Sometimes you look at a product and you don't have to give two thoughts about its purpose. River Road's Basic leather motorcycle jacket is just that: a basic motorcycle jacket. You look at it and you know that it's cut and designed for riding because it looks like the jackets in every biker movie. Not that we're all trying to be Steve McQueen, but this style of jacket has earned a place in history, and this one is cut just for women.

Constructed of full-grain leather and with a light, quilted liner, this is an excellent jacket to protect you from abrasion. It wouldn't be an old-school jacket if it had armor, so you're going free and easy. That's great for comfort, but won't save your bones on impact. You might want to learn how to take a fall.

Nylon stitching holds all that leather together with impressive durability. Nylon thread isn't as subject to weather degradation as cotton or other natural fibers. Leather, plus nylon, equals a 2-year warranty. Keep your leather oiled, and this jacket will be with you a lot longer than that.

The Basic comes with no vents and no removable weather lining. Obviously you can wear it over a sweater in the cold, but really hot weather could get trying. The adjustable waist and zip-up collar are perfect for a good fit and to keep out the cold. Regardless of the lack of modern frills, the Women's Basic is a fine, fine jacket that makes me think I could give up some security for a little more freedom.

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Womens River Road LEATHER BASIC MC Jacket BLK W2XL NEW US $157.46   Auction Ends: 18d 1h 44m Make it yours...

Womens River Road LEATHER BASIC MC Jacket Black WMD NEW US $143.96   Auction Ends: 18d 1h 32m Make it yours...

Womens River Road LEATHER BASIC MC Jacket Black WXL NEW US $143.96   Auction Ends: 18d 1h 32m Make it yours...

Helmet technology is booming. And in every aspect from weight to functionality to features to the bottom line (or ‘head' of the list, maybe)-safety. The Akuma Phantom MFR is another of these on the leading edge of technical design.

Start with the carbon fiber shell, very light and very strong. This helmet is finished, not painted, and there are no further color choices. The MFR means "Made For Racing" and while this is an expensive lid, it's also designed for light weight, excellent aerodynamics, balance, and functionality, and anything that doesn't fit into these parameters was trimmed from the design. At three pounds, it's the lightest helmet on the market and you will feel the difference.

Akuma's other shout about the Phantom is their Aegis SOLFX™ photochromic visor which transitions from clear to dark depending upon available light. Rated protection is about UV400, and Akuma claims 30 seconds to change from lighter to darker, a little more time for the transition from dark to light. Optionally, you can order the "hydrophobic" visor, which does a weirdly good job of shedding dust and water; or, you can order a standard smoke visor.

The insides are a soft and wicking material, and removable. The fit is close without being uncomfortably tight. There is some slight wind noise, surprising for a helmet of this caliber and price, but the unusually light weight of this helmet outweighs any concerns there. Whether you race or not, this is a helmet worth looking into-or out from.

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New AKUMA Phantom II Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet US $398.89   Auction Ends: 12d 9h 42m Make it yours...

This is one ambitiously innovative helmet. Advertised as a modular, it'd also be easy to label as a convertible because it can be altered from a full-face helmet to a half helmet. The French company Shark is relatively new to the U.S. market, but they'll definitely draw attention to themselves with the Evoline.

The most obvious feature-and where the 'evolutionary' part of the name originates--is its rollover chin-guard. Raise the visor, push the red button at the inside front, and the jaw of the helmet disengages up and over to the back of the helmet. In place, the now reversed lower piece fits in like an intended three-dimensional design on a half-helmet.

And then you get the "jet" feature: a second visor inside the first. You activate the sun visor by reaching up and sliding a lever on the top of the helmet. And of course this works whether or not you have the chin-guard in place. This by itself is an awesome addition, in my opinion.

You might expect that with this sort of versatility would come a looseness of fit between all those moving parts. Not so. The Evoline doesn't whistle or leak at the visor or the seams of the moveable parts. The moving parts lock solidly into place and don't rattle or vibrate. This is a top-quality helmet and beautifully finished. The liner is comfortable and removable, and the helmet cinches to your head with a standard D-ring fastener.

In the upper mid-range as helmets go, this is a fairly good deal for an interesting and highly adaptable helmet.

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SHARK EVOLINE HELMET GLOSS BLACK L LARGE US $299.00   Auction Ends: 18d 3h 37m Make it yours...

NEW SHARK EVOLINE SOLID HELMET BLACK L LARGE US $322.44   Auction Ends: 2d 10h 40m Make it yours...

SHARK EVOLINE MOTORCYCLE HELMET Black XL Extra Large US $359.96   Auction Ends: 19h 25m Make it yours...

Helmet branding is important. My natural inclination is to reject branding due to its relevance to status, which is a bunch of bull in my opinion. Branding, however, has function beyond that superficial stuff. It's a way to know that you're getting a good product without having to conduct crash tests in your garage, or worse, find out that it's not up to snuff when you need it most.

Thor helmets do have a price right up there with the front-runners, but they also deliver quality. The Quadrant motocross helmet is constructed of a lightweight polycarbonate shell. Do not let the weight fool you; this helmet is strong enough to have earned DOT and Snell approval.

The integrated mouthguard and venting system are designed to give you lots of airflow and carry the heat away from your head. Getting hot in the helmet can lead to disorientation and dehydration as well as discomfort. I've always been a little shocked and disgusted at how much you can sweat from the head.

Speaking of all that salty sweat, the liner is removable and washable so you won't have to live with the remnants of past rides. Of course, there is a molded goggle grabber to keep your eye protection, and therefor your eyes, in the right place.

Because Thor has made a name for themselves, some of what you're buying is that name. There's really no way around it; success means you get to charge more. That success is derived of quality, so you won't have to wonder if your helmet will do its job. On an up note about the price, with the 2010 models on their way, you might be able to find a sale. Good luck.

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NEW 09 THOR QUADRANT STAR CAMO GREEN LARGE LG L HELMET US $110.00   Auction Ends: 3d 4h 3m Make it yours...

Thor Youth Quadrant Black Red Helmet New Medium MD US $99.95   Auction Ends: 12d 21h 23m Make it yours...

NEW THOR MEDIUM M HELMET QUADRANT BLUE NEVER WORN US $69.00   1 Bid Auction Ends: 2d 1h 40m Make it yours...

A friend of mine has just finished dishing his own seat. He actually made a mold of his own rear end and then dished a piece of metal to fit his unique posterior. He's yet to add the padding, but says it's the most comfortable seat he's had yet. I'm not about to go that far, but this just shows how important a good seat is to a dedicated rider.

Harley's Pillow-Look touring seat has a lot to offer in comfort for the rider and passenger. The name is lacking on creativity, but honest. This has a distinct pillow-look with lots of padding and a wide bucket. This is especially comfortable for the passenger and includes a passenger grab strap. If you're riding solo, the grab strap is a good place to tie a bedroll.

The Pillow-Look seat has a classic saddle appearance. Looking both comfortable and stylish, this is a fine seat for long rides. The only warning I'd like to provide, and this goes for any seat that's dimpled by upholstery buttons, is that you should cover this seat when parked outside for the night. If it rains, or there is a heavy dew, water can settle in those dents and you might not notice until it's too late. This is amusing for everyone else, but not so much for the person who has to ride in wet pants.

Harley's price for this seat is surprisingly reasonable. I tend to associate Harley with high prices, but for under $200 I'd say it's a deal. High on the couch factor, but much better looking, you'll be able to lay down the miles without complaint.

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Harley Davidson Pillow Look Touring Seat p n52109 04 US $179.95   Auction Ends: 3d 23h 24m Make it yours...

Harley Davidson RoadKing Pillow Look Seat 51102 01A US $195.00   Auction Ends: 6d 6h 41m Make it yours...

Harley Davidson Dyna Pillow Look Seat 52159 06 US $219.95   Auction Ends: 1d 52m Make it yours...

If you have to resurrect a dead battery, you've been neglectful. Shame on you. Okay, so I'm being harsh, but to prevent this kind of situation, or recover from it, the TecMate Optimate 4 charger has a few features that are pleasantly surprising in a charger that only costs around $70.

It is waterproof and can be used outside, which is a boon for riders who rent and want to avoid the hazards of charging a battery inside an apartment. In constant communication with your battery, the Optimate 4 has 19 possible messages it can transmit using an LED display. It will let you know how far along the charging process is or if you have a dead cell. To save electricity, the Optimate 4 will stop attempting to charge a shorted-out battery after 48 hours. When your battery does take a charge, you can leave it hooked up to the Optimate 4 for maintenance.

Batteries at different levels of neglect have different needs, so the Optimate 4 will begin charging the battery according to its condition. Charging cycles are different for sulfated batteries, batteries that have at least a 2 volt charge, and batteries that have been sorely neglected. This microprocessor-controlled charger will periodically check in on the battery's status and adjust the charge in order to preserve the overall life of the battery or diagnose any problems for you.

Now, you have to ask yourself if you need all of this. If not, you can pick up a charger for 1/3 the cost, but the diagnostic feature could save you a lot of wasted time trying to charge a battery that's already given up the ghost.

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OPTIMATE 4 DESULFATING WEATHERPROOF CHARGER MAINTAINER US $66.95   Auction Ends: 26d 2h 54m Make it yours...

TECMATE OPTIMATE 4 BATTERY CHARGER MOTORCYCLE ATV US $60.49   Auction Ends: 4d 19h 58m Make it yours...

TECMATE CHARGER OPTIMATE 4 TM141 US $65.95   Auction Ends: 24d 4h 49m Make it yours...

When, albeit in the far flung future, I get to retire, I may just give up this whole "house" thing. I know folks who sold their legal residence and went on a two-year camping trip. As zen-like as I'd like to be about the transience of physical possessions, I do like having clean socks, and a bag that lets your run off indefinitely has to have room for a few creature comforts.

T-Bags bring us their Lonestar bag. The name embodies the wide open spaces and rugged lifestyle that this bag is designed to accompany you through. At first glance, you might see the nearly $300 price tag as daunting, but you are getting, between the roll bag and the main bag, over 2 cubic feet of storage capacity. One great big compact luggage set to either complement other bags if you can't live without your set of encyclopedias, or to reduce the number of bags you carry.

Constructed of 1680 denier ballistic nylon and equipped with an attached rain cover, the Lonestar will be able to tolerate whatever conditions to which you are willing to subject yourself. The mounting system is designed to go over a backrest and will adjust to any rest between 7 inches and 14 inches wide. This bag does require a luggage rack for additional support.

The Lonestar will not sag when empty and is insulated with high-density closed cell foam. There are external pockets for your odds and ends and a fantastic, hinged access to the main bag. You can separate the roll and main bag, but if used together, keep in mind that this is a lot of weight on the back of the bike. This setup is not for lightweight machines.

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T BAGS LONESTAR T BAG LUGGAGE TBU470 US $229.95   Auction Ends: 23d 6h 55m Make it yours...

T BAGS LONESTAR W TOP ROLL T BAG LUGGAGE TBU470 US $287.95   Auction Ends: 23d 6h 55m Make it yours...

NEW T BAG LONESTAR BAG W TOP ROLLNET LUGGAGE 4 HARLEY US $287.95   Auction Ends: 6d 18h 37m Make it yours...

August went out with a heat wave here, but now that September has arrived, it's been cool. This is not the best weather for me to be thinking about a mesh textile jacket, but last month, stuck in traffic with the heat beating down on me, I gave some serious consideration to finishing my ride with my leather in the saddlebag -- not a good idea as far as safety is concerned.

I live in Michigan, so it doesn't get too hot here in any season. If you live in the South, you'd probably enjoy the Scorpion Hat Trick textile jacket. This is cut for women, though not overtly feminine like some other brands that push the pink in their women's apparel.

To keep you from getting overheated, the non-impact areas are mesh panels, and the impact areas are ballistic nylon over ventilated armor. Exo-tec CE armor will sit securely over shoulders and elbows because this jacket is designed to fit close. The textiles move with you, so that close fit is not a restrictive fit.

Scorpion's Exo-Stitch safety system will keep the seams strong in the hard and fast wear of a crash or the slow abuse of time. For additional protection, there is integrated reflective trim on the sleeves.

The Hat Trick comes with a removable, fully-sleeved liner that is wind and water-proof, so it'll keep you warm enough on cool, damp days. I wouldn't, however, recommend wearing this for serious cold weather riding. If you live in the right climate, or want a jacket for the dog days, you can get the Hat Trick in your choice of black or white on black and in a wide range of sizes. The white on black will add to your visibility.

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SCORPION HAT TRICK JACKET RED MEDIUM US $229.95   Auction Ends: 22d 22h 17m Make it yours...

SCORPION HAT TRICK JACKET BLACK LARGE US $229.95   Auction Ends: 22d 23h 37m Make it yours...

NWT New Womens Large Scorpion Hat Trick Vented Jacket US $229.00   Auction Ends: 7d 6h 19m Make it yours...

I don't tend to wear sunglasses. After breaking pair after pair and losing the ones I didn't break, I just gave up on it. So, I'm left in a bit of a pinch when the sun is near the horizon. Having a tinted shield for day riding frees you from even having to consider the solar cycles, so long as you have a secure place on your bike for a clear shield after dark.

As far as tinted shields go, Shoei's CX-1V Spectra Blue is always a solid buy. The reflective tint, which consists of metallic compounds applied in a vacuum chamber, deflects the rays that are harmful and blinding. You shouldn't need any additional sun protection, but if you do want to wear sunglasses too, some riders have said the polarized shades create an odd effect with this visor. The CX-1V provides 100-percent UV protection and has an anti-scratch coating.

What this shield doesn't have is anything to prevent smudges. Fingerprints show up pretty prominently on the metallic surface, so you might want to bring a polishing cloth if you're concerned about your appearance. When polished, the reflective rainbow surface gives the CX-1V an air of mystery and mystique.

Riding downtown where the lights shine all night isn't a problem, but otherwise this is a bit on the dark side for night riding. Fortunately, Shoei made sure this shield switches quickly, and the mechanism is one that feels sure and solid.

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Shoei Blue Mirror Shield Visor CX 1V X 11 TZ R RF 1000 US $62.99   Auction Ends: 4d 56m Make it yours...

SHOEI RF 1000 X11 SPECTRA SHIELDS Shoei Face Sheild US $63.89   Auction Ends: 20d 38m Make it yours...

SHOEI SPECTRA BLUE CX 1V SHIELD X 11RF 1000TZ RMULT US $63.99   Auction Ends: 18d 4h 33m Make it yours...

I'm a young rider, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the classic look. I was 3 years old when my bike was manufactured, and the art of the modern machine -- the lines that make it a thing of beauty -- have changed drastically since that time. Still, I can't look at a modern bike with the same affection I feel for that '80s style, and I love talking to folks who rode them when they were new.

A wonderful trait of the motorcycle community, and people who manufacture products for them, is the appreciation for old styles as well as new. Slip Streamer's Classic shield is just like the name states: a shield styled for a classic look. Special attention was paid to the hallmarks of the older cruisers, such as the triple chrome-plated fasteners.

The Classic cruiser shield is constructed of 3/16-inch lucite acrylic and is DOT and ANSI approved. You have the selection of a 17-inch or 22-inch high shield, and both are 23 inches wide. The hardware is adaptable and will fit many kinds of bikes from many different eras.

I recognize the appeal for the Classic Slip Streamer windshield, and I recognize its functional benefits. All windshields, after all, take a lot of the fatigue out of riding. When it comes to looks, however, I prefer a bike without a shield. But, opinions are like... well, you know the saying. Either way, this is a fine windshield if you're looking to outfit a classic machine.

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Yamaha VStar 1100 V Star Classic 22 SMOKE Windshield US $171.94   Auction Ends: 24d 19h 20m Make it yours...

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic Windshield 20CT US $172.90   Auction Ends: 12d 4h 22m Make it yours...

Yamaha V Star 650 Classic Windshield CT 22 BIG US $171.95   Auction Ends: 18d 3h 45m Make it yours...