Motorbike gear reviews

My original waxed-cotton Belstaff jacket was purchased during a visit to the Isle of Man some 30 years ago. That garment offered breathable all-weather comfort, and I’ve long wished for an updated version with padding, ventilation and reflective panels. Aerostich’s Falstaff jacket provides exactly that.

In the lexicon of thrifty Americans, any two-for-one proposition is a killer deal. Killing two birds with one stone is even better. That’s the story with the ReadyRamp—a motorcycle loading ramp that doubles as a pickup-truck bed-extender.

There was a time, not too many decades ago, when everyone wore a Bell. Way back in 1966, the Southern California-based company pioneered the first full-face helmet, christening it the Star. Bell went through some growing pains in subsequent years—its auto-racing, bicycle and motorcycle divisions going their separate ways—but recently got back on-track. The newly renamed Bell Powersports is now headquartered in Northern California, and one of the first things the reborn brand did was bring back the Star.

Here at Motorcyclist, we usually get the first word on new models well in advance of the general public. But this time it looks like we’ve been scooped! Apparently, Kawasaki is considering a foray into the adventure-bike niche with the latest addition to its Ninja 650 family, and this spy shot is the first we’ve heard of it. From what we can see, a combination camping/bicycle rack bolts to the passenger seat and footpeg brackets. With room for sleeping bags and bungee cords, this addition is the answer to a sportbike rider’s prayers—especially a sportbike rider who just got kicked out of his girlfriend’s apartment! This prototype is clearly in beta testing, so loses points on its aesthetic appeal, but the position of the road bike is purely functional since it doubles as a wheelie bar should one get too hasty with the clutch.

From the complex compounds in your bike’s tires to the alloys in the engine and gasoline in the tank, your motorcycle is an excellent example of how 118 known elements can be combined to create an endless variety of substances. This month’s Gear spread contains a sample of the new products chemists have concocted for the greater good of motorcycling.

First things first: Just because you can ride Barbie’s Malibu Dream Scooter doesn’t mean you should. Sure, you live less than 100 miles from Malibu, and maybe the temptation to visit a real, live oceanside dream house got to be too much, but still... Some 10-year-old is sobbing into her fake plastic beer at the loss of that faux Piaggio. Do the right thing: Give it back.

Having a tough day? Consider the engineers who designed Dunlop’s new Roadsmart II radials. Sure, they get to ride fast motorcycles on fresh rubber all over the world, but after grinding countless knee pucks to dust coming up with the first Roadsmarts in 2008—tires that left little room for improvement as broadband sporting rubber—they had to outsmart themselves for the sequel.

Spurred by their success in the off-road market, Fly Racing has expanded into production of street gear by offering the Terra Trek adventure-riding jacket. Fly’s industry experience has translated well, and the Terra Trek is a value to be reckoned with. It offers a waterproof chassis, loads of pockets and CE-approved armor at half the price of similarly equipped jackets.

There are several excellent reasons to bleed your motorcycle’s hydraulic brake and clutch lines. For perform-ance-minded riders, there are the always popular braided stainless-steel or Teflon hoses to install. You might also be in the midst of replacing some brake or clutch component. Others, concerned with reliability in addition to performance, could be flushing out old fluid and replacing it with new.

Motorcyclists mostly focus on acceleration—horsepower figures, power-to-weight, quarter-mile times, etc.—but potent deceleration is nearly as important when it comes to improving lap times, and even more crucial on the street. This month’s Gear spread is aimed at improving your 0-60 and 60-0 mph times.

Not long ago, avoiding the slide-snap-splat of a high-side crash was entirely up to the rider. Traction control came down to a sensitive backside, fast reflexes and a seriously smooth wrist. Today, many motorcycles come equipped with sophisticated electronic traction-control systems that make riding at the edge safer and more enjoyable. If your sportbike wasn’t blessed from the factory, Bazzaz Performance has you covered.

We love slip-on mufflers. They're less expensive and easier to install than full exhaust systems, yet offer significant weight savings and respectable power gains.

Everyone made fun of Marco Simoncelli’s wild-and-crazy hair, but I’ve always admired it. Maybe it’s because my own hair also becomes an Afro when I don’t straighten it, so I can relate. Unlike me, however, “Super Sic” never tried to hide his curls. His hair was part of his charming, vivacious personality, and he wore it proudly. His fans were drawn to that.

Newport Beach, CA - Piston Driven Manufacturing added Motorcyclist Gear apparel, just in time to help celebrate the publication's 100-year anniversary. Designed for the two-wheel enthusiast, officially licensed Motorcyclist Gear apparel artistically incorporates the best elements of the magazine's history within a line of T-shirts, thermals, caps, jackets and work shirts. "We combined vintage and classic styling to make this apparel line appealing to just about anyone, but also showcases the passion for those who embrace the motorcyclist lifestyle," says Piston Driven Founder Tim Sousamian.

As motorcyclists, we all find it very important to be seen by other motorists. For some, that means wearing high-viz riding suits or reflective vests; for others, brightly colored helmets or flashy jackets. But leave it to the road warriors of California’s I-105 freeway to invent a fresh, new way of grabbing motorists’ attention: the old "Baby on Board" routine.

Tire pressure has always been important for motorcycle perform-ance, handling and safety, and more so given modern chassis, suspension and tires. Proper inflation is most critical for heavily loaded touring bikes to maintain load capability, and for sportbikes to achieve maximum grip. At the same time, any motorcycle rider needs to keep an eye on air pressure to maintain long tire life. So how do you choose a gauge? For your toolbox, pick a quality gauge whose face is easy to ride—analog or digital, no matter. Dunlop suggests using one that continues to display the pressure reading after you remove it from the valve stem. If you purchase a professional mechanic’s tire gauge, keep it in a padded hard case and don’t drop it, let it get bounced around or jostled by other tools. Naturally you will need a smaller, tougher gauge to carry on your bike. Many of the small pencil gauges and battery-powered digital ones are accurate enough for general riding. Just check them frequently against better gauges to ensure they remain accurate. Subjecting a gauge to pressure above its maximum rating can ruin its accuracy, particularly on the better dial-face models. The worst offenders here are road bicycles, which routinely run pressures that will damage a gauge calibrated to 50 or 60 psi. If you race at events with tire support, the manufacturers’ representatives may have a way to check your gauge, so take advantage of that.

SuperTrapp & Kerker Imposter Pipes for 2:1 Equipped Baggers

January 5th, 2011 - Los Alamitos, CA - The new "Main Set" jacket collection from Roland Sands Design combines tradition with functionality and style. Think classic lines, with subtle features to make it uniquely RSD. With forward rotated, pre-curved sleeves, adjustable waistband and shoulder gussets for mobility the Hesher is a rider's jacket, with reinforced double-layer elbows and heavy duck fabric bringing a good dose of protection.

Barkbusters, the Australian hand guard specialist offers an innovative accessory to protect the street motorcycle rider's hands from the elements in the colder months.

2 in 1 Tire Gauge
BikeMaster's 2 in 1 tire gauge will accurately measure your tire pressure up to 60psi and includes a built in depth gauge. Accurate inflation will prolong the life of your tire. The built in depth gauge will help you measure tread depth to maintain essential water clearance, making your ride safer. The deluxe gauge has a beautiful steel braided hose and an anodized collar.
MSRP $35.95 PN 15-1792

R&G First to sharpen the Blade
Waiting time cut for Tail Tidy fender eliminator on 2012 Honda Fireblade

Check out these "super-refined" all billet aluminum rearsets we have created for the discriminative Cafe' Racers out there!

The problem with soft saddlebags is they’re soft. They typically don’t hold their shape when empty, are a challenge to mount securely and flop around when loaded. After spending time on touring bikes with proper hard luggage, I’ve found most soft-luggage systems frustrating to use and have taken to wearing a backpack on sportbikes.