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MOTOLIGHT
Halogen Riding Lights
See the road better and be seen better.
I was stopped on the side of the road
looking at a map when I looked up and
did a double take when I saw a
motorcycle with three lights in the
same pattern as a train, in bright
sunlight heading my way. That bike
had the MOTOLIGHTS. There was
nothing special about the headlight,
but the MOTOLIGHTS were blazing a
bright path that is hard to miss to all
oncoming traffic. Besides adding
supplemental lighting for night driving,
being seen in daylight is a great safety
advantage. How many times has a car
or truck looked right at your bike and
still started to pull out anyway. With
the MOTOLIGHTS installed I don't think
anyone will look at your bike and still
pull out. I guess at this point I have to
say it's more like 9 out of 10 will now
stop and not pull out and the 10th
(an idiot) will still pull out. Before
installing the Motolights the ratio
seemed be more like 4 out of 10
would pull out and the other 6 would
see me and not pull out. With the
Motolights you'll seeing a big
improvement, and a lot less heart
pounding moments because you have
now avoided many of the near misses
that result from not being seen.
MOTOLIGHTS's are very popular on
BMW touring bikes because like the
older Ducati ST line, older BMW came
with weak headlights. My first Ducati
ST4 (2001) had insufficient stock
headlights for a Sport Touring bike, as
do the Ducati's ST3's and ST2's, (made
before 2004). In my opinion, those
stock lights are dangerous for night
driving, and need to be changed or
supplemental lighting should to be
added. No matter what bike you drive,
with the exception of Harleys, (with
three headlights), most bikes will
benefit from the MOTOLIGHTS.
Starting in 2004 Ducati ST's have a
new lighting design, which has gone
a long way towards fixing the problem.
Now the Ducati ST3 (the only ST model
being made) has the bare minimum
lighting to see your way on an
occasional night ride. If you install the
Motolights you won't ride at night
without turning them on. Once you go
Motolights you can't and won't want
to ride without them.
I have been testing configurations
using two 35 Watt bulbs (included), two
50 Watt bulbs and also mixing one 35W
and one 50W. I have settled on using
the 50 Watt bulbs as the best choice.
It's true that this is very bright to
oncoming traffic, but these days so
many cars have extremely bright
headlights in my face, I'm just trying
to keep up. I do leave my high beam
on so when oncoming traffic is
heading my way, I wait till I'm sure
they see me and then I lower my high
beam so they know that the Motolights
are not part of my high beam pattern.
If you never ride at night, you should
be able to get away with the stock
lights, but being seen in the daylight
with that dim low beam (even with a
PIAA bulb replacement) is just a little
better than not having any headlight.
Because the Motolights are round and
create a round pattern, they light up the
road whether you are straight up or in
the turn. Rectangular headlights usually
create a straight horizontal line at their
furthest reach across the road, which
then dips when you make a sharp turn,
loosing significant lighting towards the
direction you are traveling. Adding
rectangular supplemental lights, like
the ones from PIAA, may add more
lighting but suffer from this same
effect. Round lights simply do a better
job then rectangular lights.
(Note:) When you use the Motolights
you are adding 70 to 100 watts of
draw to you battery, which is ok when
you are underway, but you should turn
them off before you turn off your bike
so they are not on when you go to
start-up. If you pull over and stop for
any length of time, you should turn
off the Motolights or up your revs to
compensate for the extra draw on your
battery. I use the Whistler Motorcycle
Radar Detector (reviewed in the column
to the right) to keep tabs on my voltage
when I'm using the Motolights. If I see
my voltage go below my usual 13.4
volts to anything below 13 volts I up
my revs or adjust my choke or simply
turn off the Motolights. If I stop at a
light and my fan comes on, I turn off
the Motolights. If the fan doesn't turn
on then upping the revs works.
As far as I'm concerned, these lights
are indispensable.
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ROADGEAR
Magnetic Jumbo
Sport Tank Bag
This is my 'First Look' review.
I've been testing this bag for a few
months. It is well made with a lot
of thought to detail. It has a zipper
around the bottom that stays
zipped most of the time, which
can be unzipped to add a few
more inches to the height of the
bag allowing for more stuff, when
you need it. I has hidden dual
slider zippers along both sides
that reveal compartments about
4" high and 14" long. A clear
seamless map area on top of the
bag measures 8" by 10". It has a
sleeve under the clear vinyl that
is part of a removable zip off
map holder.
So far I like it. It's doing what
needs to get done. This model
uses magnets to attach to the
metal tank. It also can be ordered
as the Three-Point Jumbo Sport
Tank Bag if that's your preference.
I will be posting a much more
in-depth review before the spring.
Stay tuned.
(The following description is from
the Roadgear website)
Same great features found in the
Sport Tank Bag but on a much
larger scale!
Its unequalled list of standard
features includes a top-loading
main compartment—big enough
to fit a full-sized helmet.
An expandable zippered body
section and two expandable
zippered exterior side pockets
for additional items picked up
on the road.
A pocket under the flap can hold
the optional rain cover, and a
removable map pocket converts
into a two-pocket shoulder tote
for unmatched versatility.
Add an inside key hook, closed-
cell foam-backed, anti-skid
Toughtek® base and built-in
carrying handle, and it's no
wonder this jumbo is our best
seller!
Capacity: 18-26 Liters
Dimensions:
10" W x 15" L x 7-9" H
Colors: Red/Black, Yellow/Black,
Silver/Black, Blue/Black, all Black
RUGGED, HI-TEC LUGGAGE
FOR THE ADVENTURER
Ergonomic, functional and
elegant! ROADGEAR's critically
acclaimed and top-selling soft
luggage system is meticulously
handcrafted in the mountains of
Boulder, Colorado-a recognized
center of excellence for outdoor-
industry manufacturing.
Developed by the noted product
designer Josh Valentine-with
input from a veritable "Who's
Who" in the motorcycling
industry-the bags represent the
current state-of-the-art in
motorcycle luggage. No expense
was spared and no detail
overlooked in their engineering.
The result is the standard that
the rest of the industry judges
itself against.
Constructed of DuPont 1000
Denier Cordura Plus, these bags
provide unprecedented strength
and durability. Heavy-duty YKK
zippers stand up to the most
extreme conditions, while
specialized tab pulls, make them
easy on your fingers and glove
friendly.
Accordion style pockets expand
to double capacity without
unzipping, then pop back to
standard size when emptied-a
ROADGEAR exclusive. Add
ITW Nexus and Euro Sandow
hardware for reinforcement and
you have the toughest bags
available at any price. Plus, our
tank, tail and saddle bags use
a closed-cell foam stiffener
heat-laminated to the outer
Cordura Plus shell, providing
body shape and shock damping
like no other soft bags.To top it
off, ROADGEARis so confident
in its luggage that every bag
carries a full 10-year warranty!
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LEE PARKS DESIGN
DeerSports PCi™ Deerskin
and Elkskin Gloves
This is my "First Look" review.
It is always a real pleasure to slip on
these gloves because they are so soft
and flexible. They truly feel luxurious
especially when it cools down and
I change from any of my warmer
weather gloves.
Although I have worn them up to 70º,
they stay the most comfortable from
65º down to about 52º and usable to
48º. (I should note that I spent a lot
of time working in a Vermont ski
area with thin gloves taking photos in
temperatures down to 5º and it did
take its toll on my ability to keep my
hands warm). Lee says that many
riders can ride in lower temperatures
than I can without changing to heated
gloves.
Deerskin and Elkskin also have the
ability to stay warmer than cowhide
and other leathers when they get wet
and they dry soft. When most other
leather gloves get wet they they don't
provide the warmth of Deerskin and
Elkskin and tend to shrink and stiffen
when they dry out. Of course you
should try to carry rain covers in case
it rains, just as you do for your tank
bag.
I'm still working on my full review.
(The following description is from
the Lee Parks Design website)
Premium insulated performance gloves
provide the widest temperature range
possible by utilizing an Outlast®
phase-change material liner in a
patent-pending design. When your
hands are cold, the liner acts like
insulation and keeps heat in. When
your hands get hot, it acts as a heat
sink and pulls heat away. Additionally,
when used with heated grips, it pulls
the heat from the grips and distributes
it around your hand. These are the only
true insulated gloves that work with
heated grips as most insulated gloves
insulate you from the heat on the grips.
Proudly handcrafted in the USA
2.75+ oz. deerskin (palm) and
4.0+ oz. elkskin (back) are more
abrasion-resistant than cowhide
Outlast® phase-change lining
material changes it properties
depending on temperature giving it
an incredibly wide temperature range
(30-70 degrees). Thinsulate Flex®
insulation on the backside of hand
helps keep heat in without adding
bulk to the palm side of the glove.
Trimmed and ironed internal seams
provide unrivaled fit, comfort and
dexterity. Seamless palm for the
ultimate in feel without pressure
points. Dual-duty thread provides
the strongest seams and won't cut
through leather like Kevlar thread.
Hand washable leather stays soft
Inexpensive repairs available at our
U.S. factory. Extra-long gauntlet has
dual Velcro® wrist closures for a
secure fit on any jacket.
Double-stitched ErgoTech™ palm
patch doesn't bunch up and provides
strong abrasion-resistance. Double
layer elkskin backing on knuckles for
additional abrasion protection.
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ROADGEAR
AirTec (Mesh) Gloves
This is my 'First Look' review.
I have been using these gloves in
cool, warm and hot conditions
spring, summer and fall.
They are the most comfortable,
functional and attractive
ventilated gloves I have ever
tried, in more than 20 years of
riding. There is reflective piping
over the knuckles. They have
curved fingers with excellent
air-flow between the fingers.
If it cools down and you don't
want to stop to change gloves
all you have to do is grip your
fingers closer together which
stops much of the airflow
through the gloves. This feature
is really neat. I think you need
to go no further in your search
for ventilated gloves then the
AirTec .
I will be posting a more in-depth
review in late June or sooner.
Stay tuned.
(The following text is from
the Roadgear website)
Advanced hi-tensile mesh,
reflective piping—engineered
to perfection—these gloves
keep you going
Sizes: Men M-XXL
Women XS-M
Color: Black
Comfort Zone: 70-100°
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GERBING'S
Classic Heated Gloves
These are the gloves of choice when
it comes to keeping your hands warm
when the chill overpowers your best
non-electric gloves. Your fingers will
stay warm and nimble so you can
control your bike without the fatigue
and slower response to braking and
clutching that comes with cold fingers.
These gloves have worked well, held
up and stayed flawless for more than
two years of use and remain my best
defense against numb fingers. If I can
keep my hands warm, the rest of my
body seems to follow suit. At times I
have ridden without turning on the
heat because the design and
insulation are very effective at
blocking cold air. Once I do begin
to feel the cold I turn on the gloves.
In the fall, winter and spring you
will find these gloves indispensable!
In 2008 Gerbing's refined the heating
elements to provide instantaneous heat.
(My expanded review will post soon).
(The following description is
from the Gerbing's website)
Gerbing's Classic gloves are drum-dyed
premium black leather for an
exceptionally light, strong and flexible
glove
Heats entire length of each finger,
including the thumb, as well as the back
of the hand
Extended gauntlet and adjustable
enclosure
Thermolite® insulation for great warmth
and dexterity
Brushed lining for added warmth
Waterproof/windproof/breathable
Aquatex® liner to provide protection
from water and wind (Leather is not
waterproof and should be treated with
Nikwax Glove proof)
Reinforced padding in palm and on
knuckles
Available in men's and women's sizes
Lifetime warranty on the heating
elements
Specifications
Heat:____________GHC High Density Heat
Source:__________12-volts DC
Current:__________2.2 amps
Watts:____________27 watts
Surface Temp:____135°F +/- 5°F at 32°F
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GERBING'S Heated
Motorcycle Jacket Liner
I hope to be testing Gerbing's Heated
Jacket Liner soon. This jacket allows
to you ride in comfort in cold
temperatures.
I'm told that when you wear
Gerbing's Heated Motorcycle Jacket
Liner you won't need to wear all the
layers and bulk needed to stay
warm, such as wearing the vest that
came with your non-ventilated
jacket or an after-market vest
you've added yourself. You don't
want to ride around so bulked-up
that you feel like the Michelin Man,
do you? That's what I feel like with
four layers and an added Vanson
vest under my Vanson coat. Being
bulked-up can also restrict your
agility and freedom of movement
and can tend to slow your blood
circulation, which can promote
muscle fatigue and a loss of
enjoyment as you fight to stay in
control of your bike. Motorcycling
should be about enjoying your
ride, while not having to overcome
the effects of too much layering
in an effort to stay warm and
comfortable.
Included at the end of each sleeve
is an electric connection for
Gerbing's Heated Gloves. (See my
review in the column to the left).
When you add the Portable
DualTemp-Controller you can have
individual controls of two heated
garments, like Gloves and Jacket
or Gloves and Sox. Sox?
Yes Gerbing's also make Heated
Sox AND Heated Pant Liners!
(My 'First Look' review will post if
and when I get the Heated Jacket
Liner, and have had a chance to
try it.)
(The following description is
from the Gerbing's website)
HEATED JACKET LINER
Heating pads on the chest, back,
collar, and sleeves
Compressible, water-repellent,
durable, Thinsulate® insulation
Teflon® coated, wind-resistant,
soft nylon shell
Inside and outside pockets
Silky soft micro denier collar
Form-fitting patterns and sizing
to fit snugly and easily under
your outer garments
Glove plug pockets placed on
the sleeves secure the plugs
when not in use
Power Distribution Unit
eliminates dangling cords
Dual 2 wiring configuration
(for one user only)
Lifetime warranty on
heating elements
Specifications
Heat____GHC High Density Heat
Source:___________12-volts DC
Current:_____________6.4 amps
Watts:_______________77 watts
Surface Temp:____135°F +/- 5°F
at 32°F
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Gerbing's Heated
Jacket Liner
DUI Lawyer
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