Motorcycle covers protect both bike and rider in two ways: They protect the motorcycle from damage, dings, dust, when the bike’s not being used. Hell, we know that sometimes idiot passers-by can sometimes throw garbage, beverages, or whatever at things when they walk by – and motorcycles make fine targets for undeserved vitriol.

I do not have comprehensive motorcycle insurance. So when I read the American Motorcycle Association article online “Lock It or Lose It” recommending that a cover is a good theft deterrent, I looked into getting a cover for the upcoming winter (non riding) season.

Pretend you’re a no-good, waste-of-DNA thief, amblin’ your worthless self down a street, checkin’ out what’s what.

Which looks like the juicier target?

This late-model Honda Interceptor…

Or whatever the hell this is?

Now, if a thief wants what you got, he or she is gonna do their darndest to get it, no doubt nor argument. But, as the AMA article author points out:

“…plenty of motorcycles are stolen by opportunistic miscreants.”

Don’t give the slugs the opportunity. Which bike is going to get more attention, the absolute known quantity (a shiny red sportbike with aftermarket sideluggage) or… whatever is under that plain old cover?

(And, for the record, this motorcycle usually is parked far in the carport. The bike was taken out for photographic, illustrative purposes. Which brings up another reason you need to read AMA’s article:

“Some people are so proud of their bikes that they park them in the front yard for everyone to admire. That just makes it easier for thieves to case your ride.”

Now, I was taken by the logic of the article. Heck, I’d want to put something over my bike to keep my cats and all the neighbors’ cats from gettin’ their muddy little paw prints on my bike. As much as they’d like to think, my Interceptor is not their park bench. How much is a good motorcycle cover? You may be surprised…

<< continued… >>