review
Motorcycle Tire Sizes
Wider Is Better, Right? See the updated information at the end of this article regarding the tire sizes for the 1986 BMW R65 (and possibly other Airheads!) It won’t fit… or will it? It was that time again — the every-few-thousand-mile decision. New motorcycle tires!! My 1986 BMW R65 was ready for new skins. This …
Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles
Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles Author: Editors of Motorcyclist Magazine with Darwin Holmstrom & Simon Green Paperback 4th edition (January 2, 2008) Publisher: Alpha ISBN: 1592577040 The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles, now in its 4th edition, is packed with information for newbies, and even seasoned riders may learn …
Zeus ZS-3000 Helmet Preview
World’s First Snell Certified Flip-Up Motorcycle Helmet! Zeus is back! And they’re nearly ready to start distributing helmets in the U.S.A. again very soon. Long-time webBikeWorld readers will recall that the original Zeus ZS-508 flip-up (review) was one of our favorite flip-up helmets back about 8 years ago. Many webBikeWorlders also sent us their feedback and comments …
Echo Quick Release Review
Echo Quick Release Helmet Buckle Review The Echo Quick Release helmet buckle is easy to install and use. It’s an inexpensive and very effective alternative to fumbling around with the usual D-ring helmet retention system. Some motorcyclists like the tried and true double D-rings and strap for securing a helmet onto one’s noggin. This arrangement …
Alpinestars Stella SP3 Gloves Review
Alpinestars “Stella” SP-3 Motorcycle Gloves A well-made pair of women’s leather gloves from the Alpinestars “Stella” women’s motorcycle clothing line. The Stella SP-3 gloves have plenty of padding and reinforcement. Ladies, if you are like me, you’ve found it frustrating to find the perfect gear specifically designed for women. I live in a small town …
SHARP Five Star Rating System
New SHARP Five Star Motorcycle Helmet Safety Standard Rating System SHARP Releases 27 More Helmet Scores May 28, 2009 – 27 new safety ratings for motorcycle helmets were published today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning (see list below). He also unveiled a new website to give motorcyclists the best advice and information on choosing …
Vemar CKQI Preview
First Look: Vemar CKQI Modular Bluetooth Helmet The new Vemar CKQI has to be the coolest-looking helmet on the planet! It’s a true modular by our definition; that is, the chin bar can be removed and the helmet can be used as a “Jet” style helmet. And it gets even better: the CKQI (missed opportunity …
Nexx X60 Helmet Review
Nexx X60 Review One more pair of beautifully executed “retro” helmets with modern features and styling. This is Part 3 of our three-part series on “retro” motorcycle helmets. The Nexx X60 is yet another type definition of the word “retro”. This helmet represents the most modern styling interpretation of the trio. The Nexx X60 also …
Cromwell Spitfire Motorcycle Helmet Review
Retro is IN! Another beautifully done retro helmet with an interesting mixture of modern and classic styling touches. The Cromwell Spitfire is yet another color in the retro palette; this one is a perfect example of applying the retro design philosophy, because it is a very modern take on a very classic look. Compare the …
Arai RX-Q
The All-Around Arai Helmet A solid replacement for the Quantum, the RX-Q has the usual Arai quality and attention to detail. Nothing is really new here though — no revolutionary venting system, face shield or other radical features. The liner material feels a rougher and the padding isn’t as plush as the old Quantum II, …
Davida Classic Jet
Davida Classic Jet Helmet Review A handcrafted timeless classic! The “retrofication” craze seems to have taken hold everywhere — and the motorcycle industry is probably as infected as any. At first I ignored this phenomena, thinking it was a fad. Then I begrudged it, thinking it was holding back the evolution of design. After all, …
Titan Bulldog Moto Cradle Review
Titan Bulldog Front Wheel Stand Review Sturdy and well-built motorcycle front wheel stand that is also a front wheel chock that can be used in a garage or on a trailer. The wheel cradle is very strong and holds the front wheel securely and can be locked in place. The Titan Bulldog “Moto Cradle” is …
Garmin Zumo Preview
New Garmin Zumo GPS for Motorcycles Garmin has announced the debut of the new Zumo motorcycle GPS. The word Zumo will apparently be displayed as “zūmo” in Garmin marketing literature for the product, although the product is spelled three different ways in Garmin’s own brochures for the product. The Garmin Zumo is designed specifically as …
Motorcycle Ear Plugs
2009 Motorcycle Non-Disposable Ear Plug Review It’s been a while since the last ear plug review was published on webBikeWorld, so I thought it might be time for another. I had a new batch of non-disposable ear plugs that I’ve been trying out over the last several weeks, and I offered to write an article …
Silver Eagle Cooling Vest Review
A Wet-and-Chill Cooling Vest The Silver Eagle cooling vest is water activated to allow evaporative cooling while you ride. It works nicely in hot weather, especially when it’s humid. The vest works best when air flows over vest, as in motorcycle riding with a mesh jacket over the top. A single soaking lasts two hours …
Teiz Cross Continent Suit
Teiz Cross Continent Mesh Suit Mesh one-piece suit with many features at a very low list price. I discovered the Teiz Motorsports “Cross Continent” one-piece suit on the first day of the 2009 Powersports Dealer Expo (report) in Indianapolis, Indiana Due to some construction in the downtown Indianapolis area where the Expo is usually held, many of …
Tourmaster Epic Jacket
Tourmaster Epic Jacket Review The Tourmaster Epic is an excellent choice for an inexpensive, all-weather, all-season 3/4-length jacket. The Tourmaster “Epic” jacket is the latest and greatest all-out, multi-season, full-blown, all-singing-and-dancing 3/4-length jacket currently occupying the top spot in the Tourmaster product line. Like most Tourmaster products, this one is a heckuva bargain at a …
Cortech DSX Jeans vs. Carhartt Dungarees
Cortech vs. Carhartt Jeans Review Two pair enter, one pair leaves. Which will it be? We all want to be as comfortable as we can be when riding our motorcycles. And now with the weather warming up — here in the Northern Hemisphere anyway — the urge to quickly throw on a pair of blues …
Blockade Earbuds Review Earbuds
Blockade Noise Isolating Earbuds Blockade Noise Isolating Earbuds are, ironically enough, comfortable and better at reducing sound. That’s when compared to any of the other products in our 2009 non-disposable motorcycle ear plugs review. Blockade earbud speakers are claimed to be the only EPA tested earbud speakers with an NRR. They are rated at an NRR …
Komodo K-FX Gloves Review
Komodo K-FX Race Gloves Review The Komodo K-FX Race Gloves are “heavy duty” motorcycle gloves that are comfortable and have many protective features. The very large and roomy gauntlet is a real bonus and it also combines style with safety! We reviewed the Komodo mesh gloves back in 2006. At that time, Komodo had only a basic …
Slime vs. AirMan Sparrow Motorcycle Tire Air Compressors
Slime vs. AirMan Sparrow Air Pumps Review Small and lightweight, both feature 12 Volt air compressors and simple operation. They can be easily packed to provide essential support at home or when on the road. However, the units are not equal when it comes to quality, function and performance. The AirMan Sparrow wins hands down, …
Hornig Mudguard
Hornig BMW Mudguard Hugger This extremely attractive and very functional rear mudguard is another great offering from Horning. Hornig is a company that seems to have an endless offering of farkles and bling for virtually any BMW ever made. Although they do make and market stuff for other motorcycles as well. The Hornig mudguard, or …
Fulmer V2 Easy Rider Helmet
The Fulmer V2 “Easy Rider 69”! Does it get any more retro than this? Pictures speak louder than words! OK, it’s time for some fun! And why not? You may find this hard to believe, but writing about the latest in collar snap technology, new fabrics for waist adjusters and debating the merits of Hydratex …
Fitovers Motorcycle Sunglasses Review
Maybe Grandma Had the Right Idea The Fitovers sunglasses are not your Grandma’s sunglasses…or are they? Actually, who cares, as long as they work?! Designed to fit over most prescription eyeglasses, Fitovers sunglasses come in an array of sizes and styles. They’re much less expensive than a separate pair of prescription sunglasses and they do …
REV’IT! Dragon Jacket
Rev’it! Dragon Jacket Who’s wearing 3/4-length jackets? Anyone?? We’ve had several very nice examples, all in pristine condition, up for grabs in the webBikeWorld garage sale, but no takers. I can’t remember the last time we received an email about a 3/4-length jacket. And I no longer see many 3/4-length jackets on the street. All of which leads me to …
Tourmaster Transition Series 2 Jacket Review
Tourmaster Transition Series 2 Jacket The Tourmaster Transition Series 2 is an excellent all-around, medium-weight 3/4-length jacket. It will work in the majority of riding conditions that anyone but a hard-core Adventure Touring rider might encounter. These multi-part reviews aren’t easy! It’s difficult enough to run the full webBikeWorld detailed evaluation on one product, a …
Shark RSF 3 Helmet Review
Shark RSF 3 Motorcycle Helmet The Shark RSF 3 apparently replaces the late and lamented RSX in the Shark helmet lineup for 2009. The RSF 3 is an update to the popular RSF2i. It has typical Shark quality and focus on safety as do all of the other Shark helmets in my experience. After wearing …
Sidi Doha Boots Review
Sidi Doha Motorcycle Boots The Sidi Doha boots are very comfortable and good-looking. While they may not be equipped with the ultimate in protective features and they’re not waterproof, they are a good choice for casual motorcycling. I was originally asked to do the evaluation of the Sidi Vertigo Lei boots (review), which is now complete …
Triumph Bonneville SE
Triumph Bonneville SE: 1970’s Retro Styling and Nimble Handling for Triumph’s Icon April 10, 2009 – A restyled yet still iconic Triumph Bonneville SE is hitting North American streets in 2009 with a 1970s retro flair and more nimble handling. The Bonneville legend was born when Triumph broke the motorcycle speed record at the world-famous …
Cardo Scala Rider MultiSet Q2 Review
Cardo Scala Rider MultiSet Q2 Motorcycle Bluetooth Intercom System The Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Multiset is a simple and functional design and it is still among the best to be found as of this writing. The system is user friendly and very reliable. The lack of A2DP (stereo Bluetooth) support was causing the Cardo system …
Veloce Primus Gloves Review
Veloce “Primus” Motorcycle Gloves Race gloves with kangaroo palms, double gauntlet and attached pinky finger. The Veloce Gear Primus gloves also have flow-through ventilation in three fingers and the thumb. High quality, race features and nice styling all at a reasonable price. The original version of the Veloce Legionnaire motorcycle gloves we reviewed in 2007 were the first …
Veloce Legionnaire 2 Gloves
Veloce Legionnaire Motorcycle Gloves – Version 2.0 Revised version of the original Veloce Legionnaire gloves now with added features and upgrades. The Legionnaire gloves still offer very high quality at a very reasonable price. In This Series: Part 2: Veloce Primus Gloves. We first reviewed the Veloce Legionnaire motorcycle gloves in December of 2007 (review) and were impressed with their …
AFX FX-37 Review
AFX FX-37 DS Helmet Review The AFX FX-37 DS is a new-for-2009 “Enduro” or “Supermoto” or Dual-Sport styled helmet. It’s inexpensive, relatively comfortable and light weight, but a few quality issues and face shield distortion are problematic. A review of the new book “The Essential Guide to Dual Sport Motorcycling” was recently published on webBikeWorld. …
Lazer Rider Superskin Helmet Review
Lazer “Rider” Superskin Helmet The Lazer “Rider” is the first helmet available with the new Superskin technology. Lazer has a very long history of motorcycle helmet manufacturing. In fact, the company history can be traced back about 90 years, which is a long time and many helmets ago. Although not as well known in North …
Frank Thomas Gloves Review
Frank Thomas “Rage” Motorcycle Gloves The Frank Thomas Rage gloves include many safety features and look good. The price is reasonable but the quality may need to be addressed. Frank Thomas may not be the first name you think of for motorcycle apparel, but regulars of the Cycle Gear chain have probably seen the name. Frank Thomas is …
K&N Air Filter
K&N Air Filter Review The K&N air filter offers a possible increase in power and longer air filter changing intervals. But the K&N air filter must be cleaned and oiled using a special procedure. When I purchased my 2002 BMW R1150GS last spring it was with the knowledge that it had seen very little use …
LEDwear LED Safety Jacket
An LED Jacket Will Get Attention The LEDwear jacket is a lightweight windbreaker with mesh and removable sleeves. It includes battery-operated very bright LEDs in the reflective piping. The LEDs can be cycled through three different modes for the ultimate in visibility. Hands down the most highly visible article of clothing we have ever seen! …
Xena XX14 Disk Lock Review
Xena XX14 Motorcycle Disc Lock Alarm The XX14 is a new type of motorcycle brake disk lock with alarm from Xena. It has just been released for 2009. The XX14 has a new smooth “organic” shape, claimed to be more resistant to attack. The XX14 also uses a larger and less expensive battery for its …
REV’IT! 2009
Rev’it 2009 Motorcycle Clothing Report One last report from the 2009 Powersports Dealer Expo: a few of the new Rev’it items for 2009. There’s a lot more than I can report on here, and we hope to feature reviews of a few of these interesting new items for 2009, including the Rev’it Dragon jacket, already …