away from prying eyes.

vERDIcT

NEXT MONTHALL-WEATHER GLOVES pART 1: Up TO £60

OVERALL

RATING14/21 OVERALL

RATING12/21 OVERALL

RATING9/21

OVERALL

RATING13/21 OVERALL

RATING12/21 OVERALL

RATING8/21

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RATING13/21