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Great for preventing long-term damage... or a wet butt.

Okay, so you've found your perfect motorcycle. One of the next steps — after finding the right helmet, jacket and gloves for safety, of course — will be finding the right motorcycle cover. Motorcycles, unlike cars, have their key bits exposed to the elements at all times. And you'll likely want to cover them when street parked, traveling or packing them away for the winter. A motorcycle can protect your significant investment from long-term damage. And even in the short term, riding with a wet butt just isn't that comfortable or fun.

Compact Storage: A motorcycle cover is often an item kept with the bike. The best covers will come with a storage bag or pouch that is compact enough to allow for easy storage. That's especially important if you're using the bike for commuting or road-tripping.

Fit: Motorcycle covers come in different sizes to fit different types of motorcycles. Aftermarket accessories that add to the vehicle's dimensions may require you to size up. A cover that is too small may not provide adequate coverage. A cover that is too large may not stay on the motorcycle.

Heat Resistance: Motorcycles get hot. And sometimes you don't have time to give your bike a complete half-hour-plus period for optimal cooling. Many motorcycle covers will have heat-resistant paneling to help protect the cover from damage when parts of the bike are still hot.

UV Resistance: Motorcycle covers often have treatments to protect against sunlight exposure and fading. Depending on your location and storage conditions, that may be more important than waterproofing.

Waterproofing: The best motorcycle covers are going to offer complete waterproofing with durable fabric and measures taken to protect vulnerabilities at the seams. Note that "water-resistant" is not the same thing as waterproof. But truly waterproof fabric can also jack up the price. And if you live in the desert or store your bike under a roof, a waterproof cover may not be a necessity.

The Dowco Guardian Weatherall Plus comes in a wide range of sizes. And it is the motorcycle cover of choice for Revzilla staffers. Its exterior heavy-duty nylon fabric is waterproof with heat-sealed and taped seams. It has a Guardvent System to prevent moisture buildup underneath and mildew-resistant undercoating. It also has a sewn-in pocket for owners to use Dowco's Guardian Alarm.

The Nelson Rigg Deluxe All-Season Cover is Revzilla's preferred affordable option. It's not as heavy-duty or durable as a more expensive motorcycle cover. But it will provide solid protection in conditions without weather extremes — like parking a car in a garage or carport.

The Tour Master Elite is another motorcycle cover option highly recommended by Revzilla staffers. It's a more affordable alternative to the Dowco that still offers 100 percent waterproof fabric with double-stitched and taped seams and ventilation to prevent moisture and condensation buildup inside.

Dowco also provides a great half-cover option for traveling or commuting. It's made from a high-tech microfiber material and performs the main half-cover function of you not getting your butt wet when you take off in the morning. It has foot peg straps and a rear antenna pass-through to go on easily. And it has reflective piping to make your bike extra visible at night.

The Dowco Guardian Ultralite is a great lightweight and quick-drying motorcycle cover for ADV and Sport Touring riders. Its 75D ripstop polyester is designed for abrasion resistance and provides UV and water resistance as well. It dries faster than heavier covers and stores compactly.

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