Safety Third!

Check out this totally far out design! Rainbow colors, splish splash graphic, retro motocrosser... what more could you want? Funny slogan maybe? Got it.

Oh, what's that? Did you say cheap?

Okay, how about EIGHT BUCKS. Right hasbro, that's cheaper than a trip to Starbucks.

Get one now from Busted Tees!

Labels: news, review

Garmin's Zumo series are particularly configured for bikers, and the Zumo 660 sticks out as the crown of that series.
by Drat Louis

Particularly, just because it's specially designed for bikers, that does not mean that you can not use the device in your automobile. It only implies that some enhancements of the product, causing it to be easier to input information when wearing gloves, and allowing for bikers to use it more effectively.

Specifications
The Garmin Zumo 660 measures 13.5 x 8.4 x 2.3 cm (W x H x D) and weighs 270 grams. The touchscreen color TFT is 4.3" in size and supports a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels. The electric battery is adequate up to 5 hours, and the motorcycle and car power adapters are included in the box. The GPS receiving system chipset is not divulged by the producer.

Design
Although the unit looks somewhat delicate with the full screen, appearances can be deceiving. The unit is waterproof (IPX7 standard), having in mind that it can withstand submergence in water up to 1 meter. The color display is very beautiful and clear, readable in direct sunlight, and the visuals are crisp with vivid colors. The Garmin Zum 660 GPS for motorcycles is beautifully designed and professional, just as you would expect from Garmin.

The on off button is located at the top and the audio frequency is on the left. The mini-USB connector and the microSD card slot are located at the back of the device.

The motorcycle and vehicle mounts are included in the product's packaging.


Features
Due to the wind noise disturbance that you experience while riding, it is typical that you will not be able to hear voice navigation prompts from the device, particularly with a helmet on. Garmin addressed this issue by placing one earphone jack under a weather cap at the leftmost of the device and used a A2DP compatible Bluetooth chip, which enables you to stream the voice commands on your MP3 directly, with stereophonic sound.

Compared to other budget and intermediate level products from Garmin, the Zumo 660 GPS for motorcycles features 3-D buildings images, lane assist, a junction view, and a digital fuel indicator, letting you see all the data about your trip and your vehicle at a glance.

The Zumo 660 has millions of Points of Interests (POI) and you've the choice to add your favorites. You can also save your routes and share them with your biker friends or view your tracks in Google Earth.

Addressing Google Earth, the Zumo 660 has the feature to download Panoramio pictures to your device and pilot to the destination points with ease. You can also use Google Maps for this intention.
If the inbuilt memory is inadequate for your music, paths, and tracks, you are able to amplify Garmin's storage with microSD cards.

The Garmin Zumo 660 also sports a "where am I" function, which directly shows your location in latitude/longitude and presents the nearby location of hospitals, police stations and gasoline station.

Price to Performance
The Garmin Zumo 660 retails for $799.99 from Garmin and $727.28 from Amazon (much cheaper now -Ed.). Amazon may not reveal the price, you will have to add it to the shopping trolley first. Since it is specifically configured for bikers, it does not have as many contenders, but it still offers a good price to performance ratio.

Overall Evaluation
The Zumo 660 is a dependable unit with few shortcomings. The unit is not able to exhibit the names of towns/cities, just road names; this makes it is difficult to work out where you are going. And sometimes, surprisingly, it can not find the names of towns. Finally, there are some issues with the MapSource software. You need to take a couple of tweaks to allow the unit to work as designated. We will have to wait for a fix from Garmin for all those issues. Other than these facts, the Garmin Zumo 660 GPS for motorcycles is a very dependable and affordable device to use when traveling.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Drat_Louis

Labels: review

Still waiting until December to pick up a new wall calendar?
Dude... get a clue! All the really cool calendars have 16 months, and start with September!

It's Calendar Season!

The 2010 editions of the popular girlie/bike calendars are now available- Fast Dates features sexy models draped over awesome road racing machines from Ducati, Yamaha, Honda and more. Need a little more chrome on your walls? Check out Iron & Lace for outrageous customs with babes galore.

But it's not all golden curls and bare skin out there. For example, Superbike is a great calendar with some stunning racetrack photography. All of these awesome calendars start with September 2009!

Another one of my annual favorites is the vintage artwork featured in the Historic Motorcycles calendar from Tushita Publishing. Even though it's a standard 12 month edition, it makes a great addition to an otherwise dreary office wall. This year's includes classic bike adverts from Triumph, BMW, Indian, BSA and more.

So remember, calendars make great gifts. Even in August!

For more great wall and desk art check out our favorite motorcycle and chopper calendars.

Available online from...

• Amazon
• Calendars.com

Labels: article, review

Newest Version of Popular Jacket is Best One Yet

The latest version of First Gear's popular Hypertex summer jacket dispenses with the 2.0, and is now simply called Mesh Tex. This third version of the Mesh-Tex jacket retails for $129.95 and features fully a aerated shell and better armor than previous versions. A zip out liner shuns wind and water to make this a usable Spring, Summer and Fall jacket.

Summer mesh jackets usually subscribe to one of two schools of thought- the Minimalist or the Legacy. Minimalist jackets, like the Joe Rocket Phoenix or Alpinestar Bionic, are made of very open weave mesh- almost like a net. These might best be described as armor held together with a jacket. Legacy jackets, on the other hand, are a more standard cut of jacket made from a mesh material, either all or in part.

Both have their advantages and drawbacks. The Minimalist style usually offer greater airflow but lacks storage or the versatility afforded by weather-proof liners. Legacy jackets usually fit better and are more comfortable, but many have limited airflow because most are only partially made of mesh material. First Gear has attempted to bridge this gap.

First off, the Mesh Tex is made like a "real" jacket. So the fit is good, the armor stays where it's supposed to and you get inner and outer pockets to stash your trinkets. But the shell is completely, 100% mesh- there are no solid panels that block airflow. So you also enjoy fully al fresco riding. Even the CE-approved armor has holes to allow the air through! In case you leave early in the cool of the morning you can use the included liner. It blocks wind and rain.

Changes on this new model include snap closures (instead of Velcro) at the waist and wrists, added pockets, a Velcro neck closure and, as mentioned previously, better armor. A new inner pocket is accessible with or without the liner and features an easy-to-spot red zipper, perfect for stashing ear plugs or toll booth change. The jacket interior and removable liner both offer cell phone pockets with a secure Velcro closure. Chilly mornings, or rain, can effectively be countered with the zip out liner. Previous versions included a thermal liner- but this is not, nor will ever be, a Winter jacket. The Mesh Tex is available is sizes small through 4X plus tall and womens styles.

What's Not To Like?
My complaints with this jacket are pretty darn sparse. I think the liner could be a tad easier to install (the sleeves could take a lesson from Tourmaster's color-coded snaps) although the "split" zipper idea is nifty. Another minor irritation is the neck closure's Velcro flap has a tendency to latch on to my helmet strap.

All in all this is a very versatile, and affordable, jacket for weather ranging from warm to downright hot. Even if it happens to rain.



Available online at...
Bike Bandit
Cycle Gear Direct
Motorcycle Superstore

Shop for the First Gear Mesh-Tex Jacket on eBay

Labels: review

Yes, you heard right. It is possible to find accessories that will please your significant other!

For some households the only time a discussion about motorcycle stuff crosses the gender gap is to balance the checkbook. If your spouse doesn't usually take much interest in your obsession with riding gear then read on.

Park-n-Move
I first saw the Park-N-Move in action at a Cycle Gadgets open house. Ron Zimmerman twirled a big BMW police bike around like it was on... well, on rollers.

This is a great gadget to keep the peace in a coed garage. Whenever the motorcycle is blocking a garden tool it can easily be rolled out of the way. My wife now demands that I park our bike on the Park-N-Move.

Cardo Scala Communicator
Being able to talk to your passenger is extra important when your passenger is your spouse. When we reviewed the Cardo Scala Q2 my wife was so impressed she proclaimed it "required riding equipment."

Hard to argue with that endorsement. Being able to chat is not only social, it makes her feel safer when riding on the back.

Casino Neckstrap + Kickstand Coaster
This might be the best gadget of all. Because it's free!

Do you have one of those nifty kickstand coasters to put under your side stand? It's a plastic puck to keep your kickstand from sinking into soft ground. If you don't have one, go get one- they're darn handy.

Anyway... you toss this thing under your side stand when you park. Takes a little coordination but not much. But now you need some way to pick the damn thing up, right?

Most everybody ties a length of fishing line or bright string on their coaster. Then you make a loop in the other end to tie on your mirror or clutch lever. But before you tie a tacky string on it check this out...

Casinos give away these little bungees cords. They're about 3 feet long, have a key ring on one and a spring clip on the other. I guess they're to carry your bingo card or something. But they're about the right length to reach from handlbars to the kickstand- plus they stretch. And the little snap clips right on a clutch lever or tank bag and the other end will attach to the coaster.

Very handy, and free!

The best part is they don't wad up like a string or fishing line does when stored. And since they stretch you can also use it as campsite clothesline. Or for your next casino outing.

Labels: article, review

Motorcycle Superstore has just made tire buying easier.

Comparison shopping for tires online can be frustrating. Shipping charges and sales tax have to be considered. Then there's installation charges. Some bike shops even charge more to mount tires you carry in. And asking a local shop to mount up a set of tires you just mail ordered can be an uncomfortable experience.

Old Idea, New Market
For years now we've been ordering tires for our car and having them shipped to and mounted by a local installer. The Tire Rack has offered this service for years. But now Motorcycle Superstore has taken the same idea and applied it to bikes. They've teamed up with competent installers across the US and now offer their Preferred Installer Program.

Participating shops are rated and referred by customers just like you. Look for the Superstar Installer to find the shops receiving the highest customer ratings.

Now you can order tires, exhaust or a Power Commander and have it shipped directly to a shop near you. You schedule an appointment, the ride in for installation. You get parts at Motorcycle Superstore's guaranteed best price, great service and no hassle installation. What's not to love?

Locate a Preferred Installer Now...

Motorcycle Superstore has great prices on Dunlop, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Michelin and more for cruisers, motocrossers, sportbikes and scooters.
More Motorcycle Tire Suppliers

Labels: news, review

It's official: the Scala Rider Q2 communicator has been added to our list of required riding equipment!

Cardo is a German company that offers a line of motorcycle communication systems that use Bluetooth technology. They are designed for communicating between rider-to-passenger, or bike-to-bike up to 540 yards. They also interface with Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, radar detectors, GPS units, etc.


Way back in August 2007 we reviewed the Cardo Scala Rider Team Set and found it to be one of the better motorcycle intercom systems on the market. Back then we wondered if anyone would buy these cell phones with this new Bluetooth stuff.

What a difference a year and a half makes.

Today nearly every phone, GPS and baby bottle is equipped with Bluetooth! And Cardo has refined their entire product line to reduce background noise, improved microphones and better auto-gain to make conversations crystal clear.We recently had a chance to try out Cardo's current flagship communication system- the Cardo Systems Scala Rider Q2 Multiset. I say "current" because their new Q4 is already shipping and promises to be even more impressive! But I digress.

First off, unlike the Rider Team Set, the Q2 Multiset contains two identical headsets(look for the orange dot!). There is no gimp headset or passenger-only unit in this system- so either party can initiate a conversation, answer a call, listen to music, etc. This is important for anyone who may want to use the set alternatively for rider/passenger duty as well as bike-to-bike communication.

To get started the unit must be "paired" to another Scala module or a Bluetooth-enabled device. If you've ever used a cordless keyboard or mouse it's a similar idea. The process is dead simple and only takes a couple of minutes to pair the two Cardo modules for intercom use. Configuring a cell phone to interface with the Cardo was only slightly more complex.

Next came the hardest part- mounting the headset brackets to our helmets. It's not really "hard," but some people might be intimidated by this step. It doesn't require drilling holes or anything destructive- but you very well might need to dismantle the interior of your helmet. Cardo provides two different attachment plates to accommodate different types of helmets. One plate is adhesive-backed and the other is a clamp style. We tried the clamp-on plate on helmets from Arai, Scorpion and Shark- all of them required partial disassembly of the helmet. Another mounting pitfall is positioning the bracket so the mic is in front of your pie hole, this is important if you want people to hear you. On the Arai Quantum 2 we just barely managed to get the bracket far enough forward.

You might prefer to opt for the stick-on plate if you'd rather not overhaul your helmet's innards, or to properly position the microphone. Some people expressed skepticism but the adhesive is heavy duty and the plate is made to conform to the helmet's curves. Just make sure you clean off your greasy fingerprints with the handy swab included with the set!

Next you'll need to position the speakers and mic. The mic is on a flexible boom so it's no problem. Velcro is included on the speakers so typically these can just be stuck to your helmet liner. It took me a couple of trial fittings to get them positioned so they were directly next to my ears, but not uncomfortable. If they are too far away you'll need to shim them up with foam rubber or you won't be able to hear very well at high speed with ear plugs in.


Cardo bracket mounted on the Arai Quantum 2. The cheek pad and lower trim must be removed to fish the wires through and get the clamp plate into the helmet. The Shark helmet (below) also requires working around the lower trim.


Show us your helmet!
Once these "mechanical issues" were overcome we found the intercom a great addition to our rides. Initializing a conversation usually requires nothing more than someone start talking. Sometimes we have found it necessary to manually connect by pushing one of the control button. The advertised 1/3 mile range is pretty darn accurate- but they don't mention it's strictly line-of-sight. We never noticed any problem with vehicles blocking the signal, but buildings will turn you off in a heartbeat.

Using the Cardo with a phone was not something I personally felt compelled to do. I don't normally talk on the phone while driving and didn't feel the need to do so while riding. But if you have the desire, and a Bluetooth-enabled phone, it works quite well. Calls can be accepted, rejected or initiated by voice command. If your phone has music capability you can also take advantage of that too- just remember you won't be able to yak with your buddy at the same time. The phone has priority over all other audio sources.

Music lovers can also use the 1/8" external audio input for jacking in their MP3 player. And if that's not convenient enough, the Q2 includes a built-in FM tuner with six station memory (I was surprised how often I found myself using that feature). Either of these audio sources are considered low priority and will be overridden by an incoming cell phone call or the intercom.

Battery life has been impressive, even in day to day use. The set includes an AC adapter and an optional 12 volt charger is available. Cardo claims the lithium-ion battery is good for 8 hours of talk time and up to 10 days on standby. Recharging is quick, max 3 hours, although the charge indicator always takes several seconds to come on.

The era of arcane hand signals has officially ended. But a good deal of the Cardo's performance relies on the installation. The headset must be installed correctly or it will not work as promised. Most of the gripes we've heard could probably be rectified by re-positioning the mic and/or speakers in the helmet. Beyond that, these are the best motorcycle communicators we've had the chance to use. So give them a shot- I bet you'll add them to your required equipment list too!

Available online from...

Amazon.com
Bike Bandit
Cycle Gear Direct
Motorcycle Superstore

Shop eBay for the Cardo Scala Q2 Multiset

Labels: review

Over the last several years the Battery Tender has become standard equipment for most ATV owners, motorcycle collectors and personal watercraft enthusiasts. For a minimal investment you can spare the expense of replacing an expensive battery. Just plug it in and a trickle charge will keep your volt vault in good condition during inactivity.

The Waterproof 800 model is perfect for off-roaders and lake lovers. It weighs less than a pound but delivers up to 800 mA so it's perfect even for full-size boats. Universal 120/240 voltage input means you can take it along and use it anywhere.

If you store your bike or ATV over the winter, it's best to have one of these for each battery in your garage.

Available online from...
Bike Bandit
Motorcycle Superstore
J. C. Whitney

Labels: review

Who doesn't need a good tire gauge?


Our Favorite:
The Smart Gauge.

Shop eBay for
Tire Gauges
Well, I guess people who don't own tires. But otherwise, we all need to check tire inflation periodically. It's especially crucial on a motorcycle where low pressure can wear out a new tire, or even become dangerous. And if you hadn't noticed, tires ain't getting any cheaper.

But bikes require a tire gauge with different features than the family minivan. Compact design and light weight are important if you plan to carry it under the seat. Rugged construction is important if you're an avid off-roader. And obviously accuracy would be nice.

This is what got us started on a comparison test of a dozen different styles and brands of tire pressure gauges. We tested their readings, tried them on a variety of different bikes, carried them around for a week or to and generally abused them. Surprisingly, most of the gauges we tried were adequate- offering fairly accurate readings (within 2-3 PSI) and pretty much remaining in one piece for the duration of our test. But who wants adequate?

Honorable Mentions
It's almost difficult to find a really crappy tire gauge, unless you insist on buying them from a convenience store counter display. Some of the department store offerings we found in the bicycle department were pretty cheesy. So let's begin with the good tire gauges and work our way up to the great. And we found a lot of good gauges out there...

Bikemaster® Digital Tire Gauge
This is an affordable, well made digital tire gauge. We found no reason to dislike it- but it felt sorta' cheap. Of the digital models we tried this was one of the easier to get on the valve stem. Especially on the front tire of sportbikes. Simple to use, with only one button, even morons like us could figure it out. It reads up to 100 psi and automagically turns off after 15 seconds.

Accu Gage 2-60 PSI Dial Tire Gauge
Accu Gauge is a standard that's seemingly been around forever, and any of their gauges offer accuracy, ease of use and rugged construction. We consider these standard equipment for anyone who owns a pneumatic tire.

Our favorite model is the standard 60 psi dial gauge with the swivel end. About the only bells or whistles here is the button on the side that holds the reading. The pricier models with a flexible hose are handy, but we had trouble getting to the valve stem on bikes with big brake disks. The swivel end seemed a little easier use. Your mileage may vary.

Kuryakyn Compact Digital Tire Gauge- with or w/o Hose
A technological step up is Kuryakyn's version with digital readout. Like the classic Accu Gage, these come in swivel-ended or flexible hose versions. And like the Accu Gage, we found the hose-free version preferable.

Additional features include chrome finish and a rubber covered housing. Oh... and it says Kuryakyn on it. But in this case you're not paying a premium- since this gauge is priced in the $20 range it made the honorable mention list.

Cruztools® TIREPRO Digital Tire Gauge
Crustools makes some nifty motorcycle tool sets. This digital tire gauge is affordable, feels great in your hand, has auto-recall and reads PSI, Bar and Kpa. But we had a dang difficult time using it on several bikes we tested it on. ATVs, motocrossers, dual sports and most cruisers didn't give us much trouble. Sportbikes, or anything with big brakes, took some fidgeting to get it on the Shrader valve.

Drum Roll Please...
Okay, let's quite screwing around. Here's our choice for the best tire gauge for motorcycle use:

Topeak Smart Gauge

Did you say "Huh?"

You are not alone. I had never heard of them either. Almost everyone had that same reaction, until we asked a bicyclist. Yes, those purveyors of human-powered bikes know this company well. And seem to hold them in high regard.

After playing with the Smart Gauge a few weeks we know why. It works well, feels quite durable and costs under $20. The design is easy to hang on to and reaches most valve stems with ease. I especially liked the fact it beeps when it has obtained the reading. The digital display is larger than most and will accommodate your metric desires with Bar and Kpa readings if you ever get bored with PSI. It has two buttons, both rubber covered to keep the mud out, and a handy key ring clip. And in case you have one of those fancy bicycles with funny valve stems- it works on those too!

The SmartGauge is light enough to carry on your bike or in a fanny pack. After several weeks of use (and abuse) we've found the Topeak is up to the challenge. We even dropped it twice just to be sure! It's a good choice for all-round motorcycle use.

Sources
Thanks to the following vendors...

• Amazon
• Auto Anything
• Auto Sport
  
• Bike Bandit
• Cruiser Customizing
• Fox Creek Leather
• J & P Cycles
  
• J.C. Whitney
• Motorcycle Superstore
• Northern Tool
  
• Performance Bike
• Tire Rack
  

Labels: review

JC Whitney Top Box: Low Price Alternative to Givi?
Considering one of JCW's low-buck top case options? Order now and J.C. Whitney will throw in the universal mounting plate for free. That's a pretty good deal because they normally sell for $40.

But are they worth it?

It depends. If you compare the quality of these to a Givi or Hepco & Becker the difference will be evident immediately. The plastic is much thinner, the lock has an ornamental feel and the mounting plate is pretty lame. But the price is a mere fraction of the name brand European cases.

J.C. Whitney offers two sizes- and matte or gloss finish. Aerodynamically designed of heavy-duty ABS black plastic, they both include a built-in backrest pad and cargo straps inside. These trunks can be locked, unlocked and removed from mounting plate with one key (ala Givi Monokey). We found the mounting plate pretty worthless, although it might be helpful for some installations, it was a bit too wimpy for our taste. Either case was large enough to hold one full-face helmet. Dimensions for the small box are 17-1/2"W x 15"L x 11"H or 33 liters of luggage capacity and the large truck measures 22-1/2" x 16-1/2" x 11" for 40 liters. Mounting plate dimensions: 9-1/2"W x 11"L x 1"H.

If you travel on your bike and need a top box a lot, this might not be the one for you. For occasional road trips this is probably just what you need. They will keep your gear dry and they look okay (does any top box look good?). Toss the mounting plate and use through-bolts to attach unless you plan to pluck it off frequently. Also, we would caution those of you that intend for your passenger to rely on this as a backrest. If your pillion is, um... substantial... you may find this to be a bit flimsy.

Available online from J. C. Whitney

Labels: review

Here are some small gift ideas for the motorcyclist on your shopping list. We looked for gear that was in the $30 and under department. We also tried to focus on general interest products that were low stress for the non-motorcyclist to purchase- not too complicated, no sizes, no model numbers, none of that techie stuff.

If you want some more gift ideas for a motorcycling guy or girl (one that deserves more than a wimpy $30 gift) check out our Six Great Gift Ideas for Bikers. But for now- on with the stocking stuffers...

Helmet Quick Release Hate to fumble with helmet straps and D-rings? Well, fumble no longer! The Echo Quick Release will be your new friend. In about a minute you can add this click connector to your helmet's chin strap and never cuss a D-ring again. Even comes in different colors. Great for kids and newbies! Made in USA.
Bikemaster Digital Tire Gauge Looking for that perfect stocking stuffer under $20? Check out this digital tire gauge that every rider can use! This handy model is angled to reach tire valves on any bike, and offers easy one-button operation. This tire gauge from Bikemaster is a great gift choice because tire pressure is so important to safe riding and longer tire life- no matter what kind of motorcycle you ride.
Rite Aid Comfort-Foam Ear Plugs After an hour on the road wind noise isn't just uncomfortable, it can cause permanent damage. We recommend always carrying along extra ear plugs for rider and passenger. These are comfortable foam and the purple color makes them easy to spot if you happen to drop one.
Battery Tender Junior This one almost made our Gift Guide list. A bike sitting over the long, cold winter is hard on the battery. Battery Tender Junior for motorcycles is a 750 MA, lightweight, compact trickle charger with a brain. Hooking this up over the cold months will give the battery just enough juice to keep it from discharging.
Harley License Plate Dad can't always ride the bike. No matter how much he might want to. But now he can let everybody know his other vehicle is a Harley-Davidson with this classic black H-D license plate. Pre-drilled and ready to mount on any car, truck or SUV. Made of rustproof aluminum to stand the test of time.
North American Ride Atlas Rand McNally teamed up with Harley-Davidson to create this must-have road guide. Now in a new second edition! It's the perfect gift for anyone who rides past the city limits. It's a rugged 284 pages of four-color maps, mileage charts, city indexes and descriptions of motorcyclist-tested rides in the United States. Save $10 now, or buy both and they're half price.
Helmet Fresh Summer is hard on helmets. After a long day in the saddle my helmet isn't, um... fresh. Now you can keep your helmet smelling fresh and clean. Helmet Fresh attacks the bacteria and mildew that causes odor. It's non-flammable, non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-allergenic and leaves no stains.
But wait.... there's more! For the products that took top honors for our gift recommendations see our Six Gift Ideas for Motorcycle Riders. If none of these suggestions feel right, consider an Amazon Gift Certificate.

Labels: review