Tag Archives: Gear/accessories

Tips for using Occy straps on your luggage

Have you ever seen a motorcycle with luggage tied down with a mass of Occy straps?

You try not to ride too close behind because you never know when something will fall off right in front of you.

The ubiquitous Occy strap has been used for years.

If you don’t know what an Occy strap is, it’s a stretchy strap or bungee cord with a hook on each end.

There is a wide range of types and they do the job … usually.

However, they can also fail with catastrophic consequences.

I think there are many other alternatives out there that are far better than ancient Occy straps and shopping bags such as this convenient Nelson-Rigg tailbag.

Nelson-Rigg Commuter Lite tail bag review
Nelson-Rigg Commuter Lite tail bag

But if you are going to use Occy straps to hold your luggage to your rear rack or pillion seat, there are some simple guidelines you should follow.

Frayed Occy straps

The first is to replace them when they start to look frayed.

You never quite know when a fray will turn into a snap and your luggage spills across the highway.

An Occy strap can easily fray from use and also from rubbing against a sharp object such as a bolt or frame weld.

By hook or by crook

Make sure the hook has a decent bend and hasn’t straightened out from being hooked and unhooked hundreds of times.

If the plastic coating around the hook is cracked, the hook may also be rusted, so replace the strap.

Also, check that the knot inside the hook is secure. This is usually one of the first points of failure on an Occy strap.

Make sure you attach the hook to a solid, unmovable part of the bike where it won’t scratch paintwork or chrome, or interfere with any working parts such as the chain.

Keep straps away from hot engine parts and exhausts.

Try to pass the strap through some sort of loop on the luggage.

Be careful when pulling really tight. If it slips out of your hand it can whack you in the face!

Click here for the official safety standards on Occy straps.straps

Packing

Pack heavy items in the bottom of the bag that you are tying on to your bike.

Try to keep bags low and flat. The higher they are the more they will wobble under an Occy strap and become loose.

Make sure packed items are rammed together solidly as a loose pack will mean the straps are no longer tight.

Add one more

Do not skimp on Occy straps. You can always add one more just to be sure!

Place them in a criss-cross fashion so that you are securing the load from moving in all four directions.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Nexx adds stealth carbon helmet

Portuguese helmet manufacturer Nexx has added a matte black stealth version to its X.R2 carbon range called the Dark Vision.

But is it just adding to our dangerous “invisibility” on the road?’

Sorry Mate I Didn’t See You (SMIDSY) crashes are among the most common involving motorcycles.

I have written many articles about the numerous studies into the SMIDSY phenomenon.

The causes are just as numerous and include:

However, safety is a shared responsibility, so riders have to accept some of the blame in SMIDSY crashes and should do their best to avoid them by being seen and heard.

This can mean moving around on the road to attract attention, slowing down, beeping the horn to alert drivers and some suggest a loud muffler can help.

While I don’t advocate mandatory bright riding gear, a rider on a matte black bike with a matching helmet and jacket must admit they are a stealth machine that is camouflaged to match the tarmac.

Many riders choose black because it doesn’t show the road grime as much as lighter colours.

And no motorcycle accessories manufacturer ever went broke making loads of black gear.

However, we really can’t lay 100% blame on a driver for not seeing us if we dress that way.

Stealth helmet

Nexx X.R2 Carbon stealth helmet
Dark vision

Getting back to the Nexx stealth helmet, like the X.R2 Carbon and Carbon Zero, the Dark Vision Carbon has a lightweight carbon fibre shell in two sizes — XS-L and XL-XXXL.

The only difference is that it is matte black with a tiny yellow stripe on the chin.

It includes their Air Dynamic System with five intakes on the front and four exhaust vents on the back, so it should be cool in summer.

Inside is a three-layer EPS to absorb impact absorption and a removable and washable CoolMax 3D lining.

It also has Ergo Padding System which means you can select different sized padding for a perfect fit.

Other features are a double D-ring fastener, chin spoiler and anti-scratch polycarbonate Lexan visor with central lock system that has a FastShot system for quick removal.

NEXX helmets usually rate three out of five stars in the highly acknowledged SHARP helmet safety ratings.

The entire production process of NEXX helmets is done in Portugal and not outsourced to other countries as many other helmet manufacturers do.

They boast a team of more than 160 workers skilled in helmet shell sculpture, leather manipulation, stitching, paintwork and engineering. Every helmet has to pass more than 50 control steps.

There is no word yet on prices in Australia, but they are available overseas for $US599.95 (about $A830).

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Touratech unveils waterproof bags

German motorcycle accessory company Touratceh has released a range of waterproof bags that fit inside their range of luggage.

What surprises me is that Touratech tank, tail and saddle bags aren’t already waterproof.

Ok, I can see the advantage in having gear in an easy-to-remove waterproof bag so you can take it into your accommodation without having to remove your luggage.

But it seems an unnecessary expense. Why not just make the luggage waterproof from the start?

Some luggage such as tank bags come with a spacial waterproof cover, but they are. never quite secure enough.

Touratech bags

Touratech’s inner bags cost $110.48 and are made by Ortlieb who produce quality gear for motorcycles and bicycles.

That’s about the same price as you would pay for waterproof bags from an outdoor store such as Kathmandu.

They say they fit their luggage, but it’s a standard size.

You can actually get different sized bags from outdoor stores.

Like those, these feature a roll top that you clamp with a nylon clip to keep them watertight.

In fact, they are so good, they even hold air and you have to push the air out first before rolling them up!

This can make it difficult to get your bag inside your luggage, so these Touratech bags come with a valve to release the air and squash them down to the smallest size.Touratech waterproof bags

They have a volume of up to 22 litres, depending on how much you want to roll the top down.

The say this allows the bag to fit every tank bag or rucksack they make, “without losing valuable storage space”.

Unlike some motorcycle clothing that loses its waterproof capabilities over time, these will remain 100% watertight for ever.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Store your gun in motorcycle vault!

There may little call for it here, but one American company has created a special motorcycle vault to store your valuables such as a wallet, phone and even a gun!

Console Vault who make vaults fr all sorts of vehicles says they are in the “peace of mind business”.

I’m not sure that carrying a gun in a vault on your motorcycle would provide me with a lot of peace of mind.

They say demand for in-vehicle protection is being driven by the “significant increase in firearm purchases” and a rise in “smash and grab” thefts.

Grab your gun!Motorcycle gun vault

However, the very nature of a “smash and grab” means it is quick. I’m not sure how quickly you could access your gun in this vault as you would have to pull over, unlock the vault and then get the gun out.

I should also point out that carrying a gun on a motorcycle in a vault could contravene even the lax gun rules in some states of America where you cannot conceal a weapon.

The latest $US399 (about $A560) Console Vault Motorcycle Safe is the first unit they have designed for 2014 or newer Harley-Davidson baggers.

The company plans to introduce new vaults for more motorcycle makes and models.

Each motorcycle safe is built with heavy gauge steel with a choice of three unique locking mechanisms.

They say they can be quickly and easily installed and fits in the saddle bag “without compromising the profile, balance or riding integrity of the motorcycle”.

Console Vault was established in 2002 in Columbus, Ohio.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MotoCAP adds 12 gloves to ratings

If you’re in the market for a new set of motorcycle gloves, Australia’s internationally awarded MotoCAP now has safety ratings for 73 pairs.

The safety intitiative that rates motorcycle jackets, pants and gloves, launched in September 2018 and is the first of its type in the world.

It has now rated 223 items of clothing, including 105 jackets, 50 pairs of pants and 73 pairs of gloves.

In the latest round of testing, 12 gloves were rated for their safety.

The highest performing pair of the release was the Alpinestars SP-Z Drystar, which was awarded three out of five stars for safety.

Alpinestars SP-Z Drystar MotoCAP adds 12 gloves to ratings
Alpinestars SP-Z Drystar

Two stars were awarded to Harley-Davidson Women’s Gage Gauntlet, Five Gloves RFX2 Airflow, Draggin Vivid 2, Dainese Druid D1 Long, Rev’It Summit 3 H2O, DriRider Aero Mesh 2, Five Gloves Arizona, Five Gloves WFX Skin GTX, Triumph Raven GTX, BMW GS Dry, Five Gloves Stun Evo.

The new ratings can be viewed here.

No comfort ratings

MotoCAP rates gear for thermal comfort and waterproofing on jackets and pants, but not gloves.

That is despite some of the gloves tested having perforations for airflow.

Transport for NSW says that to measure for comfort a large square of fabric must be obtained.

“There is not enough material in a glove to obtain a sample for the thermal comfort measure,” they say.

However, they do test for waterproofing.

Canstar Blue customer satisfaction research last year found that Baby Boomers are more likely to choose comfortable motorcycle gloves while Millennial riders buy for style.

All gear rated so far has been obtained through a secretive buying system to guarantee integrity.

Click here to find out how products are selected for rating in secret.

International award

Last year, MotoCAP won a Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) road safety award.

MotoCAP is a partnership between Transport for NSW, State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), VicRoads, Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC), Lifetime Support Authority (LSA), Western Australian Police: Road Safety Commission, Department of State Growth, Insurance Australia Group (IAG), Australian Motorcycle Council and Accident Compensation Corporation in New Zealand.

Testing is carried out by the Deakin University Institute for Frontier Materials on behalf of the MotoCAP partners.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

No joke: HJC launches Joker helmet

HJC Helmets has had a long association with Marvel Comics and Star Wars and now they add the DC Comics RPHA 11 Pro Joker helmet to their collections.

Of course you’ll pay up to an extra $100 for the privilege of following your nerdy fashion tastes, but who cares when you can look like a super hero or, in this case, the Joker super-villain?

The Joker helmet is designed for road and track use and has an aerodynamic shell structure composed of HJC’s Premium Integrated Matrix (P.I.M. Plus) shell material.

They claim it improves the helmet’s shock-resistance and helps the helmet save some weight.

The HJC RPHA 11 Pro Joker is DOT and ECE 22.05 certified and costs $US599.99 in the US and €599.90 in Europe. There is no word yet on its arrival in Australia or price.

Joker will come in three shell sizes from XS to XXL with a five-year warranty.

Joker features:HJC Joker helmet

  • Full-face helmet, without sun visor
  • Fiber manufacturing (Pim +)
  • 3 different shell sizes depending on the size of the helmet for weight and compactness
  • Double-D ring buckle
  • Foam extraction system facilitated for emergency response
  • Ventilation integrated into the hull
  • Quick screen disassembly, 20 mm HJ screen, semi-flat shape for vision
  • Secure screen closure with double clasp
  • Sizes: XS to XXL

Comics

HJC owns the rights to use Marvel and DC Comics characters to decorate their helmets.

They have produced models such as Captain America, Iron Man, Spiderman, Batman, Punisher, Venom and Youth Avengers.

HJC releases Star Wars and Marvel helmets Spider and Venom
Spider and Venom

HJC also has deals wth the Star Wars franchise and has released RPHA-11 Star Wars helmets, Boba Fett, Kylo Ren and Death Trooper.

Safe helmets

The Korean-made HJC S-17 and FG-ST models are very safe scoring a maximum five stars in the recognised Sharp helmets rating system.

The FG-17 scores four stars, RPHA-11 rates three stars, while the CL-XY II is not listed in the ratings. However, the CL-ST gets three stars.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MV Agusta partners with Akrapovic

MV Agusta has announced an industrial partnership with Slovenian exhaust systems manufacturer Akrapovič.

The agreement includes the supply of exhaust systems designed and produced for specific MV Agusta models.

Akrapovič has similar deals with other manufacturers and for several years has been supplying original mufflers for BMW and now Indian.

It’s not unusual for motorcycle companies to develop such partnerships. The most obvious is Ducati and Termignoni, but many other companies have developed partnerships over the years.

Akrapovič claims to be a pioneer in the “innovative use of titanium and super-alloys, and are at the forefront of carbon-fibre components construction”.

The company was founded by racing champion Igor Akrapovič and works closely with several teams in MotoGP, World-Superbikes and MXGP.

Akrapovic sounds

New MV Agusta CEO Timur Sardarov says the sound of the exhaust on one of their bikes is critical.

“Sound is part of the MV Agusta experience. It’s a key element to its style and we pay a lot of attention to it,” he says.

“Our three and four-cylinders models have quite unique personalities and we’ve always worked towards matching them with hair-raising sound, but this partnership goes well beyond the look and sound; it is really about leading-edge technology, performance and uncompromising quality.

“MV Agusta and Akrapovič have a very similar approach to industrial excellence, accepting nothing but the best. I welcome this partnership as a natural alliance between like-minded leaders in their own field, which will bring about many synergies and even better products for the enjoyment of motorcycle enthusiasts around the world.”

Akrapovič CEO Uroš Rosa says the partnership is a “natural fit”.

“Count Domenico Agusta and Igor Akrapovič both came from a racing background and created winning global brands through their passion, making this collaboration a natural fit,” he says.

“Akrapovič will create innovative products for the beautiful MV Agusta models that are coming soon, with designs that have never been seen before.

“With high-tech, race-proven materials, such as titanium and carbon fibre, we will create systems that will enhance the ‘Motorcycle Art’ that MV Agusta prides itself on, and our engineers will produce a unique sound for the range. Our exhausts will make a statement for all to see and hear that perfectly complements MV Agusta motorcycles.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Wait for Sena Outrush modular helmet

Sena has released its first modular helmet with built-in intercom, but Australians will have to wait for the Outrush as it has still not been Euro-approved for sale here.

At the moment it is only DOT approved for North American markets.

There is no announcement yet on how long Aussie and European riders will have to wait or how much it will cost.

I have reviewed and recommend both the Sena Momentum Lite full face and Savage open-face helmets.

Sena Outrush

In the US, the Outrush comes in matte black and gloss white in sizes small through extra large for just $US199 (about $A280).

That’s amazing since the Savage costs $US299 (about $A421) and is available here for $A499.Sena Outrush modular helmet

So the Outrush should only cost in the low $A300s.

Yet it comes with all the features of the other helmets with integrated Sena Bluetooth technology.

  • They include:
    Jog-dial control
  • HD Intercom Mode
  • Bluetooth 3.0 integration
  • Smartphone connectivity
  • 2-way Intercom
  • 800m range
  • 15 hours talk time
  • 3-hour charge time
  • 5-year warrantySena Outrush modular helmet

The modular helmet comes with a retractable sun visor, multi-density EPS liner and three-way ventilation.

It has a quick-release ratchet strap instead of a D-ring for quick and easy fastening and removal.

Fans of modular helmets like their practicality, versatility and ease of putting them on and taking them off wth your glasses still on.

Some say they can also fill up at the servo without having to remove the helmet.

However, there may be issues with the helmets not having the safe structural integrity of a full-face helmet.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Helmet intercoms are all about the bass

First it was Sena who increased their 50 series speaker diameter to 40mm to enhance bass response and now Cardo have introduced the Packtalk Black with 45mm speakers.

Packtalk Black is, of course, black, but all other features remain the same. They also offer 45mm JBL speaker replacements for existing Cardo units.

It’s all about the bass

Like Meghan Trainor sang, “It’s all about the bass”, although she refers to body size, not music quality.

Bass doesn’t really matter for intercom or phone conversations, but a lack of bottom end severely impacts sound quality for music, especially modern music that features a lot more bass.

Lower frequencies are wiped out by the abundance of mid to high frequencies caused by wind noise when riding.

Anything above about 50km/h can substantially reduce bass response. It is almost non-existent at highway speeds.

That leaves riders listening to shrill and distorted music which can be a dangerous annoyance.

To compensate, many riders now wear special filtered earplugs that reduce wind noise.

However, some of these can also decrease bass response.

I tested the new Sena 50R and found the bass response and volume substantially increased without any increase in distortion levels when turned up loud enough to hear over my Alpine filtered earplugs.

Sena 50R bass
Sena 50R

Is audio important?

We have published many stories about listening to music while riding.

Some don’t like it, but more and more are finding it not only relieves the boredom on long highway sections, but also helps them relaxant concentrate on riding.

Those who listen to the radio also receive important traffic and incident alerts.

So if you are listening to lots of music, it’s less distracting and tiring to listen to good quality audio rather than tinny, distorted tunes.

Note that the type of music you listen to can also positively and negatively affect your riding!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Hightail solves helmet hair issue

One of the biggest issues women cite with riding is how to deal with helmet hair, but now Aussie invention Hightail may have solved the problem.

Hightail ($A55) is simply a hair net device that attaches to the back of the helmet and holds long hair in place. Obviously, it works for long-haired men as well as women!

Inventors Jen Burch and Jon Dazeley of Sydney say Hightail stops long hair from splitting, breaking and becoming tangled in the wind.Hightail helmet hair

There are many specialty scarves and ties on the market that promise to deal with helmet hair.

Some work with long hair, some with short hair, but all of them you place in your hair.

“The key difference with Hightail is it attaches to the helmet, so there is no extra steps to use,” Jon says.

“It also means you can have a slow-mo movie moment when you take the helmet off and your hair cascades down.”

Hightail origin

Jen and Jon came up with the idea on a ride from Sydney to the Snowy Mountains.

“It was a long ride and Jen’s hair came loose from where she normally had it tucked down her jacket,” Jon says.Hightail helmet hair

“It was a tangled mess when we got to Jindabyne. We were cold, hungry and the tangled drama was not fun!”

So they set about inventing the Hightail for which a patent is now pending.

Hightail reviewHightail helmet hair

Jon sent me a Hightail for review even though he noted “you don’t have enough hair to review the product (neither to I) but maybe you could suggest someone you know”.

I did and she says it is easy to use and works just fine, m even with “product” in your hair.

Instructions are included with the product, but it’s best to watch this video featuring Jen for a more comprehensive explanation of how to attach the device, even though it is really rather simple.

Jon says Hightail will fit on most helmets but some can be problematic.

“If you are concerned about the particular helmet you want to install, please let us know the make and model and we will be able give some insight,” he says.

About the inventors

Hightail helmet hair
Jen and Jon

Jen grew up in the American Naval town oif Virginia Beach, joined the Navy in 2001 and was shipped to Japan three years later where she bought a Suzuki GSXF 400 Slingsling to get around.

She meet Kiwi-born Jon through Eharmony in 2013, when he was transferred to the US office of by his Sydney company.

Jon returned to Australia six weeks later and managed to convince Jen to first come for a holiday and then move to Sydney permanently in 2014.

Jen now rides a Triumph Bonneville while Jon, who has been riding most of his life, rides a Kawasaki GTR1400.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com