Cycle Matters "Holiday Wish List" for Motorcyclists - 2011
Cycle Matters Editors - Nov 3, 2011

Cycle Matters editorial staff selected these top 10 recommended gifts for the biker on your list who has almost everything.  These items – individually or collectively – will put a smile on any biker’s face and are sure to add value to motorcycling experiences and adventures. Recommended gifts range from $30.00 to $2,000.

Throughout the year, we watch for and review motorcycle themed products that we think will be of interest to you.  Some of these items have the distinction of making our Holiday Wish List; items we would like to receive for the holidays.  Cycle Matters is not compensated for products we recommend. Our goal is to provide you with product information you can trust. 

Making high performance 100% all American made quality pipes for bikes for 35 years!

Denis Manning has worked in the motorcycle industry for over 40 years. In his early years he worked in a motorcycle shop, employed by racer Dutch Mueller, who was also known as ‘The Flying Dutchman’. Dutch soon nicknamed Denis, BUB (‘Big Ugly Bastard’) and thus became the name behind the brand. 

Denis started BUB Enterprises in 1976 with a desire to build superior motorcycle exhaust systems. He immediately realized the need for a performance exhaust system for the very popular Triumph motorcycles of the day. Having many years of experience with the Triumph and other European brands like Norton, Moto Guzzi and others, the BUB exhaust systems soon gained the respect of the Triumph riding community as "the best pipe out there".

The same passion Denis put in designing and building some of the world’s fastest motorcycles, is reflected in the expanded collection of exhaust systems available from BUB for the Harley Davidson line of motorcycles and the Japanese cruisers. The talented crew at BUB, hand make BUB 7 and Straight 8 systems and slip-ons, Lakesters, Sidecutters, Straightaways, Boom Cans, Jug Huggers, Fishtails, M22, M23, Big Willy and 4-2 systems, with a dedication to quality that is second to none. 

The newest addition to the collection is the BUB 7 and BUB Straight 8 Catalytic Exhaust Touring Systems. These pipes meet California Emission Requirements and are EPA sound compliant in fifty states. BUB’s CAT mufflers provide the perfect balance of 50 state legal sound, outstanding performance while maintaining the tonal sound quality that you expect on a Milwaukee V Twin with BUB product installed. Mufflers are available with 1¾” inlet for stock applications which also fit our BUB Standard 1¾” True Dual headers/heatshields OR 2” inlets to be paired with BUB Stepped TD and TDX 2” headers/ heatshields.

Click here to learn more or call 1-800-934-9739 to place your order.  Mention Cycle Matters when you place your order and get 10% off.

Perhaps you’ve heard that 70% of motorcycle accidents occur in the front of a motorcycle - between 10 and 2. Unfortunately, it is the daily norm to hear of yet another fatality because another vehicle was driven into a motorcyclist’s path of travel.  

Kuryakyn has a set of lights that will increase the front facing visibility of a motorcycle beyond your comprehension! While these photos give some idea…you must see them live to believe the difference. 

Here is a description, item number and cost per item: Phase 6 LED Headlamp, 7 inch, Number 2261, $299.99; High Intensity Plus LED Passing Lamps, Number 2262 – requires 2, $219.98; and LED Halo 7 in Headlight Trim Ring, Number 7785, $89.99. The latter is more for aesthetics than anything, and therefore, not essential.   Be sure to call Kuryakyn or other supplier for the correct item number to fit the motorcycle where your purchase will be installed. You can purchase the entire set for $525.90 from Competition Accessories.  If you prefer not to purchase the Trim Ring, your total is $448.95. A small price to invest in the safety of a spouse or loved one.

3. XPEED XCF3000 Full Face Carbon Motorcycle Helmet

From the moment you pick up this XPEED motorcycle helmet, you will want to learn more about it, and you will want to seriously consider owning one. The helmet has sensible graphics – comes in multiple colors including black, is lightweight, and is unusually comfortable. These are legitimate considerations when a motorcyclist heads out for a long ride. Of course these factors must be weighed against the real purpose of a helmet: i.e., safety and head protection. All things considered, at this point in time, this is one of our favorite motorcycle helmets.  

• Full face helmet with full carbon shell
• Lightweight at 3 lbs.
• Dual-density, lightweight EPS applied
• Fog-free shield applied
• Air-channeled forehead and venturi exhaust vents
• Fully removable, washable, and sublimated liners: the liners are made of a dense, soft, and slippery material. Unlike some helmet liners, this liner does not become tacky when moist.
• Removable tool-free shield mechanism
• Removable air guide for reducing shield fogging
• Adjustable chin vent switch
• All materials meet or exceed Snell and DOT standards for construction and safety.

To learn more and find a dealer, click here. 

4. Kevlar Riding Jeans: Competition Accessories

Photo shows Kevlar install...

Kevlar Sliders...

Sliders 4.0 Kevlar Motorcycle Riding Jeans are the ultimate in cool riding apparel. These jeans look just as good off the bike as they do on while riding your bike. Sliders Kevlar 4.0 Jeans are the most protective Kevlar jeans you can get for your money, and offer the most Kevlar coverage around. Sliders Kevlar 4.0 Riding Jeans are top-quality soft denim for comfort and fit. With optional knee armor, Sliders 4.0 Kevlar Motorcycle Riding Jeans offer optimal protection and ultimate good looks in a single pair of jeans. These jeans can be purchased for $79.99. To learn more and/or to make your purchase, click here. 

5. CTEK, “the smartest battery charger in the world”

Batteries are a leading cause of failure in motorcycles, receiving less attention than they should because they are often difficult to reach.  There is a solution, and it is easy. Attach a reliable “smart” charger to your motorcycle battery anytime you are not riding or cleaning your bike. All chargers are not created equal though, so Cycle Matters reviewed a charger that is unique, very capable, reliable, and “smart.”

A “smart” charger relies on feedback from the battery to determine when to charge and in what amount.

When your batteries are fully charged, the smart charger will stop charging. If your battery starts to get too hot, the smart charger will sense the heat and turn itself off until the battery cools again. 

For $74.99, the CTEK Multi US 3300 (CTEK 3300) is a “smart” charger that can handle many vehicles including: motorcycles, cars, lawnmowers, quads, jet skis, snowmobiles, scooters, and farm tractors.

Click here for more information or to find a dealer near you. 

Traction Control Braking (TCB) is an innovative and inexpensive component that reduces wheel lock.  When installed, it automatically measures the coefficients of friction/amount of traction from the motorcycle tires’ footprint (area of the tire touching the ground) to release the wheel from the point of total lock up.  This allows the wheel increased ability to rotate for total braking control. The TCB adds a give/compressibility factor like a shock absorber inside of the brake line in your brake system. By introducing some give, the TCB allows the brake pads to float and drag over the high and low spots of the brake rotor, which helps avoid premature locking of your brakes.

The TCB Brake System is for motorcycles without anti-lock brakes (ABS), and is substantially less expensive. TCB is $79.00 per caliber.

Click here to learn more about recommendations for your motorcycle or to purchase a TCB system. 

7. Harley-Davidson Road Tech zumo GPS navigator 660 or 665

A Harley-Davidson® Road Tech™ zumo GPS navigator is a great holiday gift idea for any Harley rider. Now a limited-time rebate offer makes Harley-Davidson Road Tech zumo models an even greater value. Customers who buy a Road Tech™ zumo 660 or 665 GPS Navigator between October 15, 2011 and December 31, 2011 will be eligible for a rebate on the cost of a North America Lifetime Map Update through Garmin®, a value of up to $90. Rebate forms and program details are available at authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships.

8. Magnum Electric Horn by Rivco Products

The Magnum Electric Horn by Rivco Products, Inc. (Rivco), delivers 118 decibels at the push of a button! Serving notice; there is a motorcycle within 3 seconds or less of the operation of other motor vehicles!! This horn provides a significant advantage over stock horns in dense traffic situations.

This horn is compact, does not add clutter to your bike, but makes a big impact in any riding environment.   The Magnum Electric Horn comes in a set of two with one high note and one low note for enhanced sound quality.

In a recent social network discussion, OEM horns have been described as: useless, non-functional, and trash. Discussion participants cited maintenance issues with the OEM horns and long time motorcyclists seem resigned to the fact that the stock horn is of little value when it comes to managing traffic.

The Magnum is another great gift for the safety conscious motorcycle operator. Click here to access RIVCO Products.    

In the wake of September 11^th, 2001, the original Heroes by Michael Knepper has come to symbolize the passion that most Americans feel when contemplating that outrageous act of terrorism and the subsequent coming together of the American people. 

Limited Editions are available in three sizes for between $800 and $2000, framed or unframed, at Segal Fine Art.  Posters at $30 are also available at Art 2 Fine Art .  Most motorcyclists would be honored to display this work of art.  

An all time favorite! Motorcyclists love to get their bikes up off the ground to inspect, clean, repair, and maintain them. With Pitbull Motorcycle Lift, this can be done without worry or concern about stability of your bike while on the lift. I have not done this and probably won’t do it, but the guys at Pitbull will actually climb onto the bike while up on the lift and crawl around to challenge that stability. The bike stays put! The quality of Pitbull Motorcycle Lift has no equal as realized by 1000+ new owners each year.  When not in use, you can stand it up next to the wall in your garage and it will stand out about 8 inches from the wall. 

Click here to order a Pitbull Motorcycle Lift currently priced at $489.00.