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Gear Brands


Givi X.01 “X Zero 1” Motorcycle Helmet Review Let the debate begin: is it the Givi X.01, the Givi X01, the XZero1 or….? Givi has devoted an entire website to this helmet, which they’re apparently calling the XZero1; the Givi UK site calls it the X.01. But whatever you call it, this has to be …

AKE Electronics PowerCom ROGER One Intercom System Isn’t Technology Great? This section continues the ROGER One evaluation, but with some very tangible differences. With a companion PowerCom Bluetooth Headset on hand, along with other optional goodies, and driven by curiosity, this foray into wireless and mixed environments was inevitable. In This Series: Part 1: AKE …

Motorcycle Communications Using the AKE Electronics PowerCom INNOVA System The system effortlessly hosts multiple wired and wireless devices, providing enough configuration options to please virtually any user. Specific features such as i-VOX and the optional Interface Device serve to differentiate the PowerCom systems, the INNOVA specifically, from most of the other offerings on the market. …

We’ve published enough paint protector articles to last a lifetime and a half, so this one will be brief. I guess you think we’re obsessed with paint protection, but hey — motorcycles are expensive, the paint gets dinged and scratched by nature and who knows what else (including zippers, buttons and leg-overs) and, well, it …

First 6-Cylinder Guzzi Announced Mandello del Lario, Italy – Moto Guzzi S.p.A. has announced a limited production run of 6-cylinder cruisers based on the famed Moto Guzzi Centauro chassis and engine. The new MG-3000ie (iniezione elettronica) will also be sold in the U.S. starting this fall as a 2009 model. The bike will be known as …

AFX FX-28 Motorcycle Helmet Review Middle-of-the-road flip-up that could use improvement. When I think of motorcycle helmets, AFX isn’t the first brand that comes to mind. AFX probably won’t like me saying that, but I guess I’m not really sure where they fit in the motorcycle helmet hierarchy. I only know that the company has …

Icon Airframe Motorcycle Helmet Review Icon has been around for only a few years, but they’ve had an extraordinary impact on the motorcycle industry. Their edgy “street/stunt” styling pushed the envelope of motorcycle fashion, and everyone else has seemingly been playing catch-up. You can see the influence of Icon’s trendsetting style by taking a look …

A Simpson Dual-Sport Helmet The Simpson GS3 MX is the company’s take on the Enduro or “Crossover” helmet. It is lacking in refinement compared to other helmets. Note that the face shield is a $100.00 option at the time of publication! Simpson has been around since the late 1950’s, making a wide variety of safety …

SHIFT Streetfighter Jacket   Summary Comfortable jacket for street or touring is adaptable to a wide variety of weather conditions. Good looks and relatively low price make it a bargain. Background Buddha stopped answering the 14 questions, and I long ago stopped answering this one: “What’s the best four-season motorcycle jacket?”. That quest is something …

The Easy Wheeler II Review We reviewed the original “Easy Wheeler” a little over one year ago, back in December of 2006. We found it to be one of the most scrumptiously outrageous and over-engineered motorcycle accessories we’d ever encountered. After all, a completely CNC-machined rear wheel roller, of all things, carved completely from billet aluminum? I …

Grip Lock Motorcycle Brake and Throttle Lock Easy to use lock for the throttle and front brake. Highly visible, which could help deter theft. Best used as another tool in a layered anti-theft system. There is no guaranteed motorcycle anti-theft system, unfortunately. If someone really wants your motorcycle, they will find a way to take …

Xena XN15 Motorcycle Disc Lock Alarm High-quality, hefty disk lock includes a shrieking 110 dB alarm. It serves as a good deterrent for a would-be thief and a warning for the owner if the lock is accidentally left in place before riding off. Appears to be high quality and more robust than other disc locks …

Tube Shaped Chain Oiler is Easy to Hide The Cameleon oiler is relatively easy to install and it has some advantages over other automatic chain lube systems. The Cameleon system is simple, it has very few moving parts and the oil is stored in the hose, which can be easily concealed. We’ve avoided the topic …

Star Clean “One Step Metal Treatment” Metal Polish There are few things that get my attention like the words “easy to use”, “time saver” or anything that promises “one step”.  Add “no buffing” and I’m sold. Yep, I’m lazy.  My mother used to tell me that all the time.  My answer (now that I’m an …

SHIFT Streetfighter SS Waterproof Motorcycle Jacket Comfortable jacket for street or touring is adaptable to a wide variety of weather conditions. Good looks and relatively low price make it a bargain. Buddha stopped answering the 14 questions, and I long ago stopped answering this one: “What’s the best four-season motorcycle jacket?”. That quest is something akin to …

Teknic Freestyle Jacket Great-looking short jacket with external armor that is also a design feature.  Relatively light weight nylon shell makes this a jacket for warmer weather.  It has a number of zippered vents on the outside, but permanently attached internal liner prevents most of the air from getting through. Teknic is known for its …

Oregon Scientific ATC2K Waterproof Action Cam Surprisingly good video when the conditions are right. Uses two readily available AA batteries and SD memory. Tiny LCD screen is very useful and displays elapsed time during recording, recording time left and other menu options. Kit comes with several mounting devices, but you’ll probably have to rig up …

Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Teamset Motorcycle Bluetooth Intercom Well designed, fully featured Bluetooth version 2.0 communications device. With a quality mono two-speaker headset, its trim and lightweight design, multiple functions and ease of use, this is a big advancement in concept, execution and potential. Pairing integrity, a function that is key to overall system performance, …

March 3, 2008 – It’s finally here!  Honda announced today the final production version of the unique and innovative Honda DN-01 “Sports Cruiser”! Honda Motor, Co., Ltd. announced that sales of the DN-01 large sports cruiser will begin in Japan on Friday, March 7. The price and delivery date for the UK has not been set, …

New Name, Decent Helmet Excellent quality is a surprise at this price. Non-movable top vents. Sizing runs small. Very nice selection of graphics. Brow vents in visor. Relatively quiet. Slightly short in front-to-back dimensions. I’ll admit it: I hadn’t even seen a SparX helmet, but I knew I wouldn’t like them. Why?  Well, it was …

The Steel Horse URRS05 Motorcycle Rear Stand This is the updated version of the originalSteel Horse rear stand we reviewed some time ago, the URRS05 features removable and adjustable heads at the top of the lifting arms. The heads can be flipped to fit bikes with or without swingarm spools. Dual wheels spread the weight and …

February 21, 2008 – Rev’it has developed the Apache boot, a completely new type of motorcycle adventure touring boot that incorporates many new and interesting features. One of the most interesting features of the Apache boot is the lugged sole.  A lot of thought has gone into the lugs and the soles, which are designed for …

Acebikes SteadyStand Review Motorcycle Front Wheel Chock The Acebikes SteadyStand is well made and easy to use. Its light weight and simplicity belies its strength and sturdy feel. I’ve seen several different types of front wheel stands or chocks over the years. They come in a few different styles, but most of them seemed to me …

First All-Mesh 3/4-Length Jacket Announced February 19, 2008: REV’IT! will also be introducing the Sirocco (alt: Scirocco) jacket in 2008. The Sirocco is designed for warm weather, and since we get more visitor email about good warm weather clothing than we do about cold weather clothing, I’m betting that this jacket will be a big hit. The …

Rev’it Cayenne Pro February 19, 2008 – The annual Powersports Dealer Expo show officially opens on Saturday morning each President’s Day weekend.  I usually wait until Sunday morning for my annual visit to the Rev’it booth, when things slow down a bit and while everyone else is still recovering from the previous night’s entertainment. This year …

The Vemar Jiano Flip-up Helmet UPDATE: See the Vemar Jiano Review February 19, 2008 – I took a quick look and a couple of photos of the new Vemar Jiano flip-up (modular) motorcycle helmet at the 2008 Dealer Expo (more…). I don’t have much information other than what’s on the Motonation website. But since then, we have published …

World Exclusive!  The webBikeWorld Live Report From The 2008 Powersports Dealer Expo Indianapolis, Indiana – February 16-18, 2008 We’re now reporting live from the annual Powersports Dealer Expo, held this time each year in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is our 5th annual report from the Dealer Expo, and it’s always quite a trip.  This is the place where …

The webBikeWorld Live Report From The 2008 Powersports Dealer Expo Brembo usually has some tasty bits to release at the Powersports Dealer Expo, and this year the are showing four new products for the North American market. This includes new motorcycle front and rear caliper kits and two unique master cylinders for motorcycles, significantly expanding the company’s …

The webBikeWorld Live Report From The 2008 Powersports Dealer Expo   I stopped by the Akuma Helmets booth and what a surprise! Remember a while back when we reviewed theAkuma/MXL Industries photochromatic visor?  We also imagined the visor of the future with electrochromatic visor tinting? Guess what?  It’s here! A material with electrochromatic properties is generally defined …

An Integrated Soft Luggage System The FAMSA 260 is a well integrated system of tank pad, tank-bag and two side tank-pannier assemblies. The tank panniers mount and are removed quickly without disturbing the main tank bag fitting. The FAMSA motorcycle-specific systems (260 series) fit perfectly. And the overall design reflects an understanding of user needs. …

Zeus ZS 2100B Review Intended to go after the top-end cross-over style of helmet, Zeus has taken a current model and with one minor addition, created a very viable alternative. Overall quality and finish is not up to Arai standards, as an example, but from a function perspective it is very close and even ahead …

Firstgear Rainier Jacket Review The Firstgear Rainier 3/4-length jacket has high-quality construction. It also has sophisticated styling and good looks. The TPG “system” includes a comfortable liner that can be worn as a windbreaker. The base layer is optional and costs extra, however. Collar has very limited adjustment. Surprising absence of front placket wind barrier under …

The Original GoPro Hero Action Cam Buy it, use it, enjoy it, and if necessary, share it. Be tolerant of its shortfalls and limitations. Be happy, for the price, and for what you get, it cannot be beaten, at least for now. Be prepared, for never-ending comments about its size, look and functionality. While not …

REV’IT! Factor Women’s Motorcycle Pants REV’IT! has an extensive line of women’s motorcycle clothing for all seasons. This is the combination of the “Cami” top and “Panta” bottom base layers. Also the “Factor” Ladies Trouser. And the women’s version of the “Fahrenheit” gloves and the “Jade” boots. All of this gear makes a great year-round …

Motorcycle HID Headlight Conversion This wasn’t my first attempt to add aftermarket HID lighting to my 2004 BMW K1200LT. Last spring I fell for a “too good to pass up” $129.99 eBay conversion kit sold by CQ Lighting (similar kits can be had for under $80 now). Ten days after making my payment, I received …

Salclear Anti-Fog Treatments: TT, TT-X, D-mist and D-mist+ Here’s another installment in our continuing search for the “perfect” motorcycle visor anti-fog treatment. Until a visor is invented that absolutely and completely resists fogging under any conditions, there will always be room for one more anti-fog spray. If you recall, we recently compared four different anti-fog treatments; …

Oxford Hot Grips Are AKA “Heaterz” Well known, well made and well tested, the Oxford HotGrips just plain work. They may not be the most cutting edge heated grip on the market, but they are still one of the best in terms of reliability and performance – they sure do keep the hands warm. Oxford …

Warmthru G3 Fingerheater Battery Heated Gloves and G1 Battery Heated Glove Liners Battery heated gloves have a great deal of potential for motorcycle riding and they will hopefully equal the heat generated by wired gloves someday soon. This is more of an update or report than a review, and it serves as the final installment of …

Lectra Sox Battery Heated Socks Review We tried everything we could think of but just can’t seem to get any heat from these socks. Battery heated clothing has been evolving and improving each year. I have no doubt that one day we’ll have thin, flexible, light weight and warm clothing that maintains exact temperatures with …

Luggage Locker Motorcycle Tail Bag High-quality, custom designed luggage that can be secured to the motorcycle. This is a review of the Luggage Locker Elite Seat Sack. First off, let me say I have been strapping things to motorcycles since 1992 and this is one of the finest pieces of luggage I have purchased. These …