Bluetooth motorcycle headsets

SMH-5 by Sena

The one thing that really makes the Sena standout is the intuitive dial/button. Something that's easy to operate while riding and with your gloves on.

Update 4/12/12: I just found out that these aren't available from the distributor just yet. They should be available for shipping in May / early June. Can't wait to get my hands on these!

This is on my wish list, because it's a smaller, more compact version of the popular SMH-10. The difference between the SMH-5 is that it only allows for rider 2 rider communication, so only 2 people.  The SMH-10 will allow you to connect up to 4 total riders, after a firmware upgrade.   The price point is also nice at $129 for one or $249 for two!

Previously, with the SMH-10 you had to buy the pair.  Now you can ride solo with the freedom of no one else talking to you, unless they call you first. :)

The SMH-5 is on my hitlist to replace my aging BlueAnt headset from way back.

Where to Buy: BuySenaBluetooth.com, Scuderia West/San Francisco

Gift ideas for women who love motorcycles

Shopping for that special woman in your motorcycling life? Does she ride like the wind? Can she take a corner like Valentino Rossi? Does she ride as often as she can, whenever she can?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then she deserves some special holiday gifts to make her moto life even better.

I've listed a few ideas for stocking stuffers that are sure to impress your Moto Lady.

1. Women, Motorcycles and the Road to Empowerment

Liz Jansen wrote this book to inspire women everywhere that motorcycles aren't just for riding, but can be a source of empowerment and self confidence.

Price: $22.50 Where to Buy: Trillium Tours Website, Available for Pre order December 4th.

2. Kriega Stash Motorcycle Wallet

Every woman needs somewhere to stash some cash, keys and ID when going for a long ride. But maybe she doesn't want to carry a bulky purse or backpack. How about something flat, easy to carry and stash under one's seat?

Price: $15.00 Where to Buy: Kriega.us

3. Pocket Tire Plugger plus CO2 Inflation

Why call AAA when you have a handy dandy tire plug kit? She'll impress all of her riding buddies when she whips this little kit out and plugs the tire herself, saving hours of precious riding time because of a flat tire. Even comes with CO2 to reinflate!

Price: $47.95 Where to Buy: Pashnit.com store

4. Hand Warmers

These little guys will fit nicely in the palm of her gloves, giving her a little extra warmth for that chilly ride home.

Price: $11.96/2 pk (10 pairs) as of 11/23/11 Where to Buy: Amazon.com

5. Schampa Arm Warmers

I know what you're thinking, why would she need a shirt without arms? Well, if she's anything like me, her temperature changes constantly. I easily go from hot to cold, especially with the micro climates of the Bay Area. But you never know when you need to peel a layer and these are easy to peel off.

Price: $23.99 Where to Buy: Schampa.com

Trip Planning for Milan

T Minus 5 days!  I was warned by the Cycle World team that they will be taking photos and videos of us when we land (after 9+ hours in Milan to start documenting our journey.  Let's just say I'm not the happiest camper when I've been flying that long.... Since then I've been thinking about how I can look my almost best when disembarking.

Thinking about this conjures up an image of a beautiful, fresh Victoria Beckham as she lands at Heathrow airport:

But I know that's impossible. So if I can avoid looking like this (Lily Allen), I think that'll be a happy medium.

Someone asked me the other day if I had started packing for Italy.  That got me thinking, I typically don't start packing for these kinds of trips until the day before.  How will I know if I have enough room for all my crap?

I think I've settled on trying to get away with just these pieces for 6 days:

(from left to right: Ogio helmet bag, Thule Crossover 38L , Rickshaw Zero Messenger bag)

So my plan is to pack as efficiently as possible so that I will have a wide variety of lovely outfits that can be combined to work both during the day at EICMA and the evening at dinner with my co guest contributors.

Follow me on Twitter or Facebook to find out.