That's because the bag's 900-denier high-density polyester outer covers a 600-denier inner laminate, so right off the bat, there's a fully waterproof compartment for sensitive electronics (perfect for cameras). That laminate also contains a slash-proof stainless steel wire mesh, and the overlapping main compartment lid could be locked closed on the bag with a brass padlock. The bag could then be locked to the bike (or other secure item) with a coated 4mm high-tensile steel cable. Convenient, padded pockets along the side allowed me to get at my smaller items easily. I secured the TailSafe easily to the rear seat of our VTX via tension-lock mounting straps with quick-release buckles. A neoprene padded bottom supplied additional protection. There's also an attachable sissybar/tail-rack sleeve, should you choose to mount it that way. A removable padded shoulder strap is included, but as the TailSafe is 16 inches long, 12 inches high and can pack 40 liters of volume, I didn't feel up to transporting it this way (though the strap converts to a carry handle, too). Reflective piping and night-glow zip pulls on the bag helped increase nighttime conspicuity.
What we dug: maximum security and waterproofness.What we didn't: large footprint, unstructured interior.
Normally your butt cries "Uncle!" after about 200 miles on a stock motorcycle seat, thanks to constant pressure from the cheap foam. But the Saddlemen Gel Riding Shorts tout its Memoflex gel padding as a solution: It's supposed to relieve the pressure points and increase blood flow. The gel felt unforgiving the first few times I rode with it, but was fairly effective after break-in-and after I got used to the disturbing feeling of hauling around a weighty lump in my ass. But the thick slab in the bottom of what's essentially a pair of bicycle shorts (made of breathable nylon and Lycra) also managed to absorb some of the vibration coming from the Harley I rode. Channels within the gel also helped keep my cheeks cool after a long ride, and the shorts fit comfortably under jeans.
What we dug: light, breathable.What we didn't: unsettling lump in pants.
Since scoring a SideWinder last year, I've stopped packing my cell phone's regular charger for road trips and have been adding juice the old-fashioned way-manually. That means plugging the device into the phone, folding out the integrated handcrank and winding 'er up for two minutes. That nets me six minutes of talk time (30 minutes of standby), with no batteries or electricity required. The savings in weight alone has been worth it-at 2.5 ounces, the SideWinder takes up barely any room in my luggage, and if I keep cranking, I can chat up my mates indefinitely. The tiny gizmo's user-friendly, too-adapters for a variety of phone models are included-and the nifty LED on top has proven bright enough to serve as a flashlight in a pinch.
What we dug: lightweight, user-friendly.What we didn't: not much!
Normally, I'm wary of communication devices for any vehicle, but Cardo's Scala Rider is a combo headset and mic that's Bluetooth-capable so you can work it wirelessly. It's designed for any style of motorcycle helmet and most Bluetooth phones. Installation took minutes, via an Allen-wrenched clamp, and the unit could be released and reattached without a trace. After pairing my phone, I could receive or reject calls by voice control. Speaker volume also adjusted automatically according to ambient noise levels, though this was spotty on a cruiser with an open-face helmet. The wind-resistant microphone worked at high speeds, though less effectively than at 35 mph. The large control button allows easy access, and the unit gives a hefty seven hours of talk time.What we dug: comfy, unobtrusive yet protective; no Frankenboot feel.What we didn't: too-smooth outer sole.
If you ever find in yourself in a situation where there'll be both bike riding and ass kicking to be done, you'll want a pair of Field Armor boots handy.
As the name implies, these kicks totally protect your feet. I was happy to have the internal, injection-molded plastic toe and heel armor-this stuff felt like steel. A leather upper means the Field Armors offers solid support and abrasion protection, plus the good-looking styling-a mix of hiking shoe and construction boot-allowed me to wear them in almost any situation. Heavy-duty nylon inserts on the upper provided some measure of ventilation at speed, too. Slipping my feet into the initially stiff boots was simple enough; they're traditional laceups. Once I knotted the reinforced laces, however, I had to lock in a midfoot buckle and strap that closed over the ties. It's a nice touch, and one that ensures the boots don't go flying off if you unexpectedly leave the bike. A ribbed panel on the forefoot gave me a solid connection with the gearshift, and a padded tongue and Achilles heel insert prevented chafing. The beefy sole provided plenty of traction. Are the Field Armor boots comfortable? Not at first-all that hard armor needs a good amount of break-in, but after that, you're golden.
What we dug: versatile styling; super-stout protection.What we didn't: break-in was a bitch.
At heart, RoadGear's MultiTasker Sport Bag is a briefcase with a nice rubber-covered carrying handle. Clip on the adjustable shoulder strap and it becomes a courier bag. If you want a more secure carry system, snap on the shoulder harness instead and carry it as a backpack. Remove the carrying straps, and only two unobtrusive attachment points for the shoulder strap remain. It's a simple idea, well executed and easy to exploit.
The base bag has a slightly trapezoidal shape, tapering from 17 inches at the top to 14 inches wide at the bottom. It's about 13 inches high. There is a perimeter zipper running down the sides and bottom that permits expansion. The main compartment swallowed a fairly thick 14-inch notebook computer (though there's no extra padding). That compartment is joined under the pleated top flap by a large pocket subdivided into one full-width and two half-width pockets. The front of the bag under the flap has an array of pockets for organizing items. The flap closes with two plastic snap-buckles, and has a zippered compartment in its face. Finally, there is a full-width compartment on the back, for a total of four large compartments.
Most of the American-made bag is constructed of Cordura with a retroflective strip across the top. The zippers all have big pulltabs that can be manipulated with heavy gloves. Though the Cordura is at least water-repellent, water can still get in through the zippers.
What we dug: adaptability.What we didn't: backpack straps flimsy.
The fact that U.S. Saddlebag manufactures all its premium leather gear in a centuries-old building in Massachusetts was reason enough for me to want to check out their goods.
I ordered up a pair of Black Flame Quick Release Cruiser saddlebags for our long-term VTX1300. The bolt-on frames ($99 extra) are bike-specific, and installing the solidly crafted stainless steel kit to the VTX's frame rails was a snap-they fit and looked like an OEM part. I then mounted the nicely styled, stout leather bags (with custom-formed high-density polyethylene backing) onto the frames and stepped back to admire the job. Fit and finish were superb, and the bags even seemed to enhance our testbike's aesthetics. The Quick-Release portion of the saddlebag utilizes an innovative yet simple design; a patented quarter-turn quick-release metal plug inside each bag engages it to the frame for secure installation and removal of the bags in a matter of seconds (just make sure you engage it fully when installing the bag).
The sleek, slightly angled bags offer what appear to be conventional belt straps externally, but these have merely cosmetic buckles; the real lockdowns are underneath the overflap in the form of plastic quick-release buckles. These allow you to get into the inner, zippered bag easily, but we were a bit disappointed that they weren't adjustable to accommodate more stuff. Also, the bag tapers at the top, so the opening is smallish.
What we dug: fits perfectly, well-made stuff, great looking.What we didn't: non-adjustable closures.
It may well be the equivalent of putting a safe on your bike. And although the Pac-Safe Tailsafe sports a pretty big footprint, it warrants it: I felt my valuables-$1000 worth of camera equipment-were far safer sitting inside.
That's because the bag's 900-denier high-density polyester outer covers a 600-denier inner laminate, so right off the bat, there's a fully waterproof compartment for sensitive electronics (perfect for cameras). That laminate also contains a slash-proof stainless steel wire mesh, and the overlapping main compartment lid could be locked closed on the bag with a brass padlock. The bag could then be locked to the bike (or other secure item) with a coated 4mm high-tensile steel cable. Convenient, padded pockets along the side allowed me to get at my smaller items easily. I secured the TailSafe easily to the rear seat of our VTX via tension-lock mounting straps with quick-release buckles. A neoprene padded bottom supplied additional protection. There's also an attachable sissybar/tail-rack sleeve, should you choose to mount it that way. A removable padded shoulder strap is included, but as the TailSafe is 16 inches long, 12 inches high and can pack 40 liters of volume, I didn't feel up to transporting it this way (though the strap converts to a carry handle, too). Reflective piping and night-glow zip pulls on the bag helped increase nighttime conspicuity.
What we dug: maximum security and waterproofness.What we didn't: large footprint, unstructured interior.
Normally your butt cries "Uncle!" after about 200 miles on a stock motorcycle seat, thanks to constant pressure from the cheap foam. But the Saddlemen Gel Riding Shorts tout its Memoflex gel padding as a solution: It's supposed to relieve the pressure points and increase blood flow. The gel felt unforgiving the first few times I rode with it, but was fairly effective after break-in-and after I got used to the disturbing feeling of hauling around a weighty lump in my ass. But the thick slab in the bottom of what's essentially a pair of bicycle shorts (made of breathable nylon and Lycra) also managed to absorb some of the vibration coming from the Harley I rode. Channels within the gel also helped keep my cheeks cool after a long ride, and the shorts fit comfortably under jeans.
What we dug: light, breathable.What we didn't: unsettling lump in pants.