1. Motorcycle Helmets. This one item is too important to not be at the top of any gift list. A good helmet is literally the difference between life and death. Helmets come in various styles and prices but make sure to get one that is DOT approved. Helmets can be as inexpensive as less than $100 all the way up to over $800.

2. Leathers. A set of leathers can consist of pants and a motorcycle jacket or it can be more racing oriented with protection sewn in at the most vulnerable spots like the elbows, shoulders, and knees. No matter which option you choose this is a great choice for anyone who is an avid rider. It will keep them safe and they can look cool at the same time!

3. Motorcycle luggage. You have quite a few choices when it comes to luggage for your bike. You can get saddlebags that hang over the back fender, these can be permanently attached or just slung under the back seat and easily taken off when you need to. Or you can get sissy bar bags that mount right on your sissy bar. And last, but not least, you can get tank bags…pretty self explanatory! They come in either leather or man made materials and the prices can vary significantly depending on what type you get, but for a whole set you will most likely spend over $100.

If you’re making your list and checking it twice you might want to add some of these items to it. Of course, there are many other great gift ideas for the rider in your life, but hopefully you can use this list as a starting point. No matter what item (s) you choose, the biker in your life will love you for it!

The Red Bull Indianapolis GP is destined to be an event filled with memorable pageantry and excitement. This will be the first time that the MotoGP will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the first motorcycle race at this famous racing facility in 99 years.

Photo courtesy of Red Bull Indianapolis GP

With the world’s greatest motorcycle riders reaching speeds of 200 mph, this is one event that defines the phrase “the need for speed.”

Speedy action is needed to support the research to find the cause and cure for brain tumors in children. And the proceeds from “Lap of Champions” fundraiser will  help fill this great need as well.

Donations start at $100 for a single ride pass and $425 donations included MotoGP passes for two and motorcycle parking. Participants in the Lap of Champions will also be eligible for prizes after the ride, but you must be present to win at the drawing. Prizes include:

• AGV GP Tech helmet
• AGV Sport leathers
• AGV Sport boots and gloves
• Set of Dunlop tires

This event will benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. and the highest level fundraisers will receive a Aerostich Roadcrafter or Darien riding suit of their choice. Here’s your chance to be a real hero to thousands of children that the foundation assists through research and support.

Registration is limited to 250 motorcycles so follow this link to register.

Photo Courtesy of BMW Motorrad

When it comes to great motorcycles for racing and touring, BMW is a name that has gained a significant amount of respect for high performance and quality engineering. In world class events in different countries, motorcyclists are enjoying the ease of handling and control on BMW bikes.

Now these bikes are also making news for a different reason–in a promotion  to say “thanks” to the women and men in uniform. Let’s tip the hat to BMW Motorrad USA for the special purchase program that they are offering all active members of the U.S. armed forces from now until December 31st.

The promotion is geared to make it a little easier for military personnel to get in the saddle of their favorite BMW motorcycle for personal use. A great way to travel around town or across country, these bikes were made for bikers who live to ride.

Activated reservists, members of the U.S. Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard either on active duty or those who have recently completed a tour of active duty are eligible. For those who are retired service members or who have recently been discharged a Department of Defense Form 214 may be required.

Discounts vary according to the model series chosen; $250 off the F and G series, $400 off the R series and $500 off the K series (pictured on the right).

You can see the entire lineup of models at BMW Motorrad website, whether you prefer a sport, racing or touring bike the technical specs is sure to impress you.

Photo courtesy of Rockymtnmoto.com

To make your motorcycle road trip rewarding, it’s essential to plan ahead, from the route you will travel to ensuring you have the gear you need to handle any situation.

To be prepared for whatever may happen on the road, here are the final 5 essentials to complete our top ten list of must have items you should pack:

1. Roadmap: You should carry a laminated, foldable roadmap. A travel compass is also a great tool to help you get your bearings. A solid GPS system with bike mount is a good investment or a cell phone broad band Internet access to online GPS can work.
2. Security: A wheel lock, heavy chain with a lock. Make sure that the lock is long enough so it can secure both wheels to make it difficult to be rolled away. You may also want to disable your bike for an added level of protection.
3. Spare key: It’s a smart idea to carry a spare ignition key because, hey ya never know. Stow it in a ziplock plastic bag and secure it in a safe place on your bike or in your gear.
4. Motorcycle mechanics list: Check your bike thoroughly before you take off down the road and make a list of bike repair shops along your journey. Keep it in a plastic protector with your important documents.
5. Personal necessities: Power snacks like nuts and dried fruits give you long lasting energy. Decaf 5-hour Energy has B-vitamins and amino acids plus choline to enhance mental clarity.And don’t forget the toiletries; sanitary wipes, tooth brush, toothpaste and deodorant.

Photo Courtesy of Wild Wind Motorcycle Tours

Summer is winding down but there is still time to celebrate the uniqueness of the season and the joy of riding your motorcycle on the open road.

If you are looking for a special road trip you might enjoy joining the crew from Wild Wind Motorcycle Tours on a ride to the Burning Man Festival in Black Rock Desert, Nevada will be held this year from August 25 to September 1.

The 2008 art theme is “The American Dream” and this event has been called a once-in-a-lifetime, not-to-be missed experience in a location is perfect for refining your motorcycle riding skills.

Since 1986, the Burning Man Festival has been centered on the power of art.

A motorcycle is a work of art in motion: riding through the magnificent scenery of the Black Rock Desert can be truly awe-inspiring. But come prepared, the 107 degree temperature of the desert can be ruthless.

Wild Wind Motorcycle Tours is based in Arizona and offers a variety of tours to mystical and magical places in the southwest. If you want to ride the legendary Route 66 or the Grand Canyon, these are the bikers to call.

To get a taste of how the Wild, Wild West earned its name, participate in the Arizona Good Guys and Gunslingers tour to “the town to tough to die,” Tombstone, Arizona.

For those bikers who want in on the Wild Wind Motorcycle Tours fun to Burning Man Festival, don’t delay because space is limited.

If you are heading out for a long motorcycle road trip, you have to be careful in packing your gear.

You want to keep the weight low and close to the center of the bike and you also need to make sure that both sides of your saddlebags weigh approximately the same.

Secure loose items with net or stretch cord and stow your lightest gear in the rear rack and tank bag. You never know what will happen on the road, here are the first five of the top ten motorcycle road trip essentials:

1. Tool kit: Tire repair equipment, air pump, a metric hex wrench set, screwdrivers and lockable pliers, ratchet wrenches and a multi-purpose hand tool.

   For simple electrical repairs include a flashlight, rolls of duct and electrical tape, a mini voltmeter, spark plugs, wire, a wire stripper, fuses and spare bulbs.

2. Personal gear: Dress in layers to save weight, use synthetic underwear and socks for easy maintenance. A good rain suit that has reflective stripes and a mesh lining for an extra layer of protection from moisture.

   Foam ear plugs are important to use no matter how quiet your helmet may be: wind turbulence can cause hearing damage and drains your energy.

3. Identification: Make photocopies of all of your documentation: emergency contact information, driver’s license and registration, bike and health insurance and road service cards, use a plastic page cover and store in a waterproof bag.
4. Communication: Having a fully charged mobile phone along with an extra charged battery helps you stay connected and is invaluable in times of emergency.
5. First-aid: A bottle of antiseptic, pain tablets, sterile bandages and an elastic bandage for sprains.

The importance of constantly improving your riding skills cannot be overemphasized. Many bikers take the mandatory course to get their license and ride for years without taking another course.

You can always become a better rider by learning tips from professionals that can improve your ability to avoid an accident.

Defensive riding serves the same purpose as like defensive driving; it makes you less likely to have accidents. Defensive riding technique focuses on improving your ability to:

Protective and reflective motorcycle gear is a must for night riding. You should always wear:

Keep in mind that there are four steps in the response process:

1. Detection
2. Identification
3. Decision to react
4. Action

The goal is to help the driver to use less time to move through the recognition process. The question is: what’s the best way to be easily recognizable on the road? Answer: Use the colors that make drivers take evasive action.

Drivers are accustomed to seeing the colors red and white in railroad crossings. The color white is highly reflective, in fact it is five times more than red, but red is used to represent danger and signals the need to stop.

Motorcycle riders have to take road safety very seriously, especially at night when visibility is reduced. In a car dominated world, being conspicuous is not enough, you have to be easy to recognize by drivers as well.

Some bikers focus solely on making themselves visible at night; some use strobe lights on their helmets, but that doesn’t help much to make them recognizable.

A better way to use lighting to make you and your motorcycle easily recognizable is by installing LED accent lights as seen in the photo. These lights are available in several different colors specifically to highlight your bike on a night road. Check out the details at De-Luxcycle

Night riding can be dangerously deceptive: in the dark, what you might think is two motorcycles could actually be the headlights of an oncoming truck: the result of that false judgment would not be pretty.

It is not size that matters on the road, it is providing accurate information to drivers that make the difference. Reflective markings have been proven to provide more safety because it eliminates confusion: it allows the biker to be easily recognized.

When a bike and a car are both in motion, every second counts and the less time used in the process of identification, the more time there is to avoid danger. In the next article we will look at the recognition process and how to make it work for you to keep you safe while riding your bike at night.