2017 Holiday Gift Guide Part 3: $100-$250

Motorcycle stands are great for a number of reasons. They make performing any sort of maintenance on your bike much easier by keeping it not only slightly further off the ground but also level and stable. Most oil and fluid changes, as well as lubing your chain, become less of a hassle. A motorcycle stand also helps free up some space in the garage by positioning the bike completely upright, and that’s not to mention the fact that they look racey and cool. Pitbull offers a few different options for both front and rear with either standard or spool-type support. The stand is galvanized which means it will stand up to the elements, and there’s an option for a removable handle as well to help take up even less space. Available at most powersports dealers or directly from Pit Bull.

Possibly one of the most overlooked items on the motorcycle pre-ride checklist is making sure your tire pressure is set correctly. There’s an ideal pressure for each type of bike and tire depending on what kind of riding you’ll be doing. Whether it’s for aired-down sport riding, firmer two-up touring or anywhere in between, the right tire pressure can be the deciding factor between railing corners like a hero or a trip to the hospital in an ambulance. This Husky 8-gallon portable air compressor is a nice tool to have in your garage and comes with a hose and just about all the fittings you’d need to fill up any tire or perform any sort of household duty requiring compressed air. Stop by your local Home Depot or order it online here.

Whether it be rider or passenger, this one’s for all the ladies out there. Atwyld is a brand by girls for girls. The Convoy Armored Shirt is a second-skin, full-zip long-sleeve base layer constructed with 90% Eclon Nylon, 10% Spandex and 370-gram moisture-wicking jersey with D3O armor at the shoulders, elbows and back. The armored pads are completely removable for an easy wash. Ladies can wear the Convoy under any jacket for an extra layer of impact protection that zips on and off with ease and packs down well for storage once you’ve reached your destination. Click over to Atwyld’s website for more info and lady’s gear here.

Torque specifications are not just obscure numbers written in the manual that can be ignored. They’re there for a reason. Over-tightening a nut or bolt can be just as damaging or dangerous as under-tightening it. Over-torqueing a fastener can damage bearings or components and lead to their premature failure just as vibrations can further loosen an already loose nut or bolt. Amongst other things, I’ve seen axles and handlebars go loose going down the road and, let me tell you, it’s not an enjoyable thing to watch happen to someone or to experience yourself. Easier to use than a click-type torque wrench, the BikeMaster digital wrench takes the guesswork out of making sure your fasteners are torqued to spec. The ⅜-inch drive should suffice for all your bike’s needs though ¼-inch and ½-inch drive wrenches are available, too. BikeMaster products are available at most powersports dealers or at the following link.

$249.99 for a toolset you will rarely use may sound a little crazy, but it’s worth it – trust me. And there’s nothing like having the right tool for the job. Bearings go bad all the time if you don’t take proper care of them or if they’re often ridden through harsh, wet or sandy environments. Bearings are rather easy to install, but removing them is another story. Using this kit doesn’t take much mechanical aptitude and can save you hundreds of dollars in the long-term on labor costs at the dealer or shop. Plus, it’s rewarding and feels good to be able to work on your own bike. It strengthens the bond between man and machine. Get ordering info here or stop by your local dealer.

Technology and electronics, for the most part, are great. We use and rely on them everyday, but when they fail us, it’s the worst. And that frustrating feeling can be amplified ten-fold if you’re out on the road with the bike. Fortunately there’s hope, and no, I’m not talking about AAA. I know bikers that bring along their Antigravity XP-10 Micro-Start wherever they go, and I can even say that it’s pulled me out of the weeds before.

It is small enough to fit in your hand yet so powerful it can jump-start diesel vehicles up to 7.3 liters. It can also power and charge laptops, tablets, GPS devices, cameras, smartphones and more. This model offers two USB charging ports in addition to its 19V and 12V charging ports. Its battery has a very high capacity of 18,000 mAh and up to 600 peak amps for massive starting capabilities. At 18 ounces, it’s lightweight and compact and even has a 3-mode hi-power 110-Lumen LED flashlight built in with two flash patterns including a S.O.S. flashing beacon. Get yours here.

Motorcycles are one of the most fun ways to get from A to B, and you might spend some time at B, requiring you to bring along necessary gear, tools and clothing. There’s plenty of motorcycle luggage out there, but one of the best and most functional is the Biltwell EXFIL-80 Bag. Built to hold all your gear, this moto-ruck will easily swallow everything you need to travel and camp from your motorcycle for days on end, and there’s plenty of different ways to strap and secure it to your bike.

Adding functionality, the large external tool compartment is padded on the outside so you can lean back on it, if your setup permits. This section easily unzips to put your tools and smaller items right at your fingertips without unstrapping the bag from your bike. The EXFIL-80 is UV-treated and water-resistant, but when you need 100% waterproofing, you can open the zipper just under the tool compartment and pull out the attached waterproof sleeve and slide it over the entire system. Order yours here.

One of our favorite helmets to date, the Bell Star needs no introduction. It’s a great lid that retails for $499.99 that Revzilla is currently offering for $249.99. Matte Black is shown here, but other colors and graphics are available. It’s not the MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) equipped helmet that we tested earlier this month, which you can read all about by following the link just below. But at 50% off, deals don’t get much better than that, so make sure to get yours before supplies run out! Find it here at Revzilla.

Bell Star MIPS Helmet Review

Being cold on a motorcycle is a feeling we could all do without. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it also hinders our ability to fully control the bike. There are a lot of options on the market to keep us warm, from bulky jackets to battery-powered heated gear. However, the easiest, most convenient and perhaps least obtrusive way to stay warm is with a solid base layer, and Alpinestars has just the thing.

The Ride Tech Winter Top and Bottom base layers are developed for cold-weather riding conditions with double-density fabric covering the most exposed areas. They have comfortable, moisture-wicking material for optimal thermal protection and are made from polypropylene with elastane fabric that will not melt under abrasion. The combo is comfortable enough to wear around on a daily basis, even off the bike. Order yours here.

Monster Energy Supercross tickets are perhaps the only gift on this list that you can simultaneously share with your loved ones. Starting January 6, 2018, the Supercross season kicks off its 17-round tour across the U.S. with stops in cities that are bound to be somewhere nearby. If you’re any sort of motorcycle enthusiast, you can surely enjoy the spectacle of racers banging bars and effortlessly flying through the air as they compete to stand on the podium at the end of the night. Tickets go from about $40 anywhere up to about $250 depending on the section. It’s quite the show and fun for the whole family, so you won’t be disappointed! All rounds, event info and tickets can be purchased here.

From our dysfunctional MO family to yours, Happy Holidays!