Spot Motorcycles » Brad http://www.spotmotorcycles.com Motorcycle Accessories and Apparel Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:21:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Vance and Hines Short Exhaust Pipe Shots | Black or Chrome http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/vance-and-hines-short-exhaust-pipe-shots-black-or-chrome/ http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/vance-and-hines-short-exhaust-pipe-shots-black-or-chrome/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:49:03 +0000 Brad http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/?p=4999 Vance and Hines Short Exhaust PipeShorter pipes, as a style statement, can really clean up the look of a bike. Depends upon what you're going for, of course, but they do add to that lean, tough, all-business approach.

The Vance and Hines Short Shots fill the style bill nicely: slash-cut ends, an included heat-shield that wraps 220 degrees around the header pipe, removable and replaceable baffles, full mounting hardware, and instructions. These are available in flat black with a chrome Vance and Hines badge, or in all chrome for a more factory appearance.

Important to note on these pipes, however: their noise level has been tested at just over 110db. This is equivalent to standing next to a chainsaw at full throttle. In other words, very loud. Sustained exposure to anything over 90-95db can cause hearing damage; these pipes end on a parallel where your ear is, so you're going to get the full (and apparently ear-splitting) effect of the noise. Rider forums are rife with comments about this. Vance and Hines sells a "quiet baffle" for this pipe, but again, the forums say its effectiveness is limited, and these tend to burn out fairly quickly. As well, a few riders mentioned receiving tickets or warnings while running the Short Shots.

This is a sharp-looking exhaust system, but it's probably a good idea to do your research before going out and purchasing a set. They will likely require carb or metering adjustment due to the substantial decrease in back-pressure.

Recommendation: buy any longer (and preferably quieter) exhaust system for the sake of your ears and your bike.

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]]> http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/vance-and-hines-short-exhaust-pipe-shots-black-or-chrome/feed/ 0 Harley Davidson Mirror Kit, Tail Fin | Art Deco Motorcycle Parts by Wyatt Fuller http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/harley-davidson-mirror-kit-tail-fin-art-deco-motorcycle-parts-by-wyatt-fuller/ http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/harley-davidson-mirror-kit-tail-fin-art-deco-motorcycle-parts-by-wyatt-fuller/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:57:02 +0000 Brad http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/?p=4958 Harley Davidson Mirror Kit, Tail Fin Bolt-on parts are fun. You pick out an after-market option you like, remove the original or previous after-market choice, and bolt on the new. Quick and easy, and all of a sudden your bike takes on a whole new look. You never knew it could look so good, and for just a few minutes of your time. Highly satisfying.

This fish-fin or Art Deco streamliner-style mirror from Harley-Davidson is one of those fun bolt-on parts. Clean, simple lines give these mirrors that look of movement, while the smooth finish and quality manufacturing lend them a solid, custom feel. The forged and chrome-plated stem and the die-cast body are built to last for many years. The "kit" comes with all the necessary bolts, washers, and spacers, for applications from 1982 to present.

This particular design is from Wyatt Fuller's workshop. Wyatt Fuller was a long-time commercial airline pilot who became known for custom bikes in the early 1990s. Featured in several magazines, his ideas were instantly appealing to many. Harley-Davidson liked Wyatt's innovative designs, too, and purchased his company in 1994. He set up shop and continued to design motorcycle accessories for Harley-Davidson until his (untimely) death in 2006.

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]]> http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/harley-davidson-mirror-kit-tail-fin-art-deco-motorcycle-parts-by-wyatt-fuller/feed/ 1 Gaerne Waterproof Boots, Black Leather Aquatech | Motorcycle Scooter Accessories http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/gaerne-waterproof-boots-black-leather-aquatech-motorcycle-scooter-accessories/ http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/gaerne-waterproof-boots-black-leather-aquatech-motorcycle-scooter-accessories/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:35:40 +0000 Brad http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/?p=4955 Gaerne Waterproof Boots Aquatech Big names in scooter boot manufacturing come largely from Italy, these days. Gaerne's made a good name for themselves in the mid-price range. I first heard of these back in the '90s from a friend who has enough money to buy whatever he likes, but chose a pair of Gaerne over a number of far more expensive boots. For him, it was all about comfort, but he was also impressed with their durability.

The Aquatech is made for high-and-dry riding, meaning they're 100% waterproof. They use a proprietary "DryTech" membrane which sits between the leather outer and the mesh-and-wicking liner. Sweat is wicked away, and outside water is prevented from entering the boot.

A good-looking boot, they also come with a steel shank in the sole, a gear-shift pad, and titanium (and replaceable) toe sliders. The hinged ankle adds to flexibility and comfort, and the velcroed and zippered side entries make them easy to install on your feet.

The one downside to these boots seems to be: they only come in full sizes, U.S. from 6-13. I've read a few reviews from buyers who said they compensated for this by going a little smaller, or went larger and wore thick socks. If you want them bad enough…

These boots are guaranteed for one full year after purchase.

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]]> http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/gaerne-waterproof-boots-black-leather-aquatech-motorcycle-scooter-accessories/feed/ 0 Motorcycle Wheel Chock by Condor | Bike Transportation for Truck Bed PS1500 http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock-by-condor-bike-transportation-for-truck-bed-ps1500/ http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock-by-condor-bike-transportation-for-truck-bed-ps1500/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:26:31 +0000 Brad http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/?p=4932 Motorcycle Wheel Chock by Condor People keep coming up with new designs for holding bikes up, and one of these days someone's going to get it right. Another addition to the pile is this 26-pound wheel chock from Condor, which (depending upon whom you quote) can support motorcycles from 2400 to 3000 pounds. Just a thought, but if you happen to own a 3000-pound motorcycle, you might want to look at it from another angle, as it's very possibly a car or a boat.

The Condor is 30" in length, and the side-to-side stabilizing bar is right at 29". You can lay this chunk of steel on nearly any type of surface, including sand, and it will keep your bike from tipping over. I can see where this would be a handy device mounted on your garage floor, or even in the back of a pickup if you have a need to move larger bikes that way. The device is easy and quick to remove from its mounts once those are in place -- although these aren't strictly necessary unless you're attaching the chock to a moving surface, such as a truck bed.

The upright braces are adjustable to accommodate wheels from 15-22", and will hold tire widths from 80-220mm. The chock can fold down on itself to about 6" in height for storage or transport when not in use.

Price is a little on the expensive side, but you won't wear it out, and a little shopping around can bring up some good buys.

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]]> http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock-by-condor-bike-transportation-for-truck-bed-ps1500/feed/ 0 DP Clutch Kit | Performance Friction Plate w/ Springs http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/dp-clutch-kit-performance-friction-plate-w-springs/ http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/dp-clutch-kit-performance-friction-plate-w-springs/#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:22:45 +0000 Brad http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/?p=4281 DP Clutch Kit If you happen to notice your clutch in any way, this typically means there's a problem. Difficulties getting the bike into or out of gear, a clutch that won't release well (a.k.a. a sticky or dragging clutch), or your engine revving up and the bike not picking up speed are the most obvious indicators. If you've adjusted it to the point you're out of adjusting room, it's time for some new friction plates.

DP clutch kits are designed for high-performance applications, but will work just as well for stock, non-racing motorcycles. These tend to perform better than OEM plates in fact, often making shifting smoother and holding up well under high-heat, high-use conditions. DP's kits all come with new springs, too; a nice bonus and a good idea to replace the springs, anyway.

For all the benefits of installing a DP clutch, the one drawback to doing it yourself is the fairly weak instructions included. The kit contains plates of a different thickness, and yes, these need to placed in a specific order starting with a specific type plate. You can consult a shop manual and call a local shop for (possible) help, or pay to have the kit installed. DP needs to work on this, as clutches aren't difficult or too time-consuming to replace, but it's certainly no good if the instructions aren't clear and comprehensive.

DP is based in Britain and is a subsidiary of Dunlop Aviation. They devote 100% of their manufacturing to sintered metal pads used for brakes and clutches. They are not in any related to the Dunlop of tire fame.

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]]> http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/dp-clutch-kit-performance-friction-plate-w-springs/feed/ 1 Boyesen Power X-Wing | Air Intake Tract | Two & Four Stroke Engine http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/boyesen-power-x-wing-air-intake-tract-two-four-stroke-engine/ http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/boyesen-power-x-wing-air-intake-tract-two-four-stroke-engine/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:21:02 +0000 Brad http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/?p=4261 Boyesen Power X-Wing The X-Wing is what's known as an "intake tract". Designed to move more air into the engine, it does this by creating a smoother flow of air similar to airflow over an airplane's wing -- also known as laminar flow. If an engine can get enough air when it needs it, it'll have more power, and annoyances such as throttle hesitation are less likely to occur. Intake tracts have been around for a while now, but it took Boyesen to perfect them to their current level of performance.

If you've kept up with Boyesen's product line, you know the X-Wing is the latest version of their Power Wing. Not just a re-release with a "spanky" name, the X-Wing is a noticeable improvement over the original Wing in terms of power and torque.

Effective on two-strokes from idle to mid-range, and on four-strokes from idle to top end, this little piece of anodized aluminum is made for a number of street and off-road motorcycles. In fact they make these for various snowmobiles, quads, outboard motors, scooters, and just about anything that isn't a car or truck.

These are simple to install and relatively inexpensive for the increase in throttle response and extra torque they provide. Definitely a worthwhile performance add-on.

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Boyesen Power X Wing For 1988 06 Harley CV Carb Boyesen Power X Wing For 1988 06 Harley CV Carb
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Boyesen Power X Wing For Harley Boyesen Power X Wing For Harley
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]]> http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/boyesen-power-x-wing-air-intake-tract-two-four-stroke-engine/feed/ 1 Akuma Phantom 2 Helmet | Lightest Full-Face Racing Model http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/akuma-phantom-2-helmet-lightest-full-face-racing-model/ http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/akuma-phantom-2-helmet-lightest-full-face-racing-model/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:23:12 +0000 Brad http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/?p=4279 Akuma Phantom 2 Helmet 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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]]> http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/akuma-phantom-2-helmet-lightest-full-face-racing-model/feed/ 1 Shark Evoline Helmet | Modular Full-Face Helmet Review http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/shark-evoline-helmet-modular-full-face-helmet-review/ http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/shark-evoline-helmet-modular-full-face-helmet-review/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:07:34 +0000 Brad http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/?p=4275 Shark Evoline Helmet 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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]]> http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/shark-evoline-helmet-modular-full-face-helmet-review/feed/ 2 AMA Kawasaki Nylon Jacket | Hooded Green w/ Black Liner http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/ama-kawasaki-nylon-jacket-hooded-green-w-black-liner/ http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/ama-kawasaki-nylon-jacket-hooded-green-w-black-liner/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:21:50 +0000 Brad http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/?p=4123 AMA Kawasaki Nylon Jacket I like green. I like jackets. This is a green jacket. Two things I like! And, you get it through the American Motorcyclists Association, so a portion of what you spend goes back into defending your rights as a motorcyclist. Not a bad deal and a pretty good jacket.

The outer shell is nylon, good for stopping cold horizontal wind and vertical rain if you happen to find yourself in weather. Inside is a soft inner liner that'll keep you comfortable and warm. It also sports two large zippered pockets in the front, Velcro closures at the wrists and collar, and a hood. In Kawasaki green and accented with black at the shoulders, cuffs, and sides.

Also double-breasted with a couple brand patches sewn onto the front: AMA Racing on the right and Kawasaki Racing Team on the left.

This jacket is good for standing around in or for riding. The Velcro collar reaches almost into your helmet and will do a good job of blocking wind. If you're watching the races or hanging out in the pit, the nylon outer and hood will keep you dry and warm. And if you're a big fan of Kawasaki motorcycles, wearing this jacket will tell it straight out.

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]]> http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/ama-kawasaki-nylon-jacket-hooded-green-w-black-liner/feed/ 0 AGV Miglia Helmet | Black Modular Lightweight Adjustable http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/agv-miglia-helmet-black-modular-lightweight-adjustable/ http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/agv-miglia-helmet-black-modular-lightweight-adjustable/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:34:42 +0000 Brad http://www.spotmotorcycles.com/?p=4085 AGV Miglia Helmet The AGV Miglia (Italian for "miles") is a modular helmet that comes with some surprisingly good features. If you've been considering a modular but didn't want to pay the investment price of some of the upper-end models, the Miglia brings high quality to a very affordable range.

At a fairly light 3 pounds 10.75 ounces, the Miglia weighs less than most of its competition. Lightness is good, as when the modular section is up you'll feel less strain upon your neck. And once placed on your bean, the chin-strap can be preset to your comfort level and conveniently releases with a handy thumb catch.

The liner and cheek pads are soft and comfortable, resembling microfiber and unlike the sometimes abrasive-feeling mesh material found in many lower-priced helmets. These are held in place by solid, well-placed snaps, are easy to remove, and can be washed.

The reassuringly thick clear visor seals well, won't twist much when you raise it up, and its four detents are solid-feeling. The modular section is released by a centrally-positioned button behind the chin curtain. A notch in the chin curtain guides your finger right to it, so there's no fumbling about. When closed, the modular section fits tight to prevent whistling or unwanted drafts.

Available in five colors plus flat black, this is not a splashy helmet. Styled more toward function, it's a subtle and pleasing design but won't snap heads around at first glance. If you seek modular, this one is hard to beat for price and quality, and should keep your head cozy as you put the miglia behind you.

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