Mike’s Typo

$100 here, a hundred there. Pretty soon it starts to add up. Ok, more on that later. First, as promised in the last Typo - my picks for bike accessories. There are so many cool picks, where do I start.

If you don’t have the Reduced Effort Clutch, you’re just putting out too much effort to ride. “This may be the best $250 you’ve spent on your bike.” If I have to explain…. Just ask Julian, Dan or Jimmy. And, this might be the best time to get your bike in and get it done - read further; there’s a coupon that knocks that cost down a bit. Click to link to the touring, Softail, and Dyna RECs (Ok, I know, I hate acronyms too. I just did it for the corporate-types reading this).

With the current weather, you’re probably appreciating a little heat off the engine. Come Spring, sitting at the stop light on an FL can get a bit toasty. Harley’s got the answer - Air Deflectors. I would have expected them to call it an “Advanced Heat Management System.” But, you know there is a reason they call a crash guard, an engine guard. But, I digress. Customers said that the aftermarket versions of these (which came out first) really worked. I was skeptical, so I put a pair of the Harley ones (much better fit/much better looking) on my bike. Big improvement. And, they come in a black composite material (not smoked), so your eye really doesn’t read them. This is one of those “must haves” on my list.

If your running around on anything other than a fairing bike, I’m guessing there are times when you have XM-envy. I sure did. Not any more. I don’t listen to it all the time, but when I do - it’s so nice to have commercial free music that’s CD quality sound. I’m talking about the handlebar mount XM receiver from Harley. It’s a good size. You can read the display. And, you can punch the buttons with gloves on. It’s really well thought out. It’s on my bike and I love it. No speakers. I just use a set of headphones installed in my helmet. The headphones are made for Harley by Koss - great sound.

One more item. How about that new Isolated Drive System on the sprocket for 2008? Right. You want it. Even though you might have a bit of trouble describing what it does. Well, once again, that’s why Dan, Julian & Jimmy get the big bucks. Me, I just call it my “Cush Drive.” Good chance if you don’t have it, there is a kit that will fit your bike.

Back to the $100. I love talking about FREE money. A big thanks to H-D for making that possible. It’s the Elbow Grease promotion. Great name - what does it mean? Simply put, Harley is giving you $100 free labor against the installation of lots of stuff. Good stuff this time. Not the “slow movers.” Paint, chrome front end kits, handlebars, wheels, Screamin’ Eagle Street Legal Performance kits, and a bunch of other items. There are some terms & conditions but nothing that would stop you from taking advantage of free money.

So, to wrap this. The Elbow Grease bucks are available for a couple of my favorites: the handlebar mount XM and the Isolated Drive System kits.

It got cold quick. So, it’s time to think of heated grips, a heated seat, or my favorite the heated jacket. What a difference being toasty makes when there is a chill in the air. Call me a pansy ass. I’ve got no problem there ’cause I’m riding and I’m comfortable. The service department can throw a pair of heated grips and/or a heated seat on your bike faster than you can say the Gettysburg Address. If your looking for the ultimate clothing solution to add natural or “artificial” warmth, look no further.

First the artificial options. As I said, the heated jacket liner is “the shit.” Pardon the expression. The heated jacket liner goes under my FXRG jacket no problem. You can control it with a pocket switch and thermostat or you can wire it to a switch on your bike. I’m not big on fumbling around in my pocket while I’m riding, so I have a plug by my seat and a switch discretely mounted on the bike. I don’t use the thermostat; I just flip the switch ON when I’m cold, and OFF when I’m warm enough.

Aside from the heated jacket liner, there is a heated vest liner, heated pants liner, and heated gloves. I haven’t seen anyone around here with the heated pants liners, but we sure sell a lot of jacket and vest liners. The gloves are popular as well. If you’re using the heated jacket liner, the gloves plug right into the cuffs. Trick.

So, we’ve got this stuff in stock. Or, want it now - you can click over and order it from us online. You can find the heated jacket liner here. Want the heated vest liner? Here are the heated gloves.

There are also a host of thermal garments available from Harley. I use them all Winter. They’re great. There are a bunch you can find in the Santa Cruz or Watsonville stores or you can order them online. Here are my three favorites: the neck tube keeps your neck warm; the thermal cap is great off the bike; and, the face mask is essential if you wear a half helmet.

For the guy or gal who has everything, there is now Nikwax Map Proof. Here’s the blurb. Among traveling’s lesser joys is when rain makes a nice, expensive map disintegrate like toilet paper. It doesn’t have to be that way, though-not if you treat it with Nikwax’s Map Proof. Just sponge it on, and the solution is said to render maps waterproof, while keeping their ability to fold for storage and even write on them. One $7.95, 4.2-ounce bottle should be able to treat six or more maps.

Source: Motorcyclist, 9/06