Product Review: Roadgear Gen3 Coconut Socks

After a long, hot day in the saddle it’s a relief to kick back and relax. But when you kick off your riding boots does the offensive odor from your tired, sweaty dogs make it smell like you have one foot in the grave? If so, here’s a possible cure, Roadgear’s Generation 3 Coconut Socks.

Product Review: Progressive Suspension 465 Series Shock

Stock suspension isn’t as bad today as it was back in the days when everyone swore the factories used fish oil for damping fluid, but that doesn’t mean it’ll never wear out. After 31,000 miles the rear shock on my 650 V-Strom was starting to feel limp, so I checked into a new one. The retail price of the OE unit—a breathtaking $1,006.04—suggested it was filled with diamonds, not fish oil. My next stop was Progressive Suspension’s website, where I was happy to see a new 465 Series shock priced at $745.90.

Product Review: Ed Hardy Captain America Helmet

Just because a helmet looks nostalgic doesn’t mean it’s a throwback to the days before DOT and Snell certifications.  Case in point is the Ed Hardy series of open-face helmets distributed by NHJ Powersports. Look on the back of these colorful helmets and you’ll see the DOT label, which means the helmet has been approved by the Department of Transportation. The DOT certification verifies that the helmet, liner, interior, strap and buckle retention system meet certain criteria that the federal government has set for all motorcycle and scooter helmets used on public roads.

Product Review: HJC CL-16 Helmet

“You get what you pay for” is often used to justify high prices. The implication is that cheap goods are somehow inferior to ones that cost more. The HJC CL-16 sells for a suggested retail of $129.99-$144.99, depending on color and graphics. Compared to helmets running in the $400-$600 range, that’s pocket change. But do you get what you pay for, or do you get more, or less?

Product Review: Pirelli Scorpion Trail Tires

Some riders choose dual-sports and adventure bikes because they want to ride both on and off the pavement. Others appreciate the upright seating and plentiful aftermarket luggage options such bikes offer. That’s what led me to my 650 V-Strom, which I’ve ridden off pavement for maybe 100 miles, but over 31,000 on the street. Until now, however, I haven’t found a rear tire that lasts very long, because the soft compound necessary for off-pavement riding compromises on-pavement tire life. But I think I’ve found the perfect tire for me and my bike—Pirelli’s dual-compound Scorpion Trail.

Product Review: Ricor Intiminator Fork Valves

Even though many budget bikes have engines with fuel injection and four-valve cylinder heads, their suspension—particularly the front fork—remains mired in the past, relying on inexpensive damper rods to help control wheel movement instead of the sophisticated cartridge damping found on pricier models. Ricor’s Intiminator fork valves bring cartridge performance to damper-rod bikes.

Video Review: 2010 Isle of Man Official Review

Have you ever ridden down a favorite country road and found your progress slowed by traffic, or gravel on the pavement, or absurdly low speed limits, and wondered what it would be like if you could sweep away all of these petty distractions and tackle that road at full speed? If you really want to know what it’s like to ride flat-out at over 100 mph into a blind corner lined with stone walls, and use a hotel patio for a brake marker, get over to the Isle of Man for the annual TT races and see for yourself. If that’s not in the budget, the next best thing is to get a copy of the Official Review of the 2010 Isle of Man TT.

The Magic Of The TT: Centenary Edition

Viewing the Isle of Man TT videos that we posted a week or so ago inspired me to pull one of my favorite books off the rack. The Magic of the TT: Centenary Edition, by Mac McDiarmid, is a relaxing, informative and entertaining read for anybody interested in Manx motorcycle history. McD’s 336-page tome begins with a recap of how the TT came to be in the first place. We can thank our automotive friends for the race’s origins, which got rolling in 1904. The bike crowd was quick to join in, and eventually became the main event. And did you know that the early events stipulated mandatory fuel consumption goals? In 1907 single-cylinder bikes were required to average 90 mpg or better; twins were to go at least 75 miles on a gallon of petrol.

Diamond Gusset Defender Jeans

I’m a blue-jeans-and-T-shirt guy, and that apparel suits me just fine on most rides, too. I’ll drape a textile or leather jacket over the T-shirt, but the blue jeans are usually left bare to the elements. And there’s the rub—cotton denim doesn’t offer much protection in terms of asphalt burns or piercing cold. Time to bolster the defense with Diamond Gusset’s Defender jeans, which have Kevlar-reinforcement woven into the knees, hips and seat. The obvious benefit is an extra layer of fabric—in this case, Kevlar, the same stuff used for bulletproof vests and such—to help prevent or minimize injury in the event of a fall.

Building Budget Brits

Don’t let the title fool you. Mike Brown’s Building Budget Brits is about more than restoring only BSA and Triumph unit twins. This 175-page book contains some useful tips for anybody restoring just about any bike. To be sure, Brown uses only photos and text of the famous Brit marques to convey the information, but some of the book’s 23 chapters address restoration techniques that can be handy for restoring any motorcycle, British or otherwise.

The Comprehensive Vintage Motorcycle Price Guide: 2010/2011 Edition

I could have used The Comprehensive Vintage Motorcycle Price Guide last winter when I co-authored a book about landmark motorcycles (365 Bikes You Must Ride). Searching for current market values on many of the book’s older bikes sometimes was a real headache. This handy pocketbook-size price guide would have alleviated, or at least minimized, that malady.

Pelican i1010 iPod Case

Although I don’t listen to music while I ride, I always take my iPod on long trips in case there’s nothing good on TV at the motel. But packing it to keep it from getting scratched or squashed was a problem until I got an i1010 iPod Case from Pelican.