Top 10 Father's Day Gifts Under $50

Tom Roderick
by Tom Roderick

Admit it. If you’re reading this a few days prior to Father’s Day, you’re probably a procrastinator. Considering we published two previous Father’s Day Top 10s, $50 to $100 and Over $100, and this one’s for products under $50, you must also be che…, er, frugal. Hey, it’s the effort and thought, not the timing or price, that counts, right?

Truth be told, some dads would be happiest with a gift certificate for a few hours, or maybe a few days, resting in an isolation tank. If you’re unwilling to provide him that luxury, here are 10 affordable tips any moto-daddy will appreciate receiving this Sunday.

10. Motors For Nothing (Kicks For Free): E-Book By Dain Gingerelli $2.99

For the literate father, or at least those who take the time to read motorcycle-related stuff, this E-Book by Dain Gingerelli is a no-brainer. Motors For Nothing (Kicks For Free) provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to be a staff writer during the motorcycle magazine industry’s heyday. The book won’t necessarily teach your dad how to be a motorcycle magazine editor, but it’ll show him what it’s like to be on staff to ride – and write about – some of the most exotic two-wheel machines in the world. Copies can be downloaded for $2.99 at Amazon.com, Kobo, Banes & Noble, Smashwords and Facebook.com/MotorsForNothing.

9. Olympia C10 Stretch Fleece Liner $4.95

Yeah, it’s summer but that means the perfect time to purchase out-of-season items such as these Olympia stretch fleece glove liners is now. The form-fitting fleece liner has a rubberized palm and fingers for added gripping ability. The fleece liners can be worn alone or beneath another glove – a great alternative to purchasing an expensive pair of cool-weather-specific gloves. Best yet, the fleece liners are currently discounted to $4.95 from their normal $9.95 asking price. Check them out at shop.OlympiaGloves.com.

8. Powertye Cargo Net $8.95

Behold the cargo net, the most ubiquitous carrying device known to motorcyclists. Chances are your dad already owns one of these, and if he does it’s easy to assume that it’s worn and stretched so much there’s only 50% elasticity left. If he doesn’t already have one attached to his bike or hanging on the garage wall he probably let a friend borrow it, never to be returned. Either way, he’s in need of a replacement. Powertye’s cargo net is constructed with 2 in. x 2 in. mesh to help keep smaller items from falling through the empty spaces. The ABS plastic hooks help reduce scratching the bike’s bodywork, while sub-hooks are for easy tightening. Get one today in black, red or blue at Powertye.com.

7. Ultralight / Watertight Medical Kit $17.00

This little, inexpensive gem could literally be a life saver, especially for those Adventure-Tourer dads out there who actually ride to the remote locations for which the bike was built. The 3.68 oz., 6.5 in. x 5 in. x 1 in. bag includes wraps to immobilize fractures, antiseptic wipes and butterfly bandages, a wide array of medications to treat pain, inflammation and common allergies, and more. The bag itself features two-stage waterproofing with an inner DryFlex bag and outer seam-sealed siliconized nylon bag with water-resistant zipper. Adventure Medical Kits offers this model among others at the website AdventureMedicalKits.com.

6. Canyon Dancer Bar-Harness II $26.99

When trucking a motorcycle is the only reasonable option, Canyon Dancer’s Bar-Harness II helps simplify the effort while maintaining the safety and security of the motorcycle being transported. Fitted with Injection molded polycarbonate bar-end cups to reduce damage to the handlebar grips (especially heated ones), and reinforced with steel D-ring lay-ins the new Bar-Harness II is equipped to handle any size motorcycle. Get a set for dad today at CanyonDancer.com.

5. BikeMaster Chain Breaker 420-630 $32.95

For the do-it-yourself dad who spends more time in the garage working on his bike rather than polishing it, BikeMaster brings you its Chain Breaker. Simply put, you can’t replace a worn and stretched chain without a tool like this. The BikeMaster chain breaker fits chains from 420 through 630 and comes standard with 3.5mm and 4.5mm hardened pins. The folding handle makes for a compact design, and the tool is covered by a lifetime warranty. More about the chain breaker is available at BikeMaster.com, while purchases can be made at various online stores or brick-and-mortar locations.

4. River Road Baron Aviator Goggles $39.95

If your dad’s a wind-in-the-face kinda guy, he may appreciate these Baron Aviator goggles from River Road. The shatterproof, polycarbonate, smoke lens has UV-400 filters to protect eyes from harmful rays. Foam padding around the goggles’ exterior provide a comfortable fit, and ventilation holes aid cooling and help avoid fogging. The $39.95 price tag includes a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Check out the Baron Aviator goggles at RiverRoadGear.com, or purchase a pair at various online stores or brick-and-mortar locations.

3. Battery Tender Junior $39.95

If dad’s always busy with honey-dos and running the kids to and fro, he may not get to ride his motorcycle as often as he’d like, but he can keep the battery fresh with the Battery Tender Junior. The Junior version works just like its larger and more expensive counterparts with a complete four-step charging program (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Absorption Mode, Float Mode), is compact enough to reside in small spaces others can’t, and is still able to reach the battery via its 12-foot output cord. The spark-proof, reverse-polarity-protected charger is good for lead-acid and gel cell batteries. Available at the BatteryTender.com website (except, for some reason, in California) and various other online and in-person retailers.

2. Alpinestars Techstar Boardshorts $44.95

They ain’t motorcycle gear, but dads gotta keep cool during summer when they’re not riding, and Alpinestars Techstar Boardshorts are just the ticket. The Boardshorts are constructed of speed suede and feature a hip pocket and large logo graphic print. Three different colors versions are available. Check them out and make a purchase at Alpinestars.com.

1. Firstgear Mesh Tex Gloves $49.95

Just in time for summer is this pair of Mesh Tex gloves from Firstgear. Both the palm and fingers are made of leather, while the box-finger construction features stretchable sides and an articulated design for an instinctive, natural and flexible fit. Extra protection comes by way of hard knuckle guards, while an adjustable velcro cuff provides a personal fit. The Mesh Tex gloves are available in sizes from Small to 2XL to fit the hands of dads both large and small, and in colors black and grey/black. More information regarding Firstgear products is available at Firstgear-usa.com, while examples are available for sale at various online stores or brick-and-mortar locations.

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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