Motorcycle Gear Topics
Motorcycle Gear Articles
Motorcycle Gear Articles
What Did Your Last Ride Teach You About Your Motorcycle Gear?
You can love a piece of motorcycle gear around town and feel completely different about it after a full day on the road.A helmet gets louder. Gloves develop pressure points. The temperature changes. Your boots start bothering you. And suddenly there isn't quite enough room for everything you brought.Long rides expose gear problems that shorter rides can hide.Before your next trip, think back over your last ride and ask:What was my gear trying to tell me?Start With the Problem, Not the ProductIf something bothered you during your last ride, that doesn't automatically mean you need to replace it.The issue might be fit, adjustment, weather, maintenance, packing or simply using gear that no longer fits the way you ride.Ask yourself: What bothered me? When did I notice it? Did it get worse as the ride went on? Can I adjust or fix it? If I need different gear, what problem does it actually need to solve? That gives you a much better starting point than simply buying something new.Was Your Helmet Distracting You?A helmet can feel fine for a short ride and very different several hours later.Think about whether you noticed: uncomfortable pressure points excessive wind or road noise poor airflow or too much heat visor fogging communication problems increasing neck fatigue The important question isn't simply, “Do I need another helmet?”It's what specifically bothered you and why.If fit, airflow, communication or the helmet itself seems to be the issue, explore our Helmets & Headsets collection to compare helmets, communication systems and accessories.Not sure what's causing the problem? Come into our Lakewood store and talk it through with an Eagle Leather Motorcycle Gear Specialist.Did Your Gloves Feel Fine Until They Didn't?Gloves can become surprisingly noticeable after hours of braking, clutching and gripping.Look for: pressure points or uncomfortable seams restricted movement hand fatigue too much or too little insulation poor airflow wet hands If your hands kept reminding you that your gloves were there, it's worth addressing before your next long ride.Browse our Motorcycle Gloves collection to compare riding gloves for different weather, fit and riding needs.If you're unsure about sizing or why a particular glove is bothering you, bring your current pair into the store and let us help you compare the fit.Were You Ready for the Weather You Actually Rode Through?It's easy to dress for the weather when you leave.The challenge is being ready for the weather six hours later.Were you: too hot during the day? cold after sunset? caught in rain without an easy waterproof layer? constantly stopping to change clothing? carrying layers you never used? Sometimes the answer is a better layering strategy. Sometimes you simply need better protection when the weather turns.If rain was the problem, start with our Motorcycle Rain Gear collection.For broader riding apparel and layering options, you can also explore our Motorcycle Riding Gear selection.And if you're preparing for a specific trip, stop by the Lakewood store and tell us where and when you're riding. We can help you think through the conditions you're likely to face.Did You Spend Too Much Time Fighting Your Luggage?Sometimes you don't need more storage.You need better storage.Maybe the rain gear was buried at the bottom. Maybe you had nowhere to put a layer you removed. Maybe everything technically fit, but nothing was easy to reach.After the ride, ask: What did I use constantly? What did I never use? What was difficult to reach? What needed better weather protection? Did I actually run out of space? If storage really was the weak point, browse our Motorcycle Bags & Luggage collection for options designed around carrying gear on the bike.Were Your Feet Done Before You Were?A boot that feels fine early in the day can tell a different story after hours of riding, walking and standing.Think about: pressure points rubbing or hotspots cramped toes heat or cold wet feet walking comfort how easily you operated the controls If your boots became the thing you couldn't stop thinking about, take a look at our Motorcycle Boots collection.Boot fit can be difficult to judge online, so this is also a good reason to visit us in Lakewood and try different options in person.What Kept Getting Your Attention?Not every lesson fits neatly into helmets, gloves, weather, luggage or boots.Maybe your eyewear bothered you. Maybe you wanted better communication. Maybe a jacket pocket became impossible to use with gloves on.Ask yourself one simple question:What did I keep thinking about that I shouldn't have needed to think about?Anything that repeatedly distracted you from enjoying the ride deserves another look.Take Five Minutes After Your Next RideWhen you get home from a substantial ride, make a quick mental or written note: What bothered me? When did it start? What conditions caused it? Can I adjust or fix it? What needs to change before the next ride? You may discover that the solution costs nothing.Or you may finally understand exactly what you need from your next piece of gear.Fix It Before the Next 200 MilesEvery ride teaches you something.If your last one exposed a weak spot in your setup, deal with it while the experience is still fresh instead of rediscovering the same problem another 200 miles from home.You can shop motorcycle gear online and go directly to the category that addresses your issue.Or, if you aren't sure what the answer is, come see us at Eagle Leather in Lakewood.Tell us what happened on your ride—what bothered you, when it happened and what kind of riding you were doing.Bring us the problem. We'll help you work through the options.
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Gear Up for Sturgis with Eagle Leather
The Sturgis rally offers plenty to see, and the surrounding Black Hills include Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Deadwood, Lead, and Wind Cave National Park.
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Discover Your Motorcycle Family: Connecting with Clubs and Communities
Uncover the vibrant world of motorcycle clubs and communities and join like-minded riders on a thrilling journey of camaraderie, adventure, and lifelong memories.
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Motorcycle Footwear: Stepping Up Your Riding Game in Style and Safety
Why invest in specialized motorcycle footwear, you ask? Picture this: you're cruising down the highway, soaking in the sights and sounds when—BAM!—you hit a sudden bump or a rogue pebble. With regular shoes, your foot could slip off the peg, causing you to lose control or, worse, suffer a painful injury. Motorcycle footwear, on the other hand, provides the grip, support, and protection you need to keep you and your bike in harmony.
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Upgrade Your Style with the Perfectly Fitted Motorcycle Vest
A leather motorcycle vest is both functional and stylish, making a statement on and off the road. Getting the right size is key to comfort and functionality and can be easily done with a measuring tape or string. Consider factors such as solid or laced options and add extra room for concealed carry or layering. At Eagle Leather, our wide selection of high-quality vests is sure to be the perfect one for you. If you're unsure, visit our Lakewood, Washington location and have our experts fit you. Get on the road rocking your new vest with confidence and style.
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Safety Devices You May Not Know About!
Let’s take a look at how manufacturers are trying to make riding safer. Some of the things being tried are airbag-type devices, anti-lock brake systems, stability control systems, helmets that help with blind spots, and better brake lights. Honda introduced an airbag system back in 2006—the Honda Gold Wing. That type of airbag is helpful in a head-on collision. Some motorcycles come with windshield airbags. They help prevent the injuries that happen when riders are
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Wear Your Leather for Halloween
Great Halloween Costume Ideas All You Need Is Your Leather Jacket Halloween is on Monday, October 31, this year. Come to Eagle Leather that day in costume. Kids get candy; adults in costume can enter a drawing for a $50 gift certificate. And there will be cookies, coffee, and apple juice for all. Starts at 10:00 AM and ends at 5:30 PM. Watch the Eagle Leather Facebook page for photos! Okay, so what to wear. One thing for sure, this year is not the year for a clown costume! We had some neat suggestions last year and now we’ll build on them. Click here to read last year's costume ideas. Joan Jett, the Godmother of Punk, as in the Runaways and then Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, was famous for her leather jacket. She’s been pictured in a black leather jacket with gloves, a Ramones T-shirt, and jeans—and great big sunglasses. Beneath those glasses, you’ll want heavily made up eyes with big lashes and high contrast shadow. You can also use a more feminine shirt under your jacket with some tasteful metal jewelry. In either case, the jacket should show lots of flash with metal tops on its snaps and visible zippers. Believe your grannie when she tells you there was no one sexier than early Marlon Brando. He’s the one who made biker jackets popular back in 1953 when he starred in The Wild One. In addition to the black leather jacket, wear jeans rolled up at the bottom, leather boots and gloves, a chain bracelet, and that marvelous hat with a visor. Marlon’s jacket in the movie had “Johnny” in white cursive on the left front. Tom Cruise as Maverick in Top Gun popularized the bomber jacket. To get the look, the jacket has to be well-worn. Tom’s had a brown fur collar and lots of patches. Or, you could emulate Tom when he played Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible. There he often wears a black bomber jacket with nary a patch. Wear it with a V-neck black tee. He carries 9mm pistols and wears glasses, ear-plugs, and a lapel pin—all gadgets. Who can forget Indiana Jones in his well-worn brown bomber jacket? Wear it with a beige button-up shirt and khaki pants and a belt with a big buckle. Either keep your five-o’clock shadow or use makeup to add it. Top with a brown fedora and, if you can and dare, accessorize with a whip. If you don’t have the fedora and whip, consider wearing your brown bomber jacket as Steve McQueen. A simple black T-shirt and lighter brown pants will complete your costume.
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Celebs: They're Just Like Us
As a motorcycle enthusiast, you will likely be asked what you ride just about every time you stop. Maybe it’s the dad in an SUV who gave up riding to raise a family, or the soccer mom in a minivan who dated the bad boy in high school, or the veteran who craves the comradery, or the child who gets excited by the sight and sounds a motorcycle makes. We all know so many people approach us because there are few things cooler than riding a motorcycle. When I think back, my introduction to motorcycles was watching Easy Rider on TV with my dad on a Saturday after doing chores all morning. Later I would hear of an earlier motorcycle movie, the 1953 movie The Wild One, and that got me to thinking about, did the actors actually ride or was it the stunt men? It turns out there are quite a few celebrities who ride. Buddy Holly rode an 1958 Ariel Cyclone. A rock-n-roll legend who died before his time, Buddy Holly not only had a love of music, but also of motorcycles. He purchased one of the most famous celebrity bikes after a long tour in Dallas and joined two other band members to ride home to Lubbock, TX. After his death in a plane crash in 1959, his bike stayed with his father until it was sold in 1970. Waylon Jennings, who gave up his seat on the plane that killed Holly, was deeply affected, and years later Holly’s band The Crickets searched for and found the bike and presented it to Jennings on his forty-second birthday. Hunter S. Thompson isn’t a movie star. He rode BSA A65 Lightning, Ducati 900, and 650 BMW Lightning. A journalist and author, he founded the gonzo journalism movement in which writers immerse themselves into the subjects of their work. As a result, he wrote two books about his experiences as a self-professed connoisseur of fast motorcycles. One titled Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, and another about his love for riding along the beach highway at night titled Midnight on the Coast Highway. Clint Eastwood liked the Norton Commando Fastback. It should not come as a surprise that Clint Eastwood is a motorcycle enthusiast since he starred in biker movies like Every Which Way but Loose, and The Gauntlet. Most of his movies feature him sitting on either a horse or a bike. Though he’s been photographed sitting on a variety of Triumphs, Norton motorcycles seemed to be his favorite. Robert Patrick rode the Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide CVO. Robert Patrick is most famous for his acting roles in Terminator 2, Sons of Anarchy, and X-Files. He is currently the president of the Boozefighters MC Chapter 101 and, since 2018 co-owner of Old Road Harley-Davidson in Santa Clarita, California. Keanu Reeves is known for Arch Motorcycles KRGT-1, Norton Commando, 2005 Harley Dyna Wide Glide, and 1974 BMW 750. Being a dedicated bike fan led him to co-found Arch Motorcycles. They design and build custom motorcycles and their first model released to the public is the KRGT-1. Based upon the specs, this bike is meant to be ridden hard and looks great. Keanu has tried to create a bobber and chopper, but admittedly has not got the bike exactly the way he wants it. He often buys a bike on location only to sell it when the movie has completed filming. His first bike was a Kawasaki 600 Endura. Famous women love to ride too. Elizabeth Taylor road a purple Harley-Davidson. She fell in love with the culture, got tattoos, and hung out with bikers. Jewel has biked across America. She comments on the way her mind works differently between riding and driving a car. On a bike, safety comes first, and she must focus on that. Tina Turner rode an Electra-Glide Harley. She loved motorcycles so much she put them on her album covers, and you can see her bike of choice in the video of “What You Get Is What You See.” Catherine Bell is best known for her acting in JAG. She started riding at seventeen and at one time owned nine motorcycles. Who are your favorite celebrities that ride?
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Communication is Key: Stay Connected on the Ride
Have you seen the commercial for car insurance that features motorcycle riders hollering as they ride, but not understanding what’s said? If you’ve tried to speak from bike to bike, or even with a passenger, you know how true that ad really is. But at Eagle Leather, we have products that can overcome that problem. If you just want to communicate with a passenger or another rider close to you, Sena’s 3S MC BT Comm System FF might just be what you need. It uses Bluetooth 3.0 and pairs with dual mobile phones while supporting intercom up to 220 yards. Listen to music with crystal clear sound quality on the stereo headset by Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) with the integrated audio booster; voice prompts access music playback control by Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP): play, pause, track forward, and track back. The device gives you as much as eight hours of talk time and seven days on standby. The unibody design makes it easy to install and each audio source has its own volume control. For small groups, consider the Sena 10S Headset Intercom. It also has A2DP and AVRCP. It gives you twelve hours talk time and ten days standby time and operates over one mile in open terrain. Using Bluetooth 4.1, it gives you superior audio with built-in SBC Codec, Advanced Noise Control ™, a built-in FM radio with Radio Data System Alternate Frequencies (RDS AF). You can preset ten stations or use the automatic scan function. For a larger group, the Sena Intercom 20S BT Single is the industry’s first dual Bluetooth module communication system. It uses Bluetooth 4.0. Sena is patenting the Audio Multitasking ™ for advanced management of intercom, phone, music, and FM radio. The bike-to-bike intercom works up to a mile and a half. Advanced Noise Control ™ gives clean, natural sound. Universal Intercom™ lets you use this device with other brands of communication systems. And, to communicate with really big groups use the Sena 30K. With it you can talk with a four-rider group over a mile on Bluetooth, a sixteen-rider group over 1.2 miles on private mesh network, or an unlimited rider group up to 5 miles on a public mesh network. More than a Bluetooth 4.1 headset, the Sena 30K is an adaptive-mesh communicator. It’s a smart device. For instance, if a rider gets out of range, it keeps communication active within the rest of the group and searches, waiting for the rider to get back within range. No more worries about having to stop and re-connect or using daisy-chain pairings. And, because it has two antennas and two dedicated processors, you can chat and listen to music or GPS navigation at the same time. You can talk for 13 hours on the Bluetooth intercom and up to 8 hours on the mesh intercom. The 30K has A2DP and AVRCP, Advanced Noise Control™, built-in SBC Codec, and FM radio with RDS AF. You can preset ten stations or use automatic scan and can use Audio Multitasking with other Sena 30Ks. Let us know how you prefer to communicate while riding on the Eagle Leather Facebook Page!
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Eagle Leather Announces Black Friday/Weekend Sale 2012
It's a motorcycle lover's dream! Eagle Leather will have a store-full of deals on Black Friday with discounts on everything in stock. Combining the celebration of Eagle Leather's 17 years in business and this holiday season, store management is slashing prices on everything in inventory on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 23-25, 2012 only! It's your chance to clean up on gear that you have been waiting to buy and the riding accessories you need.
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Black Friday at Eagle Leather 2013!
Black Friday at Eagle Leather! November 26, 2013 Doors open at 10:00 a.m.November 29th through December 1st, 2013
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Spring Gear Checklist
Prepare Your Gear for The Riding Season Find out If Your Gear Needs to Be Changed or Repaired Now that your motorcycle is ready for spring, it’s time to check your gear. Let’s start at the top: □ Helmet – when to replace it: If it’s over five years old If it’s been in a crash If it looks dented or deeply scratched If the padding is loose or worn out If it no longer fits well □ Goggles – when to replace them: If they’re scratched If they’re cloudy If the foam is deteriorating □ Leathers (jackets, chaps, vests, pants) – when to replace them: If they don’t fit anymore If they are damaged If the zippers don’t work □ Gloves – when to replace them: If they are wearing thin If they leak If any Velcro® closures or zippers don’t work □ Boots – when to repair or replace them: If the tread is nearly worn away If the sole is beginning to peel off If they don’t fit If the Velcro® closures or zippers don’t work If the inside padding is worn through at the ankle If waterproof or water-resistant boots leak □ Rain Gear – when to replace it: If it doesn’t fit If it leaks And if you don’t have rain gear, for heaven’s sake get some—this is the Pacific Northwest!
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