Filed Under (Riding Apparel) by Anthony StClair on 14-04-2009
Filed Under (Riding Apparel) by Anthony StClair on 26-11-2008
In many states, children can ride in sidecar motorcycles. But where do you get safety gear, such as helmets, for kids?
Anybody got any suggestions on gear for a 6 year old? My nephew needs a little adventure in his life
Follow the whole discussion: Soviet Steeds - Gear for the kid?
Filed Under (Riding Apparel) by Anthony StClair on 13-11-2008
If you aren’t already familiar with the handy ADV Rider motorcycle message boards, go sign up. And then, order yourself an ADV sticker for your helmet or motorcycle. A wide range of patches, stickers and iron-on patches is available for the motorcyclist. While you’re at it, also be sure to check out the Hacks section on ADV — it’s their special area solely for sidecar rigs.
Now, I love the internet, and I love shopping online, but I also love having a reliable local shop for motorcycle apparel, parts and gear. Eugene has an excellent shop, called Discount Motorcycle Parts. Husband-and-wife team Steve and Annette have run the store for over 15 years, and provide a solid, well-priced selection of everything from riding jackets and saddlebags, to mirrors and battery tenders.
Some of the motorcycle equipment Jodie and I have purchased here (so far) includes…
- Jodie’s Tourmaster Trinity Jacket
- Both our HJC CL-15 helmets (and Jodie’s “Foxy Rider” helmet sticker)
- Battery Tender
- Jodie’s leather riding gloves
Discount Motorcycle Parts
“For women who ride”
Indeed – and for women who ride, but aren’t necessarily out for the leather look, Tourmaster’s Ladie’s Trinity Motorcycle Jacket is a great jacket to wear. Especially in a sidecar.
Jodie’s light blue Tourmaster Trinity came as a Christmas present from me. I’d found the jacket at Eugene’s Discount Motorcycle Parts (just off West 11th at Tyinn), and liked the color (perfect for Jodie) as well as the zip-out insulating liner and the removable armor. To top it off, the jacket was also on sale for $110, a quite reasonable price for a durable motorcycle jacket.
About the Women’s Tourmaster Trinity Motorcycle Jacket
Here are some features and specifications from the manufacturer’s website:
The 400 Denier Nylon Dobby 3/4 length shell combines with a Rainguard® waterproof/ breathable barrier for a garment that protects from the road and rain- The collar features a soft, microfiber relief panel
- Zippered chest vents, sleeve vents and rear exit vents provide flow-through ventilation
- Two-way main zipper closure with dual wind flap seals out the elements
- Phoslite™® sleeve piping and Tour Master’s signature reflective rear triangle help increase nighttime visibility
- The Microfiber lined collar and cuffs are soft yet durable
- Collar anchor snap eliminates flapping while the collar is open
- Adjustable sleeve take-up straps at the forearm and bicep help secure elbow armor and material
- Removable, CE-approved armor at the elbow and shoulder with an articulated Triple Density back protector
- Tour Master’s Ladies Z.O.Q. (Zip-Out Quilted) Liner features a comfortable iridescent taffeta liner
- Zippered chest map pocket, hand warmer pockets, internal pouch pocket and mobile media pocket
- Adjustable waist belts, with TPR pulls help to fine tune the fit
- Includes a jacket/pant zipper attachment with the pant side included
- Available colors: Black, Light Blue, Silver, Pink
- Available Ladies sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Jodie in her jacket
I have to say, Jodie looks good in her jacket. No, strike that. Jodie looks pretty damn hot. It’s a lot of fun to ride around in Svetlana, with Jodie sitting there in her blue jacket, returning waves and grinning big. She likes her jacket a lot, both for its warmth and versatility, and how comfortable it fits her. It’s been a good pick for her, and it just may be for you (or your riding lady) too.
More online: Tourmaster’s Ladie’s Trinity Motorcycle Jacket »
Filed Under (Riding Apparel) by Anthony StClair on 16-10-2008
Looking for some good Ural schwag? Metro Racing has you sorted out. From “Ural Parking Only” signs to Ural t-shirts, these guys have some great stuff that just might have to wind up in my closet and garage.
Also available from Metro Racing:
It occurs to me that Ural schwag is not yet the easiest to find. Over time, hopefully that will improve. If you know of a good shop for Ural apparel and what-not, please send it along, and I’ll start up a “Clothing and Accessories” section (or something like that) in Ural Resources.
While Ride Three has a pretty extensive area devoted to resources about sidecar motorcycles, I thought there should be a quick something that highlights great sidecar motorcycle resources in Oregon, specifically Eugene. If you live in Eugene and are considering a sidecar motorcycle, these can help:
- Ural Dealership (sales and service): Raceway Services, Salem, Oregon (where I purchased my Ural and also took it for its 500km service)
- Manufacturer: IMZ-Ural (corporate headquarters in Seattle, factory in Irbit, Siberia, Russia)
- Motorcycle Apparel, Parts and Accessories: Discount Motorcycle Parts, 995 Tyinn St. #7, Eugene, Oregon (great prices and selection on riding apparel and accessories; so far we’ve gotten gloves, Jodie’s riding jacket and a Battery Tender there. Steve and Annette are long-time owners, knowledgeable, and great to talk with.)
- Sidecar Motorcycle Training: Adventure Sidecar, Hood River, Oregon. (Before you plunk down a few grand on a sidecar motorcycle, first you want to make sure that this is really for you. Vernon Wade’s 3-day class gives you classroom and practical experience. Trust me – by the time you’re done with the course, you’ll know if sidecars are for you.)
- Other Sidecar Motorcycle Owners: This last isn’t Oregon-specific, but the many sidecar message boards out there are one of your best resources for learning more about sidecar motorcycles.
What’d I miss? I’m still pretty new to motorcycling, and am sure there are plenty of great places and folks out there who are great resources for motorcyclists. Let me know what I missed, and I’ll add that resource to Ride Three.
Filed Under (Riding Apparel) by Anthony StClair on 04-08-2008
Not an easy question, and one whose answers are entirely subjective. Some people swear by leather; some swear by synthetics. Others decry anything other than a t-shirt.
In our household, I wear a leather jacket, and Jodie has a lady’s Tourmaster Trinity (which I still need to finish up a post on). Soviet Steeds has a great, in-depth discussion on the topic of motorcycle jackets though, that can be of help to anyone trying to decide what type of motorcycle jacket they should get and wear:
In the interest of wearing a jacket while riding, I have my old leather jacket that really needs to be retired and I need to find something new. So, what do you all wear? Wear do you shop? What should I look for in a jacket? Fitting? Comfort (summer vs. winter)? Leather vs. that other stuff?
Follow the whole discussion: Soviet Steeds - What shall I wear?
Filed Under (Riding Apparel) by Anthony StClair on 26-06-2008
I’m a big fan of my Air Vent Leather Motorcycle Jacket, from Taylors Leatherwear in Tennessee. With a comfortable fit and a stylish look, I’ve really been enjoying my jacket (as has a fellow reader and sidecarist who recently bought the same model — happy riding, Martin!).
In addition to the Air Vent Jacket, Taylors has a range of leather jackets. As a company who caters mainly to law enforcement, Taylors produces a high-quality, durable coat that just looks sharp. Not all jackets are motorcycle-specific, but all are worth a look, in part because of the range of styles.
Taylors used to sell online as well, but it looks like they’ve discontinued their online shop and are now directing customers to their dealer network. (Disclosure: I work for one of their distributors, but my job and Ride Three are not affiliated.)
Check out Taylors Leatherwear Jackets»
Over the past few days, Ella has been getting used to wearing her black Doggles Dog Goggles.
This hasn’t always been easy.
Read the rest of this entry »
