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Gear and Apparel

Buying Motorcycle Boots

Motorcycle Boots are designed to help minimize injuries to the foot and lower leg.  This is one of the more common areas to be injured in an accident.  Boots, like any footwear, need to be comfortable.  Boots that are not comfortable can be really irritating. Think about how hot the boots will be, or how insulated, and what kind of temperatures you are likely to find yourself in when you have to walk or ride wearing them. From a safety standpoint, the main requirement of motorcycle boots i... Read more

The Truth About Motorcycle Body Armor

Motorcycle riders have forever been making important decisions about their protective gear, with little data to guide them.  The 1981 Hurt report remains the standard for investigative data on motorcycle crashes.  Obviously, materials and manufacturing are light years away from the best of what was available when Hurt did his study. We can thank the United States Government, who is concerned about our soldiers that are being injured in motorcycle accidents.  They published what is certainl... Read more

How to Choose Your First Motorcycle

Yamaha V-Star 650 Photo: Jose Barrera CC Ask a motorcyclist what you should purchase as your first bike, and you'll find everyone who rides has an opinion. Cruiser riders will point you toward a small cruiser, like the Harley Davidson Sportster. Sportbike riders sometimes suggest 600cc bikes to people who have never ridden a motorcycle, which is usually a bad idea. Some people might tell you to start with a dirt bike before taking to the streets. The fact is there is no short, "one size f... Read more

The Most Expensive Vintage Motorcycles

Photo: Matt Purdy CC When it comes to collectible transportation, cars have stolen the show for decades. Recently a Ferrari NART Spyder sold at auction for a staggering $27.5M. An antique motorcycle has never sold for even 1/10th as much. Back in 2008, a 1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer changed hands for a comparatively measly $551,000. Other vintage motorcycles, from many different decades, have changed hands for between $200,000 to $400,000. Pre-War Vintage Classics Cyclone Board Track ... Read more

Motorcycle Night Riding – Top 6 Safety Tips

How To Stay Safe When You Ride At Night? Plenty of research has been done looking into motorcycle safety. You can find enough stats to scare you away from your bike forever on Wikipedia’s Motorcycle Safety page. These are some of the spookier statistics: According to the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to die in a fatal accident as drivers of other types of vehicles. According to a national study by the Australian Transp... Read more

Best Open Face Motorcycle Helmet

When it comes to riding motorcycles, the thrill of the ride and the social stamina of the group can take center stage.  However, safety should be a rider’s primary concern.  Whether you’re cruising down the highway, streamlining down back country roads, or riding with a large group of friends, safety gear is important.  The smallest mistake could lead to catastrophic crashes, which is why your gear should be your priority. Specifically dealing with helmets, there is a wide range of dif... Read more

10 Ways A Lightweight Motorcycle Helmet Will Make Your Ride Better

Motorcycle helmets have become lighter and more compact in recent years. They offer a great number of benefits for riders. Protective headgear enhances safety, improves comfort and reduces certain expenses. If you don't already wear a lightweight motorcycle helmet, please consider doing so. Here are the top ten ways that wearing a lightweight motorcycle helmet will improve your ride – you may be surprised at some of the most beneficial reasons to wear your helmet. 1. Staying Alive: Most imp... Read more

A Beginner’s Guide to Motorcycle Riding Jackets

If you’re a novice motorcycle rider, one of the most important items you can purchase is your motorcycle riding jacket. Your jacket should protect you while you’re riding, and it should be comfortable enough to wear during any adventure. Motorcycle jackets come in a variety of styles and materials, and each type offers a different advantage. Before you select a jacket, there are some factors you should consider. Motorcycle Jacket Fabrics When choosing a jacket fabric, consider your rid... Read more

Benefits of Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmets

Although the research and development of helmet technology began in the 1930’s, it wasn’t until the mid to late-1950’s that carbon fiber technology was introduced. What was once a problematic and inefficient development, lead to one of the strongest fibers to be used in motorcycle helmet construction. What sets carbon fiber technology apart from other materials is the alignment of atoms that make up the material. The carbon fiber itself typically measures only 5 micrometers in diameter ... Read more

How To Choose The Safest Motorcycle Helmet

Photo: Riders Discount In a crash, the right helmet can mean the difference between living and dying. I am frequently asked to make a recommendation for the best motorcycle helmets.  As a motorcycle journalist, and a practicing attorney handling head injury and occasional defective helmet cases, I have many years of personal experience with helmet use, and vicarious experience with helmet performance in actual accidents. Choosing a helmet always seems to start with the question of wh... Read more