Another Ultraguard bites the dust

[Sidcar]

I have had this, my third (and my last) Ultraguard cover 22 months and i have been patching it for the past 3. Initially I cut up its predecessor to make patches to glue on but in the end I used gaffer tape while I looked for a replacement.
I emailed the supplier about the alleged five year guarantee but never received a reply.
I’ve found a company near a Northampton that makes a cover for the GL1500. The material looks much stronger but the fit is nowhere near as good though it does mean if anything goes wrong I’ve only got to travel 60 miles to take it back rather than 3500.
Will it last any longer, watch this space.

Sid

[newday777]

So why are they failing on you and where are you?

[Sidcar]

I’m in the UK so thinking about it unless the warranty covers shipping it’s not much use anyway but a reply to my email would have been polite.
The material just degrades, UV presumably, and then splits.
Yes the bike is outside all the time but that’s why I bought the cover.

Sid

[Viking]

I have found with Ultraguard covers that it is not so much the sun that deteriorates them as acidic rain or snow. These seem to just take any resilience out of them till they start splitting everywhere. Patching only causes them to split outside the patched area. I buy the $50 ones and get the same amount of time out of them as the original more expensive one I purchased. I have a trailer that I store my bike in when it will not be used for three or more days in a row and all winter.

[newday777]

Sid
Tell me, have you been sealing the cover with silicone yearly or not?

[Sidcar]

Sealing with silicon??
Not something I've heard of.

Sid

[newday777]

It is a waterproofing and I use the Camp Dry brand which has UV protection.
I've had my cover for almost 7 years in the San Diego area along the coast, lots of marine fog and desert sun and it is used daily outside.
I waterproof it at least yearly if not more. It is still as strong as when I bought it.
Maybe the failure is from lack of maintenance to protect the fabric.
I also hang it up to dry if it's wet when I go riding, or if it's dry I put it back in it's bag.

[Sidcar]

I always hang it up to dry, when possible, but I've no barn or covered area to hang it in (if I had I wouldn't need the cover).
The instructions, such as they were, did not mention anything about treating with silicone.


Sid

[MikeB]

You could also try StarBrite waterproofing. http://www.starbrite.com/item/waterproofing-with-ptef to extend its life.
But I have to say that $35 is pretty good for two years of 24/7 protection. From the sounds of it, your bike could be taking quite a weather beating if it were not for that cover.

[newday777]

I always hang it up to dry, when possible, but I've no barn or covered area to hang it in (if I had I wouldn't need the cover).
The instructions, such as they were, did not mention anything about treating with silicone.


Sid

I hang mine under the roof overhang to drip if it's still raining. I don't have a barn or a shed either.
They need to be treated just as if it were a camping tent to keep you dry. I've heard of a few others folks who's cover didn't last like yours and this can be the only factor that might explain why mine is still going at 7 years.
So what ever cover you go with next, treating it will be a wise thing, not only to maybe extend the life of the cover but also to keep your bike drier in the rain.