Completing The Perfect Motorcycle Riding Gear Ensemble For 2008

Some riders may not admit it, but the way you look when you hit the open road is important. It doesn’t matter if you prefer leather from head to toe or if you are a denim kind of guy, you need to look sharp when on your hog, both to protect yourself from a spill and in case you run into someone special while on the way to your destination. Let’s take a look at just a few of the must have additions to your motorcycle riding gear collection this season.

If you’ve ever been on the back of your hog for hours at a time, you know things can get a little bit hot. That’s why many folks choose to cover their break levers in leather for that classic touch. You can get covers that slip gently over your levers or you can get ones that feature tassels, perfect for your favorite female rider or for your favorite male rider that has an extra touch of personality to flaunt. Why hold back when on the open road, let the world know that you’re loud, you’re proud and you are here to kick some butt. Nothing adds that personal touch of flair quite like leather tassels for your break levers this season.

Chances are, when you climb on board your bike, you are all about leather from head to toe. Why not complete your motorcycle riding gear ensemble this season with a classic leather wallet with chain. Ensure that your wallet will never fly out of your pocket while riding or during any other time. Make your way through crowded bars, clubs and other tight places with peace of mind on your side. A leather wallet with chain is the perfect compliment to any leather jacket look.

If you have been looking for the perfect piece of leather headwear, but you just aren’t the kind of person who can pull off a skull cap, try a leather baseball cap. This sweet look goes perfectly with a leather vest or jacket and can be worn up for a normal look, down over the eyes for a more private look or even backwards for a look that says, -party time!- Don’t get caught without the proper head covering you need on the open road this year; an adjustable leather baseball cap can complete any look and is the perfect addition to your motorcycle riding gear collection this season.

What can be said about the leather vest that hasn’t already been said? Of all of the typical motorcycle riding gear items, more people own a leather vest than any other, and why not? Very few other pieces of clothing carry the look, the style and the class that a leather vest does. You can find ones with pockets and ones without and ones with a button up front and ones that hang open. No matter what your style or attitude, you would be hitting the road naked this year without a handsome leather vest to add to your motorcycle riding gear collection. Jillian Leather offers the lowest prices on all styles and sizes of motorcycle leathers, biker apparel, sporting goods, and cutlery. http://www.jillianleather.com/

Top 5 Things To Look For In Stylish Motorcycle Apparel

Choosing the right motorcycle apparel can be a challenging task for the novice motorcycle rider. Finding motorcycle apparel that is both functional and stylish can be even more daunting. The top five things to look for in stylish motorcycle apparel combines both functionality and style in one easy reference. Whether a novice rider wanting to find the perfect pieces, or an experienced one looking to enhance his motorcycle wardrobe, the list below will make choosing the perfect apparel simple.

1. Helmets
Smart motorcycle riders never go without head protection in the form of a highly padded and rigid helmet. For the stylish rider, the helmet speaks volumes and is one of the first things noticed. While old school motorcycle helmets are all black, the stylish helmets of today offer vivid graphics and symbols. Swirling flames, arrows and skulls are all popular graphic choices for some of the most stylish helmets available on the market. Each rider should choose the style that reflects his personality the best without compromising the safety afforded by a top quality helmet.

2. Clothing Material
As all motorcycle riders know, the best material for clothing worn during a ride is leather. Leather provides superior protection against road rash should a fall take place. It also offers excellent protection against flying debris, dirt and insects during the ride. For the most stylish clothing, look for leather that is sleek and well formed.

3. The Jacket
Stylish motorcycle jackets go beyond the loose fitting leather jackets that are worn on the street. The serious motorcycle rider knows that there is no compromising safety with an inexpensive fabric jacket. Instead, a form fitting leather jacket with detailed piping or intricate patterning is both practical and stylish. Some of the most stylish leather jackets go beyond the basic black. Blue, red, silver, yellow and white are all popular choices for the modern motorcycle rider. Look for high-quality leather jackets by reputed manufacturers that offer the practical benefits of side air vents and pockets, while also fitting the body’s lines and curves for a snug, protective fit.

4. The Pants
Pants for the stylish motorcycle rider are made of thick, durable black leather. They feature expansion panels for flexibility, knee and hip armor for protection, and are waterproof and insulated for added comfort. As with stylish motorcycle jackets, stylish motorcycle pants hug the body for form fitting style. This allows them to protect the body while accenting natural curves. Stylish motorcycle pants come in solid black, as well as, piped with highlighting colors that coordinate with motorcycle jackets and helmets.

5. The Boots
The stylish motorcycle rider does not wear sneakers or flip flops when out for a ride. The footwear of choice and style is the leather motorcycle boot. Unlike typical boots, the heel and body of a motorcycle boot are more rigid. Stylish motorcycle boots coordinate with the pants and jacket being worn, but also have a style of their own. Both high boots and their low-rise counterparts can look equally as good when they coordinate with the rest of the ensemble.

Choosing stylish motorcycle apparel is about more than how a piece of clothing simply looks. Style is also determined by the functionality and safety of a piece. A motorcycle rider should opt for apparel that is form fitting, crafted from high-grade leather and that features the color and style that matches his personality.

Finding A Good Motorcycle Helmet Is Important

Everyone likes to ride without a helmet. It’s a great feeling to get that rush of danger when you’re twenty, going seventy down the highway and feeling the wind whip at your head. But you’re not twenty anymore, and as we grow older, we also get smarter and more cautious. Everyone has seen a riding buddy get hurt because they weren’t wearing the right protective gear. Don’t let a preventable accident happen to you, instead invest in a good motorcycle helmet that will keep you safe as you ride.

Have you ever thought hard about what you’d like to see in a good motorcycle helmet? Most people haven’t, even if they’ve always made sure to wear one. You need to know what components make up a good motorcycle helmet before you buy. One easy thing to figure out is that you should avoid the half shell, or beanie helmet. You’ve seen these before, they look like something out of an old war movie? Well that’s where they should stay, because if you get into an accident, they aren’t strong enough to protect you.

You may have also heard of the three quarter helmet, which covers your head and ears, but not your face, hence the name. It is also called a modular helmet in many stores. This isn’t the safest motorcycle helmet on the market, but depending on what you’re looking for out of a helmet, it can still be a good motorcycle helmet option. If you’re someone who doesn’t like contacts, this helmet gives you the space to wear glasses. It also allows you to feel the wind on your face while still protecting the rest of your head.

If you’re looking for the safest motorcycle helmet you can get, a full face helmet is the right one for you. It looks a lot like a modular helmet, but also includes an adjustable faceplate, protecting your face as your ride, but also allowing you to talk and eat during riding breaks. This faceplate not only protects you in the event of a crash, but will also prevent windburn and harmful skin damage caused by UV rays. Full face helmets also have the advantage of blocking ear damaging engine noise.

As you’re looking for a good motorcycle helmet, can you save some cash by buying used? No, you should never buy a used helmet. When a helmet is dropped, even if there is no damage to the shell, the internal foam that protects you is crushed. This leaves you vulnerable to injury. So always buy new.

A good motorcycle helmet is an investment in your safety and in your future that any responsible rider should make. And you’re not giving up your freedom either. With the right helmet, you’ll actually have a better riding experience than you ever have before. The right motorcycle helmet will not only protect you, it will also keep your face free from injury, and from everyday riding concerns like wind burn and sun burn too!

Proper Motorcycle Storage Ideas For Winter

Motorcycle storage is important during the winter months and there are many ways you can store your motorcycle. A motorcycle can be a very expensive item that you own, and you want to make sure that you take care of it at all times and the winter months can wreak havoc on a unprotected bike.

Some people may think that you simply toss a tarp over your motorcycle and it is good to go for the winter. This can be misleading and cause considerable damage to your bike. You need to learn what the recommendations are for your particular motorcycle, and follow some general advice to keep your bike in the best shape possible.

You may be worried about the fuel that will remain in the bike, and you used to have to drain this fuel before each winter. Now you can simply use an additive and your fuel should be okay throughout the winter. If you are planning on using motorcycle storage for a long period of time, you may want to think about draining the fuel. The battery is another concern and you may want to remove the battery and store it in a warm location. You can always use a battery charger to recharge your battery before the first spring use.

Motorcycle storage is a very important part of owning a motorcycle. If you take the storage of your bike seriously each winter, you will be able to maintain the performance for a long time and you will have a motorcycle you can enjoy for many years to come.

How To Get Your Motorcycle Ready For Spring

As the winter starts winding down and the days get longer, youre probably getting eager to don that leather vest and your motorcycle chaps and get out on that first spring road trip. If you live in a place where the winter months are spent under a blanket of snow, then your motorcycle and motorbike gear has likely been sitting dormant for a few months. Just as it is hard for you to put your bike away for winter, the inactivity can be equally taxing on your bike. Rather than revving it up and hitting the road at the first sign of warm weather, you will enjoy safer and more rewarding rides as well as prolong the life of your motorcycle if you properly prepare your bike for the riding season.

A lot of what you do to get your bike and motorbike gear ready for spring depends on what you did to prepare it for winter storage. Your owners manual has a check list of tasks to complete before you store it. Performing these tasks will make your spring preparation easier and less expensive. You can do much of the maintenance yourself or have a qualified mechanic prepare the engine for use.

During the winter, condensation can build up in your fuel tank and carburetor. This can cause rust and corrosion in your fuel system. Before you put your bike in storage, you probably filled the tank and turned off the petcock (if it has one). Before you turn on the petcock, disconnect the fuel line and drain all the fuel from the tank. Clean the fuel filter and inspect the tank and the carburetor float bowl for rust or corrosion. Replace the fuel line and then fill it with fresh fuel.
If you changed your oil and filter before storing your bike, the oil should be fine. Check the oil to make sure its clean and free of moisture. Water gives oil a milky appearance which can eventually cause corrosion. If moisture did get into your oil, change it again and replace the filtereven if you changed it right before storing it.

This is a good time to put fresh fluid into the brake master cylinder and check the condition of your brake pads. If they worn or thin, replace them before you go riding very far. Also check the lubrication and the condition of the drive-line, chain, and sprockets. Check and change your fork oil if needed then look for any leaks wherever there is fluideven minor leaks should be fixed.
Whether you do your own maintenance or use a mechanic, make sure you check the plugs, air filter, carb synch, wheel bearing, spoke tension, tire pressure, and make sure all plugs and fasteners are tight.

Finally, washing and applying a fresh coat of wax to your bike not only keeps it looking good, it can also prevent rust and corrosion from occurring. Thoroughly clean and dry everywhere moisture accumulates.

In addition to your bike, you might want to give your motorbike gear, leather vests, and motorcycle chaps some attention. Properly caring for your leather maintains that classic motorcycle leather look and feel as well as extends the life of your apparel.

If you take the time to properly prepare your motorcycle for riding after storing it, you will enjoy safe and worry-free season of riding. Regular maintenance will also prolong the life of your motorcycle.