reviews
Michelin Anakee III Tires
Michelin Anakee III Tires Announced February 8, 2013 – Michelin has announced a new Anakee III adventure-touring tire, replacing the popular Anakee II tires that have been fitted to many BMW GS and other adventure-touring bikes. The Anakee III will become standard fitment for 2013 BMW R 1200 GS motorcycles. Here’s an edited version of the …
Arai Defiant Helmet Preview
Arai Announces the Defiant Helmet (Rapide-IR) February 8, 2013 – The new Arai Defiant helmet was announced today. The helmet appears to be a U.S. DOT/Snell version of the Japan-market Arai Rapide-IR. Information on the new Defiant is slow in forthcoming, but the helmet is based on the Arai RX-Q (review), a “Round Oval” helmet …
Nexx X30 V Core Helmet Review
Nexx X30V Ventilation And Air Flow The Nexx X30V is an updated version of the Nexx X30 (review) helmet reviewed on webBikeWorld in 2011. The X30V is an unusual design; it’s a cross between a flip-up and full-face helmet. The front visor rotates like a flip-up. But a narrow chin bar is integrated with the shell, which …
2013 SCHUBERTH C3 Pro Helmet Preview
SCHUBERTH Announces the C3 Pro Helmet January 26, 2013 – SCHUBERTH announces the C3 Pro and C3 Pro Women, said to be “The First High Speed Flip-Up Helmet with Internal Antenna”. We’ll have a C3 Pro with the SCHUBERTH SRCS (SCHUBERTH Rider Communications System) Bluetooth intercom system soon for a review (here’s the SCHUBERTH C3 review), in …
Acebikes Steadystand Cross Wheel Chock
Acebikes Steadystand “Cross” Dirt Bike Wheel Chock Review Yet another precision-made, high quality motorcycle stand from Acebikes. The new Acebikes Steadystand Cross is designed for motocross, off-road and adventure touring bikes. It holds and secures the front wheel in place and it’s designed for trailer mounting. It will fit wheels from 18″ to 21″ in …
Suzuki DR650 Engine Guards
Suzuki DR650 Rear Brake Master Cylinder Guard Review A cage-like guard that protects the rear master cylinder (in theory). Do you need it? Probably not…and I’m not convinced that the bike is better off with it. But hey — it sure looks cool! Here’s another one of these “How can I burn up some more …
Torx Bits and Driver Set Review
Wiha Torx Bits and Drivers The Wiha Tools Torx bits are nicely made and available in all the sizes you’ll need for motorcycle use. Wiha also makes Torx “L” shaped wrenches, individual Torx drivers with handles and more. The Wiha 3/8″ drive Torx socket set is very well made and the 1/4″ bits are replaceable. …
Glare Blast Review
Glare Blast “Quick ‘n’ Fast” Quick Detailer Spray Polish Glare Blast is a new type of quick detailing spray polish, but with a technological twist. It has what Glare calls “Camo-Adaptive Technology”. This feature allows the product to be used on both matte and gloss surfaces without changing the reflectivity or sheen of the finish. …
Bell Rogue Helmet
Bell Announces the “Rogue” Helmet January 8, 2013 – Bell released a final photo of the Bell Rogue helmet today. They call this a “Category-Defying Helmet Bridges Gap Between Open-Face and Full-Face, with Innovative Detachable Muzzle-System for Coverage Against the Elements” The Rogue is “designed to provide facial coverage from the elements that previously had not …
Rukka Lobster Gloves Review
Rukka “Lobstah” Gloves The Rukka Lobster gloves are exceptionally comfortable and very warm. The “Lobster” name comes from the three-finger design, a welcome change from “normal” winter motorcycle gloves. Many webBikeWorld readers have been looking for this style, so the Rukka Lobster gloves should be very popular. The gloves also have a Gore-Tex membrane, which makes them waterproof …
Rukka Argosaurus Gloves Review
Rukka “Argosaurus” Gloves Review The Rukka Argosaurus gloves are designed for street or sport riding, but they are also waterproof. This is a somewhat rare combination of features. The waterproof capability is assured with the high-end Gore-Tex X-TRAFIT technology liner (report). You’ll pay for it though; the list price of the Argosaurus gloves seems a bit steep, all …
Rukka R-Star Gloves Review
Rukka “R-Star” Gloves Review The Rukka R-Star gloves are a two-for-one (or “2-in-1”) with a two-compartment liner giving you warm and extra warm. Wear them with the liner divider on the top for better heat transfer from heated grips and more protection from the elements. Or use the inner liner for more palm warmth (and more …
BMW Scooter Horns
Dual Horns for the BMW Scooter The tiny stock “pancake” horn on the BMW scooter is a wimp. Pump up the volume with an easy-to-install trumpet horn. Or add dual horns for a real blast! Here’s how… One of the first accessories I add to any new motorcycle in the stable is a more powerful …
UClear HBC200 Review
UClear HBC200 “Force” Intercom Review Putting it all into perspective – the HBC200 remains the absolute champion regarding audio processing and intercom performance. This is despite the fact that its effective intercom range of 700 to 800 meters is still outclassed by one or two other systems. Not having to install and use a boom …
Joe Rocket Nitrogen Gloves Review
Joe Rocket “Nitrogen” Motorcycle Gloves An inexpensive foul weather glove with good protective features but doesn’t quite live up to the waterproof labeling. Recently I stopped by one of my local motorcycle dealers on the hunt for a tail bag for one of my old Honda motorcycles. While I didn’t find one that suited my …
Bell Mag-9 Sena
Bell Announces Mag-9 Sena Bluetooth Helmet More wBW: Product Reviews | Motorcycle Helmet Reviews Also: wBW Sena SMH10 Intercom Review December 12, 2012 (Editor) – We’ll take some credit for this one! During the 2009 Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana (report), I suggested to Bell that they partner with someone like Sena to develop an in-helmet Bluetooth intercom system for their lineup. …
Rukka Armas Jacket Review
Rukka “Armas” Jacket Review The Rukka Armas jacket and pants represent the highest level of technology for motorcycle gear available today. It includes “everything but the kitchen sink”, as the idiom goes. This includes high-tech goodies like Gore-Tex Pro Shell With Armacor, Superfabric, an Outlast liner and the latest iteration of the Gore “Lockout” closure system (report). And …
Castle Slate Jacket Review
Castle “Slate” Jacket Review The Castle Slate jacket is inexpensive but it has all the basics, including a Hitena nylon shell, a mid-weight removable liner and shoulder and elbow padding. The generic styling is fine at this price point and the jacket comes in several colors, including this vibrant yellow. The overall construction and quality …
Sidi Armada Boots Review
Sidi “Armada” Boots Review The Sidi Armada Gore-Tex Boot is “two boots in one”. The boots feature an upper ankle support system that can be removed, which converts the boots from adventure touring to street or sport use. A Gore-Tex liner keeps out the water and a heavy-duty sole provides traction. It’s an interesting concept, …
Rukka Armas Pants Review
Rukka “Armas” Pants Review The Rukka Armas pants are the perfect match theRukka Armas jacket (review) but they could also be worn with other Rukka jackets or with other brands. The pants incorporate most of the same high-tech ingredients, including the Gore-Tex Pro Shell with Armacor exterior. A removable suspenders system and a nearly full-length zipper …
Denali DM1 Micro Lights Review
Denali DM1 “Micro” LED Light Kit Review The Denali DM1 Micro LED lights are a smaller version of the popular Denali LED auxiliary lights (review). The DM1 Micro lights put out a fairly amazing amount of light, considering their size. Rugged and waterproof with high-quality connectors and several available mounting kits, the Denali DM1 Micro LED …
UClear HBC200 Review
UClear HBC200 “Force” Intercom Review The new UClear HBC200 “Force” Bluetooth intercom system uses the same “boomless” microphone design as the proven UClear HBC100 intercom (review). The UClear intercoms are unique, because they do not have the typical boom or wired microphone found on other intercom systems. This eliminates some of the wiring and complexity when …
BikeComm BK02
BikeComm Group Intercom Communications System Review The BikeComm BK02 delivers on its promises in a big way. It provides wireless shared stereo audio to rider and passenger while hosting a variety of wired and wireless peripherals including two-way radios. The BK02 package may seem expensive, but in comparing the sum of all its parts, it …
6D ATR-1 Off-Road Helmet
New Motorcycle Helmet Padding Design Announced (December 4, 2012): 6D Helmets is a new motorcycle helmet design firm who have developed an interesting helmet padding system to improve on the decades-old EPS traditional system. The new 6D ATR-1 off-road helmet is the first product using the “Omni-Directional Suspension” (ODS) technology developed by 6D. ODS is …
Acebikes Tyre Fix Motorcycle Tie-Down Strap
Innovative Motorcycle Tie-Down Strap The Acebikes Tyre Fix motorcycle tie-down strap is a completely different system to secure a motorcycle on a trailer. It’s very well made, with heavy-duty components. The flexible tire gripper fits over the front or rear tire to hold the motorcycle securely on the trailer. If it fits your bike, it’s …
BMW C 650 GT Backrest
BMW C 650 GT Adjustable Backrest Here’s a quick look at the adjustable backrest on the C 650 GT. It has three bolts underneath and three adjustment points. The adjustment is made but changing the bolts underneath the seat. The backrest moves forward about 50 mm total, so there isn’t much adjustment. I’m 5’10” (183 …
Firstgear Jaunt T2 Jacket
Firstgear Jaunt T2 Jacket Review The newly revised Firstgear Jaunt T2 jacket could very well be the best 3/4-length motorcycle jacket bargain going today. Everyone who has seen it has been impressed, because there’s a lot here for not a lot of money. In fact, it pretty much beats all of our old favorite “cheap” jackets. …
Mobile Warming Heated Clothing Review
Mobile Warming “Longmen” Shirt and “Softshell” Heated Vest Review The Mobile Warming “Longmen” battery heated shirt is a comfortable base layer with heating elements along the upper back and upper chest. The “Softshell” heated vest is also comfortable and stylish; almost too nice to wear under a motorcycle jacket! Both products seem very well made, …
GoPro Hero3 Review
Outstanding Video With the GoPro Quirks The new GoPro Hero3 delivers the goods, no doubt about it. In fact, we named it our Motorcycle Action Camera of the Year for 2012. The Hero3 Black Edition has the best video quality by far of any motorcycle video camera we’ve reviewed. That’s the good news. Not all is rosy, …
Tork XPro X2 Speaker Review
Better Speakers and a Mini Amplifier for Helmets “Like having a concert hall in your helmet” isn’t far from the truth when describing the Tork XPro speakers. They deliver, with louder volumes than any of the stock motorcycle intercom speakers we have tried. Of course, more isn’t always better when it comes to decibels. The …
Rolling Through the Isles
Rolling Through the Isles By: Ted Simon ISBN: 1408702193 ISBN: 13 9781408702192 Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.2 x 9.5 inches Publisher: Little, Brown (June 7, 2012) In 1973,Ted Simon and his Triumph Tiger set off around the world on what was to be both a physical and spiritual voyage of discovery. His adventures are chronicled in Jupiter’s …
HJC RPHA Max Review
HJC RPHA Max Helmet Review The HJC RPHA Max is a new flip-up helmet with a strange name and convoluted product release. Fortunately, the helmet is a winner. It has solid construction, tight tolerances and excellent ventilation, along with excellent noise control. Is it worth $160.00 more than the competition…which happens to be a close …
Gorilla 8007 Alarm Review
The Gorilla 8007 Motorcycle Alarm The Gorilla 8007 Alarm system is basic on features and offers good (or loud) bang for the buck. Its simple and straightforward design make installation easy once it is determined where to locate the system. Motorcycles come and go for many owners. The reasons vary; a new bike means the …
Forcefield Pro Shirt Review
Wear This Shirt on Every Ride The Forcefield Body Armour Pro Shirt is a surprisingly comfortable way to get your full dose of protection. The stretchy material fits like a second skin — just like the company says. And you’ll never know you’re wearing a Forcefield CE Level 2 back protector, built into a pocket …
Forcefield Sport Lite 2 Back Protector Review
Forcefield Sport Lite 2 Back Protector The new Forcefield Sport Lite 2 back protector has a thin profile and it’s comfortable, while still providing EC Level 2 protection. The overall design is similar to the Pro Sub 4, but the Sport Lite 2 back protector is about 30% thinner. It also has a slightly different …
Clover Crossover Airbag Jacket
Clover Crossover Airbag Jacket Preview The new 2013 Clover Crossover jacket was announced at the 2012 Intermot show in Cologne, Germany this week. The Crossover is the first three-layer jacket in the world that is equipped with a CE Level 2 (EN 1621-4) airbag back protector. The airbag meets CE Level 2 standards and it …
Sony Action Cam Video Camera Review
Sony Action Cam Review The Sony Action Cam is yet another new entry in the burgeoning motorcycle video camera market. It’s available with or without WiFi and a waterproof housing is supplied with either kit. The camera can take video at either a 120 or 170 degree lens setting and slow-motion video at 60 and …
Vertix Raptor-i Review
Vertix Raptor-i Intercom Review The Vertix Raptor-i is a new motorcycle intercom from a wireless technology company based in Singapore. The Vertix Raptor-i delivers all of the features expected of a “new generation” Bluetooth device at a competitive price. Plus, it has some very interesting add-ons in the pipeline… Keeping tabs on the motorcycle intercom …
Sena SM10 Review
Sena SM10 Stereo Bluetooth Transmitter Review The Sena SM10 Dual Stream Bluetooth Stereo Transmitter is a timely and cost effective solution that allows both a rider and passenger to share audio from connected devices. This includes portable music players, navigation and radar warning devices and even wired motorcycle sound systems. Basically anything that has a …
