When you buy a new helmet, you typically get only the standard clear shield. Most riders like the look and shading features of tinted and mirrored shields, so both helmet-makers and the aftermarket offer a myriad of shield options.
The HJC HJ-09 face shields are offered in several ...
When you ride in cold or wet weather, the one area that is typically left exposed is the chin and neck area. This is also an area that is usually in the direct airflow over the windscreen… not a good combination.
Enter the REV'IT! Blaze Balaclava. This head and neck ...
Picture the scene: You pull into a parking spot in the city, you secure your helmet on the bike's helmet lock, you put your disk lock in place, and you are ready to go to lunch. But wait -- you don't want to lug your jacket and tank bag to ...
I live in the Desert Southwest, so I am no stranger to flat dirt-bike tires. Thorns punch their way into my tubes, and the rocky terrain inflicts more than a few of the dreaded "snake bite" sidewall pinch punctures. Because of my treacherous home trail environment, ...
I am intrigued by the premium (and pricey) motorcycle apparel brands as much as anyone. However, in these tough times, finding a company that continually produces quality protective wear at an affordable price is nice. Olympia is just such a company. I have found Olympia gear ...
In some people's eyes, the problem with armored motorcycles jackets is… well, they look like armored motorcycle jackets. The Teknic Women's Diamond Jacket offers a good measure of protection while still looking good off the bike.
Let's start, as we should, with protection. The Teknic Diamond features Knox Lite ...
This is a strange-looking helmet. I am all for new technology, but the Vemar CKQI Bluetooth Helmet is a real departure. So what is it? Let me try to explain.
As the name suggests, this helmet incorporates a Bluetooth intercom and communications system. I will ...
The Dainese Santa Monica Perforated Leather Jacket carries a name that conjures the beauty of the West Coast. This varied terrain ranges from cool coastal temperatures to the toasty desert inland. This jacket should perform well in this spectrum of temperatures.
First off, this jacket is perforated for ...
I have owned an HJC "AC" series helmet, and was quite pleased with it. I only sold it because I changed motorcycle colors (lame reason, I know). According to HJC, the "FS" series is the replacement of that quality AC line.
The HJC FS-15 Carbon Helmet is ...
Alpinestars Afrika Shoes are a new-for-2010 offering of the Italian apparel company. Quite frankly, I am a bit confused by this boot…or shoe. First, there is the name. When I connect Africa (no matter how you spell it) and motorcycling, my mind conjures up visions of adventure touring ...
If you search the Spot Motorcycles site, you'll find that Ila did a nice review of the first generation Michelin Pilot Road tires. Now it's time that we take a look at the newest incarnation of the line, the Michelin Pilot Road 2 tires.
The Pilot Road 2 incorporates ...
When riding off-road, the slower speeds and warm conditions can lead to heat build-up and fogging in conventional goggles. The Smith Intake Enduro Goggles, as the name would imply, have built-in venting. The Intake goggles have on-demand vents that direct air into the goggle body. The venting ...
I can see the EVS PP05 Ultimate Shorts as a great protection option in a variety of riding situations. The shorts are constructed of Lycra and Spandex and are intended to be worn under other pants (unless you have a LOT of confidence). The garment includes high-impact ...
Comfort versus protection is a battle many of us in the motorcycling world fight. In reality, protective gear needs to be relatively tight for ultimate protection. All you need to do is watch a MotoGP or World Superbike race to see how tight the racers' suits are. ...
I recently watched a TV documentary on the workings of the Alpinestars factory in Italy. I was more than impressed with the attention to detail of everyone featured, from the engineers to the testers and fabricators. They all seemed passionate about producing a quality product. There is ...
Icon is an interesting company. Where many of the older apparel companies market traditional "tried-and-true" designs, Icon focuses on designs that appeal to the youngest segment of our sport. Some would even call the company trendy. However, the upside to all of this is that young ...
Speed and Strength (SS) is a company with an eye for appearance but also solid attention to detail. The Speed And Strength Moment Of Truth SP Men's Mesh Motorcycle Jacket is no exception. It is a good-looking jacket that will keep you cool and protected in ...
What to do if you want to do some track days on your sport-bike, or if you want to try your hand at racing? If you get serious about these pursuits, you are ultimately going to want to get a set of racing plastics. Track bodywork alleviates ...
The Alpinestars Royal Drystar Textile Motorcycle Jacket is a true foul-weather friend. This piece of riding apparel has features that will protect in extreme conditions. It is geared toward the commuter or the full-on touring rider.
The shell is nylon with PU-coating construction for strength and abrasion resistance. It ...
We have talked here on SpotMotorcycles about the issues plaguing motorcycle batteries. The combination of small size, infrequent charging, high power demands, and a plethora of other ravages take a toll on our relatively small electrical storage boxes. Eventually, every motorcyclist is going to need a jump. ...
I have found that I can't be satisfied with just one motorcycle. I need to have a pure street bike and a dirt-oriented dual sport. However, there have been times that I have had just a dual sport, so I understand the range of duties placed ...
I have spent quite a bit of time reviewing helmets for adventure-touring. However, the second most difficult body part for the adventure-tourer to outfit is the foot. These riders (of which I am one) ride through water, mud, and dust, and still must have a boot that will ...
A good service manual is invaluable to the shade-tree mechanic. To me, working on my motorcycles is almost as enjoyable, and therapeutic, as riding them. Here we have a factory Yamaha manual. To be honest, I have had factory manuals with which I was less than impressed. ...
Heated gear makes motorcycling much more comfortable. More importantly to avid riders, such gear lengthens the riding season. The problem can be getting the heat just right, especially if more than one heated garment is being used. We have climate control in our cars -- why ...
Last year, I was in the market for a new pair of street boots. I looked mostly to my favorite boot brands: Alpinestars and Sidi. However, since I am a bit anal when it comes to my riding gear, I did an exhaustive search. In this ...
Many touring and cruiser riders prefer an open-face helmet over the full-face variety. The open-face design allows a less obstructed view of the road and motorcycle, and is much more convenient when off the motorcycle. The down-side is that an open-face helmet leaves the rider's face ...
We do a lot to make our rear ends look good. Wait, not that rear end! I am talking about the tail section of our sport bikes. One of the most frequent aesthetic modifications in the sportbike world is cleaning up the stuff sitting out ...
Since its introduction by BMW back in 1980, the GS line has been a favorite of adventure riders world-wide. The massive dual-sport motorcycle has carved a deep niche in the two-wheeled lexicon. Bone stock new GS is a versatile beast; however, these bikes seldom stay stock. ...
About the last thing a rider wants to have to buy for a motorcycle is a battery. Think about it -- new tires are always an exciting and satisfying purchase. New riding gear is always interesting. A battery? You can't see it on the bike. ...
The Triumph Tiger, the BMW R1200GS, the Moto Guzzi Quota, the Buell Ulysses, the KTM Adventure... What do all these bikes have in common? Well, they are all big, powerful, versatile dual-purpose motorcycles. They are all (with the possible exception of the KTM) most comfortable on the ...
I am in the process of researching ways to run a power outlet to the front of my motorcycle to power my GPS, so this item is of particular interest to me. At first glance, the ForMotion 12 Volt Power Pod seems to be severely overpriced. Most ...
Joe Rocket is a well-known and respected manufacturer of motorcycle jackets, pants, boots, and riding suits. Aside from a name that will inspire an occasional, good-natured verbal jab from riding buddies, I have found Joe Rocket gear to be well-made and functional.
On the other hand, when I think ...
When I first saw this heavy duty (but compact) wireless remote system, I questioned its merit in motorcycle applications. However, after further contemplation, the first function that came to mind was for an aftermarket alarm. This remote and sensor would work well for that. It would also ...
Part of the reason that we love motorcycles is the fact that they are beautiful, fast, and interesting. These same things make them attractive to thieves. Since everything on a motorcycle is exposed, everything on one is vulnerable.
A quality security alarm is a solid line of defense ...
Dirt bikes are popular for good reason. There are still millions of square miles of dirt in which to ride across the US. However, we dirt riders can be our own worst enemy. Loud bikes screaming on our public lands are a social nuisance and a ...
For years, the Shoei Syncrotec Helmet has been a favorite of the touring and adventure-touring segments of the motorcycling world. It is a solid and functional flip-up (a.k.a. modular) helmet. There is little doubt that the helmet that has replaced the Syncrotec will become a favorite as ...
Fuel injection has become more and more common in the world of motorcycles. That being said, there are still a lot of carbureted motorcycles out there. My primary street bike is a Kawasaki ZZR1200. It is a big, powerful, reliable sport touring motorcycle that happens to ...
Today we're talking versatility. Dual sport motorcycles like the Kawasaki KLR 650 and adventure touring motorcycles like the BMW GS are versatile. They eat up chunks of pavement like a street bike yet have the ability to take on the dirt as well. The riders of ...
A good pair of sunglasses can be a motorcyclist's best friend. Whether they are worn under the helmet shield, with an open faced helmet, or helmetless (not my recommendation), good polarized sunglasses are a real safety feature.
Oakley is a name that has long been associated with quality sports-related eyewear. ...
If you are looking for a cheap helmet, stop reading now. The Arai Corsair V is the most expensive helmet I've reviewed for SpotMotorcycles. However, if you are looking for an ultra-premium helmet that involves no performance or quality compromises, read on.
Let's first look at aerodynamics. The ...
If you invest in a low-grade chain, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and possibly worse. When I was cutting my teeth on the dirt bikes of my youth, chain technology was fairly primitive. Even with frequent lubrication, those chains had a relatively short effective life.
In ...
This Harley Davidson specific windshield is a nice combination of classic cruiser styling and modern aftermarket convenience. To me, it has a feature that trumps other windshield options.
The styling includes a substantial profile and chrome lateral and vertical support bands. This look fits the timeless lines of the American V-twin. ...
Because they are such a hot item right now, I've been reviewing a lot of "new concept" helmets. I've looked at modulars, convertibles, and crossovers. Marketing lingo aside, the basic concept is to offer a helmet that adapts to different riding conditions and different riding styles. ...
If you ride a naked motorcycle… not if you ride naked on a motorcycle; that would pose other issues. Anyway, if you ride an unfaired motorcycle, at some point you are going to desire some wind protection. This usually becomes an issue when you are taking longer trips or ...
I have not worn leather pants since I was the keyboardist for REO Speedwagon back in the late '70s. OK, that's a lie -- not the leather pants part, the REO part. I do wear armored pants in both the cordura and denim styles, however. Despite ...
As I have mentioned in other reviews, I live and ride in Arizona. The summer riding season is hot, hot, hot. One of the worst things a rider can do is forego protective riding gear because of the temperature. With this in mind, I'm sure why ...
Transition… now that's a good name for this jacket. The Tour Master Transition Series 2 jacket is well equipped to make the transition from warm, to cold, to wet riding conditions.
This three-quarter length touring jacket has a 600 denier shell and a warming 100-gram Polyfill removable ...
Motorcycle center stands are handy items. They make tire removal, chain lubrication, oil changes, and virtually every other aspect of motorcycle maintenance and tuning easier. However, the simple fact is that not all bikes have center stands. In fact, center stands are becoming a rarity. That is ...
Motorcycle intercom systems have never been high on my gadget priority list for one reason: I seldom carry a passenger. However, I do often ride in a group, and thus my interest has been piqued by the Scala Rider G4 PowerSet and its list of unique features.
I'm going to cut ...
The Honda VFR is one of the best sport touring motorcycles ever made. I think every motorcycle magazine in the world has named it "Motorcycle of the Year" at some point. Because it's such a great all-around mount, VFR riders tend to rack up the miles. Obviously, ...