reviews
Zeus ZS-210C
Zeus ZS-210C Helmet Review The Zeus ZS-210C is available in 20+ solid color and graphic combinations, including the very whimsical artwork shown here. The ZS-210C is a sturdy “Demi-Jet” styled helmet that’s also comfortable and well made. The Zeus helmet lineup for 2009-2010 was reviewed last year on webBikeWorld.com. This includes the Snell 2005 certified Zeus …
Alpinestars Reflex Knee Guards Review
Alpinestars Reflex Knee Guards Can excellent companion for riding jeans and similar pants are let down by a few design and quality flaws. Let’s face it, as much as we should wear all the gear all the time, motorcycle pants are often too hot during the summer or too “un-cool ” for the workplace. Mesh …
Frey Daytona Boots
Daytona Lady Star GTX Women’s Motorcycle Boots Retro styling conceals modern features in this top-of-the-range touring boot. All-season, waterproof, and with a built-in height advantage that shorter riders will really appreciate. I promised myself a pair of Daytona Lady Star boots when I passed the Institute of Advanced Motorists riding test, following a glowing recommendation …
TCX Sunray Boots Review
TCX Sunray Women’s Motorcycle Boots The TCX Women’s Sunray Gore-Tex Boots are leather women’s specific boots with plenty of reinforcement for added protection. Once again, standing in the middle of yet another motorcycle shop, I was frustrated. Finding a shop that actually stocks women’s riding jackets was difficult enough; finding women’s riding boots was tougher …
Vemar CKQI Helmet Review
Vemar CKQI Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet Unique looks and modular design with removable chin bar looks good both ways. Excellent Bluetooth system that’s easy to use and seems to pair with anything thrown at it. Good build quality. Narrow internal shape and very thin padding mean it may not fit everyone. If, according to Merriam-Webster, one …
Transitions SolFX Photochromic Visor
The Transitions SolFX Photochromic Visor and the Akuma Chameleon Photochromic Visor Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better and that it couldn’t be done, how about this: A photochromic visor that turns from clear to…mirrored! But wait — that’s not all! The Akuma Chameleon isn’t just photochromic; it’s a true Transitions SOLFX brand …
Midland BT2-D Intercom
Midland BT2-D Intercom Review The Midland BT2 intercom system we reviewed in November of 2008 was of the type distributed by Midland UK that was purchased by motorcycle riders in many different countries. Although the original BT2 system was not sold in North America, many riders imported a set, paying list price and the hefty shipping cost …
Twiins Bluetooth Intercom Review
Twiins Bluetooth Motorcycle Intercom Review Twiins is a really good basic Bluetooth communications system that provides seamless mobile phone functionality and a crystal clear intercom up to 10 metres. It paired up instantly with every Bluetooth phone and GPS we put in front of it. The only current shortfall, more related to self-imposed limitations (legal …
Joe Rocket Highside Gloves
Joe Rocket Highside Gloves The Joe Rocket Highside gloves are very comfortable, offering reasonable protection for the the street at an also reasonable price. Joe Rocket has come a long way over the years to reach its current status of one of the most popular manufacturers of motorcycling gear. One thing they have managed to keep consistent …
REV’IT! Jerez Gloves Review
REV’IT! Jerez Motorcycle Gloves Top-of-the-line race gloves from REV’IT! with all the bells and whistles. Many protective features including very large and thick protective armor, especially on the back and wrist. Comfortable and surprisingly cool in hot weather. I’ve been wanting to get my hands on (or in) a pair of REV’IT! Jerez gloves since I first …
Akuma Phantom II MFR Review
Akuma Phantom II MFR Motorcycle Helmet Review Ultra-light carbon fiber helmet is comfortable, has good air flow and is relatively quiet. The Akuma Phantom II is designed as a no-nonsense “Made For Racing” (MFR) design. Another first: the Akuma Phantom II is the first motorcycle helmet to have a genuine Transitions SOLFX brand photochromic visor …
LEDwear Aurora LED Safety Jacket Review
LEDwear Aurora LED Safety Jacket This is an updated version of the originalLEDwear LED jacket reviewed in March of 2009. The LEDs can be cycled through three different modes for the ultimate in visibility. See Also: LEDwear LED Backpack Cover Review I’ll admit that the new LEDwear Aurora LED jacket and the original we reviewed in March …
Koolin’ Klothz Review
Koolin’ Klothz for Evaporative Clothing This is a “Quick Look” because it’s really a follow-up to the original webBikeWorldKoolin’ Klothz review of October 2006. I did not even realize that the product had been reviewed previously until I had already written this one and found the original as I was doing some research! What’s amazing is …
LEDwear LED Backpack Cover
LEDwear LED Rucksack Cover Review Interesting backpack cover that easily fits over a motorcycle backpack to to greatly increase visibility. The LEDs can be cycled through three different high-visibility modes when desired. See Also: LEDwear Aurora LED Jacket Review Just as we were about to publish the article on the new LEDwear Aurora LED jacket, this …
Tirox Speed Wax Detailer
Tirox Speed Wax Detailer Review Clear spray is super easy to use, buffs easily to a highly polished shine and leaves a very nice finish. I’m embarrassed — this can of Tirox Speed Wax has been sitting around the garage since I wrote the review of the Tirox Chain Cleaner kit in September of 2008. If you …
Zeus ZS-3000 Helmet Review
Zeus ZS-3000: A Snell Certified Flip-Up! The Zeus ZS-3000 is the first Snell certified flip-up helmet in the U.S.A. It has excellent quality, a solid-feeling helmet shell and a comfortable liner that is removable and washable. The helmet is also convertible to an open-face “Jet” style. The ZS-3000 is Snell M2005 certified in the small …
BMW Street Sneaker 3 Review
Short Boots With BMW Style The BMW Street Sneaker 3 boots are comfortable right out of the box. After the outside of the sole hits the ground, there isn’t much sensation of wearing anything. They flex, support and provide pressure exactly where needed, at least for my foot. A small premium will be paid: I …
Sidi Vertigo Lei Boots
Sidi Vertigo Lei Boots Review Sidi has not forgotten the woman rider! The Sidi Vertigo Lei boots are not a frou-frou-fashion woman’s motorcycle accessory designed by men who think they know what a motorcycle riding woman should look like. These are the real thing — just as high-tech, strong and safe as the best Sidi …
Scorpion EXO-900 Review
Scorpion EXO-900 “Transformer” Helmet The EXO-900 is the first flip-up helmet from Scorpion. It can be easily converted to an open-face helmet with the included parts. The helmet also features Scorpion’s inflatable cheek pads and an internal sun visor. Scorpion has really grown in the last several years, and the company that was originally known …
Chatterbox XBi2 Review
Chatterbox XBi2 Review A new system from Chatterbox and a new contender for top of the heap for me. There is not much to complain about here. All of the new systems have leading edge features — some more, some less, but none of them have packaged it as well as Chatterbox. Although the XBi2 …
Chatterbox XBi Review
Chatterbox XBi Review The Chatterbox XBi system isn’t as new as the XBi2. But for what it does, it is a contender for top of the pile in the wide-open Rider-to-Passenger intercom category. A really good motorcycle headset system, everything just works including the excellent stereo audio sharing features. While perhaps seen as a lesser …
Shift Fury Gloves
Shift “Fury” Motorcycle Gloves Lightweight summer gloves are comfortable and provide excellent ventilation. The tradeoff is the relatively thin fabric in some areas. This is the time of the year, at least in the top half of the globe, that motorcyclists think about the “perfect” pair of hot-weather motorcycle gloves. Perfection, of course, doesn’t exist. Will it? Could …
Art of the Basket Case
Art of the Basket Case wBW Book Review Art of the Basket Case by: Andrew C. Bauer Softcover. 150 pages Dimensions (inches): 10x8x0.5 Publisher: Ilumina Publishing (2008) ISBN: 978-0-9718600-8-7 List: Price: $29.95 You can tell when the obsession has really taken hold. The first sign can be found by looking in the closet. It will be …
Custom Painting Idea Book
Custom Painting – Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles MBI Publishing (Motorbooks), 2008 Soft Cover. 160 Pages. Color Photos. ISBN: 978-0-7603-3169-9 Price: $25.95; £16.99; $28.95 CAD It’s like traveling the 9 circles of Dante’s hell. Motorcyclists can (and do) go deeper into the nefarious and ever more obscure areas of the sport. The farkling and customizing and mechanical …
Nolan N-43 Review
Nolan N43 “Air” Motorcycle Helmet Review Excellent ventilation and wonderful visibility combined with comfort and very good build quality make this the new hot weather champ. We’ve had our ups and downs with Nolan helmets — more downs than ups probably, but the new Nolan N43 is a definite winner. Nolan is a curious company. …
HJC IS-16 Review
The HJC IS-16 All-Arounder Solid helmet with excellent quality and many features at a reasonable price. Includes internal sun visor, large chin curtain and good ventilation. The HJC IS-series is new for 2009, with three family members. First is the HJC IS-Max (review), which was recently reviewed on webBikeWorld.com. Next is the HJC IS-33 (review) “Jet” styled open-face …
Forcefield Pro Sub 4 Back Protector Review
World’s Best Back Protector? The Forcefield Pro Sub 4 is claimed to be the first motorcycle back protector in the world that transmits less than 4 kN of force in the EN 1621-2:2003 standard testing regime. This is below the “magic” number of 4 kN, said to be the maximum force that should be transmitted …
Joe Rocket Jet Set Jacket
Joe Rocket Jet Set Jacket Review A well-constructed, stylish leather jacket with elbow and shoulder protection for the fashion-conscious rider. Cut specifically for a woman’s body, the Joe Rocket Jet Set Jacket also has adjustability through the waist for a custom fit. The Variable Flow ventilation system and a removable insulated vest provide flexibility for …
MotoGP Jacket
MotoGP “Grid” Jacket Review A good looking, versatile riding jacket that is built to last. MotoGP Apparel — you see adverts for it now and then… But they don’t seem to have as much of a marketing push as many of the big names like Joe Rocket, Fieldsheer and Scorpion (yep, I think they’re a …
Scorpion Savannah Pants
Scorpion Savannah Pants Review Flattering riding pants with attitude, armor and plenty of style. What more could a woman want? How about: 1) Versatility – a removable windproof liner takes these textile and mesh pants from cool mornings to hot afternoons. 2) Options – Scorpion’s Savannah Pants are available in three colors. 3) Value – …
Shift Avenger Jacket
Shift Avenger Jacket Review Comfortable jacket works surprisingly well in warm weather. The wild “Rasta” colors are also highly visible and the jacket is available with several other unique graphic patterns. If you’re a smaller motorcycle clothing manufacturer competing with the big guys, what do you do? Don’t follow — lead! It’s a story that has been …
Sidi Coibuss Gloves Review
Sidi Coibuss Gloves Review Lightweight summer gloves for the hottest days are comfortable and well made. It seems like the glove reviews never end. I guess that’s a good thing, right? The problem is that it seems like it was just yesterday that we finished a huge series of cold weather motorcycle glove reviews for 2008. And here we …
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 …
