Cycle Leather

There is a bag for every occasion. There are duffel bags, lunch bags, sling bags, backpacks, shopping bags, sandwich bags, marble bags, and beanbags. When choosing any type of bag, we must consider our own needs, as well as the pros and cons of various bags. However, after choosing bags, such as leather saddlebags, we must then determine what to put inside those bags. Here are some categories of gear that you should stuff into your motorcycle saddlebags, before your next road trip:

1. Tools, spare parts, and maintenance products

When on a motorcycle road trip, the roads can be rough. Make sure to bring a tool kit to make any minor repairs to your cycle. You may need to add some additional items, such as vice grips, which are not included in the tool kit. Tire problems are one of the most common issues during road trips. Make sure to bring a patch kit, tire irons, an air pump (with CO2), a proper spoke tool, etc., to make minor repairs to your tires. While you do not need to bring a toolbox’s worth of tools, bring the bare necessities. Being stranded in the middle of nowhere can be as thrilling as a root canal.

2. Food, glorious food

The name of the game is convenience. Be certain to pack food items that are easy to prepare, or require no preparation at all! Some suggestions include candy bars, canned food (i.e. baked beans, beef jerky, chili, stew, etc.,) energy bars, freeze-dried food, oatmeal, and trail mix.)

Buying some of your food in small towns that you pass through, can provide two benefits. You will be required to pack less food, which will allow you to travel faster. Furthermore, this will allow you to support some of the local economies. Oftentimes, small businesses in small towns rely heavily on the income from tourism. Thus, buying from small convenience stores or gas stations not only helps you, but also the towns that you include in your road trip.

3. Odds and ends

Besides the basic gear to keep your motorcycle running and your stomach full, you should also bring an array of other items, which can become quite handy during your motorcycle road trip. Some of these items include:

• AAA card
• Binoculars
• Blanket
• Camera
• Cash
• cell phone
• compass
• extra goggles
• extra socks
• GPS
• Lighter
• Maps
• motorcycle gloves
• rubber gloves
• sunglasses
• sunscreen
• water filtration pumps
• waterproof matches
• zip ties

4. Cold weather gear

Include items such as waterproof clothing, a fleece vest, an extra pair of lined leather gloves, and thermal underwear, to stay warm in frigid weather. Remember to pack and dress in layers, to avoid freezing or frying. Temperatures can range greatly during a single road trip.

One of the keys for any successful motorcycle road trip is to bring the right gear. The key is to bring enough, but not too much. These aforementioned tips will help you to pack light for heavy riding.

Motorcycle safety is a subject that is often overlooked or taken for granted by both new and experienced riders alike.  Such things as wearing proper motorcycle safety gear (a leather motorcycle jacket, and a helmet at the least) and practicing emergency procedures can make the difference between going home and going the the hospital, or worse.

 Sign up for a Motorcycle Safety Course.  They will teach you important skills such as counter-balancing, maneuvering, obstacle avoidance, safely starting and stopping on loose aggregate.  I recommend this even for experienced riders if you have never done it, you may surprise yourself and learn something new.

Buy a few good books on Motorcycle Safety, and actually read them from cover to cover.  Refresh again in the spring before the regular riding season starts.  Motorcycle safety cannot be over-emphasized, a mistake on the highway can do a lot more that damage your bike, it could seriously damage you.

More to come… Ride Safe

Ok, I think I’ve seen it all now.  I found this photo on the web and it has to be one of the most bizzare things I have ever seen.  It appears to be a motorcycle that someone built on a very rough wood frame using a combination of spare motorcycle parts and various metal brackets and braces to hold the wood together.  I’m not sure if you would wear a leather motorcycle jacket when riding this or a Carpenters Apron. 

 If you built this, or know who did, please email us - I would love to learn more about this bike and do a more comprehensive article on it.

Several states now offer free courses for both novice and experienced riders.  These courses are invaluable to the young or new rider just starting out, as they teach not only riding technique and the mechanics of basic motorcycle operation but, most importantly, proper safety and emergency procedures.  It is vitally important that you have some sort of training on how to handle unexpected occurrences on the road before they occur, and that is what many of these courses teach.  In our opinion, these courses are as important for the new rider as any other proper safety gear, such as a good leather motorcycle jacket and a DOT approved helmet.

Another great bonus of these training courses is that, in addition to being free, many of them also supply the motorcycles for you to learn and practice on.  Refer to your state DOT website for course availability and locations.

No woman wants to blend in with the crowd. Standing out is the best way to get a man’s attention. And there’s no better way to stand out from the crowd than by wearing a sexy get up. If you like men who like Harleys, you should consider getting yourself a cute pair of pink motorcycle chaps.  Not only will a pair of these pink chaps allow you to stand out from the crowd, they will also protect you from the elements when riding on the back of your dream guy’s Harley. You will feel so feminine, yet so butch wearing a pair of leather chaps. If anyone teases you, just tell them to “talk to the hand” as you’re riding away into the sunset on the back of your man’s Harley.

Historically motorcyclists have been characterized as being out-laws.  All you had to do was to don a leather jacket and a do-rag, and you would have folks crossing to the other side of the street to avoid you, all the while casting sideward glances in your direction.   Of course Hollywood has done much to reinforce this perception over the years.  Who could forget Hopper and Fonda flouting law, order, and authority in “Easy Rider”.   

 Fortunately, motorcycle manufacturers and motorcyclists themselves have done much to change that perception.  Todays motorcyclists, for the most part, are hard working, responsible citizens who come from all walks of life; doctors, lawyers, teachers, construction workers, and even ministers and priests. 

 However, one common thread still binds them all together, the willingness to take charge and hit the open road.  The decision to put on motorcycle leather, mount a powerful machine and roar down the highway with the wind in your face is still not for the faint of heart.    In addition, most motorcyclists are fiercely dedicated to God, Family, and Country.  A strong sense of brotherhood links all motorcyclists, they are always willing to help one of their own and will never leave a fellow biker stranded along the road if at all possible.  

We, as motorcyclists, share a proud if not always glamorous heritage, and the next chapter of our story is happening now.  Ride On!

While you are getting your bike ready for the spring riding season:  charging and re-installing the battery, checking the engine and tranny oil, topping off the brake fluid, and checking the tires, brakes, and lights.   Don’t forget to give your leather motorcycle jacket and leather chaps a checkup and tune-up if needed. 

Check for cracks and/or dryness especially in creases and where the leather flexes, such as the elbows, knees, across the shoulders and under the arms.  Give a generous treatment of a good leather conditioner to any problem areas that you find (of course you should also have done this prior to storing it away at the end of last riding season, if not - a little extra care now can fix most problems).  

Next,  give a light treatment overall to moisturize and prepare the leather to be worn again after winter storage.  This is especially important of you have a brown leather jacket and/or brown leather chaps because while this leather is extremely durable and wear resistant, it is less resistant to the elements and requires just a little extra care to keep it supple and weather resistant.

Any small loose seams or hems, such as at the sleeve cuffs, collar, or pant cuffs can be repaired with some rubber cement and allowed to dry thoroughly before wearing. 

Other motorcycle leather, such as saddlebags, travel bags, and tool bags, should be given a good coat of leather waterproofing compound to renew their water resistance for the coming season.  Just a little maintenance will keep your bike, and your leather happy and healthy for another summer season.  Ride On!

Don’t go freezing your bum off while you roar down the road on your motorcycle. Wear warm, comfortable clothing especially during cold months.  Choose from the many styles of men’s motorcycle jackets today that will suit your tastes and personality while protecting you from the elements.  In addition to their obvious functionality, they also make you look cool when you are hanging out with your friends. 

A good motorcycle jacket can be a faithful companion for many years to come. Learn to take care of it well.  Leather jackets usually have removable liners so they are easier to clean. They also come in different colors, textures and design options.

Motorcycle gloves are among the most important accessories for riding a motorcycle on the open road.  This is easy to understand once you have been out riding down the highway and had a pebble from a passing car or truck peg you square in the knuckle, Ouch!!  But you don’t want your hands all sweaty and hot on a steamy summer day either.  A great compromise between comfort and protection are fingerless leather gloves.  Fingerless gloves provide the needed protection to the knuckles, yet still leave your fingertips free to manipulate the controls and vent excess heat and moisture.  Some even have pads on the palm and heel of the hand to reduce fatigue on long trips, and perforations across the knuckles and back for even more airflow. 

Leather motorcycle clothing can also protect riders and passengers from the hot surfaces  present on an operating or recently operated motorcycle.  The engine and exhaust system get extremely hot during operation and often can remain quite hot for some time after the bike is turned off.  Exposed skin, or skin covered only by thin clothing, can sustain serious burns in a matter of seconds from contact with these surfaces. 

 Leather chaps will protect the rider’s legs from accidental contact with the engine and/or exhaust while riding and also when mounting and dismounting the bike.  Passengers should also wear leather chaps since, depending on the model of motorcycle, the exhaust system and muffler are often routed quite near to the passengers legs as well.