Top 10 Holiday Gifts Between $500-$1000

Tom Roderick
by Tom Roderick

If you really want to make the motorcyclist in your life eternally happy and you have more disposable income that most of us, we’ve collected some holiday gift ideas ranging from $500 to $1000.

From gifts that will keep them safer in the event of a crash to ones that will hopefully help them avoid a crash altogether, we opened our pretend wallets about as wide as they could go for this list of 10 motorcycle goodies anybody would surely love. However, if you don’t’ see your dream gift on this list, please let us know about it in the comments section below.

10. Givi Trekker Outback Panniers – $460-$510

We begin our gift registry just below the $500 threshold with the Givi Trekker Outback hard saddlebags. Perfect for the adventure-touring rider who desires something more rugged than what many A-T bikes come equipped with from the factory. The bags come two sizes, 37- and 48-liter, and in either silver or black. The panniers are constructed from aluminum and fit an assortment of Adventure-Touring bikes. Optional accessories include inner and exterior bags, carrying handles, reflectors and protectors. Watch a short video about the bags here.

9. RSD Enzo Jacket – $520

No, the Enzo jacket doesn’t come equipped with the protective qualities of RSD’s ForceField armor (sold separately), but when it comes to moto-style, the Enzo jacket is hard to beat. Constructed of 1.2mm, oiled, top-grain leather, the Enzo comes in either Mahogany or Coal color with a slightly distressed finish. The cafe-style jacket has a short collar fits snugly around the arms and torso. The lining is 100% cotton and features large interior mesh pockets. The Enzo is available in sizes small to XXXL. For more information check our review RSD Enzo Jacket here.

8. Leatt STX RR Neck Brace – $549

For the roadracer in your life there’s probably no better new-to-the-scene safety equipment than Leatt’s STX RR neck brace. As Editor Siahaan commented in his review of the Leatt neck brace, “I don’t think you’ll find anyone against the advancement of rider safety in this sport, especially when it comes to the neck and spine. In this regard Dr. Leatt and his team deserve praise for their commitment to make motorcycling safer.”

Constructed of carbon fiber, the STX RR weighs only 1.55 pounds. Easy to put on, the brace features two quick-turn screws for emergency removal to eliminate interfering with a rider’s neck or head.

New Protective Gear From Leatt – More Than Just Neck Braces

7. Kathmandu Two-Piece Adventure-Touring Suit – $599

For motorcyclists with damn-the-weather attitudes FirstGear’s Kathmandu jacket ($329.95) and pants ($269.95) are an adventure-tourer’s best friend. The shell of each is constructed of 300-denier, high-density nylon with Hypertex treatment which is waterproof and breathable. Both jacket and pants feature removable insulated liners, removable body armor and numerous waterproof-zippered vents. The pants have removable salopette-style suspenders, while a removable hydration pack attaches to the back of the jacket with a rain hood stowing away in the collar. Exterior and interior pockets abound. Jacket sizes range from XS-XXL and the pants come in Normal (30-48), Short (34-42) and Tall (34-42) sizes.

6. Yoshimura R-77D Slip-on Carbon Muffler – $599

Constructed of lightweight carbon fiber, Yoshimura’s R-77D slip-on muffler system includes a stainless steel mid-pipe and all the necessary hardware for installation. The R-77D muffler is distinguished by its dual outlet end-cap design. Yosh claims the design increases exhaust flow while moderating decibel levels. And it’s Yoshimura’s efforts in working with the EPA to offer noise-compliant exhaust systems that impresses us. We visited the Yoshimura plant earlier this year and were given a tour of its interior and all the goings-on within. So kudos to Yosh for tamping motorcycle exhaust noise while still building exciting products to help quell the threat of increased legislation from motorcycle noise opponents hell bent on homogenizing the world in which we live.

5. California Superbike School – $675-$690

First thing’s first: California Superbike School operates outside of California, including tracks such as Virginia International Raceway, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Barber Motorsports Park, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, etc. Now comes the really good part. We’ve raved about BMW’s stellar S1000RR so much it’s earned a spot in our annual Best Of rankings since its release. For $675 or $690 (depending on location) you can ride one of CSS’s S1000RRs in the safe and exciting confines of a closed-course facility. Of course you’ll also be learning from the tutelage of riding guru Keith Code and his crew of professionals. A gift of this magnitude will not soon be forgotten by any sportbike junkie.

4. Alpinestars Motegi Two-Piece Leathers – $799

Alpinestars’ two-piece Motegi suit is great for both street and track riding because it replaces the need for a one-piece leather suit and a separate jacket. The jacket easily unzips from the pants, but when zipped together it’s hard to tell the suit isn’t a two-piece item. Whether you’re going for a casual street ride or have track day, the Motegi two-piece is a quality riding jacket or full-leather suit made to tackle both scenarios. The Motegi is constructed from 1.3mm full-grain leather and features CE-certified protectors on the elbows, shoulders and knees.

Alpinestars Atem Leathers Review

3. Bazzaz ZFi TC – $849

If you have a Honda CBR1000RR or another possibly older model sportbike lacking the newest go-fast technology it’s a lot easier and far more affordable to purchase and install a Bazzaz ZFi TC module than it is to purchase a new motorcycle. Constructed to plug directly into your bike’s ECU the ZFi TC enhances your non-techie bike’s performance with the addition of traction control, a quick shifter and the ability to fine-tune your bike’s fueling. Fine tuning the TC, quick-shifting and fueling properties with Bazzaz’s ZFi TC is easy with their free software download. The kit comes complete with everything you need to bring your sportbike to the forefront of motorcycle electronics. Check out our coverage of Bazzaz at the AIMExpo here.

2. Motorcycle Insurance – $950

Not sure what to get the motorcyclist in your life? Why not give him/her peace of mind by purchasing six months of their insurance coverage. Obviously this doesn’t have to be $950, but whatever the amount of money they don’t have to spend on insurance they can purchase something – jacket, helmet, tires, a trip, etc. – that they’d really enjoy. Maybe create your own voucher that says something along the lines of “Good for six months of full-coverage motorcycle insurance.” The biker on the receiving end of this gift will love you for it.

1. Custom Bell Star Helmet – $1,100

Okay, it’s a hundred bucks more than the specified limit of this category and the product isn’t actually available until after Xmas, but what motorcyclist wouldn’t want a custom-fit helmet sometime in 2014? Starting with a Star Carbon helmet, Bell scans your cranium then constructs an internal EPS liner to fit your noggin like a hand in a velvet glove.

We covered the custom Bell Star process here and were impressed with the technology and resulting levels of comfort and performance. So stash away whatever cash you receive as gifts this year to put towards a custom Bell helmet of your own, and keep an eye out for when Bell will be offering custom fittings next year.

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Tom Roderick
Tom Roderick

A former Motorcycle.com staffer who has gone on to greener pastures, Tom Roderick still can't get the motorcycle bug out of his system. And honestly, we still miss having him around. Tom is now a regular freelance writer and tester for Motorcycle.com when his schedule allows, and his experience, riding ability, writing talent, and quick wit are still a joy to have – even if we don't get to experience it as much as we used to.

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