Archive for the ‘Helmets & Gear Tips’ Category

Saturday, September 24th, 2011

Ride Magazine are known to tell it like it is and therefore there’s no higher recommendation for a product than those that have the received the coveted Ride RecommendedorRide Best Buytitle. At GhostBikes  we have a dedicated section, not only to Ride Recommendations but for a whole range of recommended motorcycle gear to make it easier for you to buy the best motorcycle clothing and accessories in the market.

Check out our Tried, Tested & Recommended section by clicking here

Ride Recommended

Ride Recommended

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Want heated grips without the hassle of removing the originals? The Oxford Hot Hands at Ghostbikes.com are a simple yet elegant heater element nestled in a velcro padded wrap that attaches around your existing grips. Ensuring that those hands are kept warm and responsive in the cold.  There is a rainproof switch assembly with LED to show on/off that sits on the throttle assembly providing ease of use.

Simple, easy to get on and off and they work.  Additionally as a bonus we’re supplying a free Oxford Comfy Neck Warmer worth £13.29 with the hot hands – toasty!

HBW

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

Customers often get sizings wrong for their motorcycle gloves.  What you are going to be using the gloves for naturally influences how they should fit.  For those who are thinking of getting a pair of motorcycle gloves for a present or if they simply haven’t bought a set before you can use this size chart here for a broad idea.

Glove sizing chart

Summer gloves need to be snug without being restrictive.  The wrist stitching  should be on comfortably on your wrist, not on your hand and the fingers should not be pushing against the ends.  The wrist cuffs do vary wildly from long or short on summer gloves depending on it’s design.  You should think about whether you want the cuff over the sleeve of your motorcycle jacket, or tucked inside instead.

Winter gloves are different and should be treated as such.  They should not be as snug as summer gloves (but not loose) for the key reason of insulation.  Winter gloves work by trapping a layer of air in your glove which your hand warms up.  If the glove is too snug then this thermal layer cannot work and after 5 minutes of riding your previously warm hands just end up cold again.  They ideally need to be waterproof if being used in the UK, wet and cold hands are a dangerous combination!

Summer gloves vs winter glove

For information all the gloves above are the same fit size Medium and are the Spada Predator long cuff summer gloves on the left, Buffalo 322 summer short cuff gloves center and Buffalo Arctic Winter gloves on the right.  Note how different they look despite fitting the same hand size!

HBW

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

A top biker’s guide to picking the right motorcycle boots

Motorbike boots are one of the most expensive investments a rider has to make, commonly costing between £50 and £400. So why bother?

Normal shoes, builders’ boots and walking boots can be dangerous when riding on powerful motor vehicles. They wear quickly, especially if you’re a rider who likes to ‘feel the road’ a bit, and they can become flimsy. Boot laces can get caught in pedals and normal shoes can easily be pulled off leaving your feet exposed.

In stark contrast – a pair of good motorcycle boots will be comfortable even at the 300 mile mark. They will protect your toes, ankle, calf and shin and save your feet from turning to hamburgers in a crash. And sometimes they look pretty good too. Good biking boots offer superb protection and with a wide range to choose from there is no excuse for riding in sandals. Here are the three main types:

Motorcycle touring boot
These are usually the least expensive biking boots and are perfect for the everyday commuter who goes out in all weather and wants his boots to be comfortable and safe. You can expect to pay £50-£100 for a good pair and they should last you a long time unless you have a crash.

Stealth boot

Check they are waterproof  – there’s nothing worse than wet feet. A professionally made pair should have a HIPORA lining which guarantees they will keep water out.

Just because touring boots are lower in price doesn’t mean they all skimp on protection. Look for boots that have a solid shin, ankle guards, with toe caps and heel caps to keep your toes on your feet. Otherwise you might as well ride bare-foot.

Motorcycle sports boot
This footwear is ideal for bikers who feel the need for speed and also want to look the part while they’re cruising. Like designer trainers, this style of footwear often comes in a wide variety of colours or styles and is intended to look great and fit like a glove. The price ranges from between £70-£170.

Neo boot

They should still have all the protective features of a touring boot.

They should be comfortable. A good boot doesn’t put too much pressure on your feet but should grip you well enough to stay on even if you tug them hard.

Motorcycle racing boot
Racing boots are for serious riders who push their kit to the limit and demand all the latest technology and protection to keep them safe and improve their track performance. Unsurprisingly they are often the most expensive and can cost over £300, although good quality ones can be found for under £100.

Cougar boot

Don’t believe the hype surrounding a designer brand boot. Check out what protection it offers and, if you can, try the boot for size and fit.

Shop around. Motorcycle clothing retailers have a whole range of prices – make sure you get the best deal.

As a good starting point visit http://wwwghostbikes.com.

For starters, why not check out their Cougar racing boot here: http://www.ghostbikes.com/products/1243-Ghost-Cougar-Motorcycle-Boots.html