Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Cuda on February 24, 2012, 06:02:36 PM
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Need a cover , who makes the best one?
Thanks jj
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Need a cover , who makes the best one?
http://www.cycleshell.com/ (http://www.cycleshell.com/)
Big (for a cover) and expensive.... and it WORKS
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Nelson Rigg makes some darn nice covers. I have two of them. The Falcon Defender 3000 XL is a great cover and I use that as my winter cover inside the garage. It's an outdoor cover though and it would do a great job for that as well.
If you're looking for a smaller cover to keep the dust and the sun off your bike, the UV 2000 is nice. I carry that one in my bag and cover my bike up at work. It's reflective and does a good job of keeping the bike cool on those hot days.
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I still use my COG logo Tour King mini (half cover) which I got back in 2004.
It's perfect for both C14 and C10, (it was originally designed for the old bike), and rolls to the size of a pop can...making it convenient to stow.
They are available on the COG merchandise site, with logo, or from this place
http://www.tourkingcovers.com/shop/category.asp?catid=2 (http://www.tourkingcovers.com/shop/category.asp?catid=2)
(http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/48113/2449487410015463693S500x500Q85.jpg) (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2449487410015463693INPZed)
(http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/47795/2054087960015463693S500x500Q85.jpg) (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2054087960015463693Tvueas)
(http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/48683/2872909290015463693S500x500Q85.jpg) (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2872909290015463693qqColw)
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The cheap ones at cyclegear work fine for me.
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I love My factory Kawasaki cover. Very tough, & fits the bike like it was made for it, which it was.
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I'm also looking for a lockable, waterproof cover. Of those recommended, do any of them fit this criteria? Also needs to fit over a Givi E55.
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http://www.cycleshell.com/ (http://www.cycleshell.com/)
Big (for a cover) and expensive.... and it WORKS
Well, bought in early 2011. After 5 years the UV destroyed it. Got a replacement cover in mid 2016, and tried to remember to treat it with UV protection a few times a year. Now in late 2022, UV has destroyed that one as well (gets thin and then tears). Apparently I didn't use enough UV protectant, the right kind, and/or often enough.
And it looks like they have problems producing units now (just Emailed, waiting for reply). The product is otherwise great- a quick-folding "tent" attached to a base you ride onto so it is stable and never blows off (even in the worst storms). Love it. Works so well. But I think just about any type of fabric will degrade in relentless direct sunlight.
I looked at other brands, they are all even more expensive and have no base at all.
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A fabric cover is only ever good for a while. For long term storage you need a garage or a shed made of wood/steel/ceramic.
Yes, I do understand that not everyone has somewhere like that (or can create somewhere like that) to store their motorcycle, but fabrics kept outdoors will degrade and never last more than a few years. Just the action of the wind is constantly flexing the fabric and it just wears away regardless of the degradation caused by UV and chemicals in the air.
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I use the Nelson Rigg UV2000 half cover and just replace it every few years. NOTHING lasts very long in the Phoenix sun.
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Depending on what your needs are Geza has several options. I’ve been using one of their covers since 2012 but only with occasional exposure to direct sunlight.
http://www.gezagear.com/pricefabric.htm (http://www.gezagear.com/pricefabric.htm)
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Depending on what your needs are Geza has several options. I’ve been using one of their covers since 2012 but only with occasional exposure to direct sunlight.
http://www.gezagear.com/pricefabric.htm (http://www.gezagear.com/pricefabric.htm)
I have one from the late 90s that is still in good condition. As for Concours covers, I have the one from Kawasaki. UV will be a problem with any cover over time, but that is why you want a cover of you are parking outside. Better the cover is destroyed rather than the parts of the bike.
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Well, bought [CycleShell] in early 2011. After 5 years the UV destroyed it. Got a replacement cover in mid 2016, and tried to remember to treat it with UV protection a few times a year. Now in late 2022, UV has destroyed that one as well (gets thin and then tears). Apparently I didn't use enough UV protectant, the right kind, and/or often enough.
Vendor never replied to calls or Email. Then the website was taken down. So R.I.P. Cycle Shell.
My small tear was caught by the wind and turned into a several foot vertical tear (the entire panel) and then horizontally several inches across the bottom. Bought some grey, synthetic tarp-like material at Walmart, and some 3M 90 "Hi-Strength Contact Adhesive Spray." Cut a piece of the tarp to cover the entire affected area with lots of overlap. Then sprayed it and the Cycle Shell with the adhesive. It comes out like silly-string. Several passes and then let it set up for a few minutes then attached it. Should have been a two-person job, since if it touches, it sticks.... but there are a few minutes of "pull off the wrong and re-stick" time.
Anyway, it looks better than I thought. I have no idea how it will hold up. Time will tell. Found another small tear on top and slapped a patch on that the same way. If this works, I could end up covering the whole thing in this stuff.
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No amount of UV "protection" works on fabric motorcycle covers so plan on replacing/repairing them every 5 years.
Damage is not only caused by UV but also by wind constantly flexing the fabric, by wind borne debris from grain of sand size upwards, and by rain.
After having 3 different bike covers and a Bike Barn that all disintegrated the same way, I bought a house with a garage.
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Yeah, that is true. I think you are right about the "mechanical" fatigue. What was thick canvas is now so thin you can almost see through it.
And I do have a garage, but it is only 1 car, and that is where the car lives.
Can't really build anything because of codes. Sigh.
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That sux. You can't even build a shed? I have a friend who keep his BMW in a 6'×10' shed with double doors and a small ramp.
His is similar to this. https://www.buyshedsdirect.co.uk/6x10-palram-grey-skylight-shed (https://www.buyshedsdirect.co.uk/6x10-palram-grey-skylight-shed)
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That sux. You can't even build a shed? I have a friend who keep his BMW in a 6'×10' shed with double doors and a small ramp.
I am not sure. I think if it is not touching the house and is not "permanent" I might be able to. But with something small and enclosed, I am not sure I could sit on it and actually back the Concours out. Plus, those things can be very expensive. Looks like a 6x8 starts at over $1000 :(
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True, not cheap, but will outlast any fabric cover.
Check the local sales sites as someone might be selling a used one.
I don't know your skills or situation but you could probably build your own from wood for under $500.