Hey Guys,

Ok, so I've been wondering about the protection quality of motorcycle covers. Here's my dilemma. I live in Arizona where the sun is just brutal on....well everything. So I have some new carbon fiber parts on my Monster that I really want to protect. I have a TrackSide  motorcycle cover that I've been using for a while at home, but at work my bike has to sit out in the sun ALL day. So I've started using my cover at work.

However, that being said, my dilemma is that I'm worried about UV damage to my CF parts. Can that happen through a cover? You don't get burned through cloths, which is UV related, but does the same logic apply to the way CF reacts under a cover? I've noticed that recently some companies advertise UV protection for their covers. But is this just a marketing tactic to get you to buy a more expensive cover?

Thanks for the input!!

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I don't know the answer to your question, but I used to use a Nelson cover on my monster while I was in SLO and the bike was parked under a tree all the time. The cover didn't help much. It was advertised as water proof and I don't recall it having any mention of being UV protective but it was definitely NOT water proof.   

Quote from: Monster Dave on June 23, 2009, 07:05:36 AM
However, that being said, my dilemma is that I'm worried about UV damage to my CF parts. Can that happen through a cover? You don't get burned through cloths, which is UV related, but does the same logic apply to the way CF reacts under a cover? I've noticed that recently some companies advertise UV protection for their covers. But is this just a marketing tactic to get you to buy a more expensive cover?

You can actually get burned through cloth, and some are more protective than others.

I believe that most of the covers that advertise UV protection have treated the fabric with something similar to sunscreen, which will wear out with extended sun exposure.

If you are really worried I'd look into getting something like Sunbrella fabric and either attaching it to an existing cover, or having someone make you a custom cover from it.

Quote from: somegirl on June 23, 2009, 11:01:33 AM
You can actually get burned through cloth, and some are more protective than others.

I believe that most of the covers that advertise UV protection have treated the fabric with something similar to sunscreen, which will wear out with extended sun exposure.

If you are really worried I'd look into getting something like Sunbrella fabric and either attaching it to an existing cover, or having someone make you a custom cover from it.

It absolutely baffles me that motorcycle parking is the last to be considered for covered parking (where I work). It's not like it would cost that much!!

Quote from: Monster Dave on June 23, 2009, 12:24:18 PM
It absolutely baffles me that motorcycle parking is the last to be considered for covered parking (where I work). It's not like it would cost that much!!

It is frustrating.   Do you by any chance have a ground floor office?  How about indoor parking?

Quote from: somegirl on June 23, 2009, 09:00:58 PM
It is frustrating.   Do you by any chance have a ground floor office?  How about indoor parking?

Unfortunately I don't! But I think that riding my Monster through the halls to my office would be rather....shall we say "frowned upon!!"

I'm using my cover all the time now at work. It's a full size cover and slightly larger than my Monster so it completely envelopes it. So I'm strategically parking my Monster so that the tail end (exhaust and seat cowl) end up in the shade at some point after 1pm. I just have to be careful as there's a fine line between where motorcycles can park and where it says "No Parking" since it's right next to a buildings electrical panels.

I hope that my cover does the job of protection well. I spoke with a friend yesterday who told me that the UV treated materials aren't designed so much to protect what's underneath the cover, but to protect the cover itself from sun damage as to increase the covers' lifespan.

If that's the case, then my problem should be solved...aside from the brutal heat...I burned my leg through my jeans yesterday on my tank and it had been covered all day!!!!

I recently purchased a Geza Gear Pro Plus cover, Great Product, Shitty customer service
Read more here: http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=26700.0

But I have the same problem with sun fade here in Northern Australia, We don't get the extreme heat like you get in Arizona, but the Heat and Humidity and extreme UV make a mess of every thing, my C/F exhaust cover was destroyed in under 6 months before I got the Termi's!

The Geza Gear cover is extremely well made, a tight fit to stop wind flapping it around and scratching the paintwork, and I put the cover on my S2R 800 even when the bike is hot (as it clears the Exhausts and pipe work, as much as I hate the company, it is one of the best bike covers I have ever used.

I figure a decent cover has got to be a hell of a lot better than nothing at all, and the UV protection may be protecting the Fabric, but I figure the Fabric is protecting your bike, so keep the fabric in good condition, keep the bike in good condition.

I'm just hoping that the cover that I have used for a few years now at home does a good job protecting my bike in full sun at work.

On a side note, I did see something on TV that made me think about the possabilities of reconditioning ruined CF - it was a commercial for a special polish for fogged up headlight covers that polishes a foggy finish back to a clear polished one. Might be worth keeping in mind for anyone who's got ruined CF parts. Anyone else see that? It's a product made by Maguire.

I built a few boats with CF/Kevlar/E-glass and epoxy and used quality varnishes to protect them from UV degradation.
CF can turn milky if moisture penetrates it.  I used WEST and MAS epoxies which are very water resistant.  Maybe the CF in the commercial is made with polyester resin, which is not as water resistant?

The fogging from UV is actually a failure of the epoxy and the only way I found to recondition it is to wetsand it down and apply another coat of epoxy.  WEST 105 with 207 hardener is very clear and fairly UV resistant.  It does not flow like paint.  I use a short (1/8") nap roller to apply the epoxy then a foam brush to burst the bubbles.

Try this on your cover:

http://www.303products.com/

If you remove the wax on your CF, you can apply 303 over it and it should help.

I don't know if this is the answer but I bought a cover for a BMW Car I had and it was very soft on the inside and the outer side was metallic looking.

I cant imagine the Sun being able to penetrate that cover.

Of course it would be much bigger than your bike but other than what it would look like when it would be covered I don't see a down side.

I paid $225 for the cover which was designated - outside cover from BMW.

I currently use the cover to cover my 3 bikes inside.

The cover is relatively speaking ....light in weight.

Dolph   

  I also have to keep my bike outside(under the hot California sun) when I ride to work, Because of the outrageous prices of quality covers, I just use a 100% cotton fitted cal-king sheet as a bike cover, to keep the dust and bird crap off, I don't ride in the winter so rain is not a priority.
I worry about my CF fading also so I keep a fresh layer of Protect-all (UV protection) on my entire bike and an extra thick layer on the CF parts.

Quote from: somegirl on June 23, 2009, 11:01:33 AM
You can actually get burned through cloth, and some are more protective than others.

I believe that most of the covers that advertise UV protection have treated the fabric with something similar to sunscreen, which will wear out with extended sun exposure.

If you are really worried I'd look into getting something like Sunbrella fabric and either attaching it to an existing cover, or having someone make you a custom cover from it.

this actually isn't true, most uv protectant fabrics (check out exoficio for clothing) use a tight weave to protect from the sun

Quote from: ducatitorrey on July 22, 2009, 06:47:43 PM
this actually isn't true, most uv protectant fabrics (check out exoficio for clothing) use a tight weave to protect from the sun

Read a bit more carefully  I was referring to the motorcycle covers that advertise UV protection.

That's why I recommended a fabric (Sunbrella) that uses a tight weave.

You may also consider a sheepskin for the seat.  It'll help with the heat and improve comfort.