MO Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Top 10 $250 – $500

Troy Siahaan
by Troy Siahaan

For those of you with relatively deep pockets, a giving attitude, and motorcycle-riding friends you really like, may we suggest a few gift items ranging from $250 to $500. However, if you’re on the fence about spending this kind of dough for a holiday gift, rest assured, if any one of the MO staff were to receive one of these, we would be extremely grateful. Odds are, your benefactor would be as well. And isn’t that the point of gift giving? The 10 items below cover a wide swath of riders, both genders, and even the little ones.

$250: Saddlemen Express Desperado Saddlebags with Shock-Cutaway

When you bought your cruiser all those many moons ago, you didn’t think you needed luggage. “If it can’t fit in a backpack, then it doesn’t need to come with me,” you said. Maybe today, however, you realize the error of your ways. Having a little extra storage space is rarely a bad thing, and with Saddlemen’s Express Desperado Saddlebags, there’s now an easy solution for your storage needs.

Designed to fit around the dual shocks found on some cruisers, the Express Desperado bags don’t require you to mess with signal relocation kits or other wonky installation methods. Desperado styling features straps, with chrome buckles and studs, along with hidden quick-detach locking latches. The rigid construction helps maintain the bag’s shape, while inside you’ll find a nifty mesh pocket, ideal for carrying maps and other small items. A carrying handle is included, and the hat box lid helps improve weather resistance. Visit www.saddlemen.com for more information.

$259.75: Condor Pit Stop/Trailer Stop Wheel Chock

If you’ve ever had to transport a motorcycle, without actually riding it to its destination, then you’ll appreciate just how convenient having a motorcycle chock like the Condor Pit Stop/Trailer Stop can be. In case you aren’t familiar with how these things work, you simply roll your motorcycle onto the chock, and the locking arm along the X-axis rotates into position, securing your wheel into place. The benefits are plentiful: it saves space, makes it easier to perform maintenance work since the bike isn’t leaning over to one side, and it also makes loading a bike onto a truck or trailer much more secure.

Racers or trackday guys will find the chock especially useful, as you can use it to haul the bike to the track, and once there it can be used as a bike stand after every session – no need to fumble with your side stand or place one hand on the tail section while jockeying a rear stand into place. The patented adjustable cradle can fit all kinds of bikes, from dirtbikes to sportbikes, cruisers to tourers, and it will work on front and rear tires from 14 inches to 22 inches, with widths ranging from 80mm to 230mm. The Condor website is where to go for more information.

$259.99: Cortech Women’s LNX Leather Jacket

One of the fastest growing segments in this sport, the influx of female riders, means companies have taken notice, no longer passing off smaller versions of male jackets to lady customers. With the LNX leather jacket, Cortech has shaped it to fit the specific contours of a woman’s anatomy. Constructed with both perforated and non-perforated 1.2mm – 1.3mm leather, the LNX features removable CE-approved armor in the shoulder and elbow areas. Cortech also fit the jacket with both a full-circumference and 8-inch zippers to allow the user to attach an appropriate pair of riding pants for full-body protection.

To help keep the rider warm on colder rides, the LNX features a removable inner jacket liner which itself has removable sleeves. Two front pocket vents, one large exhaust vent across the back, and accordion panels at the shoulder and waist helps the rider feel comfortable. Lastly, to help accommodate a sporty riding position, the LNX also features rotated sleeves. Visit www.cortech.com for more information.

$279.90: Spidi Street Tex Jacket

If you don’t want to make it obvious by your jacket that you’re a motorcyclist, then maybe the Spidi Street Tex is calling your name. Available in both men’s and women’s versions (the lady version is shown here), the Street Tex primarily has warm-weather riding in mind while looking like a jacket you could wear out to the movies.

Constructed from polyamide outer fabric with a waterproof treatment, mesh lining rests inside the jacket, and a quilted liner helps keep the rider warm when it’s chilly out. Of course, there’s CE-approved armor in the shoulder and elbows, and a snap at the waist allows you to attach a pair of pants. It isn’t as secure as a zipper attachment, but it’s better than nothing. With two external pockets and one inside, the Street Tex (available in red, white and black) looks good either on or off the bike, and provides protection to boot. Www.spidi.com is where to go for more information.

$289: Leatt Fusion 2.0 Jr.

Let’s not forget about the little ones this moto holiday season! If your kid likes pretending he or she is the next Ryan Villopoto or Ashley Fiolek, then consider protecting them in the Leatt Fusion 2.0 Jr. Combining Leatt’s CE-certified neck-brace system with CE-certified body protection for junior riders, the Fusion 2.0 helps protects kids from serious chest, flank, shoulder, back and neck injuries. A side-entry system means full protection of the front and back of the body, without any gaps. The Fusion uses 3DF foam technology for its protectors, which is relatively soft to the touch, but firms nearly instantaneously upon impact and distributes the impact load across the padding. Available in black, orange, red, green or white, visit the Leatt website for more information.

$329.95 – $359.95: Scorpion EXO-T1200 Helmet

Scorpion’s EXO-T1200 is the first entry in its new T series of helmets aimed squarely at touring riders, incorporating features tourers have been asking for. Scorpion says the shell is constructed from Thermodynamic Composite Technology, consisting of a five-layer blend of interlaced and specially formulated fiberglass, aramid and organic poly-resin fibers and was developed exclusively by Scorpion. The T1200’s aerodynamic shape incorporates wind-tunnel-tested top vents designed to maximize the venturi effect.

Inside, the T1200 sees the inflatable cheek pad system used on the EXO-R2000 race helmet, complete with an anti-microbial liner and emergency release system. A three-position flip-down sun visor helps keep the eyes from straining when it’s bright out. Speaker pockets are incorporated into the cheekpads to facilitate communication systems. Three shell sizes accommodate six helmet sizes (XS – 2XL), so there’s sure to be an EXO-T1200 that’s right for you. Visit www.scorpionusa.com for more information.

$368 – $468: Cycle Cabana

With winter fast approaching (and already here for many of you), it might be time to put your bike away for storage. But what if you don’t have a great spot to keep your bike protected from the elements? That’s where the Cycle Cabana comes in. Available for both indoor and outdoor applications, the one-inch tubular, powder-coated steel frame comes partially assembled and is easily assembled with hand tools. An optional floor assembly is available as well.

When you’re done riding, simply open up the accordion-style frame and roll the bike in. Nothing comes in contact with the motorcycle, and the heavy-duty cover is held in place to the frame members with multiple Velcro straps. Two large vents allow air circulation and help avoid condensation, and the shape of the Cycle Cabana allows rain or melting snow to fall away. Available for up to two bikes, the Cycle Cabana works for the smallest of scooters to the largest of baggers. Visit www.2wheeltouring.net for more information.

$399.95 – $449.95: Bell Bullitt helmet

Bell’s Bullitt line of retro-inspired helmets are the epitome of cool. Call them hipster if you want, but one look at the Bullitt in person, especially in the Viva color scheme above, designed by Roland Sands, and at the very least you’ll come to respect what Bell is doing in the helmet market. Drawing from the original Bell Star helmet, the Bullitt takes that design into the modern age. With 3D-formed quick snap cheek pads, five metal mesh intake vents, leather trim and a magnetic shield-closure system, this modern take on an old classic is perfect for your moto friend who refuses to let go of their CX500. Available in XS-2XL, go to www.bellhelmets.com for more details.

$499: Atacama Expedition Tent

For those who embody the term “Adventure-Touring,” the Expedition Tent by Atacama should be near the top of your holiday wish list. Essentially a mobile living quarters complete with makeshift garage, the Expedition Tent really is a home away from home. Capable of sleeping three, with separate entryways for each person, the Expedition Tent weighs about 13 lbs and, when packed, measures 9 inches x 21 inches. The tent is mainly composed of Ripstop Nylon, and is meant for three-season use. It can be completely closed off for privacy, or the user can choose to unfurl the bug-resistant mesh panel in each vestibule to let in fresh air. Only three poles are required, and each is color coded, making set-up and tear-down a breeze. A must-have item for the hardcore adventure riders out there, visit www.redverz.com for more information.

$489: SpeedAngle Lap Timer and Motion Data Logger

If you’ve seen our 2015 Literbike Spec Chart Comparison, you’ll notice the latest batch of superbikes come filled with all kinds of electronic rider aids to help the rider go faster around a track. One of those items is GPS-based lap timing, with the ability to record lean angles and g-forces in realtime. But what if your bike doesn’t have these gadgets? What do you do then to help improve your riding? That’s where the SpeedAngle comes in.

With its built-in accelerometer, bank-angle sensor and GPS receiver, the SpeedAngle lets a rider see and analyze their riding, no matter the bike, street or track. In its simplest form, street riders can use the data as a personal riding-skills tool. As skills or desires progress, track riders and racers can overlay each type of data (lap time, lean angle, g-force) over 14 pre-programmed racetrack maps to see where they are strong and where they’re giving up time. Inputting a new track is made simple as well. All the of the SpeedAngle’s info is downloadable via USB, and when used in conjunction with SpeedAngle’s Replay and Analysis software, it’s quick and easy to review your riding with those of others.

The unit requires no wiring or drilling to the bike, weighs just 15 oz, and its 3.7-volt lithium-ion battery provides up to 14 hours of use. More info can be found at www.speedangle.com and purchasing info is available at www.markbiltracebikes.com, the exclusive U.S. distributor.

Troy Siahaan
Troy Siahaan

Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.

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