One of the most important articles of clothing for any rider is a decent glove. No one should really go riding without one on each hand. Not only will they give you protection from the elements, but if you go down soft or hard, they’ll also offer you protection from asphalt, cement and gravel road rash. Up until this point, some of the finest riding gloves were made of soft and flexible leather. Leather gives superior abrasion resistance; it is supple enough to let you grip the handles, and it provides a modicum of protection from the weather. However, advances have been...

Riding a motorcycle can be a lot of fun, but it’s also a large responsibility. It is easy to gather information on motorcycle gear, insurance, trips and other items. You could probably sit and read and watch slide shares all day for weeks. But if you do nothing else, here are ten that you need to see for sure. Motorcycle Clothing You may understand the basic safety items you need to wear in order to operate your motorcycle in the safest manner. But there are a lot of options out there. This slide share will show you gloves, leather items and plenty...

Spring means one thing for bikers: time to hit the road! But first … make sure your gear is set. Getting your apparel ready for spring takes just a little planning, so don’t worry. You’ll be carving asphalt soon. Here are a few quick tips to get you started on your spring readiness duties. 1) Check your helmet. If your brain bucket is older than 5 years, you may want to consider replacing it. According to the Snell Foundation and most helmet manufacturers, glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production can deteriorate over time. Hair oils, body fluids...

Whether you just bought a motorcycle or are thinking about buying one, the next thing you will need to think about is motorcycle gear. You will need helmets, bags, jackets, more bags, gloves, boots, even more bags, (you can’t have too many bags!) and things you haven’t thought of yet. The gear you need to ride safe and look stylish while doing it can get expensive, and that is why you need to know three ways to save money on motorcycle gear. Buy Used Gear There is a huge market out there of used motorcycle gear, and you can save...

When riders ask us why motorcycle gloves cost so much, sometimes we just want to say “what are your hands worth”? Instead, last week we explained what goes into the making of a glove. To get the best value for your money, it helps to know what you’re buying. But you don’t have to spend your whole paycheck to get a good pair of gloves. Today, we highlight 5 classic motorcycle glove styles, that offer great value. So protect your hands … and save some bucks, the next time you need gloves.  Top Quality Gloves: 5 Pairs for Under $50 Bucks...

Experienced riders know that you “dress for the ride, not for the slide”.  But staying protected is definitely a challenge for riders on a budget. You can find gloves at all price ranges — — but do you know what to look for when buying a glove? What features are worth the money?  How to tell quality? Here’s how to save a little green, and get the best value for your money, next time you go glove shopping! Motorcycle Gear Tradeoff: Safety vs. Comfort vs. Glove Cost When it comes to choosing motorcycle gear, one rider we know recently said: ” …...

We love the cool breezes and lazy days of summer, but sometime riding on 90 degree days can feel like  you’re being blasted by a hair dryer! Here’s a round-up of rider suggestions for keeping cool when riding in extreme heat. Why Motorcycle Gear in the Summer? When riding this summer, don’t be tempted to go without protective gear. it sounds counter-intuitive, but in the summer, riders really need to cover up. Why? Besides exposure to road rash, riders who ride uncovered dehydrate MORE quickly as sweat evaporates.  That can cause heat exhaustion — and it’s totally unnecessary. Keep Cool:...

If you ride, sooner or later you’ll get caught in the rain. To avoid getting soaked, and feel more confident while riding in the rain — it’s a good idea to prepare for wet weather well ahead of time. There are two aspects to this:  how to ride safely on wet surfaces what motorcycle gear to have on hand when rain is in the forecast.  We wrote about rain gear last week … so today is all about wet weather riding preparedness, and riding skills. Here are steps you can take to ride safe and stay dry. 5 Safety Factors for Riding...

THE RAIN is inevitable — If you ride, be prepared for the unexpected downpour.  Whether the forecast gets it right, or not — To stay comfortable and dry, the right motorcycle gear makes a big difference. Here’s how to make a solid choice. WEAR WATERPROOF GEAR Say goodbye to cold, clammy, leaky and bulky. Good waterproof gear should be none of those things. When high quality materials are used and the gear is made correctly, you’ll stay dry. 1.  A Word About Waterproof Gear Comfortable, rainproof outerwear will have Gore-Tex® or some other waterproof, BREATHABLE material as part of the construction to...

Options To Protect Hands From Wind Since hands are one of the most exposed body parts for a motorcycle rider, we make many styles of windproof gloves. But there are several non-glove options to block wind, such as hand covers and wind muffs, that are also worth considering. While they DO NOT provide the warming layering effect of air trapped within textiles on your hands, these additions to your bike DO block wind and rain: Wind Deflectors/Wind Guards: usually heavy duty plastic, mount on the bars to shield from wind Hand Muffs: sewn covers that go over grips, with or without a...