2Wheeltips

Bungee nets are great products for securing stuff to your bike and work better than regular cords. They come in various shapes and sizes and are good for securing everything from helmets to backpacks and bags.

A quick tip. Make sure you get a net that has removable plastic clips and not plastic-coated metal. The caps on the end of the metal clips come off all the time and they will scratch up your bike. Nets with removable clips let you position them for a very tight and secure fit. Also get a net made from good quality material. Avoid the cheap flimsy nets as they don't tightly secure your gear.

Not only are engine guards and frame sliders a great way to improve the look of your bike, they can protect your bike for serious damage if you get in an accident or your bike tips over.

 Here I scraped up my bike when it tipped over on uneven ground. I had to replace the clutch lever and the mirror. Not cheap.....wish I would have had an engine guard.

They are good investments and come in many styles so shop around.  You can find many deals online and at motorcycle shows.

Here is a quick tip most riders haven't considered. If you don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a communication system for your bike, or you don't want a bunch of cables hooked up everywhere, consider getting a motorcycle bluetooth headset.

They use the same technology as cellphones headsets you see stuck in everyones ears. they come with speakers and a microphone that you attach to the inside and side of your helmet and let you talk to your passenger without using wires.

Good ones come with noise canceling technology to cut out the wind noise and automatic volume control to adjust the volume when on the highway. The sound is clear enough even while wearing earplugs.

Some models link to your GPS so you can hear the turn by turn voice prompts.. Still others link to your cellphone to let your answer calls without taking off your helmet.

If you and a riding buddy both have motorcycle headsets, you can link them to your cellphones and place a call before you ride. That way you will be able to talk to each other while riding. I call it the poor mans alternative to an expensive CB radio.

Like thermometers, motorcycle clocks can be very expensive and some of us can't bring ourselves to pay $35.00 and up for something that cost just a few bucks to make.

While out on a ride, I came across a couple on a Honda Shadow Aero who had a very neat solution. He bought a cheap $8.00 watch with a nylon wrist band from the local store. He simply strapped it around his cables. It didn't look bad and he saved himself a few dollars in the process.

While very helpful, most bikes do not include a thermometer. As you put more miles on your bike, you will soon discover that at certain temperatures, riding is not as fun and becomes a chore.  On the low end of the scale, your hands are numb and your reflexes are slow. On the high end, you feel faint and dehydrated from the heat. Knowing what those temperatures are can help you plan how to dress for your next ride.

A quick trip to the motorcycle store or an online catalog is quite a sticker shock. Even the cheapest thermometer cost $30.00.....the really nice ones are over $65.00. Some of us just can't bring ourselves to pay that much knowing it cost just a few bucks to make.

Well there are other options out there. Zipper thermometers, which cost around $3.00, are used by hikers and skiers all the time. you can hook one to your jacket or put it in your tank bag window.   Also liquid crystal temperature strips also work. They cost around $7.00 and easily slip into your tank bag or can be easily taped to the handlebars.

Every rider should know about crampbusters and throttle rockers. They are plastic "paddles" you wrap around your throttle. You rest the heel of your hand on the paddle and it keeps the gas open. Sorta like a poor man's cruise control. 
 

You can get the permanent metal ones that are more stylish,  but the originals work great and are very affordable.

So, if you don't have a few hundred dollars to give your dealer for electronic cruise control, throttle rockers and crampbusters are the ticket.

Not only are engine guards and frame sliders a great way to improve the look of your bike, they can protect your bike from serious damage if you get in an accident or your bike tips over.
 

Here I scraped up my bike when it tipped over on uneven ground.I had to replace the clutch lever and the mirror. Not cheap.....wish I would have had an engine guard. They are good investments and come in many styles, so shop around.  You can find many deals online and at motorcycle shows. 


 


 

Here is a quick tip I got from a friend. Many sport and sporting touring bikes have large blind spots. One solution is to go down to your local dealer and plop down a few hundred dollars for a new set of mirrors with a wider field of view.

Another is to go over to the local auto store and buy the "bubble" or "curved" mirrors. They stick on with two way tape and do an excellent job of eliminating blind spots. The set I got for my bike cost about $8.00 and are adjustable.

If you live in the northeast and regularly use E-Z Pass to pay tolls on bridges and highways, you should consider getting a transponder for your bike. Fumbling around for loose change with riding gloves on is no fun and drivers will start blowing their horns at you if you take too long to pay.

One quick tip; avoid the motorcycle E-Z Pass holders and use the adhesive strips that come with the transponder. Most of the holders we have seen use suction cups to hold the transponder to the windshield or tank. Whoever makes these things must have forgotten that bikes vibrate.....a lot. After a few miles of riding, your $25.00 transponder and your $15.00 holder will come loose and be gone with the wind.
 

If you don't have the adhesive strips, call your local E-Z Pass center for new ones. They will send them to you for free. For advanced riders, you can keep the transponder in your pocket and hold it in the air as you approach the toll booth. If you have a passenger, have him or her hold it in the air for you.

If you are in the mood to splurge on a big ticket item for your motorcycle, consider putting a GPS unit on your list.

First off, get one that is specifically made for motorcycles and resist the urge to rig up your car GPS to your bike. Motorcycle GPS units are rugged and built to handle road hazards such as bike vibration, flying debris and rain. Most have glare resistant screens for easy viewing and can be easily operated while wearing gloves.

Top end motorcycle GPS units have bluetooth for connecting to your phone and a motorcycle bluetooth headset. Some even have satellite radio, mp3 players and weather alerts.

They all come with mounts for easy installation on your handlebars.