Harley motorcycle parts

Where do you get a good quality Harley Davidson Part? Can I use an aftermarket part?

These questions are not easy to answer. It depends a lot on your situation, part you're looking for, and the money you want to spend.

The bottom line you have to decide.

I have a little information here that may be useful to you, so keep reading!

An OEM part versus an aftermarket part.

An OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part are of course the genuine Harley Davidson Part you would find at an authorized Harley dealer.

These parts are original in that they have the exact same specifications that came with the original part.

These parts however many not have been manufactured by Harley Davidson themselves (at their physical location). Harley may get another company to manufacture these parts to Harley specs, and then they will sell them in the Harley box as OEM.

OEM parts are generally more expensive, and almost always recommended by the dealer. (They make their money by selling parts not bikes)

The dealer will most likely tell you that OEM parts are of a higher quality. This may or may not be true.

An Aftermarket part should perform as well as an OEM but take note. These parts were made by a company other than the original manufacturer.

Sometimes after a certain time period the original manufacturer of a part will allow the company that physically manufactured the part to sell it at a reduced price and in their own packaging. The part now becomes an OEM aftermarket part.

Normally after a certain period of time, the manufacturer will allow the company that originally designed/produced the part to sell it in their own box at a considerably lower cost, making it: an Aftermarket OEM part

So what does this tell you about that Harley Davidson Part that you need?

If you cannot find the quality in an aftermarket part, then search for the OEM provided it is in your price range.

There is a lot of competition out there between vendors who want your dollar. An aftermarket Harley part, for your Harley Davidson are generally of good to excellent quality.

Triumph motorcycle

Where were you in 1967? Still in high school, Nam, or straddling a Triumph Motorcycle? Even before that point in time, Triumph Motorcycles was synonymous with distinguishing characteristic, power, looks with motorcycle production whose designs were second to none.

Today they haven't lost that touch and if you desire they are still producing a rocket between your legs. The inspiration and manufacturing fascination that gave birth to the iconic Triumph Bonneville, the motorcycle to end all motorcycles of the wild 60’s has designed the eye-catching Rocket III and the instantly recognizable, unmistakable Speed Triple.

From day one, the soul of Triumph's beliefs has always been a solid pledge to designing and producing truly only one of its kind motorcycles that combine stunning, distinguishing looks, but also blow your socks off performance. Triumph motorcycles has always provided that special experience by engineering motorcycles that combine a immense riding experience blended by a well-balanced, straightforward perfect handling chassis mounted with a strong muscular, supple get behind me engines. With this winning combination, it results in an inspirational line of motorcycles combining intelligent design with unbelievable performance.

When occasionally my mind works, I can remember from the 60's the status of Triumph as being a hold on to your britches bike. I can still see vividly in my eye's mind, this scrawny dude with this mammoth Triumph having to scramble up on his seat and then jump down on the kick start because he didn't have sufficient strength to transport the engine to life. I was amused at this funny site but when that Triumph fired up, the hilarity turned toward envy because he owned a Triumph and I did not.

The Triumph Bonneville was announced as the end of all end motorcycles when it was introduced. To own a Bonneville meant you were predestined to never owning another motorcycle again. The reputation was very well earned. A few years later out Triumph introduce the Norton and guess what, you needed it, and no you had to have it. So much for being predestined!

Triumph motorcycles are rich in history. They supported the war effort during the big WWI and WWII. Their bikes were made famous during the war times. Remember all the war movies that had a soldier riding a motorcycle? Chances are, it was probably a Triumph. Once the war was over, the former field soldiers in England and America wanted to own one of these impressive machines.

Custom motorcycles

Custom mirrors give your bike an instant make over. They also make driving safer since they provide a good view of the traffic coming from behind. There are scores of bike mirrors available in the market today. This makes the right choice difficult. Still, you should spend some time researching the mirror that suits your bike most. Here is a short review of seven mirror brands:

1. Aeromach: Aeromach accessories are known for their radical designs and their mirrors are no different. They have six mirror styles for metric cruisers made from polished, chrome-plated billet aluminium, and feature flat glass. These mirrors are available in the standard straight arm and curvaceous sidewinder styles. They fit Buell, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Victory models.

2. Arlen Ness: Arlen Ness has a range of mirrors for all types of cruisers. It has 12 high-end billet mirror models and 13 affordably priced die-cast ones. You can get them in grooved, smooth and stepped finishes, with several different arm designs. Except for the Large CatEye and Stocker styles, these mirrors offer small viewing areas.

3. Kuryakyn: Kuryakyn's mirrors come in a range of sizes. They are solid, have a good finish, and an adequate viewing area. These mirrors are suitable for flat or drag bars, but you need to purchase mirror adapters separately to install them on metric cruisers.

4. Highway Hawk: This is a European brand distributed in North America by Hardsteen Motorsports in New Mexico. Their chrome square mirrors have ample viewing area while The Techglide range has a smaller viewing area but is both sleek and sturdy.

5. Pro-One: Pro-has a Chrome Billet Mirror Head for Yamaha's Star line. This installs easily on the stock mirror stems. You can get them in smooth or ball-milled styles.

6. Roadhouse Brand: Roadhouse has solid, one-piece aluminium, flat glass Billet Cruiser mirrors. These are available in two styles: Teardrop style with a curved short stem and the new Royal style -- a square version of the same mirror with a straight arm. Both are available in diamond, smooth or flame finish on the back. They fit Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha cruisers or standard fitment American bikes. But do specify your bike model when ordering.

Motorcycle tires

Too many queries are made and we need real answers. In motorcycles, overwhelming questions are given especially on motorcycle parts. One motorcycle part that needs elucidation is tire.

Here are few of the frequently asked questions about tires:

1. Why are new tires better?

First, new tires are better because it is organic and it decomposes. Second because the older the tire gets, the more it is exposed to outgassing. Outgassing makes the tire brittle.

2. What’s the right tire age?

In essence, the principle is the newer the tire the better. However, to make a tire last longer the tire’s age is of lesser importance. But be careful not to buy tires which are over six or seven years old. You will be able to know their date of manufacturing by searching for the three or four-digit number stamped in the tire’s sidewall. For instance, 2101 stands for 21st week of 2001 - which is its manufacturing date.

3. What are size and pressure?

Run the bike in the recommended tire pressure. It is so simple. You just have to stick to the manufacturers guidelines. That is the safest and the best thing that you can do. Nevertheless, you can have some deviations depending on your desired performance. Moreover, you have to check tire pressure regularly.

4. What will I do in case of a flat tire?

Motorcycle tires swerve from more directions. Unlike car tires, motorcycle tire has only the other tire to prevent it from falling. Thus, the best thing to do in case of a flat tire is to replace it and not just plug it.

5. When is there a need for replacement?

It depends. Front tires may still shot even when there is still ample rubber. In fact, they may still look good even if they have gone through considerable heat cycles. They can also cup or scallop when already having uneven surface. This is the best time to replace them.

6. When to buy a tire?

Buying tires must be made at reputable motorcycle stores. These stores have already established their names and services. You can also order online. But this remedy is a gamble because it will not guarantee that you will be getting newly manufactured tires. When you buy tires personally, you have the opportunity to choose the freshest tire in the store. You also have the chance to compare prices and quality.

Saddlebags for motorcycles

The market for hard saddlebags may have shrunk but there are still some manufacturers who continue to manufacture stylish bags. These manufacturers even offer matching brackets so that you can install the saddlebag with ease.

If you are looking for a hard saddlebag then you should look for three features: the bags should be waterproof, should be lockable and detachable. You should also be careful about the size of the bag. Often, the size may be misleading. This is because the hard bags, unlike soft bags, are not expandable, and have stiff internal lining that reduces storage area.

Here is a brief outline of hard saddlebags:

1. AUBURN LEATHER LEGEND BAGS: These bags come in two styles: bolt-on and throw-over, and are made of black American cowhide. They are classy looking with lock-stitched and stress-riveted seams and zinc-plated steel rivets. They have a hard back and their interiors are reinforced with ABS and HDPE plastic. The size of these bags is 12 inches by 13.5 inches by 6 inches.

2. BOSS BAGS: The Boss Bags are made of premium leather with heavy plastic reinforcing in the interiors. They are available in plain black leather or with trimmings. They have lockable lids and quick-release buckle straps. Each bag comes with a fiberglass mounting system.

3. PATRIOT HARDBAGS: These bags are known for their sleek styling and high-quality fit. They are 26 inches by 9.5 inches by 14.5 inches with a 35-liter capacity. Their side-mounting units are made of fiberglass. An additional feature is a watertight gasket seal that keeps rain water from entering.

4. CORBIN BEETLE BAGS: These bags are made according to the shape of motorcycles. This gives them a unique fit, and look. They are made of Fibertech and have a smooth finish. Their sizes may vary but their capacity is around 30 liters per bag.

5. GIVI LUGGAGE CRUISER: Givi’s bags, also known as Cruiser bags, are made of polypropelene. They are 16.7 inches by 13.7 inches by 7.7 inches with a capacity of 21 liters. They have side-mounting units and are sold as a pair. They are very light and come in a variety of finishes.

6. NATIONAL CYCLE CRUISELINER SADDLEBAGS: These bags are made from a high-density polymer that makes them dent-resistant. They normally have high-gloss black finish, but custom color matching is also possible. The size of these bags is 24.5 inches by 14 inches by 7.5 inches.

Aftermarket motorcycle parts

If you happen to have a cruiser that does not come with a tachometer then it might be a wise investment to find an aftermarket tach that will allow you to see at what RPM your motor revs when you are going down the road. A good tach is definitely a must for anyone that rides it like they stole it. I have always ridden one of my bikes by feel but when I actually installed a digital tachometer it was nice to see the rpms. Besides the fact that I bought a billet aluminum bullet tach that looks really nice on the bike. Billet tachometers are a great way to customize your bike and actually add a functional piece of equipment to your ride as well. Also some fo your nicer bullet motorcycle gauges have a speedometer as well as a temperature function.

Dakota Digital makes a digital gauge for motor cycles that is both a speedometer and a tachometer. Not just that its also a bullet tach so it will fit nicely on most cruisers and provide a more custom streamline look to your ride. If you are working on a project or a custom chopper Dakota Digital motorcycle gauges are a perfect fit for customizing the bike as well as adding needed functionality. These gauges come in a variety of applications and can be easily installed. For example the Dakota digital 3015 is a 3 38" bullet style gauge that is a speedometer and a tach. It has many features and settings like a odometer with resettable trip meter, choose from

several settings: speedometer only, speedometer with odometer and trip meter, or speedometer with bar / graph tachometer. A user friendly interface easily allows you to configure these gauges as needed. Another one of their motorcycle gauges is the 300 series which allows for several display options including voltmeter, oil pressure, water temp or oil temperature as well as fuel level or air pressure readings. Of all the motorcycle gauges available this company has many great multifunctional units available including a speedometer function.

If you prefer a analog tach which is more along the lines of the old school motorcycle gauges. Pro1 makes some really nice analog tachometers. ProOne has several tach's that are made from billet aluminum which is then chrome plated for a quality finish. One of their gauges also has a built in 4 inch riser. Most of what Pro1 offers is a tach that directly replaces the original handlebar clamp which combines the clamp with a analog tach which makes it easy to install on your bike. Most of the tachometers available thru this manufacturer come with installation instructions and are easily installed.
So really when it comes to choosing a motorcycle speedometer, tachometer or any sort of gauge it becomes a matter of how you want to customize your cruiser. Of course tach's for sport bikes are also available but those are generally installed in to the dash of the sportbike. Autometer makes a great tach for sport bikes.

Motorcycle clothing

Everything that goes in the name of protective gear may not necessarily be as safe as the claims may be. In Europe, for example, apparel has to undergo a series of lengthy tests to qualify as safety clothing. These include abrasion, tearing and impact tests. If they are passed they are CR certified. In the US, where there are no such tests all riders should acquire a set of motorcycle protective clothing by keeping the following points in mind:

1. Wear a sturdy pair of high boots and protective pants. Your pants should be reinforced at the knees and hips and the boots should be made of thick leather with flexible sole.

2. Traditional motorcycle gear has been made of leather, but thick nylon and other synthetic material are good too. If you must wear jeans wear Kevlar ones; they are more abrasion resistant. The same goes for jackets too. If it is made of leather make sure the leather is thick and the jacket’s elbows and shoulders are reinforced. Some impact protection would be ideal.

3. Get yourself a decent pair of gloves with reinforced palm patches. This is absolutely essential because palms get terribly bruised during a fall. Knitted Kevlar is a very good choice; reinforced leather works well too.

4. Wear impact protection gear. They are available separately. You can also go for motorcycle clothing with a degree of impact protection built in. This way whenever you wear clothes you have at least a degree of protection.

5. Choose the right helmet. This is absolutely imperative. The helmet is the most important protective gear that you can have, never get on to the bike without it.

At the minimum, when you are on your bike you must have the following:

a. Helmet: Make sure it is DOT certified, and fits your head snugly.

b. Eye Protection: A full-face shield, three-quarter helmet, goggles, or close-fitting eyeglasses should be used to provide adequate protection to the eye.

c. Gloves: Since we reflexively put our hands out while falling, the palms are likely to get bruised unless there is protective covering on them. This is why gloves are so important.

d. Jacket: Jackets protect the bikers against the elements and also provide some impact absorption on falling.

e. Long trousers: Long trousers can protect your legs against insects, bugs and highway debris. They also provide some impact protection against falls.

Motorcycle dealers

Motorcycle dealers are always on top of the market because of their product’s affordability.

The reputed motorcycle dealers in the United States are discussed below regarding their origin and why they are on top.

1. Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson, popularly known as a Harley, is an American manufacturer that is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They sell heavy weight bikes of over 750 cc because they are designed for cruising on the highway.

The company’s logo licensing will account for the company’s 5% net revenue that was actually estimated to be about $41 million just for last 2004 alone. William S. Harley first drew up the plans in 1901, at the age of 21 years. Thus, this engine was specifically designed for usage within a regular type of “pedal- bicycle frame”.

Moreover, over the succeeding two years, Harley together with Arthur Davidson, his childhood buddy, went to work on this motor-bicycle only with the use of a machine shop situated at the house of their friend.

It was then finished in the year 1903. This was with the assistance of Walter Davidson, Arthur’s brother. When they completed their so-called “power cycle” without the help of pedals, they quickly rode off their first motor experiment. Yet, the original Harley-Davidson type of motorcycle possessed a larger engine, which was estimated to about 24.74 cu. inches with a 9 ¾-inch flywheels and weighs 28 pounds.

In 1906, the company built their first factory on Chestnut Street, where in, 50 motorcycles were produced. In 1907, Harley graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. By the year 1920, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Dealers in 67 countries sold their bikes and it can produce about 28,189 machines.

Furthermore, an association was established in 1983. This is in response to the growing breed of motor riders that believes in an organized way of sharing their passion and showing their pride. In 1991, H.O.G. went international with the first official European H.O.G. Today, more than 1400 chapters worldwide make H.O.G. In fact, it is considered as the biggest factory-sponsored motorcycle organization in the world and it even comes hand in hand with being the number one manufacturer in the world.

2. Ducati

Ducati’s headquarters is situated in Bologna, Italy. They gained their name in motorcycle racing and in the motorcycle industry as well. In the 1960’s, Ducati’s history started by having the then fastest ever regarded 250cc “road bike” available, the acclaimed Mach 1.

Hence, in the 1970’s they started producing their huge “displacement L-twin motorcycles”. Then, in 1973, it released the desmodromic trademarked valve design. Hence, Ducati is well known for their high performance bikes that are characterized by a large capacity four-stroke, 90-degree L-twin engines, and having the desmodromic valve.

Cheap motorcycle

A cheap motorcycle helmet doesn’t have to be inferior to the more expensive ones. It is just a matter of looking for what kind of motorcycle helmets would work best for you. There are cheap motorcycle helmets that can perform just as well as the most popular brands out there. In order to look for them, you should be able to know how to find those helmets and what features and qualities to look for.

One of the most important features that you should look for in looking for a cheap motorcycle helmet is the comfort that it provides. The motorcycle helmet can either make or break your riding experience. An uncomfortable helmet can make any ride an agonizing experience. Helmet comfort is difficult to determine right away. In order to make your search easier, try checking out cheap but recognizable brands which are generally the most comfortable.

Check out also the soft rubber padding touching your head as well as the solid seal around the ears. Check out also the neck roll which cradles the back of your head and neck. When trying out a cheap motorcycle helmet, make sure that it snugly fits into your head without being too constricting. But also make sure that it isn’t loose enough to shift about your head.

Another feature that you should look for in a cheap motorcycle helmet is the level of safety that it can provide. The best motorcycle helmets are those that provide the most protection. In finding the best helmet for you, check for the fit as well as the interior padding that can provide you with the protection that you need. See to it that these interior pads can help provide the amount of safety and protection that you are looking for as well as comfort.

Try also checking out the helmets chin strap which must reach around your and under your chin comfortably and securely so that the helmet would not shift about unnecessarily. Make sure that your helmet is also the best fitted for you by wearing it yourself. A good fit should mean a helmet that is settled low on the forehead and just above your eyebrows.

Motorcycle luggage

For many of you who love travel by motorcycle may absolutely understand the importance of motorcycle luggage which makes you a lot comfortable during the trip. Travel by motorcycle is completely different from travel by any other kind of transportation. This is because you will have very limited space to keep travel luggage as well as you need some kind of extra security to make sure that luggage will not be lost when you carry them and ride motorcycle. According to reason described above, now there are luggage that specially made only for motorcycle trips. Of course you need this kind of luggage to keep the personal things in a safe and comfort.

Motorcycle luggage today is not only limited on one or two function and design, but there are hundreds of them available for you to choose from. They are available in both hard case and soft case materials. Generally, you may find that hard material is usually more expensive than the soft luggage. Even though the soft motorcycle luggage may cheaper than the hard type, but soft luggage also has limited space and capacity. They may be suitable for some of you who has not many stuff to carry and has limited budget. But for those who may be able to afford hard luggage and bigger luggage, you may buy hard luggage as they can serve you needs very well in a long run. The most common type of motorcycle luggage are tank luggage, side luggage, roll-tool bags and cruiser cases.

When choosing motorcycle luggage, there are some key criteria that you need to consider. One is you need to decide about the size and capacity that you need. This is very important factor, because it relates to the budget. Choosing as large as you budget can afford to make sure that you gain maximum value of money. The second thing is you have to know what kind of motorcycle that you have whether it could support which kind of motorcycle luggage it should fit perfectly with the type of the luggage so you can use it effective. In may case I found that there are many people who just bought the motorcycle luggage that could not be used with the bike and they have to ask for refund. However, the motorcycle luggage available today, most of them can be fit to any type of motorcycle so you may do not have to worry about this too much, but just to make sure that the luggage could be fully fix to the bike and locked securely. The last criteria that you have to consider are whether the luggage that you buy is easy to install. This is because sometimes installation can cause trouble and take a lot of time to complete if you choose the type that not easy to install.

Generally, motorcycle luggage require very low care and maintenance but you still have to look after them from time to time, especially if you have leather motorcycle luggage, which you have to keep them away from chemicals and scratch and you have to polish the surface sometimes. If you have luggage that made from other material, then you can rest assure that they require much less care than leather and this is strongly suggest having ones.

Motorcycle exhaust

One of the first things most riders do when they first purchase a bike is change out the stock exhaust system with an aftermarket motorcycle exhaust. If you have a sport bike you may just opt for some slip-ons. A cruiser will usually require a full exhaust system. The benefits of aftermarket systems is an increase in power as well as that it will improve the sound of the bike. When you get your bike from the factory the baffles usually restrict the sound of your bike so much that it can be barely herd as well as restrictions in exhaust flow are in place which restrict the horse power. The other most significant factor especially on sport bikes is the weight reduction a full race exhaust system can offer.

If you are the proud owner of a Cruiser you are most likely to replace the stock exhaust system with an aftermarket system. Their are many manufacturers available for cruisers. Cobra, Vance and Hines and Samson are just a few. Most of these will reduce the weight of the stock exhaust system by about 15 pounds, increase the performance of the bike and will make it louder. A new system will run somewhere between 300 to over 1000 dollars depending on the system you choose. Cobra makes some nice exhaust systems at a very affordable price. If you have a V-Twin whether its a American or metric bike a new motorcycle exhaust will make the bike sounds ten times better then any stock exhaust. If you do decide to drop the OEM pipes and go with an aftermarket system you will need to adjust your carburetor or have someone remap your fuel injection system in order to accommodate the new pipes. If you do not you will find that the bike will not perform properly or it may even cause engine damage. If you have a fuel injected bike you will likely need to buy a power commander to make the adjustments needed to accommodate the new exhaust. When figuring out the cost of getting a system make sure you figure this in to the equation. I recommend that you have the system installed and the bike tuned by a reputable motorcycle shop.

OEM Exhaust Systems on Sport Bikes have become fairly decent, however many restrictions are still put in to the OEM systems due to laws that have been passed. For a sport bike you will tend to have a choice of just replacing the Cans or replacing the whole exhaust system. This is really a matter of how deep you want to get in to it. Re tuning is going to be needed either way, the only real question is if you want to spend a few hundred bucks or a thousand or so. Usually their is significant weight reduction by going with a full system replacement versus just the slip-ons. The Slip-ons are the cheaper way to go and still get the most bang for your buck. You

will definitely need to get a power commander to remap the fuel injection. A lot of the newer liter bikes that are coming out already have a full titanium exhaust system on them so all you need is to replace the cans to take out the restrictions. Their are lots of manufacturers to choose from when picking a aftermarket exhaust for a sport bike. Here are a few: Cobra, Vance and Hines, Two Brothers, Yoshimura, Jardine to name a few. Choosing one is just a matter of taste.

motorcycle saddlebags

Riding a motorcycle these days is not only fun but with today's gas prices it is also quite economical. The only problem with riding a bike is that their is a serious lack of storage unless you happen to have a Goldwing or maybe a Harley Dresser youre going to need some saddlebags or some sort of tank bag to carry your stuff in. Their are ups and downs to both choices and some of it also depends on your motorcycle. If you have a cruiser your ideal choice is probably some sort of saddlebags or luggage type bags. For Sport Bikes the easy answer is likely to be a tank bag.

If you have a cruiser choosing a saddlebag for your ride is really a matter of taste. Their are so many too choose from its not even funny. Motorcycle saddlebags come in a variety of styles. Most are made of some type of leather or a synthetic material. Modern Saddlebags generally have a hard case liner in side which keeps the shape of the bag. When choosing a saddle bag it is best to choose something that will look good on your motorcycle. If you get something you don't like you are not as likely to use it. Bags come with studs and fringes and even locks if you want. You can choose from either permanently mounted saddle bags or ones that can easily come off the bike. I recommend you get some that can be removed easily so they can be carried in with you if you are planning to ride your bike to work or some other place where you will be away from the bike for a while. Most motorcycle saddle bags can be removed easily and put back on just as quickly. If you decide on some that mount permanently make sure they lock. Some of your more popular saddlebag makers are Saddlemen, Saddle Stow, Willie and

Max, Ace, and ZR. Their are more brands than these but these are the major manufacturers for motorcycle saddlebags. Most of these are easily mounted and come with all the necessary hardware. Also T-Bags makes some really nice Sissy Bar Bags that have a decent amount of storage space. T-Bags also makes motorcycle luggage to fit most cruisers as well as sport bikes.

For sport bike riders the preference tends to be a tank bag. Since saddlebags tend to lean more towards the classic look they aren't to appealing to riders of sport bikes. Tank Bags are actually a great alternative to saddlebags, most are expandable and can carry quite a bit of stuff as wells as that most tank bags have side pockets for extra storage. Most tank bags use a magnetic mounting system in combination with a strap that ties of to the steering head of the bike. This makes it really easy to pull the tank bag of and on with out it being a big pain. This makes it easy to take off the bike and carry with you if you plan on being away from the bike for a while. Most of these bags also have a carrying handle which makes it even easier for you to carry the bag

with you. Their are a lot of different tank bag sizes available so it is important to pick a size the will suit your needs. I recommend one that is expandable which will allow you to make it compact or expand it for more capacity when needed. Also when picking a tank bag you want to pick one that is water resistant in case you get caught in a down pour. Most tank bags are either made from water resistant material or come with a built in rain cover.

Custom motorcycle

If you are looking for a custom motorcycle helmet, there are many shops that can make one for you. There are a lot of motorcycle helmets you can choose from. With many designs and makers to choose from, you would surely have your hands full finding one that you will like. Different designs offer different levels of comfort and styling. There are different types of motorcycle helmets available for different types of rides.

One of the more common motorcycle helmet types is the full face helmet. This type of motorcycle helmet covers the whole head and provides the most extensive head protection to the rider. A rear extension of this type of helmet covers the base of the skull while the front tries to protect the chin. A plastic face shield allows protection to the eyes and nose and provides access to the face if pushed up. Riders would usually experience of heat, claustrophobic sensation and reduced hearing while using the full face motorcycle helmet.

Then there is the ¾ motorcycle helmet, also known as the open face helmet. This type of helmet, just like the full face helmet, covers the back of the skull but gets rid of the lower chin armor and face shield in order to provide better airflow, hearing and peripheral vision. As added protection, most open face helmets are equipped with visors that help block out sunlight. For the eyes, it is always recommended to use goggles or wrap around sunglasses as a means of protection.

There is also the half helmet that would give you the most minimum coverage allowed by motorcycle helmet law. This type of helmet has the same front design as the open face helmet but with a cropped rear portion. The use of goggles and sunglasses can provide additional protection to the rider, just like the open face helmet. Before buying this kind of helmet, make sure that it meets the government standard for motorcycle helmet safety.

But if among the hundreds of motorcycle helmet designs available do not have the features that you want, you can have one custom made just for you. Custom made motorcycle helmets are for those with special needs. They are for people who look for a unique type of helmet in terms of design or shape.

Motorcycle touring

While not a particular style in its own right, the motorcycle touring jacket rather encompasses all styles, and is designed for the long haul with the comfort and protection of the rider as the first and foremost priority.

As such, you will find traditional touring jackets, touring scooter jackets, cruiser styles, and even well armored racing style jackets all made from the finest of leathers and the best craftsmanship.

The touring jacket concept assumes that the rider will be spending long hours on the road, perhaps up to eight or more, and rightly deserves to be as comfortable as possible. Being exposed to the elements for such lengthy stretches of time also necessitates the use of the best of material for comfort and safety.

For these reasons, a good leather touring jacket will usually be offered in top or full grain naked buffalo or cowhide, and can reach thicknesses of up to 2mm.

The importance of a good, thick leather jacket cannot be overemphasized in the case of an unintended slide across an asphalt road, and for safety reasons, touring jackets will often be offered with a matching pair of chaps. Because of the quality of design and material used, a good touring jacket will obviously be on the high end of the price range, and will often be adorned with braiding, Conchos and other forms of decorative craftsmanship.

Of course, the individual tourer has all the options available with all styles of motorcycle jackets, and can choose according to the conditions the rider expects to be touring in. It is a given that any upper range touring jacket will start with a zip out lining, so choose a jacket with plenty of vents for warmer climate, side laces and neck warmers for colder ones.

For your comfort and protection, many modern day touring jackets offer removable protectors at the shoulders and elbows. Look for the CE approval. Some styles even offer a built in kidney belt, a welcomed addition by anyone spending long hours on a bike.

Ease of movement is also addressed by the addition of stretch panels under the arms and/or sides. Also look for stretch material in your touring chaps or pants. Sudden movements and quick reaction to events on the road should not be impeded by your touring apparel.

Just as any style of motorcycle jacket can be called a touring jacket, so can they be offered in lesser grades of leather such as top grain, or even the soft light weight leathers of lambskin, sheep or goat. For the non rider that just likes the look, this is fine. For the biker that makes shorter trips, or only rides sporadically but likes a particular touring jacket style, the less expensive grains of buffalo and cow are also perfectly suitable.

Motorcycle handlebars

One of the joys of owning your own motorcycle is the custom bits that you can use to customize the bike. Parts like Forward Controls and risers as well as handlebars can change the look of your cruiser instantly with very little investment. Also most of these mods can be done on your own. Custom forward controls are a great way to give any metric cruiser or American Road Hog a more custom chopper look. A nice set of straight bars can also give your ride a real drag bike look. especially when you combine them with a set of handle bar risers. There are several manufacturers to choose from when it comes to customizing your cruiser.

For a great set of custom motorcycle handlebars Flanders has one of the biggest selections around. This manufacturer carries anything from your classic handlebars to straight bars to ape hangers. Whatever your flavor you're likely to find custom handlebars by Flanders. Carlini Design is another quality maker of handlebars. Their selection is not as extensive as Flanders, however they make up for it with some very unique handlebars with a nice custom look. There are many more makers of handlebars but these two are the ones I am most familiar with.

Motorcycle Forward Controls are another way to take a OEM Metric Cruiser and give it a more custom chopper look. Forward controls basically take a bike with mid controls and move them to a forward position giving you a more relaxed riding position on the bike. Jardine makes some decent forward controls. forward controls and floorboards are a great way to customize your ride. You will find the riding position with forward controls to be much more comfortable then the mid position, not to mention that the forward controls look way cooler.

Risers are made by many of today's manufacturers of aftermarket motor cycle parts. Companies like Cobra, Show Chrome and Lightning Performance all make quality handlebar risers. Most of them are made of either a billet aluminum or some sort of steel which is then chrome plated for a quality finish. handlebar Risers are made in a variety of sizes usually a 1.5 to about a 5 inch riser is what is available depending on the manufacturer. Also when buying a handlebar risers be sure that you match them up correctly with the right size handle bar. the dimension of the handlebar is important. If you do not match the bars with the right riser you will have major issues with installation because the hole in the riser is designed for a specific dimension and will usually not accommodate a different dimension. Some risers also come with a rise like for example you might have a 3 inch rise and a 1 inch pullback instead of just rising straight up risers with a pullback also do just that they are designed with a bend that relocates the bar a bit closer to the tank and the rider.

Motorcycle accessories

The motorcycle industry has become a competitive market in the past decade. But now, bike owners do not just compete in who has what brand or how fast their engine goes, they spice their bad boy bikes up with several motorcycle accessories. These accessories vary from their protective gear to the gadget of their bikes, making your motorcycle a bit more of a regular motorcycle.

The most important motorcycle accessory would be the motorcycle helmet. Available in different colors, designs, forms and purpose, you can get on in your own preference. Specialized stores offer long lasting cheap motorcycle helmets that will surely fit your needs and within budget. Searching online also can help you find websites that offer you cheap motorcycle helmets. Simply type in the keywords, then you will see bunches of them. However, if you cannot find any cheap motorcycle helmets for you, then you can always get a second-hand helmet from classified ads.

You may also be looking for top quality, high end discount motorcycle helmets. Finding discount motorcycle helmets can be available at your local mall or specialty stores. The Internet also can target your options in finding discount motorcycle helmets so be sure to check it out thoroughly.

For real motorcycle enthusiasts, owning great leather motorcycle apparel can be a necessity. From a leather motorcycle jacket, leather motorcycle gloves and even a leather motorcycle pants will emphasize your image as a biker. But having leather motorcycle apparel is not the only option for you here. You will still be protecting yourself when you are hiding in the wind. So whether you have leather motorcycle appeal or not, as long as you are wearing a motorcycle jacket, motorcycle gloves and your head gear, you are guaranteed to have a safe trip.

If you are looking to gussie-up your motorcycle itself, you can look at getting motorcycle clocks, motorcycle gauges and more. Motorcycle gauges and motorcycle clocks come in several varieties from strap-ons to stick-ons. They also come in different colors and styles. So if you want to customize your bike to fit your personality, get a motorcycle gauge or motorcycle clocks. It is one of the great ways to make your bike truly yours.

Having a motorcycle is not necessarily about the speed or the brand anymore these days. Adding some of your motorcycle accessories molds the image of who you are or how you want to be seen with your motorcycle more than just motorcycle gloves or motorcycle jacket. From protective head gear to leather motorcycle apparel and general bike additions, you can customize your bike with hundreds of motorcycle accessories available for you. Moreover, you can always opt for an extensive accessory enhancement by changing the overall look of your bike. Other than just the leathers, gloves or head gear, you can replace the handlebar grips, wheels, exhaust, pedals, leather seats, luggage compartment, mirrors and tires of your preference. You may consider this as one of your important investments, so be sure you know what you looking for and decide if this will enhance your motorbike completely.