Textile Overpants and Magnetic Tank Bag

Join me on the Two Wheel Power Hour at 3:25pm PT / 6:25pm ET. I'm going to give some updates regarding the Progressive Motorcycle Show, as well as a couple of products I've been spending time with recently:

Givi Silver T470 Tank Bag MSRP $80 I'll be posting a full review later this week. But I just wanted to briefly mention how much I love this bag. It's about the same size as my Cortech magnetic tank bag, but less square shaped and tapered in front. The one thing I really like is the sealed zipper around the top of the bag. This means no additional waterproof covers needed! It expands and comes with straps in case you don't have a magnetic tank, or you want to strap it to your scooter! Givi makes very friendly scooter luggage. If you're searching for options for your scooter, I'd make Givi's website your first stop.

Revit Zip Overpants $139.99, XXS - 4XL, Standard, Short and Long sizing available Revzilla.com These are unisex overpants starting at size XXS for the ladies, going all the way to 4XL for the men. I have to say that these pants fit women better than men in some cases, due to the slightly tapered waist. I have fit these pants in more curvy, plus size women than I can count. If you have hips and have trouble finding pants, you have to try these out.

What I really love about these pants is how fitted it is in the waist, hips and thighs. They are still overpants, so they do flare a bit at the bottom so you can wear them over your boots. But compared to the Olympia Pro's I used to wear, they're far less bulky. Unfortunately they're less warm as well. But I wanted something lighter for San Francisco winters and so far, these are doing pretty well. I'll update you once we hit our actual wet winter. I'll be posting a full review this week as well as more photos. Stay tuned!

Just in case your pinlock inse…

Just in case your pinlock insert starts to separate from the shield, try this! http://bit.ly/9rbS2r

Evaporative/Wicking Wear

Today's the first Tuesday in July, so I'll be doing another segment with my pals, Larry and Roy of the Two Wheel Power Hour, at 3pm PT/6pm ET. My segment will be at 3:30pm Pacific. I'm going to recommend cooling baselayers that will help for those of you riding your motorcycles in hot weather. You're probably suffering in the heat and humidity right now, so I hope some of these recommendations, listed in order of price (low to high) will give you some relief. The right combination of baselayers + textile or leather gear can make the Biggest difference in comfort while riding in heat (or cold!).

#1  and #4 are the two options that are Not made for motorcycling.  They do have options for bicycling however, which I think comes pretty close.  My only problem with most bicycling pants and shorts it that they are padded in the seat.  I can't fit that extra layer of material in my leather pants, but if you don't feel like buying some of these products online, I would recommend bicycling shorts or pants as an option.

1. UnderArmour for men and women. HeatGear® is UnderArmour's proprietary technology: "For when it's hot. Keeping athletes cool, dry, and light. Ideal use: Extremely warm weather. Over a decade ago, HeatGear®, the original second skin layer, sparked the revolution of performance apparel." - Under $100 -Tops, bottoms (shorts and pants) and one piece suits. This one piece suit for women for $129.99 looks particularly interesting. The only issue with UnderArmour I find is with the bottoms, as they seat in my shorts is already starting to wear out. I don't think these are ideal for long distance riding, as you'll go through a pair of shorts in a year or so. I've had my current pair for almost 8,000 miles (a little over a year) and they're already starting to wear through.

2. Forcefield Climate Control "Inspired by Geothermic Phenomena observed on Earth the Forcefield Base Layer Shirt has been created using BeCool™ the first polyamide fibre with integrated airflow control a function that maintains body temperature during sports and leisure activities." Tops, bottoms (shorts and pants), balaclavas, neck tubes and gloves. - Shirts and Pants are unisex sizing. - Under $100

3. LD Comfort "Our garments are a base layer (underwear) designed specifically for the long distance motorcycle rider. They are designed to protect the skin. The superior wicking technology of our dual layer fabric keeps your skin drier than any other single layer "wicking" fabric." The videos demonstrate how effective the material is. I've seen it for myself and it's truly an amazing product. The seat of the pants are seamless, which I think makes LDComfort a more optimal for motorcycling. -Under $100 -Tops, bottoms, headwear and more.

4. X-Bionic "X-Bionic athletic apparel is the most advanced performance clothing on the market today. Featuring over 20 international patents for performance-enhancing technologies, X-Bionic apparel helps an athlete maintain a constant core body temperature of 37 degrees centigrade or 98.6 degrees farenheit, so that no energy is wasted in cooling the body and all energy is therefore available to maximize athletic performance. Recent studies have shown that athletes can expend up to 97% of their metabolic energy just to maintain a constant core body temperature. By trapping sweat and maximizing the surface area available for cooling, X-Bionic apparel literally "turns your sweat into energy", maximizing human evolution's cooling mechanism of evaporation, and making more energy available for peak performance." X-Bionic appears to be a high end performance product tailored for professional athletes. I've only read about their products, but it sounds rather convincing to me. A little too expensive for me, but I would love to get my hands on one of their products to try out. - Over $100 ($105 - $400). - Tops, bottoms, socks, armbands, headbands, caps, and more

DannaBand

• DannaBand
• $8 - $17 each
• Women's and Girl's sizing (both are one size fits all)
• Custom and Sport fabrics

HelmetHair. It's a never ending battle. For many women with long hair, it's always a struggle. You either have to braid it, wear it in a pony tail, wear a bandanna, a long head scarf, or some other contraption to keep it all under control under your helmet. That's one of the main reasons why I keep my hair short. Other than how much I love the way I look! It helps minimize the HelmetHair. But I still have the problem of taking off my helmet and then seeing the patterns of my EPS liner imprinted on my head. I don't think there is a cure 100% of the time, but the founder of DannaBand has tried to come up with a solution to help win the war against HelmetHair. I've worn balaclavas, bandannas and head wraps. By far, the DannaBand is the most comfortable, (and the cutest!) accessory I've tried. I also had a fellow female rider say that she enjoys the feel of letting her hair out after she gets off the bike and takes off her helmet. There's something truly sexy about seeing a woman get off of her sportbike, take off her helmet, and see all the beautiful, gorgeous hair flowing behind her. It's certainly a mystique of the 'Biker' look. (I'm no biker, btw, I'm more of a motorcyclist. But that's a different, much longer post for later). If you share this opinion, I think the DannaBand is something that would work since it doesn't fully cover up or constrict your hair, but will manage it under the helmet while keeping your locks flowing freely in the wind behind you.

I normally wear a regular bandanna under my motorcycle helmet and was asked to try out the DannaBand instead. I'm happy to report that I love it and prefer it over my 2 bandannas. The process of tying it and retying it is annoying for me, and I love the ease of on and off.  It just slips on over your hair with very little effort.  The band is also elastic (fully covered in the fabric of your choice), and should adjust to fit all head shapes and sizes. It's not super tight, but not super loose. It tends to come off when I take off the helmet. I don't want something that tight wrapped around my head anyways.

Aside from the plethora of patterns that you can order from the website, you can also submit your own fabric and have them make a band out of that instead! They even have a Sport line, made with moisture wicking materials.  I went with the Blue Zen Flower pattern and really like the way it looks and feels.

I have short hair so it's far less of a problem under my helmet than it is for many of you with long hair, but I still have occasional helmet hair.  I will say that this band helps me manage HelmetHair about 90% of the time. It's only when I leave with my hair a little wet that it'll come out looking super funky.  But I don't think that's the fault of DannaBand, or any bandanna for that matter. Unfortunately, because my hair is so short in the back, the band is always showing. If you have long hair, it will be hidden at the base of your neck. But for me, any kind of bandanna will look funky from the back.   So my only wish is that it had a smaller, thinner elastic band. But even with this detail, I still think it's a better option. I think the DannaBand would be great for any woman who is active and would like something to help manage her hair while she's bicycling, jogging, or whatever, will find the DannaBand useful as well.

If you're looking for something that isn't as long as a Buff, but not a bandanna, I suggest you check out the DannaBand as an option.

I'll be posting this on my Reviews page next week along with more photos.