If you’re familiar with the Racer name when it comes to gloves then you probably associate it with the brand’s line of high-performance hand protection. This makes sense considering the name and all, but Racer makes gloves for more than, uh, racers, it also has cold weather gloves for both men and women.

Touring gear, by definition, must be versatile. If you’re traveling long distances, you’re likely to encounter a variety of weather conditions, perhaps even in the space of a single day. In addition, cargo carrying capacity is more important than on your typical day ride. Designed in the stylish adventure riding mold, the Andes is part of Alpinestars Tech-Touring line of gear.

Use to be helmets with internal sun visors were not only expensive but ponderously large. Fitting the shield and its retractable mechanics beneath the helmet’s shell, while innovative, gave its wearer a severe case of Charlie Brown head. Nowadays, many helmet manufacturers have managed to offer helmets with internal sun visors equal in size to those without. HJC’s done exactly that with the IS-17, but even more amazing is the retail price of the helmet: $180-$200.

As one of the best-known manufacturers of motorcycle gear, Joe Rocket has carved itself a nice niche in the industry. What’s extraordinary about that niche is that it’s all-inclusive. It’s not gear suited toward a particular style of riding or a certain type of rider.

Comfortably snug. It’s the idiomatic expression oft used to best describe the way in which a helmet should properly fit. Defining or explaining exactly what comfortably snug feels like, especially to a virgin motorcyclist, is difficult at best. Even many seasoned motorcyclists wear a helmet of incorrect size and/or fitment. But a helmet’s effectiveness largely depends on it being correctly sized and fitted, making helmet choice a paramount decision.

Playful barbs about Power Ranger suits notwithstanding, it may come as a surprise to some readers of Motorcycle.com to find that not all motorcyclists enjoy graphics-laden, logo-ridden riding gear. That stuff may be fine for some, but many of us prefer simple, comfortable protective gear for everyday riding.

High-Tech Motion’s weatherproof Phoneshield ups the usability and accessibility of your smartphone by bringing it out of your jacket pocket and mounting it front and center on your bike’s handlebars.

Helmets, leathers, gloves, boots, back protector, chest protector, air bags. When it comes to road racing, millions of dollars are spent to keep the rider covered in some sort of protective equipment, all in an effort to keep you as safe as possible when pushing to the max. Through it all, however, there’s still one incredibly important (and sensitive!) part of the body exposed to the elements — your neck.

When I was a kid, my two favorite stores in the mall were the tobacconist and the leather shop. They just smelled so damned manly. I’d step in to either one just to inhale the heady, grown-up aroma of machismo, chivalry and courage, smells that would transport my 10-year-old self to a world still beyond the grasp of a Toughskins-wearing fifth-grader, a world where guys drank beer out of cans, held doors open for ladies and had a perpetual trace of grease under their nails.

The special “Graffiti” HJC RPHA 10 helmet Jorge Lorenzo wore during his win at Catalunya earlier this year is now for sale. The original sold at auction for more than $35,000, with the proceeds going to charity. Comparatively, the production model costs only a mere $590. HJC is planning to donate $35,000 from sales of the Graffiti Lorenzo to charity.

Alpinestars is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014. Part of the reason for the company’s success is its ability to adapt with the times and advance with the changing motorcycle landscape. From motocross boots to racing leathers and (almost) everything in between, when it comes to gear, Alpinestars has become a trusted name in this sport.

It’s a rare event when the introduction of a new feature to motorcycling results in a paradigm shift of what’s possible, but the roll-out of semi-active suspension among several European manufacturers is an advancement that changes how we think about wheel control.

Carbon Fiber Technology, or CFT, is the catchy buzzword Dunlop is using to advertise its latest street/trackday tire, the Q3 reviewed here. The successor to the popular Q2, we were initially suspicious whether Dunlop would be able to better the appealing Q2, but it did. And in impressive style. CFT refers to carbon fiber filaments reinforcing the sidewall of the tire. This in turn provides enhanced stability under braking and at maximum lean angles.

Classroom or real world? Given the choice most will opt for the outdoor immersion in favor of the indoor lesson. Alpinestars took this into consideration when introducing its 2014 MX protective gear. Instead of herding a group of journalists into a sterile, white room with overhead fluorescent lights, the apparel giant instead invited scribes to ride Milestone Ranch MX Park outfitted with new-for-2014 Alpinestars gear.

So, I’ve received a lot of flak for my sardonically caustic “ Top 10 Hipster Motorcycles” post, and I admit that I’m deserving of the heaps of scorn that have been tossed in my direction. Was it dated? Likely. Was it loathsome? Probably. Was it mean-spirited? Hell no! Just making fun of all my friends who wear trendy clothes and ride trendy machines. Heck, I’m one of ‘em – or, the closest to one the Motorcycle.com staff can boast, anyway. I love vintage motorcycles, and anything vintage, really (particularly shirts). Moreover, I’m from Brooklyn and own, like, two pairs of skinny-ish pants.

“The business of selling safety,” that’s the company line, straight from the horse’s mouth. Leatt has made a name with protective neck braces for bicyclists and motorcyclists, and for 2013/14 the company has a few new items to guard the zaniest racers and riders. On a hot day last week, the South African company invited thirty or so media associates to its US distribution facility in Santa Clarita, California to take a long, refreshing swig of the Leatt kool-aid from General Manager, Phil Davy.

Whether you have decades of experience or are a newbie, it pays to realistically size up this activity called “riding a motorcycle,” and to look at yourself as a lifelong learner.

Riding a motorcycle safely and in control means not just better bike handling; it also means judging road conditions.

Depending on your experience, skill, preparation and risk tolerance, riding a motorcycle in the rain can be anything from frightening to fun. In any case, it is at least more complicated, potentially more hazardous, and afterward, your bike will need a bath.

There was a time when being a motorcyclist also meant being a mechanic – or at least being mechanically inclined.

Motorcycling has always been about fun and without a doubt it can be a blast, but it’s not a video game, or a trip to an over-safety-engineered amusement park.