Parts

Because I log thousands of miles a year on a big sport-touring motorcycle, I go through a lot of tires. I have sampled sport touring (ST) tires from Michelin, Metzler, Dunlop, Bridgestone, and Avon. I can say that I found positives in each of these brands, along ...

Dual sport riders probably encompass the widest range of interests in the motorcycling world. You have dual sport riders who spend all of their time on the road, and you have dual sport riders who only use the road to get to the trail. Riders who ...

The Dunlop D220 Sport Touring Radial Tire is a tried and true middle-of-the-road sport touring tire. It has been replaced (sort of) by the Dunlop Road Smart, but is still widely available as an OEM tire. The D220 came as original equipment on several popular bikes such ...

Avon Gripster AM24 tires have been spooned onto big dual-sport motorcycles for years. This is what is known as "tried and true" technology. The most common fitment for these venerable treads are 600 and 650 cc on off-road bikes that will spend more than half ...

The softer compound Shinko 005 tires have been reviewed on SpotMotorcycles. I recently had a chance to test ride the Japanese company's longer-mileage 009 sport touring radials. I have mentioned in other reviews that there are two areas where a motorcyclist must not scrimp. One ...

I really like new technology. I really don't like gimmicks. The Pirelli Angel ST tires have both. OK, a little background here. The story is that these tires shared a marketing campaign with the movie Angels and Demons based on the Dan Brown novel. ...

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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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. ...

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 ...

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, ...

Windscreens on motorcycles are nothing like their automotive counterparts. Instead of keeping out airflow, motorcycle screens redirect and manipulate the air through which a motorcycle passes. The aerodynamics of the motorcycle's front end, the speed at which a motorcycle travels, and the rider's height all affect the ...

About once a year, I get together with three riding buddies and take a long sportbike tour to somewhere. We have ridden through the mountains of Colorado, the high deserts of New Mexico, and the beautiful coastal roads of California. Nothing beats touring on a sportbike.

There is ...

Radar detectors can obviously save you from an expensive ticket -- that is, if you get the message. On a motorcycle, getting the message can be a bit difficult. First, a helmeted rider will never hear a radar detector's audio alert at speed. Wind and road noise will ...

I have used K&N air filters in no fewer than 5 of my prior motorcycles, and I use one in my truck. Obviously, I'm a believer in the technology. Motorcyclists are a passionate and opinionated group. Any performance product will have its supporters and detractors. An ...

Shorter 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 ...

Pure sport riders require a sticky tire and generally have relatively little concern for mileage. Pure touring riders have exactly the opposite mindset. Stuck in the middle is the sport-tourer. Just like the label suggests, the sport-touring motorcyclist desires the best of both worlds.

I have been sport ...

I'll admit up-front that I am not a cruiser guy. However, I do understand and appreciate aftermarket exhausts. In fact, I had a Vance and Hines exhaust on a Kawasaki ZX-10 that I used to own. It was a well-made and nice sounding piece.

Most motorcyclists ...

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 ...

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. ...

A few springs ago I went on a long ride with some friends, heading south about 75 miles to take part in a parade. Against all odds in the great Pacific Northwest, it rained buckets the whole way down. When I was just about completely fed up with the rain, ...

Just when you think you can't say anything else about motorcycle mirrors, Willie G goes and does it again. It's easy to over-do with skulls. Too many skulls, skulls that are too big, skulls that are ridiculous, skulls in the shape of kitty heads with bows on them -- yeah. ...

The warmest it is going to get today in my part of this fine state of Michigan is 48 degrees Fahrenheit. I almost wish I didn't know that. I might be willing to tough out an under-geared ride at 40 degrees if I didn't know it was 40 degrees. Of course, that ...

There are noble and ignoble uses for a really loud horn. Letting that 16-year-old, who's been given a license to wield a 2-ton deadly weapon, know that they are about to do something that everyone will regret is a perfectly valid reason to add to their elder-year deafness with a ...

Of those who are bad at estimating the time, there are two kinds: folks who get everywhere late and folks who get everywhere early. I'm of the latter end of that spectrum, and it drives me crazy. If you're late, you can at least jump right in when you get there, but ...

My brother-in-law has a Kawasaki KLR because he wanted options. He didn't want to be restricted to the road or to the trail. With that kind of demeanor, it is needless to say that he's also a nut for gadgetry. KapscoMoto provides options for gadgetry with their adjustable tank mount.

Constructed of ...

Cops are funny about license plates. They absolutely insist that you have the entire thing rather than what's left after long term vibration and poor seating has cracked it in half, leaving a couple numbers and half of a letter on a long forgotten stretch of highway. A proper 4-peg plate ...

Products like the Kruzer Kaddy stainless cup make me nervous. It isn't the look, intention, or application of such a thing that triggers my caution, but what it could represent for the riding community. A cup holder alone is fine. I like a frosty beverage as well as the next person, as ...

Hardware doesn't need to be about basic function. If you never thought that the nuts and bolts could be decorative features, consider Lucky Bike's engine bolt kits. These kits provide a set of high strength aluminum bolts for your crankcase cover and your alternator cover. The bolts come ...

Cosmetics aren't just used to spruce up a bit. Sometimes cosmetics are used to hide that big scar so no one knows you're really a superhero by night... or just clumsy. Chrome covers work the same way; they can add a little more shine or cover the effects of wear, tear, and time.

Cobra's ...

Some people think I'm wasteful because I like frivolous accessories. Those people are dead wrong. I'm against waste in all forms and fashions. I do like to decorate my bike with a little leather, which is technically unnecessary, but I wouldn't call that wasteful. Now, big traditional-style turn signals are ...

I hate buying third party computer software for the same reason I love buying third party cruiser accessories: compatibility. Software requires plug-ins and mysterious workings, but the manufacturers of quality accessories for bikes make them mated perfectly to the machine you own. Which reminds me, make sure you get Cobra's dash plaque ...

Last year I came to the end of a long trip and the skies were darkening with rain clouds. I pulled my cover out and tried to get it over the the top without touching the pipes. I failed. While adjusting one side the cover had fallen over, the other was was ...

You'd think that someone designing a product for motorcycles would have more sense than to call it a bike diaper. The last associations I'd like to make with my bike are of parenting or incontinence. I'm going to call it an oil sling.

The oil sling mounts to the bike using a harness and comes ...

I'm something of a traditionalist. Logically, I know that synthetics have come a long way and many can hold their own when pitted against leather, but I have an irrational fondness for hide. Humans have been using leather since we stopped running around naked, after all, while synthetics have been around ...

Scooter tires should not be neglected. Far too many people don't seem to understand the level of wear that stop-and-go traffic can put on rubber, even if that rubber is under a very light machine. If your tires are looking a little worn down, don't take risks like skidding during a stop ...

Chase Harper's Dual Purpose bags will fulfill almost any functional needs you have for a set of saddlebags. A long feature list accompanies this product, so beyond the short time we are about to spend together, you should look up all the specs.

To start, the one feature that Chase Harper is ...

A couple months ago I was out, and an older guy came over to have a look at my machine. He lamented his riding days briefly and then asked if I would give him a burnout. I get that he missed his rebellious youth, I really do, but I still had ...

I've discovered that there are entire forums devoted to motorcycle seat cushions. People get into heated debates about what brand is best to keep your butt comfy. We certainly live in a weird world.

What's even weirder is that the average motorcycle is only ridden a little over 1,000 miles per year, ...