Top Ways to maintain your motorbikes from bad weather

Motorbikes can take most types of bad weather, but to really protect them, using good quality motorbike covers is the best option, especially if you need to house them outside.

The cooler months can be hard on a motorbike, placing extra strains on its fluids, components and parts. The best way to combat this is by using high quality oils, fuels, other liquids and investing in a high quality motorbike covers.

Antifreeze or Coolant

Although down on the Coast it doesn’t usually get to freezing point, in the hills above the Hinterland it sometimes reaches minus 5C on a frosty morning, so it’s best to be prepared. Check the coolant regularly and replace it every two years or if you prefer get a tester to check its protection levels.

Always use a quality coolant/antifreeze, if you choose a concentrate dilute it with distilled water or pick a readymade solution.

Oil

It’s important to use a grade of oil recommended by your motorbike manufacturer and pick one suitable for cold conditions. Some oils will become thick when cold and won’t do their job when you first start up or maintain their viscosity.

If you do a high mileage, just before the cold months is the best time to flush the system, change your filter and refill with premium lubricant.

Battery and Electrical

Cold weather can affect the rate your batty charges and bring out faults in your wiring system, particularly if they have been wet for a while. A flat battery is the most common cause of motorbike breakdowns, so check the state of your battery and charge it with a trickle charger to keep it topped up.

Lubricating Moving Parts

Cold wet weather along with road grime, hail and salt, if not regularly cleaned of can adversely affect all the moving parts of your motor bike. A regular cleaning and lubricating program as well as keeping it safe under quality motorbike covers will help maintain its appearance and roadworthiness.

Wash and dry your bike and use a suitable lubricant on all moving parts before placing it under your motorbike covers

Tyre Maintenance

If you’re not using all-weather tyres you will need to change to winter tyres before it gets cold and the rains appear as you need plenty of gripping power in wet conditions.

To reduce the risk of aquaplaning in the wet, ensure your tyres are fully inflated to the manufactures recommendations when hot from riding. This will also reduce the chances of getting a puncture.

Motorbike Covers

Choosing the right motorbike covers to protect your bike is critical in the cooler months if your motorbike is exposed to the weather. But even if undercover, high quality breathable motorbike covers are good investments. They will keep the dust and pollutants in the air off your bike and stop pests from using it as a nesting site.

Like all forms of transportation motorbike represent a significant investment. One of the best ways to protect them from the elements and threats such as theft and vandalism is to invest in suitable high quality motorbike covers.

 

How long do caravan covers last?

When looking to purchase caravan covers there are a few important considerations you should take into account to ensure you get the best value and a long service life from them.

Price does matter and you really do get what you pay for, cheap low end caravan covers will usually not last very long, so you should budget for the best quality caravan covers you can afford and reject any that do not have a long manufacturer’s warranty.

Conditions of storage

The type of caravan covers best suited to your caravan will depend on where you keep it.

·       Is your caravan kept under a shelter or exposed to the elements?

If you keep your caravan under cover in a carport of garage then you will most probably need a light weight cover designed to keep bird and insect droppings, dust and air pollution off your caravan. These types of quality covers you can expect a long life, from five years plus. But always look for a high quality breathable cover that fits snugly to keep out unwanted visitors as many pests find a loose cover an irresistible place to hide and can cause a lot of damage

If you caravan is kept outside and exposed to the elements then you will require high quality caravan covers to protect it and maintain it in pristine condition.

Quality caravan covers should fit your van snugly and not flap in the wind or allow water to pool on them during wet conditions. Look for caravan covers with a long warranty periods as this shows that the manufacture has used quality long lasting material that’s designed to protect your van in all the different harsh Australian weather conditions.

Types of materials

For longevity, the ideal caravan covers are made from high quality polypropylene, a thermoplastic polymer in multiple layers of 3 or 4 ply fabrics and include a soft non scratch inner layer. This means your caravan covers are breathable and water resistant as well as giving a high degree of UV protection and will not fall apart because of sun exposure.

Special features

There are a number of special features that can improve caravan covers usability such as elastisiced hems, Velcro straps, reinforced seams and built in door access in the caravan covers allowing easy access to your van. Transparent windows and dedicated air vents to improve circulation and prevent any moisture build up inside or under the caravan covers means there will be no mould and the fabric will remain in better condition.

A bonus if your caravan is exposed to passing traffic is extra protective layers on the side to protect against knocks, bangs and scratching.

High Quality caravan covers that are a good fit and match the conditions your caravan is stored under can be expected to last for five years or more. Choosing the best caravan covers you can afford from a reputable manufacture will ensure your cover lasts and protects your caravan for many seasons.

 

How to protect your motorbike this winter?

Keep your motorbike in top condition this winter by using quality motorbike covers and using some of these tips on how to protect your motorbike during winter

Winter on The Gold Coast is usually pretty mild, although it can get cold during a cold snap. If you’re considering storing your bike during the colder months, cleaning it properly and placing it under quality breathable motorbike covers will prolong its life and help maintain its appearance.

Other things to do are:

·       Check the battery

A healthy motorbike battery should have a voltage reading above 12.6 volts, if it’s low, charge it before riding. Cold starts, old thick engine oil and a large amount of accessories common on modern motorbikes can place a large strain on batteries. The terminals should be cleaned and tightened, then lightly greased with suitable grease. All electrical connections should be checked and any loose wiring properly secured. If your battery voltage drops quickly it could be a sign it needs replacing

·       Check the Tyres

It’s a good safety policy to check your motorbike tyres before, as well as after every time you use it. When it gets cold, your tyre pressure can drop about 2psi for each 10.C temperature drop so it’s important to take this into consideration and check your tyres when hot after a ride and when cold

·       Antifreeze

Motorbikes fitted with a water cooling system should always use only a high quality Coolant with anti corrosive properties and ensure that it also has a low freezing point. Ensure your cooling system is always topped up with the same type and brand of coolant as some are not compatible and never use plain water

·       Chain Lubrication

Salt laden air and wet roads combine to corrode chains quickly if they are not protected by a good lubricant. Oil your chain often and before placing in winter storage.

An automatic chain lubricator is a great option so your chain is lubricated as you ride

·       Lubricate all moving parts

All moving parts such as the brake, clutch and accelerator controls need to be cleaned to remove dirt and grime, then lubricated regularly and before you place your bike under motorbike covers

·       Lights and Light Covers

It’s a good safety practice to always drive with your lights on during the day as well as nighttime. In the winter, it becomes more important as visibility can be reduced, making you harder to see. Your lights need to be checked to ensure they are working correctly, including the brake and indicators. The lens covers should be inspected and cleaned regularly

·       Brakes

Check your brakes regularly and replace the brake fluid at least once a year

·       Motorbike covers

Using motorbike covers will protect your motorbike from the worst of the winter weather as well as reducing the likely threat of vandalism and theft as most people will not bother trying to remove motorbike covers

 

Why Caravan covers are important to protect it from the weather?

A caravan whether you have the latest top of the range model or an older version it represents a large financial investment and needs to be taken care of in the best possible way. Using quality caravan covers is the first step in maintaining your caravan and protecting it from the weather and the hostile environment.

Caravans are made to be weather proof and they will remain in reasonable condition if left outside, but over time they will deteriorate without extra protection from the elements.

Caravan Covers Offer

Caravan covers give protection to the exterior of your caravan as well as stopping excess heat build up inside that can cause damage and fading to the interior.

·        Rain Protection

Because of atmospheric pollution there tends to be a lot of contaminants in rainwater that can affect the surface of your caravan over time. To counter this, using high quality water resistant caravan covers designed to allow the water to run off rather than pool on the surface are recommended. Before you put your caravan covers on, be sure your caravan is clean and dry. Using a high quality polish designed for automotive use will add an extra layer of protection

·        Bird Droppings and Tree Sap

Both of these sky borne contaminants will adversely affect your caravan’s external finish. Good quality caravan covers are made to withstand the acidic compounds in bird droppings, insect droppings and sap from trees, contaminants that would otherwise eat into your van’s painted surface spoiling the finish and allowing moisture to penetrate

·        UV Protection

Australia has a wonderful climate and many hours of bright, clear sunshine, especially in Queensland and the Gold Coast regions. Unfortunately, the sun also emits harmful UV rays that can quickly cause fading and discoloration as well a breakdown of your caravan surfaces. Good quality caravan covers provide total UV protection, keeping you caravan in showroom condition for years to come. This is not only to keep it looking fantastic, but to preserve its resale value if you decide to upgrade or sell it in the future

·        Damage Control

Quality caravan covers will protect your caravan from accidents and theft while you’re not using them and can also help protect them from stone damage and minor scraped when being towed long distances

·        Good Fitting Caravan Covers

When you choose caravan covers, make sure they are a good fit for your caravan as a loose cover can potentially rip in bad, windy weather and flap around causing surface damage. High quality caravan covers have a soft inner layer that is designed to avoid scratching or scuffing your van if there is any movement when being put on, removed or during road travel and in storms

·        Custom Covers

While they may be a little more expensive, custom made caravan covers are usually made using better quality materials and designed to fit your caravan like a glove. They take into account extras such as aerials, sat disks, solar panels, CCTV cameras and things like storage racks that standard caravan covers cannot accommodate. They are also much easier to put on and take off

 

Your caravan is your home away from home and by using good quality caravan covers you will be able to keep your caravan protected whether is left outside on in a covered area, so it all ways remains in pristine condition and is ready for your next road trip whenever you are.

 

Top Reasons you must have a motorbike cover

When you own a motorbike it makes sense to do everything reasonable to look after it and providing it with a suitable motorbike cover is one of the best ways to preserve its appearance and keep it in top condition.

Some of the top reasons you must have a quality motorbike cover:

·        Protection from the elements

A motorbike cover will protect your motorbike from the harsh effects of the sun, salt spray, windblown, dust, dirt and sand as well as rain and hail that can cause expensive damage

·        The best types of cover

It’s important when choosing a motorbike cover that you get a quality cover that’s designed to suit the conditions where you keep your motorbike.

·        If you keep your motorbike mainly inside a garage or under a cover like a carport them a high quality, lightweight, breathable motorbike cover is probably adequate to keep dust and airborne pollutants from damaging your paintwork.

Having a close or snug-fitting motorbike cover will deter many insects and other pests that may like to sneak under the cover to hide and cause havoc.

·        If you keep your motorbike outside in all weathers then you will need a heavy duty motorbike cover designed to withstand conditions such as UV rays from the sun and the fierce winter storms that occasionally visit the Gold Coast

Soft covers

It’s important that your motorbike cover has a soft inner lining that is neither metallic nor abrasive, so that it doesn’t scratch the paintwork. A high quality single layered motorbike cover is usually adequate for inside use, but a quality multi-layered motorbike cover is best for outdoor use as long as has the ability to breathe and allow any condensation to escape so mould and mildew will not form

Waterproof motorbike covers

A fully waterproof motorbike cover will stop moisture from the rain affecting your bike,but it may trap condensation inside, causing problems with mould and rusting as well as the discolouration of your paint and plastics. So a fully breathable, water resistant cover that although it may allow a bit of moisture to get inside will also allow it to quickly dry out quickly once the rain stops and not keep moisture trapped inside

Close or loose fit covers

Generally the better your motorbike cover fits your particular motorbike the better it will be able to protect your bike as wind can cause a motorbike cover to flap and cause damage to the surfaces

Security

Motorbike theft and vandalism is an increasing problem and having a good quality heavy duty motorbike cover will help to conceal your bike as many thieves are looking for a particular make and model to steal and will not bother to take the time to look under the cover as this increases the chances of them getting caught.

Petty vandalism where people break or steal lights or mirrors can be drastically reduced with a good quality heavy duty cover as if they can’t see them, they usually are not interested

 

There are some very good reasons why you must have a good quality motorbike cover to protect your motorbike from protection from the elements to keeping pests away and reducing the chances of having your bike stolen or vandalized. But always look for a breathable motorbike cover that will not scratch the paintwork.

How to choose the best covers for your car

 It’s worth taking the time and energy to protect your car from the elements by investing in quality car covers.

With the huge range of car covers on the market, how do you choose the best covers for your car?

To make it easier, we have created this list of things you could consider to make your search easier:

Deciding where your car will be stored

·        Cars store under cover

When you know where your car will be kept when you’re not using it is the first step in choosing the best and most appropriate car covers.

If you’re lucky enough to have a garage or carport to park your car in, then you might be better to choose a light weight cover that is designed to keep the dust off and prevent pests from finding shelter in or around the body work.

The droppings from insects, lizards, small mammals and birds can not only look unpleasant on your car, but because of its corrosive nature, it can damage the paint.

A high quality cotton or breathable synthetic cover is a good choice, especially if you use your car on a regular basis. For those that don’t use their car every day slightly heavier cotton car covers may be the best choice as they offer more protection with its extra padding to help prevent accidental damage and scratching or denting of the sides from people passing.

·        Cars stored outside

The areas where you live and wish to store your car also needs to be taken into account. Some areas of The Gold Coast are known to have hail at different times of the year and these can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle. Choosing car covers that are heavy enough to provide adequate protection from large hailstones could be necessary.

Are you close to the coast, maybe you need car covers that are capable of protecting your car from salts pray or salt laden winds.

Other areas may be prone to high concentrations of sand or dust in the prevailing wind, which can quickly erode the finish on your car without the protection of the right type of car covers

Feature to look for when choosing car covers

·        Breathable

Regardless of the type of car covers you choose, it’s important that they are breathable so that they don’t trap moisture or condensation under them. If they were to trap moisture it could cause corrosion and discolouration of the paint work as well as any of the plastic parts that are so common on modern cars. Mould and fungi would also appear, this is unsightly as well as damaging to the lustre and paint in general and harmful to your car covers

·        Snug fitting

The better and tighter the fit of your car covers is, the less likely they are to flap around in the breeze or allow pests to move in under them. Good quality car covers have a bit of built in stretch-ability, ensuring a good fit

·        Soft inertia lining

Quality car covers have a soft lining that will not scratch or damage your car as they hug its contours

 

When you need car covers, choose a high quality breathable material that has a soft inside and a natural colour on the outside to avoid fading

Where you can get quality boat covers in Australia

 The covid-19 pandemic has caused havoc with just about all aspects of our lives, but life goes on and so does the sun wind and rain. Without the luxury of being able to shop around for the best deals and options, we are lucky that Covers 4 U is there to offer factory pricing and the best quality boat covers from around Australia to suit everyone from the bargain hunter to those that appreciate the need to spend a little more to get the best possible protection for their boat.

After all your boat represents a sizable investment that you will be wanting to preserve and keep out of the harsh Australian weather as well as away from the eyes of thieves and vandals.

Good quality boat covers will last for years, maintaining the finish and upholstery that without a cover would be so expensive to restore. They are a sound investment and very affordable.

Covers 4 U is one of the best places to get a quality boat cover using the internet from the comfort and security of your own home, They have taken the worry and stress out of the equation and offer competitively prices boat covers for any sized boat whether you keep it at home, outside, in the marina on the water or a storage garage they have the best selection there for you. They offer off the shelf universal fit covers, covers designed for specific brands and models of boats as well as being able to tailor make a cover that’s a design fit your boat and any accessories it may have.

Some advantages of Purchasing Boat Covers online from Covers 4 U

Salt Spray, windblown sand, bird droppings and acid rain can all help to spoil the look of your boat, reduce its sale value and cause you costly repairs, Boat covers from Cover 4 U that you can get delivered right to your door so you don’t have to venture out place an effective barrier over your boat stopping the intense UV rays from doing their damage.

A full selection of colours are available to match your existing colour scheme or you can tone it down a little and get a light colour that effectively reflects the damaging heat of the sun off your boat.

Boat covers are very effective theft deterrent, simply because most thieves don’t like to hang around long enough to remove a cover so they can see what’s there in case they are discovered. Most quality boat covers can be secured with a lock. The tough nature of the fabric makes it hard for anyone to gain entry.

The type of boat covers you choose will be influenced by the local weather conditions and whether or not you can leave under cover.

With a great proactive website covers 4 U makes it very easy to find the right boat covers to suit your boat and the area you’re keeping it in

 

Fortunately, the internet has made it easy to find the perfect boat covers to suit your unique situation with a full range of top quality boat covers from Australia’s leading manufacturers and all at factory prices. You can also pay in instalments making cover 4 U the perfect place to get quality boat covers from anywhere in Australia.