Are the heads of American motorcycle riders more, or less hardy, than those piloting English and Australian motorbikes? Your guess is as good as mine! But here is what a British and Australian review found: “Motorcyclists are at high risk in traffic crashes, particularly for head injury. A review of Read more
Answer: If you never crash — you don’t need a helmet. Alas, if only life were that simple. Riders around the world have ideas, pro and con, about wearing protective helmets. There is a certain physical and emotional sensation — like no other — that is engendered when not wearing Read more
Well, if you are thinking in terms of motorcycle fashion apparel, I would recommend chrome, shaft-drive pendants, hanging from a series of gold chains that are attached to a leather belt with a chrome bike-buckle to secure your pants. And that should give you a good indication on why I Read more
KEVLAR: STRONG, LIGHTWEIGHT AND HEAT RESISTANT Perhaps most famous for its application in bullet-proof vests, Kevlar is also used in radial tires, heat- or flame-resistant fabrics, fiber-reinforced composite materials for aircraft panels, boat hulls, golf-club shafts, and lightweight bicycles. According to the Dupont website, which first produced Kevlar in 1965, Read more
AIR MESH KEVLAR JACKET: (Read Part I) The Motoport Air Mesh Kevlar Jacket (previously Cycleport) includes a thorough array of impact protective armor, in addition to the abrasion resisting Kevlar. The “Tri-Armor Body Guard System” includes armor not only in the right areas to protect elbows, forearms, shoulders, and back, Read more
Tankbags, tankbags and tankbags: There are a gazillion of them to choose from! For such a simple piece of motorcycle luggage, how different can they all be? For some riders, all of this is moot because they ain’t gonna put one of them contraptions on their bike no matter what! Read more
WHAT DO ALL THOSE LABELS MEAN ON MOTORCYCLE GEAR? Ever wonder what all those different motorcycle textiles are about? What are the definitions of the myriad terms printed on the tags of motorcycle jackets, pants and gloves? What’s good? What’s better? Is textile as good as leather? Is there any Read more
DRAGGIN’ JEANS – BETTER THAN REGULAR JEANS: I’ve been wearing Draggin’ Jeans with Draggin’ Armor by Fast Company for several years. These are cotton blue jeans (or black jeans) with Kevlar reinforcements sewn generously on the inside over the knee areas and in the seat of the pants. Their optional Read more
I’ve collected a number of motorcycle jackets and suits for various riding conditions over the years. I picked up the Fieldsheer Highland one-piece riding suit online over a year ago, primarily for winter riding. I’ve since extended its use, including on a coast-to-coast Spring/Summer tour last year. (Used it in Read more
Winter riding in Southern California is only chilly in the morning and evening. I delayed getting myself some heated gear because the need just did not seem so vital. But I’m sure that anyone who owns heated riding clothing would attest that once you’ve ventured down the road of warmer, Read more
GREAT TOURING BOOTS AND WALKING AROUND BOOTS: It’s hard for me not to love my boots. Cruiserworks, in North Carolina, makes a line of very practical riding apparel for your feet. I’ve been wearing the “Men’s Tour” boot version since 2003. These boots have ridden coast-to-coast several times, as well Read more
I’ve done a lot of riding over the years — and most of it without ear plugs. Throw in a whole bunch of rock concerts from a long time ago, and you have a recipe for aural attenuation (reduced hearing). Some guys/gals don’t like ear plugs — and I can Read more
Need a little more warmth under that helmet? Or, perhaps you just want to look like a space alien? Add a silk balaclava to your traveling apparel. It’s super light, quite comfortable and I especially wear mine when the thermometer heads south and many riders are not on their bikes. Read more
Want the Department of Defense to help navigate you and your motorcycle around? Well, you can…by way of their Global Positioning System. DoD spends some US$400 million per year to maintain the system, and it’s available to you and I as a benefit for the public good. But do you Read more
Motorcycle gloves. They’re good friends of any motorcyclist with a few miles on the throttle. Over the years I’ve had (and still have) many different pairs. Summer gloves. Cooler weather gloves. Winter gloves (and snowmobile mittens). Waterproof gloves. Rain over-gloves — particularly appreciated when riding underwater or through seemingly similar Read more