Baggers Magazine Issue 5 - 18

IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, WE’VE SEEN SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FROM THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY, FROM THE RELEASE OF THE STREET GLIDE IN 2006 TO THE PROJECT RUSHMORE MOTORCYCLES AND INTRODUCTION OF THE STREET PLATFORM IN 2014 TO THE MOST RECENT RELEASE OF THE MILWAUKEE-EIGHT ENGINE PLATFORM IN 2017, AND THE SUBSEQUENT RELEASE OF THE NEW SOFTAIL MODELS IN 2018. BUT DRASTIC CHANGE IS ON THE HORIZON FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON IN 2019 AND 2020, AND THE MOTOR COMPANY HAS A FEW NEW TRICKS UP ITS PROVERBIAL SLEEVE. FROM A PRODUCT STANDPOINT, THERE IS A WHOLE LOTTA DIFFERENT. Remember Project LiveWire? That was Harley-Davidson’s foray into eBike territory in 2014. And then it kind of went nowhere. Or did it? As it turns out, Harley-Davidson has been quietly fine-tuning the electric cruiser in…

1 Z1R RANGE HELMET Z1R’s Range helmet is a well-rounded DOT/ECE-certified lid that features an injection-molded ABS shell with dual-density EPS for added safety. The drop-down sun visor and scratch-resistant polycarbonate shield provide excellent eye protection. Remove the shield, install the included pivot cover plates, and now you have the ability to rock a motocross goggle. Available in sizes XS through 2XL, in black, flat black, dark silver, white, and hi-viz. $129.95–$199.95 z1r.com 2 VELOMACCHI SPEEDWAY HYBRID TRAVEL DUFFEL 50L The Velomacchi Speedway is a versatile duffel featuring an easy-close zipper and self-tailing cam-buckle compression system, which securely carries your load at high speeds without flapping straps. Basically, the 50L Speedway is great for carrying everyday belongings, but also so much more, whether you’re exploring the back roads or traveling…

batesleathers.com - vansonleathers.com - leeparksdesign.com In the early days of riding and racing, protection was much simpler. No hard stuff, just top-quality leather and maybe a little bit of foam. Products were made to fit and made to last. These products here are all made in the United States for a few specific functions: to look good, to last forever, and to keep you safe and comfortable on your motorcycle. Smaller companies you can call up and order directly from. You got a problem? Call them back; the numbers are on their websites, and the person who picks up is going to be able to help you. Bates Leathers was started in 1939 in Southern California, where the company still operates. Making race suits, gloves, boots, motorcycle seats, and just…

The old adage “get off your phone and ride” doesn’t hold as true as it once did. With my Ram mount on my handlebars and Sena 10R bumping in my helmet, I don’t have to be “on” my phone to be enjoying its many benefits from the road. Several apps have been introduced over the years to help make the ride more enjoyable. Whether it’s by keeping me out of the rain or finding the best restaurants or the most scenic route, these smartphone applications have all helped make my time on two wheels a little bit better. DARK SKY Not only does this app give you real-time weather updates based on your location, it also tells you which way the weather is moving and how long until it gets…

SOURCES: BIG AGNES bigagnes.com WOLFMAN wolfmanluggage.com I’m kind of a diva when it comes to overnight lodging. I know what you’re thinking, but I am what I am. Because I travel so much, I am always on the lookout for posh accommodations wherever I lay my head at night, even when camping. Which got me thinking: Is motorcycle “glamping” possible? It sure is. We looked at some great new products from Big Agnes, a Colorado-based outdoor-gear manufacturer, for some help in accommodating our special needs. The whole goal was to acquire a great setup for riding to a remote location and parking it for a few days with my wife. So I had to stuff everything into one large duffel that we could strap to the back of the bike…

For the first couple of years I knew Lock Baker, this Motus engine sat in the middle of his shop. Mounted in a jig he had no doubt made around the engine as he uncrated it, the red heads of the MV4 sat cocked just slightly forward—exactly like they do in the stock bike. “When are you going to build this thing?” I would ask every time. “Not yet. That’s the bike I’m going to die on,” he’d reply with a little smile. “I’m not ready to build it just yet.” Joking but knowing that there’s some daunting possibility of truth to it. Baker is the sole proprietor of Eastern Fabrications and Lockhart Knives in downtown Los Angeles, where he builds absurd motorcycles and hand-forges masterwork-level knives. One wildly unique…