New Ideas

Latest New Ideas

New Ideas: Burly Scrambler Bar

Burly says its crossbar-equipped Scrambler handlebar “is the beginning of a transformation that will turn your asphalt-bound Harley-Davidson into a fireroad terror.” That may be stretching the truth a bit, but the 6-inch rise and 3-inch pullback will dramatically change the appearance of your late-model Dyna, Softail or Sportster, while [...]

New Ideas: Oakley Airbrake MX Goggles

Oakley revolutionized motocross goggle design with the O Frame more than three decades ago. Now, it aims to do the same with the Airbrake MX. Developed with help from champion racers Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael, the Airbrake has a sleek profile with expanded peripheral vision. [...]

New Ideas: Tumi Ducati Retro Collection Luggage Set

Travel back in time with Tumi and Ducati. Inspired by the Italian bike maker’s historic one-two finish with Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari in the 1972 Imola 200, the Retro Collection has four pieces: Bronco Top Zip Crossbody ($425), Evoluzione International Carry-On ($995), Apollo Crossbody ($495) and Scrambler Rucksack ($595). [...]

New Ideas: Cycle Wipes

Whether a plague of locusts rained down from the heavens or a solitary flying creature appeared from nowhere—splat!—the result is the same: Your faceshield is smeared with bug guts. Cycle Wipes are made from “non-woven, dirt-grabbing mesh fabric” and come pre-moistened and neatly folded in a resealable 12-pack ($6.95). According [...]

New Ideas: Michelin Anakee III Tires

Michelin says its new Anakee III has three distinctive attributes that make it ideal for big, powerful adventure-touring bikes: 1) beveled lateral grooves that shed mud and gravel when riding off-road; 2) indented tread grooves, which provide consistent lateral grip even as the tire wears; and 3) transverse grooves to [...]

New Ideas: Classic Motorcycle Race Engines Book

If you’re a fan of Kevin Cameron’s technical writing (who among us isn’t?), buy this book. Classic Motorcycle Race Engines (408 pages; $48.95) explores 50 racing engines in great detail, from early Moto Guzzi Singles to the Kawasaki and Yamaha 750cc two-strokes that Cameron spent a decade building and tuning [...]

New Ideas: Corbin Concours 14 Slim Door Conversion

Attention, 2008-13 Kawasaki Concours 14 owners: Do you pack light for trips? Or maybe you’d just like your bike to have a sleeker profile. Either way, Corbin’s Slim Door Conversion ($393) reduces net capacity for each original-equipment, clamshell-type saddlebag from 35 to 27 liters, and overall width drops from 39 [...]

New Ideas: Aether Apparel Skyline Jacket

Tired of looking like a…biker? Known for its design-oriented technical outerwear, Aether  Apparel recently launched a motorcycle-specific line. Shown here: the hip-length Skyline ($650, S-XL sizes; Jet Black, Graphite, Total Eclipse or Discovery Green). This sleek, modern zip-up is said to be road-ready via a breathable, waterproof, abrasion-resistant nylon shell and [...]

New Ideas: Spiegler Handlebar Conversion Kit

Sit up straight! Spiegler’s handlebar conversion kit for the 2012-13 Kawasaki ZX-14R positions the rider more upright, reducing shoulder and wrist strain while delivering a factory-installed look. The kit includes an anodized one-piece billet aluminum top clamp, aluminum Superbike Low Fatbar XN1, stainless steel brake lines and mounting hardware. Suggested retail price is [...]

New Ideas: Touratech Zega Pro 38L Top Case

Saddlebags are great for touring, but the bulkiest of them can get in the way around town. The Zega Pro 38-liter Top Case “will transform your motorcycle into an urban utility vehicle,” says Touratech, making negotiating traffic, errand-running and even parking easier. Size-wise, the locking, all-metal box will swallow a [...]