CMA HeartBeat January 2019 | Page 12

Gear Review By RANDAL Tebeau TOUR KING BIKE COVER a good bike cover is impor- tant to me when I travel. I prefer to cover my bike at night and even at times during the day, depending on the weather and circumstances. Keeping your bike covered helps protect it from the weather and also helps deter those who might wander by and be a little more than curious about your bike and attached gadg- ets. Without doubt, it is always nice to have a dry seat to ride on versus a wet or water soaked thing that seeps water for the next day or two. Personally, I don’t want a bike cover that takes up a lot of room, or takes a long time to put on or take off. I’m also not looking for a portable garage, just a simple cover to shield my bike from the elements. My preference is a cover that is small, lightweight, easy to store and easy to put on or take off. Tour King makes a lightweight cover that was actually, in years Having gone by, a RFS incentive on two dif- ferent occasions. I liked that cover from the first time I used it and I still like it. The cover weighs less than 1 pound and fits in a 4”x 8” bag and it is made right here in the USA. It is basically a half cover that leaves the lower bike open. So, when it was time to get a cover for the Road Glide Ultra, I looked to Tour King. Tour King has a good website, with pictures and descriptions and it’s easy to order and pay. Just select your bike brand and model, click any appropriate boxes (i.e., Tour Pak, etc.) and when finished enter your payment info. You can even add any special comments on your order form to insure your cover fits. Most of the bike covers run $54.95 and include free shipping via regular postage (can be upgraded). You will have to create an account, which is simple, and it allows you to check on your order status. My cover arrived in about a week. The cover comes with instructions and is really simple to put on or take off. The cover is made from a very thin black rip stop like material that is weatherproof and sheds water easily. There are elastic straps that loop over the pegs, Tour-Pak, etc., to hold the cover in place. Windy condi- Tour King Motorcycle Covers and Accessories: 1.800.572.8687 or visit the website www.tourking.us tions can make it interesting, but keep the wind to your back and with practice it becomes quite easy. On my previous cover, the straps lost some of their elasticity after many years and miles of use. I picked up some new elastic from WalMart, sewed it in place with a needle and thread and it was as good as new. The cover material itself has lasted extremely well with no issues over the years. I’ve never had any damage to the TK covers I’ve used, but I’m very careful not to let the cover drop down onto any hot pipes or engine parts, as it could damage the cover material. The only water I’ve experienced under the cover comes from occa- sional condensation when the condi- tions (humidity, dew, or temp changes) create this. The rain runs off and not through the cover and after a rain the cover dries out really quickly in the sun, then simply fold and roll it up and stuff it into the included storage bag. If it is wet and you are in a hurry, no problem, shake the water off and stuff it into the bag, you don’t have to worry about wetting things nearby. Just don’t forget to pull the cover out and let it dry later or you may have a stinky mess in a week or two when you pull it out!! This is my third Tour King cover (three different bikes) and it is my go to cover, I wouldn’t be without one. I think you will be very satisfied with this quick, convenient cover that does all you need when traveling the highways and hedges. CMA Randal Tebeau oversees the Southeast Region as National Evangelist.