Antenna tears in motorcycle cover

[handlebarjohn]

I recently tore a small hole in my cover when the sharp point of the folded antenna snagged it. To prevent this from happening again I took a 1/2" foam pipe insulator elbow and sealed the factory outside edge. I then cut the foam on the inside edge to make a split sleeve that I could install over the folded antenna. Now no worries on catching the antenna on the cover as I install it.

[Viking]

We took white pex water line of a size suitable to slide snuggly over the antenna when folded, cut a notch up one side to let it slide past the antenna, and cemented an end cap for the water line on one end. These can be kept in the trunk, and slid over the antennas (both of them) to create a smoother top so the cover does not get punctured. We have a GWRRA campout every year, and we made these and put them in a grab bag for every bike owner who registered and attended. Some of the Valkyrie owners did not need theirs and have passed them along.

[WingAdmin]

I've also seen tennis balls used, with two holes cut in them, and a slit between the holes:

[AZgl1800]

I use Tennis balls, and don't bother with the holes,

I just used a razor knife to slice half way around, and once folded over, I just push them down on the antenna.

far faster to put on, take off.

[dingdong]

Is this ripped cover an 1800 problem? I have yet to develop a rip with my 1500 cover after 7 years.???

[handlebarjohn]

These were all great ideas. I wished I had seen them before. I didn't have this problem with my GL1200 so it was a surprise when it happened on my GL1800. Maybe it has to do with the design of the cover and how it fits.

[DaveO430]

These were all great ideas. I wished I had seen them before. I didn't have this problem with my GL1200 so it was a surprise when it happened on my GL1800. Maybe it has to do with the design of the cover and how it fits.

Probably the cover. I had to make holes in my cover for the flag poles to go through rather than taking them off, I could barely make a knife go through the cover. Motogear from WalMart, it's tough.

[WingAdmin]

Is this ripped cover an 1800 problem? I have yet to develop a rip with my 1500 cover after 7 years.???

It must be, because I've never had that problem with my 1500 either. Or my 1100, for that matter.

[AZgl1800]

Is this ripped cover an 1800 problem? I have yet to develop a rip with my 1500 cover after 7 years.???

nope, had the same problem with both of 1500s....

it depends on the quality of the cover purchased.

Beverly Bay made 3 layer cover with a heavy "patch' sewn on the areas where the antenna bends over..... my current cover is a single layer of nylon material and it started to rip thru before I thought about getting the tennis balls again.

[garwil]

It is not just an 1800 problem. The first cover I bought for my '99 GL1500SE was a light nylon. Although it had reinforcements sewn in for the antenna, they were to small and I made a small rip the very first time I put it on. After that I had to be careful every time I used it.
I later purchased a better quality cover. I am still careful, but so far have not had a problem.
I saw a post somewhere where a rider made a leather square that he sewed into a tube at one end. He put that on the antenna where they rode hanging over the hinge. When he folded the antenna down, the leather flap would be positioned to cover the sharp corners that cause the tears.

[Mottsy]

I use a piece of old bicycle inner tube. About 3 inches long with a V cut into one side in the middle.
The inner tube slides over the antenna and is always on the bike. When you fold the antenna down just slide the inner tube up to the hinge point, the V cut will allow it to bend at 90 degrees.
When you lift the antenna back up to ride the inner tube slides back down to the base and sits there till it's next needed.

[cihilb]

We took white pex water line of a size suitable to slide snuggly over the antenna when folded, cut a notch up one side to let it slide past the antenna, and cemented an end cap for the water line on one end. These can be kept in the trunk, and slid over the antennas (both of them) to create a smoother top so the cover does not get punctured. We have a GWRRA campout every year, and we made these and put them in a grab bag for every bike owner who registered and attended. Some of the Valkyrie owners did not need theirs and have passed them along.

I did the same thing after putting a hole in my half cover. I pack them in with my cover so they don't get "lost" in the trunk.
My full cover doesn't seem to have the problem since it does't fit quite as tight over the trunk.

[nsjoe]

Is this ripped cover an 1800 problem? I have yet to develop a rip with my 1500 cover after 7 years.???

nope, had the same problem with both of 1500s....

it depends on the quality of the cover purchased.

Beverly Bay made 3 layer cover with a heavy "patch' sewn on the areas where the antenna bends over..... my current cover is a single layer of nylon material and it started to rip thru before I thought about getting the tennis balls again.

I agree with John, it's a cover thing. I have one of the Beverly Bay Aqua Plush covers, and no issues. It's pretty bullet proof.