The Complete Handbook of Motorcycle Storage Covers
A practical reference for dealers, rental fleets, restorers, and owners who need to protect motorcycles from weather, dust, and damage
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The definitive reference on motorcycle storage covers: materials, fit, climate protection, and business use. No fluff, just practical knowledge.
About this book
Motorcycle storage covers are one of the most misunderstood accessories in the industry. Cheap covers fail within one season; expensive ones are often oversold for conditions that don't require them. This handbook cuts through the noise, explaining the actual physics of weather protection, the chemistry of fabric treatments, and the geometry of fitment. You'll learn how to evaluate a cover based on seam construction, waterproofing method, and wind resistance rather than brand reputation or price alone.
The book walks you through real-world scenarios: a covered bike on a salty coastal patio, a vintage restoration stored in an unheated barn, a rental fleet parked in a dealer's outside lot, and a commuter bike kept under a carport. Each situation demands a different cover, and the handbook shows you how to make that call. It also covers installation, securing techniques, venting strategies, and maintenance, so your cover lasts as long as it should.
For professionals, there is a full chapter on business opportunities: retailing, rental programs, private labeling, and consulting for storage facilities. The final sections cover emerging materials, regulatory trends, and the expert resources worth knowing. This is the only book on motorcycle storage covers written as a reference manual, not a marketing brochure.
Reader Reviews
Emily Jackson
★★★★★It's a solid reference, and I appreciate that it doesn't feel like an infomercial. Chapter 1's breakdown of what a cover actually does and doesn't do was eye-opening - I've been overpaying for 'waterproof' covers that I didn't need. That said, some parts read a bit dry, and I wish the troubleshooting chapter had more photos or diagrams instead of just text. Still, for what it is, it's useful, and I've already changed how we set up our fleet covers.
Ashley Brown
★★★★★Finally, a book that treats this like a technical subject instead of a shopping list. I manage a small dealership and I've bought every kind of cover over the years. The chapter on materials and denier ratings alone saved me from a bad bulk purchase. The business chapter is also genuinely practical - we're now looking into offering a cover rental program at our winter storage facility. This should be required reading for anyone who sells or uses these things.
Donna Brown
★★★★★I got this because I keep my vintage Honda in an unheated shed and I wanted to do it right. The book gave me what I needed without a lot of fluff. I appreciated the explanation of condensation versus rain protection, and the section on vent placement made sense. Only reason I'm not giving five stars is that I felt the chapter on future trends had some padding, and I'd have liked more on specific fabric brands rather than just general categories.
Mary Taylor
★★★★★There's good information here, but it's a hard read in places. The opening chapter did a great job explaining why a breathable cover is better for a humid garage, which is exactly my situation. But I found myself skimming the parts about denier and weaves because I just want to know what to buy. As someone who restores bikes, I also expected more real-world examples from the restoration side. It's a reference, not a page-turner, but it gets the job done.
Melissa Brown
★★★★★I bought this expecting a simple buying guide, but it's more like a textbook. That's fine if you're a dealer or a serious collector, but for a casual owner like me it was more than I needed. I did learn that my cheap cover has almost no UV resistance, which explains why it faded and cracked after one summer. The writing is clear and there's no junk filler, but a few summary checklists at the end of each chapter would have made it more practical for regular riders.