Riding Gear- What works? What Doesn’t?
Let’s face it. If you get a motorcycle, the buying does not stop there—it has just started!
There are so many thing that you “need” once you have a bike. There’s riding pants, a riding jacket, helmets (yes plural), gloves… and that is just the stuff that you ACTUALLY need. Then, we get to the list of stuff that you just want really, really badly (did someone say new pipes?!?!?!?).
I’ve always heard that BOAT means “Break Out Another Thousand,” because boat owners always need to spend more money to feed their habit by buying a new accessory or keeping up with maintenance. Having a motorcycle can be just as bad. I know that if I could keep my wife’s attention focused the other way long enough, I could do as much damage as a debutante on Rodeo Drive with a purse full of credit cards (did someone say new pipes?!?!?!?).
Unfortunately, if you are like me, you can’t just run out and buy whatever catches your eye (new pipes!). You have to prioritize. And then once you do decide what to buy, you need to pick from a long list of available options. But, how do you know what is worth your money, and what isn’t?
So What Do I Buy?
When I buy something I like to hear first-hand from someone what his (or her) opinion of the item is. I check with friends and others I trust. If none have anything to say about a specific item I’m looking for, I try to read as many online customer reviews as I can find.
You do have to be careful with customer reviews though. I can be a bit cynical, and I’m always worried that some site has posted a bunch of staged reviews to try to sell more product. This is especially the case when you look at reviews on a manufacturer’s website. No matter where I am buying something, I usually try to find reviews on a few different sites to try to avoid this trap.
Let’s get to the good stuff. Here’s my opinion about some of the stuff that I have bought.
There are so many thing that you “need” once you have a bike. There’s riding pants, a riding jacket, helmets (yes plural), gloves… and that is just the stuff that you ACTUALLY need. Then, we get to the list of stuff that you just want really, really badly (did someone say new pipes?!?!?!?).
I’ve always heard that BOAT means “Break Out Another Thousand,” because boat owners always need to spend more money to feed their habit by buying a new accessory or keeping up with maintenance. Having a motorcycle can be just as bad. I know that if I could keep my wife’s attention focused the other way long enough, I could do as much damage as a debutante on Rodeo Drive with a purse full of credit cards (did someone say new pipes?!?!?!?).
Unfortunately, if you are like me, you can’t just run out and buy whatever catches your eye (new pipes!). You have to prioritize. And then once you do decide what to buy, you need to pick from a long list of available options. But, how do you know what is worth your money, and what isn’t?
So What Do I Buy?
When I buy something I like to hear first-hand from someone what his (or her) opinion of the item is. I check with friends and others I trust. If none have anything to say about a specific item I’m looking for, I try to read as many online customer reviews as I can find.
You do have to be careful with customer reviews though. I can be a bit cynical, and I’m always worried that some site has posted a bunch of staged reviews to try to sell more product. This is especially the case when you look at reviews on a manufacturer’s website. No matter where I am buying something, I usually try to find reviews on a few different sites to try to avoid this trap.
Let’s get to the good stuff. Here’s my opinion about some of the stuff that I have bought.
Power Trip Grand National gloves
Power Trip Grand National gloves
When it comes to gloves, there are literally thousands of options to choose from. Most of the good gloves have the same basic features: padding in appropriate spaces, some type of rigid knuckle guard, a strap to tighten them around your wrist, maybe even studs on the palm area for abrasion protection if you end up sliding across the asphalt.
Those are all well and good. But like I said, you can find all of those options in most good riding gloves.
When it comes down to choosing a good glove, the single most important thing to me is fit. I’ve had many gloves over the years all for different purposes. And the one thing that I have found is that finding a pair of gloves that fit my hand right is next to impossible. Either the fingers are just a little too long, or a little too short, or the area around the palm is a little too loose, or a little too tight… Well, you get the idea.
Maybe I just have freakishly shaped hands, but in my whole life I have only ever had two pairs of gloves that fit perfectly. The first pair was a pair of ski gloves that fell apart at the seams after the first day I had them. The second pair is the Power Trip Grand National Gloves!
Let me say it- I LOVE THESE GLOVES!
I’ve had the Power Trips for two years. They are simply the best fitting pair of gloves I’ve ever had. There is no sign of any of the stitching or seams coming apart. They are comfortable in a wide range of riding temperatures. If it get’s below 40-ish degrees, I find my hands getting a bit cold. But they aren’t designed as cold-weather gloves.
The Power Trip Grand National Gloves have good protection built into: carbon fiber over the knuckles, metal studs in the palm, and decent padding. The leather is thick enough for protection, but thin enough that you can still feel the handlebars.
If there is one shortcoming to the Power Trip Grand National Gloves, I wish they had about one more inch in length in the wrist so they overlapped with my riding jacket on cooler days. I do plan on trying to find another pair that are a bit longer for next fall. (Can someone distract my wife for a minute?)
Depending on where you buy them, the Power Trip Grand Nationals will run you about $45-$50. I would definitely rate them 5 out of 5 stars.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/67/903/348/ITEM/Power-Trip-Grand-National-Gloves.aspx
Those are all well and good. But like I said, you can find all of those options in most good riding gloves.
When it comes down to choosing a good glove, the single most important thing to me is fit. I’ve had many gloves over the years all for different purposes. And the one thing that I have found is that finding a pair of gloves that fit my hand right is next to impossible. Either the fingers are just a little too long, or a little too short, or the area around the palm is a little too loose, or a little too tight… Well, you get the idea.
Maybe I just have freakishly shaped hands, but in my whole life I have only ever had two pairs of gloves that fit perfectly. The first pair was a pair of ski gloves that fell apart at the seams after the first day I had them. The second pair is the Power Trip Grand National Gloves!
Let me say it- I LOVE THESE GLOVES!
I’ve had the Power Trips for two years. They are simply the best fitting pair of gloves I’ve ever had. There is no sign of any of the stitching or seams coming apart. They are comfortable in a wide range of riding temperatures. If it get’s below 40-ish degrees, I find my hands getting a bit cold. But they aren’t designed as cold-weather gloves.
The Power Trip Grand National Gloves have good protection built into: carbon fiber over the knuckles, metal studs in the palm, and decent padding. The leather is thick enough for protection, but thin enough that you can still feel the handlebars.
If there is one shortcoming to the Power Trip Grand National Gloves, I wish they had about one more inch in length in the wrist so they overlapped with my riding jacket on cooler days. I do plan on trying to find another pair that are a bit longer for next fall. (Can someone distract my wife for a minute?)
Depending on where you buy them, the Power Trip Grand Nationals will run you about $45-$50. I would definitely rate them 5 out of 5 stars.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/67/903/348/ITEM/Power-Trip-Grand-National-Gloves.aspx
JMEI Sissy Bar Backrest with Luggage Rack
JMEI Sissy Bar Backrest with Luggage Rack
The JMEI Sissy Bar Backrest was the first accessory I bought for my bike. My wife just wasn’t comfortable with riding on the back seat without having a back rest, and I wanted to have a luggage rack anyway.
I have two medium-sized saddlebags, but they don’t hold a whole lot. Toss in rain gear and a few things that you might need for a day trip, and they are pretty much full. Having a back luggage rack gives you the option to put on another trunk style bag when you need it.
Since I had just bought the bike, I wasn’t looking to break the bank buying a backrest/luggage rack combo. I looked around and found this one on eBay. It seemed to be built well, and the pictures looked nice. I couldn’t find many ratings on it, but decided to take a risk anyway.
The manufacturer’s website lists a price of $120, but they had it for sale on eBay for around $80. I went ahead and ordered it. It came quickly and installation was pretty simple. Anyone with enough mechanical knowhow to turn a screwdriver should be able to mount it without many problems.
Once on my bike, I was pleased with the way it looked, and my wife is much happier having a backrest. Unfortunately, that is where my praise ends…
While the machining on the parts was really accurate, and all the holes were right where they were supposed to be, the parts just weren’t finished really well. The chrome plating was very thin. Even when I first got it, I was worried about durability. Now that I have had it on my bike for a year, I know that my concern was valid. There are already little rust spots popping up. My bike is stored out of the weather and gets cleaned regularly. So it is definitely not a matter of neglect. The chrome is just too thin.
My other complaint is the upholstery on the backrest pad. It is not leather. For the price, I really didn’t expect it to be, but I also didn’t expect it to be as cheap as it is. I don’t know what to call the material, I suppose it is some sort of vinyl. For the limited wear that it has experienced, I already have one spot where the material covering has worn away and the underlying fabric is showing. I will definitely be looking to have the pad re-upholstered this summer.
If this equipment had a heavier chrome plating and decent material on the backrest pad, I wouldn’t hesitate to give it a top rating. But, then it probably would have cost a good bit more. As is, I would say that it is a fair product for what I paid for it, especially considering what other similar items sell for. But overall, with the issues that I have seen, I have to give it a 3 out of 5 star rating.
http://www.jmeimotor.com/servlet/the-347/Yamaha-Vstar-XVS-1100/Detail
I have two medium-sized saddlebags, but they don’t hold a whole lot. Toss in rain gear and a few things that you might need for a day trip, and they are pretty much full. Having a back luggage rack gives you the option to put on another trunk style bag when you need it.
Since I had just bought the bike, I wasn’t looking to break the bank buying a backrest/luggage rack combo. I looked around and found this one on eBay. It seemed to be built well, and the pictures looked nice. I couldn’t find many ratings on it, but decided to take a risk anyway.
The manufacturer’s website lists a price of $120, but they had it for sale on eBay for around $80. I went ahead and ordered it. It came quickly and installation was pretty simple. Anyone with enough mechanical knowhow to turn a screwdriver should be able to mount it without many problems.
Once on my bike, I was pleased with the way it looked, and my wife is much happier having a backrest. Unfortunately, that is where my praise ends…
While the machining on the parts was really accurate, and all the holes were right where they were supposed to be, the parts just weren’t finished really well. The chrome plating was very thin. Even when I first got it, I was worried about durability. Now that I have had it on my bike for a year, I know that my concern was valid. There are already little rust spots popping up. My bike is stored out of the weather and gets cleaned regularly. So it is definitely not a matter of neglect. The chrome is just too thin.
My other complaint is the upholstery on the backrest pad. It is not leather. For the price, I really didn’t expect it to be, but I also didn’t expect it to be as cheap as it is. I don’t know what to call the material, I suppose it is some sort of vinyl. For the limited wear that it has experienced, I already have one spot where the material covering has worn away and the underlying fabric is showing. I will definitely be looking to have the pad re-upholstered this summer.
If this equipment had a heavier chrome plating and decent material on the backrest pad, I wouldn’t hesitate to give it a top rating. But, then it probably would have cost a good bit more. As is, I would say that it is a fair product for what I paid for it, especially considering what other similar items sell for. But overall, with the issues that I have seen, I have to give it a 3 out of 5 star rating.
http://www.jmeimotor.com/servlet/the-347/Yamaha-Vstar-XVS-1100/Detail