The 5 Best Motorcycle Covers for Outdoor Storage (UK, 2026)

Last updated: 2026. Covers recommended for UK outdoor use.

The short version: If your bike lives outside, a decent cover is one of the simplest and cheapest things you can do to protect it. It keeps the weather off, slows paint fade, and if the cover is plain, it hides what bike is underneath. This guide covers five options at different price points, all chosen because they are waterproof, paint-safe, and discreet.

Let's be honest: motorcycle covers are not glamorous. Nobody is going to get excited about them, and that is precisely the point. A good cover does its job without drawing attention to itself, or to your bike.

This guide is written specifically for riders who keep their bike outside in the UK: on a driveway, in a side passage, or on the street. UK weather is persistent and unforgiving, and bikes stored outside without any protection deteriorate faster than they need to. The right cover costs £25–£80. The cost of a neglected paint job, corroded fasteners, or a bike that looks well-used when it comes time to sell it, is considerably more.

Here is what actually matters when choosing a cover for outdoor use in the UK:

• Waterproofing. Not water resistance, actual waterproofing. The UK does not do light drizzle occasionally; it does sustained rain regularly.
• Breathability and ventilation. A cover that traps condensation is almost worse than no cover. Moisture sitting against metal causes rust.
• Soft lining. The inside of the cover touches your paintwork. Any abrasive or coarse material will eventually scratch it, especially in wind.
• A secure fit. A belly strap or elasticated hem is not optional. A cover that flaps loose in wind both fails to protect the bike and risks scratching it.
• Plain appearance. A cover that looks like it could be hiding a battered old 125 is a better theft deterrent than one with a logo advertising a premium bike brand underneath. Neutral colours, no branding visible from a distance.
• Chain eyelets. Holes that let you run a security chain through the cover while keeping it waterproof. Useful if you want to lock the cover itself down.

With those criteria in mind, here are the five covers that stand out for UK outdoor use.

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1. Oxford Aquatex: Best Budget Pick

💰 ~£20–£35 | 📐 8 sizes available | 🏆 RiDE Magazine Best Buy

The Oxford Aquatex is the most widely used motorcycle cover in the UK, and for straightforward reasons: it works, it is affordable, and it fits almost any bike thanks to eight available sizes. It has been the default recommendation in this category for years, earning RiDE Magazine's Best Buy award and the status of the world's best-selling motorcycle cover.

The Aquatex is made from double-stitched nylon, is fully waterproof, and includes heat resistance to 150°C in key areas, which is useful if you tend to cover your bike relatively soon after a ride (though you should still let exhausts cool first). An elasticated base and belly strap keep it in place, and it folds into a compact carry bag. Chain eyelets are included, covered with flaps to maintain waterproofing.

The appearance is deliberately plain: dark grey or black with subtle silver reflective panels for night visibility. No large logos or branding visible from a distance. Underneath, your bike looks anonymous, which is exactly what you want.

It is not the most durable cover ever made. If your bike is left outside year-round and exposed to the full force of UK winters, you may find yourself replacing it after a couple of years rather than five. But at this price, that is an acceptable trade-off. For riders who use their bike regularly and cover it most evenings, the Aquatex is hard to fault.

Verdict: The sensible default. If you want one reliable cover without overthinking it, this is the one. Buy the correct size, as anything too large will flap and potentially scratch the bike.

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2. Oxford Stormex: Best for Year-Round Outdoor Use

💰 ~£50–£90 (varies by size) | 📐 Multiple sizes | 🏆 RiDE Magazine Recommended

The Stormex is Oxford's heavy-duty outdoor cover and a significant step up from the Aquatex. If your bike is outside every day, all year, and you want something that will last and protect without compromise, this is the cover to look at.

What makes the Stormex different is the construction. The outer material is tougher and more abrasion-resistant, the seams are externally bonded rather than just stitched (meaning rain cannot work its way through the thread holes), and the inner lining is padded, providing a soft, scratch-resistant surface against your paintwork even if the cover moves in wind. It is also ventilated to reduce condensation buildup, which matters considerably for a cover that may be on the bike for days at a time.

Additional details include UV-colourfast fibres (the cover itself will not fade and go brittle in sunlight), a wrap-around splash protector at the base to stop water wicking up into the lining, and a transparent front pocket for a solar battery charger, a genuinely thoughtful touch for bikes left standing over winter. The rear features a number plate window with an internal curtain, so the plate is visible if required but can be hidden.

Like the Aquatex, the Stormex is plain in appearance. Dark, low-profile, no standout branding. It does its job without announcing itself.

Verdict: The right choice if your bike is outside year-round and you want to buy once rather than replace every couple of years. Worth the extra outlay for a bike with any real value.

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3. R&G Racing Outdoor Cover: Best Premium Option

💰 ~£50–£65 | 📐 4 styles: Superbike, Adventure, Cruiser, Scooter | 🏆 RiDE Magazine Best Buy (21/21)

R&G is primarily known as a race parts manufacturer, which might make a motorcycle cover seem like an odd product in their range. In practice, the quality and attention to detail they bring to hardware transfers directly here. The R&G outdoor cover is one of the most consistently well-reviewed covers on the UK market, and the Superbike version received a perfect score from RiDE Magazine in their comparative test.

The cover is made from quality waterproof fabric using double-stitched seams overlaid with tape, providing excellent rain protection. The elasticated hem runs all the way around the base, creating a genuinely snug fit that resists wind more effectively than covers that only have an elasticated section front and rear. There are two belly straps, one near the front wheel and one near the rear, adding further security in exposed locations.

Front and rear chain loops are covered with Velcro flaps to maintain waterproofing. Reflective trim piping provides night visibility. The Adventure variant is sized generously and will cover large touring bikes and adventure bikes even with panniers fitted, which is a common frustration with covers that claim to fit large bikes but fall short when the luggage is on.

The inner upper section has a soft lining specifically to protect the tank area, which is where most paint damage from covers occurs. The cover is plain black, robust-looking, and provides no visual clue as to what bike is underneath.

Verdict: If you have a mid-to-high value bike and want a cover that fits tightly and holds firm in genuinely bad weather, the R&G is the pick. The Adventure variant is particularly good for larger bikes.

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4. Oxford Rainex: Best Mid-Range Option

💰 ~£35–£57 | 📐 Multiple sizes including top-box variants | 🏆 RiDE Magazine Recommended

The Oxford Rainex sits between the Aquatex and Stormex in Oxford's range, and genuinely earns its place. It offers meaningfully better protection than the Aquatex without the bulk and cost of the Stormex, making it the right choice for riders who want a step up without going to the top of the range.

The Rainex uses a heavier-weight fabric than the Aquatex, with a soft heat-resistant liner throughout. The seams are taped, and the material passed waterproofing tests in independent reviews. It includes a transparent front window for a solar battery charger, chain eyelets with waterproof Velcro flaps, and an adjustable belly strap. A rear window option is available on some sizes.

One practical detail worth noting: the Rainex is available in a top-box variant. If you regularly ride with a top box fitted and leave the bike covered with the box on, this saves the frustration of a standard cover that does not accommodate the added height. Oxford also makes a high-screen version for bikes with taller windscreens, and a camo colourway if you want to make the bike look even less identifiable at a glance.

The plain black version is the right choice for outdoor storage. Anonymous, functional, and well-suited to UK conditions.

Verdict: The sensible mid-range choice. Especially worth considering if you use a top box and need a cover that accommodates it properly.

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5. Stormforce by Storm Car Covers: Best for Long-Term Storage

💰 ~£40–£60 | 📐 Multiple sizes | ⭐ Strong user reviews for outdoor UK use

Storm Car Covers is a UK-based company that makes covers specifically tested in British conditions. The Stormforce motorcycle cover is their outdoor option, made from a durable waterproof and breathable material with strong user feedback around longevity and wind performance.

What distinguishes the Stormforce is that it is designed from the outset for prolonged outdoor exposure. It is not just for the rider who pops a cover on overnight, but for bikes that might sit for a week, a fortnight, or through an entire winter. The breathable construction means condensation can escape rather than build up underneath, and the securing straps are designed to keep the cover from moving even in strong winds, which is where cheaper covers tend to fail.

This cover is a particularly good option if your bike is going into storage for winter and you want to leave it covered without lifting the cover every few days to check for moisture. Plain in appearance, it gives nothing away about what is underneath. Straightforward to fit. Good quality material that holds up across seasons.

Storm offers specific covers for specific makes and models ensuring you get the right size cover for your motorbike. This is a fantastic choice as long as your motorbike appears on their list. If you are not on the list then it's really going to be down to you (maybe with some AI support) to select a model that has similar or slightly larger dimensions. For example my 2018 Tiger 800 XCA doesn't appear on Storms model list but I'm pretty sure the Tiger 900 cover would fit.

I hope that in the future Storm also offers some generic sizes to make the purchase choice easier as the covers seem high quality and robust.

Verdict: Worth considering if you want a cover built for British outdoor conditions specifically, and particularly good if the bike is going into storage for an extended period.

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Quick Comparison

Cover	Price Range	Best For	Lining	Ventilated	Chain Eyelets
Oxford Aquatex	£20–£35	Regular daily use, budget	Basic	Limited	Yes
Oxford Stormex	£50–£90	Year-round outdoor, best protection	Padded	Yes	Yes
R&G Racing	£50–£65	Premium fit, wind resistance	Soft upper	Partial	Yes
Oxford Rainex	£35–£57	Mid-range, top-box bikes	Soft	Yes	Yes
Stormforce	£40–£60	Long-term/winter storage	Soft	Yes	Yes

Things Worth Knowing Before You Buy

Sizing matters more than most people realise

A cover that is too large will flap in wind, and a flapping cover is an abrasive cover. Every time the material moves against your paintwork, it causes micro-scratches, particularly if any grit or dust has collected on the inside of the cover. Measure your bike including any top box or panniers you plan to leave on, and compare against the manufacturer's size guide. Most brands provide dimensions for each size.

Let the bike cool before covering it

All motorcycle covers specify that the bike should be cool before the cover goes on. Exhaust components can reach very high temperatures, and while most covers have some heat resistance in key areas, this is designed for momentary accidental contact, not sustained exposure to a hot exhaust. If you ride home and immediately cover the bike, you are shortening the life of the cover and potentially the paintwork around the exhaust area.

Wash the cover occasionally

Over time, dust, grit, and contamination builds up on the inside of the cover. If you then put it back on the bike without cleaning it, you are essentially wrapping the bike in sandpaper. A wash with warm water and a small amount of washing-up liquid once or twice a year, done with the cover on the bike, keeps the inside clean. Let it dry fully before storing it, or you will end up with mildew.

A plain cover is a security tool, not just weatherproofing

If the bike cannot be identified, it is a harder target. Professional thieves often scope bikes in advance, looking for specific models worth stealing. A plain black or grey cover that gives nothing away disrupts this. It does not replace a ground anchor and chain, but it is a legitimate additional layer in your overall security approach. The cover also stops thieves from identifying whether you have a steering lock, disc lock, or anything else that might complicate a theft.

Run your security chain through the cover eyelets

Most outdoor covers have chain eyelets, holes at the front and rear through which a lock or chain can pass, covered with Velcro flaps to maintain waterproofing. Using these means your cover and your bike are secured together. It prevents the cover being removed quickly and quietly to assess what is underneath before deciding whether to steal it.

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Found this useful? The rest of this site covers motorcycle security for riders without a garage in more detail, including driveway security and insurance for bikes stored outside.