Gear Reviews - MotorcyclistOnline.com

There are several excellent reasons to bleed your motorcycle’s hydraulic brake and clutch lines. For perform-ance-minded riders, there are the always popular braided stainless-steel or Teflon hoses to install. You might also be in the midst of replacing some brake or clutch component. Others, concerned with reliability in addition to performance, could be flushing out old fluid and replacing it with new.

Motorcyclists mostly focus on acceleration—horsepower figures, power-to-weight, quarter-mile times, etc.—but potent deceleration is nearly as important when it comes to improving lap times, and even more crucial on the street. This month’s Gear spread is aimed at improving your 0-60 and 60-0 mph times.

Not long ago, avoiding the slide-snap-splat of a high-side crash was entirely up to the rider. Traction control came down to a sensitive backside, fast reflexes and a seriously smooth wrist. Today, many motorcycles come equipped with sophisticated electronic traction-control systems that make riding at the edge safer and more enjoyable. If your sportbike wasn’t blessed from the factory, Bazzaz Performance has you covered.

We love slip-on mufflers. They're less expensive and easier to install than full exhaust systems, yet offer significant weight savings and respectable power gains.

Everyone made fun of Marco Simoncelli’s wild-and-crazy hair, but I’ve always admired it. Maybe it’s because my own hair also becomes an Afro when I don’t straighten it, so I can relate. Unlike me, however, “Super Sic” never tried to hide his curls. His hair was part of his charming, vivacious personality, and he wore it proudly. His fans were drawn to that.

Newport Beach, CA - Piston Driven Manufacturing added Motorcyclist Gear apparel, just in time to help celebrate the publication's 100-year anniversary. Designed for the two-wheel enthusiast, officially licensed Motorcyclist Gear apparel artistically incorporates the best elements of the magazine's history within a line of T-shirts, thermals, caps, jackets and work shirts. "We combined vintage and classic styling to make this apparel line appealing to just about anyone, but also showcases the passion for those who embrace the motorcyclist lifestyle," says Piston Driven Founder Tim Sousamian.

As motorcyclists, we all find it very important to be seen by other motorists. For some, that means wearing high-viz riding suits or reflective vests; for others, brightly colored helmets or flashy jackets. But leave it to the road warriors of California’s I-105 freeway to invent a fresh, new way of grabbing motorists’ attention: the old "Baby on Board" routine.

Tire pressure has always been important for motorcycle perform-ance, handling and safety, and more so given modern chassis, suspension and tires. Proper inflation is most critical for heavily loaded touring bikes to maintain load capability, and for sportbikes to achieve maximum grip. At the same time, any motorcycle rider needs to keep an eye on air pressure to maintain long tire life. So how do you choose a gauge? For your toolbox, pick a quality gauge whose face is easy to ride—analog or digital, no matter. Dunlop suggests using one that continues to display the pressure reading after you remove it from the valve stem. If you purchase a professional mechanic’s tire gauge, keep it in a padded hard case and don’t drop it, let it get bounced around or jostled by other tools. Naturally you will need a smaller, tougher gauge to carry on your bike. Many of the small pencil gauges and battery-powered digital ones are accurate enough for general riding. Just check them frequently against better gauges to ensure they remain accurate. Subjecting a gauge to pressure above its maximum rating can ruin its accuracy, particularly on the better dial-face models. The worst offenders here are road bicycles, which routinely run pressures that will damage a gauge calibrated to 50 or 60 psi. If you race at events with tire support, the manufacturers’ representatives may have a way to check your gauge, so take advantage of that.

SuperTrapp & Kerker Imposter Pipes for 2:1 Equipped Baggers

January 5th, 2011 - Los Alamitos, CA - The new "Main Set" jacket collection from Roland Sands Design combines tradition with functionality and style. Think classic lines, with subtle features to make it uniquely RSD. With forward rotated, pre-curved sleeves, adjustable waistband and shoulder gussets for mobility the Hesher is a rider's jacket, with reinforced double-layer elbows and heavy duck fabric bringing a good dose of protection.

Barkbusters, the Australian hand guard specialist offers an innovative accessory to protect the street motorcycle rider's hands from the elements in the colder months.

2 in 1 Tire Gauge
BikeMaster's 2 in 1 tire gauge will accurately measure your tire pressure up to 60psi and includes a built in depth gauge. Accurate inflation will prolong the life of your tire. The built in depth gauge will help you measure tread depth to maintain essential water clearance, making your ride safer. The deluxe gauge has a beautiful steel braided hose and an anodized collar.
MSRP $35.95 PN 15-1792

R&G First to sharpen the Blade
Waiting time cut for Tail Tidy fender eliminator on 2012 Honda Fireblade

Check out these "super-refined" all billet aluminum rearsets we have created for the discriminative Cafe' Racers out there!

The problem with soft saddlebags is they’re soft. They typically don’t hold their shape when empty, are a challenge to mount securely and flop around when loaded. After spending time on touring bikes with proper hard luggage, I’ve found most soft-luggage systems frustrating to use and have taken to wearing a backpack on sportbikes.

Say, isn’t this the January issue? It is, and we put the finishing touches on it in October. Like many magazines, Motorcyclist’s production schedule is perplexing, but if the U.S. Postal Service is still in business you should have received your copy in early December. Which means you still have plenty of time before the holidays to purchase some of these goodies for your favorite rider—or to circle some as hints for Santa!

PALO ALTO, CA - DECEMBER 15, 2011 - I'm Not Just A Girl Clothing and Jewelry is still available to ship unique products for Girl Gifts this Holiday season. Sterling Silver Jeep, Motorcycle, Quad, Buggy, Snowmobile and other options can be purchased as a charm, necklace or earrings and is wrapped in a holiday stocking. The respectable cut v-neck shirts and tanks are available in sizes XS to 4XL and have saying like "I Drive Too", "I Ride Too" and "I'm A Mom". "Going to all the events across the country I kept finding that there wasn't any cute off road clothes that actually fit us right!" said Charlene Bower, owner of I'm Not Just A Girl. "We came up with some fun designs, found that Tiny Bit's of Silver retired so bought their property and have been spreading the word ever since."

There aren’t many material options for motorcycle apparel, and most have disadvantages. Leather is supple and durable, but requires a cow to be slaught-ered. Synthetics are light and strong, but are made from non-renewable resources, namely petroleum. Cotton denim is comfortable and affordable, but doesn’t hold up well in a crash and soaks up water like a sponge in the rain. That leaves one other, ancient option: hemp. It’s supple, extremely durable, easy to grow and has lots of beneficial byproducts. None of which, incidentally, is getting high: While hemp and marijuana are both members of the Cannabis family, the former’s low THC content means it is not mind-altering if smoked.

Funky Mopeds - the 1970s Sports Moped phenomenon