The right way to sell accessories

Cycle Outfitters in Indianapolis does it right. I can't tell you how many bike shops have their accessories blister packed and hanging on the wall. I much prefer this type of display, where you can touch and see the merchandise. I'm sure the merchant didn't invent the display . . . But merely agreed to give up floor space to host it. I wish more moto gear was sold this way.

Wish I had known about this display before I bought footpegs for my bike. It would've taken the guesswork out of it.

Motorcycle Safety and ATGATT

This article from "Arrive Alive South Africa" is a great, concise, accurate review of ATGATT -- what it is, and why we choose it as a way of life.


Arrive Alive South Africa | Motorcycle Safety and ATGATT

Honda PC 800

Every one of these I've ever seen in the wild . . . and there have been a few . . . has had the "Body By Tupperware" wording. The first time I thought it was a joke, but since it seems universal, I wonder if it's for real.

Honda CB750

I spied this Honda CB750 in a parking lot over lunch hour. I parked next to it but never got to meet the rider. It's well preserved for a 30 year old bike (or so) -- and for one which is obviously ridden.

Yamaha Virago

I was pulling into the parking garage at work, and I heard another bike approaching. It wasn't a familiar sound. The rider parked and took off his beany helmet.

"What do you have there?" I asked.

"A Yamaha Virago," he replied, beaming. "It's my first bike, I've only been riding about a week."

"Very nice," I said. "Shaft drive. Great starter bike."

"Thanks!" He replied.

The front fender is sun faded. The kick stand lets the bike lean pretty far over.

Honda Guzzi (Honda CX500)

Saw this delightfully unique creation at the gas station tonight. Looks like a Guzzi with the transverse V-twin, but has a Honda logo on the engine. Seat is custom fabricated from plywood painted black. Sport bike exhaust (on other side) sounds wonderful. It leaked gasoline in little droplets as I watched it. A glorious bastardized cafe racer!

Café Racer Conversion Part 1: Handlebars & Mirrors

:All About Bikes" is featuring how-to articles on making a Cafe' Racer.

Café Racer Conversion Part 1: Handlebars & Mirrors

This is on my bucket list.

Family Motorcycle Gear

Wearing full gear as an adult in the United States is an oddity. As an ATGATT'er, I'm certainly a member of a minority group. The decision to have our kids ride with us puts us even further out alone on the curve, so to speak.

Finding gear for kids has been a challenge, but we felt firmly convinced that is was the right thing to do. How could we as parents ride ATGATT and bring our kids along with a beanie hemet, blue jeans and sneakers?

For my daughter, we actually bought a child-sized textile jacket from Europe. Thankfully, Europe has a different attitude toward gear than the U.S. The fact that most riders wear their gear "over there" means there's a market for all sorts of gear. The gear is made for Europe, but at least it can be imported. Expensive, but at least available.

We've also had success outfitting my kids in XS adult jackets with some minor modifications - rolling up sleeves, pinning or snapping waistbands to fit. Wouldn't win any fashion awards (we aren't tailors or seamstresses), but it does provide essential coverage.

The rest of their wardrobe has been outfitted from the one segment of the motorcycle world that has child-sized gear in the U.S.: the off-road segment. Kids sized gloves and pants are readily available. It's a clash of styles, but it does provide coverage. The offroad gear may not have armor padded knees, but abrasion-resistant synthetic fabrics are available.

My son models his latest outfit; Adult small First Gear Jacket, motocross pants and gloves.. General purpose boots. Not shown is his HJC full-face helmet.

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Parke County Indiana - The Covered Bridge Route

Friend and fellow rider Bob has been exploring Parke County Indiana by motorcycle.

I've been riding these all weekend on the Magnaceptor. What fun! I made a google map so I can use GPS to navigate quicker. I've seen 15 so far, and 7 or 8 of them twice because it was such a great time. Many of the roads are crap, but that's part of the allure. We're talking gravel and some of the bumpiest pavement ever (I came to a stop and got stuck in sand one time) When you get in close to many of these bridges it's 10-15 mph, but the scenery and being out in the middle of the woods in the summer is totally worth it. I saw deer and lots of other wildlife and had plenty of time to think about what a good thing an on/off road bike would be while putting along at 15.

Here is the map. I've marked the ones I've visited by including the road surface in the description.