Drifter motorcycle jacket review
Recently I had been looking for a motorcycle jacket that I could wear when my mesh jacket was too cool and I didn't want to wear my 3/4 length touring jacket. I discovered the Fieldshear Drifter jacket.
This jacket has the style and attitude of a leather motorcycle jacket combined with the functionality of a textile jacket. It has a full sleeved zip out quilted liner. Five pockets including a cellphone pocket and a map pocket. If it rains on your ride this jacket has a 100% rainproof liner making it a great choice for fall riding. Oh yeah it also has CE approved foam in the elbows, shoulders and back.
Its a great jacket and good deal at it's retail of $149.00 But one of our sponsors is selling this jacket for 1/2 retail though the link below. If your looking for a deal on a new jacket check this out now. Just to be clear I bought one of these jackets with my own money and wear it all the time. Check out the Closeouts at Motorcycle Superstore!
How to Find An Oil Leak in your motorcycle
Just a quick tip. This is a neat trick if you have an oil leak that you are having trouble locating. First clean your motorcycle engine. Then spray the area of the engine that you suspect contains the leak with foot powder. Next step go for a ride. When you get back the oil trail should be simple to trace.
Motorcycle Tires
I could write an entire blog on motorcycle tires. There are so many factors that come into play,bias ply or radial, tread design, rubber compound, the list goes on and on.
Everyone has a favorite tire, and so does your motorcycle. I'm not just talking about size but tread design and construction. Most motorcycles will have a sticker under the side panel that will give you this information some will even give model and brand. This is not just a deal the motorcycle manufacturer work out will a tire company but the handling of the bike is designed to work with the certain aspects of that tire design.
As an example you should never fit a radial tire on a motorcycle that came off the showroom floor with bias belt tires on it. I know I can hear you say but radials give you better traction. On the proper bike that"s true but a bike that was not designed for that flexible of a sidewall you may screw up your handling. The reverse also applies.
Check Your Tires Often
Proper inflation is a must, not only to get the maxium mileage out of you tire but also for your safety ( a blowout on a motorbike is much more exciting than in a four wheeler). A under inflated tire builds up much more heat and that heat will melt the adhesive that is holding your tire plies together and you may lose whole chunks of tire at highway speed (hmmm sit back and picture what that would look like from the handlebars). Proper inflation will also give you the best traction in the rain. Low pressure will cause the tire to trap water under the contact patch.
Check your tread for wear. Do not use a tire that is worn below the tread wear indicators. These are the little bump that you will find in the groves of the tread (some tires have a small triangle on the sidewall to indicate where in the tread these will be found). Don't ride tires with cracked side walls this is an indication the rubber has dried out and is stiff. One good jolt could result in a blow out.
Tires are one of the most expensive consumables on your bike but the failure of a used up tire can really ruin your day.
J
Motorcycle Ride East to West Coast
If you were to ride East coast to west, What towns, roads or events would you list as do not miss? let me know in comments.
Thanks
motoman