NorCal Revisited Part 4: Eleanor does the Corbin Factory

It was my kind of vacation day: get out of bed, ride, eat, chill, ride some more, sleep, repeat. There was some hockey thrown in there as well, and I'll talk about it a bit later. But first, I took a 5:30 AM departure on Friday morning from Petaluma all the way down the 101 to the world famous Corbin seat factory in Hollister, CA. It was approximately a 130-mile jaunt from start to finish, and I made it there as the doors were opening at 8 AM. Traffic was non-existent, even in the more populated areas such as Alameda and San Jose on the 580/880, and Eleanor ran like a charm for the straight shot down.

First guest motorcycle here!

So why were we here? Below is Exhibit A. The Corbin seat on Eleanor has seen over 192,000 miles of road in ten years, experiencing every weather condition that has hit the continental United States short of a hurricane and a tornado. The leather was dried up and shot, the foam gone in some places from wear and exposure, and it was long overdue for a complete refurbish. Fortunately, Corbin has a special program in which a seat purchased directly from them can be restored to original factory condition for half the cost of a new one, provided that you bring the seat in. (Side note: if you purchased the Corbin seat private party or through eBay, you would get 30% off a complete refurbishing.)

Now, this isn't the first time that I have been to the Corbin factory. I was here once before back in July 2011 en route to the Women On Wheels® International Ride-In™. If I had thought ahead sooner, I would've had the seat done back then, but like many things in my life, it was worth the extra wait.

This seat has seen many things. It was definitely time for a refresher.

On-site ride in service at the factory is done in an appointment-based, first-come first-served basis. I called ahead on Wednesday to get a slot for Friday. When I made it to Corbin that morning, there was a gentleman with a 2015 version of my Yamaha FJR1300 who was there to get a full rider and passenger seat combo. It was nice to get a neighbor with a newer, yet nearly identical ride (everything from the tank to the tail is practically the same). Since we both had different preferences for what we wanted in our seats, it was fun to see the options that were out there and find out what we each chose for our own needs.

Seat creation/restoration takes a few hours, so I took a break inside the Wizard's Cafe for a little blogging, photo organization, and a breakfast burrito. Coffee was complimentary and there was a lot of it to go around.

This was a very tasty burrito.

After an hour or so, my "seat wizard" came back with my seat without the leather covering. He placed a temporary seat pad on top of the foam and asked me to take a lap around the street to see how I felt. I will say, it had been so long since I had a cushiony seat on Eleanor that it felt like I was riding on a cloud. When I came back from my test ride, I talked to the gentleman with the FJR who had made a slight modification to his custom seat. The middle area was replaced with a softer foam that reduced the pressure to the tailbone and related area. After sitting on his seat in comparison to mine, I requested to have my seat's internals done in the same fashion. It's moments like these when I knew that it was totally worth it to spend the extra miles to get exactly what I wanted. After all, I'm looking at several more years with this bike at the minimum, and I'd like to enjoy every minute of it. It was also great to receive peer feedback and suggestions that helped improve my own seat.

Here's the unfinished seat with a test ride pad.

Here's a closeup of my "neighbor's" seat after the softer foam was added to the main area. My front seat received the same treatment.

The service areas where the trimming and shaping of the foam were within walking distance of where the motorcycles were staged.

My "neighbor's" finished product, a front/rear seat combo with a smooth top (similar to my original seat) with color-matched welt and a textured side vinyl pattern. He was very happy with the results.

As for me, I decided to change it up this time around and requested stitching on the top of the seat. The extra stitching also offered a little extra foam cushion on the top as well as a nice textured look. The sides were lined with a textured vinyl pattern with the welts remaining black.

Eleanor's odometer reading at seat restoration.

The new seat's maiden break-in ride was a 150-mile ride from the factory all the way back up north to Sacramento where I was headed to meet up with my other friend and then carpool another 40 miles westbound toward Vacaville for the first game of the Vacaville Classic hockey tournament. It was a long, yet very productive day, and with the 250+ riding miles on the road that day, I still pulled a 2-0 opening game win. I'll discuss the rest of the outcome of the tournament in the next blog post, but I will say that there were a lot more miles involved as well as really warm temperatures! Not to mention, a surprise ending...

GUEST POST: Tips for Riding in Hot and Humid Conditions (Jason Mueller)

All right, here's another guest post about riding your motorcycle through hot and humid conditions.

If you're a motorcycle enthusiast and are interested in becoming a guest blogger on here, fill out the inquiry form on the right side of the page and I'll get back to you.

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed within this blog post are those of the author and not necessarily held by Two-Wheeled Tourist.

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Whether you are a seasoned rider or a beginner to the great two-wheeled adventure, if you plan on riding in a hot climate, you will need to think about staying cool during your ride. You have most likely already searched for, and found, the perfect riding jacket, boots, gloves and helmet, but have you considered how to be comfortable during a hot and humid ride? When you are on the motorcycle, heat doesn’t just shine down from the sunshine above, but it can be brutal as it flows straight up from the pavement you are cruising on as you head down the highway.

Bikers who live in hot climates or those that may be headed to a warmer climate from the north this winter will want to consider some of the best ways to take on the heat from riding on a hot and humid day.

Hydrate Often
Most of us know to stop for a good meal along the way or for quick water breaks when it is hot outside, but there are other ways to stay hydrated when riding as well. One thing you can do is wear clothing that helps keep your body hydrated during a long, hot ride. Wearing gear that is well ventilated will help keep your skin cool and your body temperature down.  Another thing to consider is wearing a backpack with a built-in water reservoir to drink while riding. This will help you stay hydrated without needing to make frequent stops for water along the way.

Layer Up
Chances are, when the ride begins it may be early morning or you may be in a colder climate. Once the sun comes up or the day progresses and begins to heat up, you are going to want to shed some clothing to stay cool. Be sure to layer up when you get dressed for the ride so you will be able to take items off one at a time to start cooling down. Make sure your clothing is adequate for the ride and that you don’t wear anything ultra-thin for safety reasons. Even when it’s hot and humid outside, you need to wear proper riding gear to stay safe.

Meshing Around
Mesh vests, gloves and even shirts for men are a way to keep cool during a long ride in the heat. There are many mesh vests, shirts and other outerwear that are made with fabric that help withstand the elements while keeping the skin cooler in the heat. Mesh gloves will keep your hands protected while staying cool. While come may say that worrying too much about the clothing you wear is a little narcissistic, it is definitely necessary to plan your wardrobe when you take a ride whether the weather is hot and humid, wet, cold or even windy.

Plan Your Route
Hopping on your bike and taking off down the highway sounds like a fun thing to do, but taking time to carefully plan your route will save you time and help prevent you from becoming lost or worse, finding yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere with no gas and no filling station in sight. Finding yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere when it is hot and humid outside can not only be inconvenient, but it can also become very dangerous if you have no water or way to cool down.

Contact
Whether you are taking a quick ride to the store, or you will be traveling a hundred miles a day, be sure to take your cell phone so you have a way to contact someone in case there is an emergency on the road.  You also may need to have your cell phone with you if you run into a situation where you need to have the motorcycle shipped due to mechanical issues in the heat or if a collision occurs.

While many riders who have been riding for many years may already know the best clothing to wear and which ways work well to stay hydrated and cool during the heat, this is not true for all riders. Not everyone lives in hot climates and if you are coming from a cooler area, knowing the signs of a heat stroke and taking precautions to keep your body cool inside and out will go a long way to beating the heat and having a great ride. If you have taken the right precautions and feel ready to ride, be sure to keep safe riding at the top of your list of things to do during the ride, and above all else, hop on that bike and have some fun!

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About the Author

Jason grew up riding dirt bikes and then turned to road riding.  He is currently living in Costa Rica where he works online for his company, A-1 Auto Transport.

Insta-farkle: 1" RAM mount "built-in" for the Yamaha FJR1300

Even after six years of owning Eleanor, my 2007 Yamaha FJR1300A I still don't know everything about her. However, it does help that I work for a motorcycle store that gives me a lot of products to ponder over and experiment on her. In this thought experiment, I came up with this idea from the plethora of RAM Mounts at my disposal.

Anyway, for those of you that own a Yamaha FJR1300 (all years), have you wondered about that random hole that sits on the left side of the handlebars next to your clutch's master cylinder? Yamaha did us riders a favor for aesthetics and put a plastic plug there to hide it. But of course being my curious self, I removed it and exposed what looked like a 10mm hole with coarse threading. After looking through a few screw-on style RAM mounts, I discovered that a RAM-B-349U (RAM M10 X 1.25 Pitch Male Thread with 1" Ball) and a little blue Loctite is a perfect fit for that hole!

Sometimes I wonder if Yamaha did this on purpose.

That is disturbing and beautifully functional.

For this thought experiment, I installed my Sony Webbie HD MHS-CM1 compact high-definition camera attached to a medium double-ball arm (RAM-B-201U), pointing inward. As you can see from the photo below, the arm is hovering over the clutch's master cylinder reservoir. The camera itself is mounted on a RAM-B-202AU (RAM 2.5" Round Base (AMPs Hole Pattern), 1" Ball & 1/4"-20 Threaded Male Post for Cameras).

Side view of the mounted camera.

Front view of the mounted camera. Of course, the camera can be tilted/adjusted as needed.

With the camera adjusted to be straight when the bike is upright, this device just barely clears the windshield when the bars are at full lock. Considering this is a taller unit than a lot of the newer "action sports" cameras, there would probably be more success with a GoPro Hero, Liquid Image, Venom, Contour, etc.

Here is the full handlebar lock video test of the mounted camera.

A shot of my somewhat busy cockpit. Other accessories here include two RAM Motorcycle Brake/Clutch Reservoir Base with (2 Quantity) 1" Balls (RAM-B-309-2U), Garmin Zumo 550 with Touratech locking bracket, a RAM X-Grip phone mount, RAM Drink Cup Holder (RAM-B-132BU). That brings a total of FIVE mounting options in front of me! The RAM Antenna Adapter Plate (RAM-344U) on the left behind the GPS once held my XM Radio antenna and will now hold my E-ZPass with a little industrial Velcro. 

A few final thoughts...
- Make sure the mounted devices clear the windshield and front panel at full handlebar lock. The restriction of your motorcycle's range of motion is just downright dangerous and not recommended.
- This would be a great alternative for those who only want one ball and doesn't want to install the Brake/Clutch Reservoir Base.
- Theoretically, the long arm could work if it was sticking out away from the bike, but I have not tried this with the long 6" (RAM-B-201U-C) arm option. However, both the short 2.38" (RAM-B-201U-A) and medium 3.69" (RAM-B-201U) arms will clear the windshield.
- What else can be mounted there? Perhaps a spotlight? Radar detector or SPOT GPS Tracker with an X-Grip pointed upward? Or for humor for the firearms enthusiasts out there, a cross-draw or left-handed draw pistol mount?

Long-Term Review: Alaska Leather Sheepskin Buttpad

Out of all the accessories that I've fit on my FJR, my sheepskin buttpad from Alaska Leather ranks up there as one of my most favorite (and useful) add-ons to my motorcycle. I decided to give sheepskin a try last year after reading up on the benefits of sheepskin pads for Iron Butt riders. At the time I was still living in CA and dealing with a 120-mile commute through several of the worst highways in the nation. I figured that it would only add to the comfort I received from my Corbin seat day in and day out, which was already comfortable as is (that review I'll save for another day).

After 20,000 miles (and counting) with the pad on top of my seat, it's still there providing a plush place for my rear. Although there are many places to get sheepskin, I've been very satisfied with the quality and craftsmanship of the seat pads from Alaska Leather. Their "Deluxe" pad is made out of grade A sheepskin cut from a single pelt; this is nicer than the stuff you would get to cover your car seat. They're simple to install; it's a single elastic strap fastened by two quick release buckles for easy on and off. Care for the sheepskin buttpad is easy. If it gets wet in the rain, just disconnect it, shake the excess water off of it, and if possible, blot it with a towel. Every couple months or so, use a slicker brush (like the kind you use for the dog or cat) to comb the hairs and bring back its fluffy appearance. If it gets dirty, a handwash with shampoo and an air dry without heat is all you need. That's about it for care. Otherwise, it'll take the abuse, ride after ride.

For a motorcyclist that rides through all conditions, sheepskin's ability to wick off moisture and regulate temperature are essential to a comfortable ride, especially in long distances. The hairs of the sheepskin provide a space between the rider's butt and the actual seat which allows for airflow down there. In that same way, the seat never gets extremely hot when exposed to direct sunlight. Additionally, rain cannot pool as easily in the seat because the sheepskin's natural coat repels water. As an afterthought, having the pad on the bike almost all the time has protected the leather top of my seat, and those Corbins are expensive!

Simply put, this is one of the simplest remedies for the hot, uncomfortable seat. Combine that with a custom or aftermarket seat and it enhances your investment. These pads are 100% sheepskin, made in Alaska, and are available in all different sizes and natural colors to fit the shape and style of your bike. Pads start at $45 and range depending on size and shape. Get yours today!

I rode my bike to trailer week...a.k.a. pulling a trailer with your motorcycle.

NOTE: This article is written based on personal experience. Before modifying hardware or carrying heavy loads with your motorcycle, please check your owner's manual for weight limitations and other warnings. You have been warned.

Going on a long motorcycle trip? Need to get an item from point A to point B and don't want to take the car? Want to take advantage of the HOV lanes on your local freeways? Just want to turn heads? Try pulling a trailer with your motorcycle! Trailers can be easily pulled by larger-displacement motorcycles (i.e. 900cc or higher) and, when outfitted properly, can enhance your bike's utility and cargo-carrying capabilities.

When Matt and I were still living in CA, we often spent many a Friday evening battling LA's brutal traffic from our place in La Habra (just south of the LA County Line) to El Segundo to get to my hockey games, a distance of approximately 40 miles each way. On days when Matt would be off work, it was easy to jump in the car and take the carpool (HOV) lane all the way down the 91 and 105 freeways. However, when I was by myself during those evenings, I had to add nearly an hour of travel time to the rink because I couldn't use the express lane.

So, one day, Matt suggested that I look into pulling a trailer with my 2007 FJR1300 because doing so would (a) save gas, (b) allow me to use the carpool lane because I would be on a motorcycle, and (c) look so absurd that it would be awesome. (Reason C is very typical of Matt.)

I first scoffed at the proposition and thought that pulling trailers was only reserved for the likes of Honda Goldwings and Harleys. But, after a little bit of internet research, I discovered that there were at least two companies that made direct bolt-on trailer hitches for my FJR and pictures of my bike yanking stuff behind it. This started to make even more sense to me when I realized that my bike had more than twice the horsepower and a lot more torque than a larger H-D (approximately 140hp compared to 60-75hp). I had the pulling power; now I just needed to use it.

So, we started the experiment. I decided on the hitches sold by Motorcycle Hitch USA, a dealer for Quebec-based Denray Corporation. The hitch itself is made out of welded steel, bolts directly to the sub frame of the motorcycle, and uses a standard 1" ball. It has a low profile look and isn't very noticeable at a quick glance. Its maximum tongue weight of 50 lbs. was sufficient for the size of trailer that we were proposing to build.

For the trailer, we purchased a the smallest barebones frame we could find from Harbor Freight Tools. It was a 3'x4' sized frame, which may possibly be discontinued because I didn't see it on the website at the time I wrote this blog entry. The kit came with lights and tires so it was approved for street use. We then traveled to Home Depot and purchased wood slats for the side rails and steel mesh sheets for the floor (to save weight) and attached them onto the trailer frame using standard bolts. In the end, we had a trailer that looked something like a Radio Flyer wagon, but its open design allowed for multiple uses. Its latest mission was towing hockey equipment across the country during our move to Columbus, OH, a 2500 mile, 5 day trek.

Here it is in its primary job, towing hockey equipment.

 

Its use then evolved to more fun things, such as outdoor camping.

And finally, the occasional towing service for the scooter.

Not surprisingly, Harbor Freight Tools caught on that many motorcyclists have used the trailer frame to make custom carriers. They have now started selling a more refined trailer that resembles a roof-top car carrier with wheels: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66771. It's an affordable, yet elegant alternative from our original homemade design and definitely beats the thousands of dollars you'd spend on a custom, fiberglass rig. In addition, there are companies that have taken the motorcycle trailer concept to the next level, creating fold-out campers that are light and easily towable. Two companies who make these styles of trailers are Trailmster Inc. and Roadman Campers.

In terms of feel on the motorcycle when pulling the trailer, it's pretty unnoticeable when you're traveling in a straight line. Because you're pulling weight, acceleration and deceleration will change but will be very minor. When traveling at highway speeds, the trailer is smooth; however, maximum speed before minor sway (the trailer moves left and right) changes depending on the weight and placement of your loads. After a few long rides with the trailer in tow, you will be able to tell those differences on the fly.

So that's the story of the infamous trailer and how it became a part of our ever growing two-wheeled garage. With traffic getting worse and gas prices always fluctuating, I hope to see more of these attachments on bikes in the future. However, it's also a matter of informing riders that they are capable of pulling trailers with their motorcycles as long as they have mastered their basic riding skills and controls.

Several points to keep in mind when towing a trailer with your motorcycle:
- Practice riding with the trailer in low speeds on local roads. Get used to your new accessory and how it affects control, steering, and stopping distance. Practice emergency braking and maneuvers with the trailer attached in an open parking lot. When you get confident with your ability to pull the trailer, practice highway runs to gauge maximum speeds, sway, and bike feel.
- Brake sooner when pulling a trailer. Your bike's load is increased and the additional weight will increase stopping distance.
- Balance your weight load. Uneven loads can increase the chance of trailer sway and can make turning feel awkward.
- Secure your items tightly to the trailer. Bungee cords, nets, and even containers within the trailer will keep your stuff from flying all over the road.
- Stay below maximum tongue weight levels. This will reduce the possibility of hitch failure.
- Check your trailer's tire pressure and attachment points. Tire pressure on your trailer can affect control and stability. Also, make sure to check the trailer's hitch for any loose bolts or broken parts.

Garmin Zumo 550: Long-Term Motorcycle GPS Review

The Garmin Zumo 550, a portable GPS (Global Positioning System) unit, was released by Garmin several years ago. Marketed as a "rugged, motorcycle-friendly" device, this product fulfills the needs of motorcycle riders who needed a GPS for both commuting and long-distance trips but were concerned with potential damage to their units due to weather and vibration from the motorcycle. I have personally used this device on a daily basis for two years and 50,000 miles, and during this time it has become an asset to me both as a motorcyclist and as a car driver.

PROS
Durability: The Zumo 550, is rated IPX7 waterproof, meaning that it can withstand "accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes" (from Garmin). In addition to that, the unit can withstand temperatures over 100°F and lower than 25°F. The Zumo runs just fine in torrential downpours, intense heat, and the freezing cold. During trips that I have taken where weather can fluctuate 50-60 degrees, the Zumo has not failed, powered down, or stopped operating. Along with this, the unit powers up, time and again, through miles and miles of travel attached to my motorcycle. It has withstood the vibration and battering from my 2007 FJR1300 and the daily commutes through the urban jungles of Los Angeles and the long, cross-country interstates. This durability is wonderful when the unit is accidentally dropped, too. Being my clumsy self, I am glad that this Zumo is not fragile at all. Also, direct sunlight does not affect its UV-resistant screen; I can still read its display during the very sunny days. However, I do have an additional plastic screen cover on top of it just for a little more protection on my investment.

In fact, the Zumo 550 can be seen mounted on the BMW R1200GS Adventure motorcycles of Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor in their pan-African documentary, "Long Way Down."

Easy to mount on motorcycle: The Zumo 550 comes with everything you need to have it running right out of the box. The Zumo uses a custom cradle and the RAM Mounting System, a very popular universal device mount. The mount can be attached either to a handlebar or your motorcycle's brake reservoir clamp. You can power the Zumo either by directly connecting to your motorcycle's battery or by using the Zumo's internal, rechargeable battery. I've went with the direct hard-wire route and have only had to replace the connection's fuse once in the last 50k miles. If you're using this device every day, constant power from the bike is the best option to keep it running.

Motorcycle-friendly controls: A distinct feature of the Zumo is that it possess five waterproof buttons: a power button and four function buttons. The four function buttons are located on the left side of the device (the clutch hand) so your right hand will never have to leave the throttle. Also, its touch screen is glove-friendly so poking at the screen with motorcycle gloves is possible. Buttons on the screen are also very large so choosing your options doesn't require perfect precision.

MP3 Player: The integrated MP3 player on the Zumo 550 has done away with my iPod. The Zumo has an SD (Secure Digital) card reader that accepts high capacity cards. I use a 4GB SD card that holds about 750 songs, and that's enough to get through a 6,000-mile ride and then some. The Zumo's cradle includes a heavy-duty, mini-stereo headphone jack that can connect to a pair of bud earphones (I use Skullcandy buds underneath my full-face helmet), an in-helmet headset, or motorcycle speakers. In some cases, I've been known to attach it to a guitar amp to listen to my XM radio while I'm doing maintenance on my bike. I will be discussing the XM radio feature next.

XM and Bluetooth Capabilities: Before the Zumo 550 was released, integrating XM radio on a motorcycle required a little imagination and a lot more devices to attach to the bike. Garmin has simplified this through the use of a special XM antenna. Like the GPS, this antenna is durable and weatherproof. It can be mounted anywhere on the motorcycle thanks to its strong, magnetic bottom or attached behind the cradle using a metal base, an optional accessory. This XM attachment costs about $250 and cannot be substituted with an regular XM, car mounted antenna. The reason for this is that the XM attachment IS the radio and the Zumo 550 only acts as the pass-through system.

The XM radio is excellent and can get a signal anywhere, provided that the XM attachment is exposed to the sky. I've been very satisfied with the combination of an XM radio and MP3 player; the music never ends. In addition, having access to XM's traffic reports is an important tool during a daily commute or when entering an unfamiliar city.

Another feature that comes in handy is the Zumo 550's Bluetooth option. You can connect your phone to the Zumo, enabling you to make and take phone calls using the GPS' touchscreen. However, you will need an additional microphone accessory to talk on the phone; there are several companies that make this. Otherwise, this feature can be simply used as a caller ID device.

Bike-to-Car Portability: The Zumo 550 can be used in the car, too. Along with a motorcycle cradle, Garmin also includes a suction cup mounted car cradle with an external speaker for voice-assisted directions. So, if it's snowing and you can't take your bike, take the Zumo in the car with you!

USB Connectivity: Updating and adding files to the Zumo is relatively simple. When plugged via USB cable into a regular PC, the GPS is read as two separate devices: the GPS' internal memory and the SD card's slot. This makes it very easy to upload songs, pictures, routes, and other files onto the unit.

Accessories: Theft is a big concern for GPS owners and even more so for motorcyclists because the device is always out in the open. Unfortunately, the included cradle and mount for the Zumo does not have any locking capabilities, forcing a rider to remove the Zumo when leaving the motorcycle unattended. RAM offers a locking version of its attachment arm and Touratech has a cradle clamp that makes the easy-to-remove cradle latch inaccessible to a would-be thief. I have both of these accessories mounted as well which allows me to leave the unit on my bike for longer periods of time.

CONS
If you're looking for that do-all GPS, this is definitely a great solution. However, it doesn't come cheap. A brand new Zumo 550 runs between $600-900, and if you're lucky to find its discontinued predecessor, the Zumo 450 (basically the same device without XM radio connectivity), it'll still run about $400-500. Additionally, this GPS is no longer sold at mainstream stores such as Best Buy so going online would be the best bet to acquiring this product.

Despite its made-for-motorcycle design, the Zumo 550 isn't perfect. There is a significant delay of finding GPS signals from a cold start (powering on) of up to several minutes. Additionally, it can take several minutes for the unit's MP3 player feature to load up songs, especially if a high capacity SD card is used. Lastly, typing an entry for a location or attempting to find nearby POIs (Points of Interest) on-the-fly will cause MP3 music to skip or stagger until the Zumo is finished processing your request.

Also, the MP3 player can only play MP3s. It cannot play WMA or AAC files so all music must be converted to MP3 or it cannot be played. There's also an "audio book" feature on the Zumo that I still haven't figured out how to use yet, and there's no mention of it in the user manual. That actually has been a concern of many Zumo users over the years and I wonder if Garmin has fixed that yet or given it any real functionality.

Lastly, there is still a lack of headsets and/or motorcycle mounted headphones that allow the use of both the audio and microphone outputs of the device. Companies such as Starcom sell in-helmet headsets, but they are quite pricey and require the purchase of their base systems to even deem them useful. I hope in the future that there will be a cheaper alternative that will make the Bluetooth phone connection feature of the Zumo more than just a fancy Caller ID.

CONCLUSION
The Garmin Zumo 550 is an excellent, but expensive, addition to your motorcycling experience. If you're a serious motorcyclist that needs a GPS, this is definitely one to consider if you're looking for durability and versatility. It's not perfect, but it does come pretty close to meeting your needs for getting directions and on-bike entertainment.

THE FUTURE
Garmin has released the Zumo 660, a smaller, fully touch-screen based unit that promises the same weather-resistant qualities in a sleeker case.

You can read about the Zumo 550 and Zumo 660 on Garmin's website @ http://www.garmin.com/.

Long Distance Cold Weather Riding - Part Two: Your Motorcycle

I believe that successful cold weather riding is finding the perfect combination between the motorcycle gear that you're wearing and the motorcycle that you ride. What I mean by the latter is rigging your ride so that it does provide the best wind protection to help your layers effectively block out the cold, allowing you to continue riding longer. Here are a few general items to consider when preparing your motorcycle to go the extra mile in the chill. These accessories apply to any motorcycle and are very general.

Windshield: The windshield is probably the most effective motorcycle accessory for blocking out a good portion of the wind blast that comes from moving forward. Many motorcycles have windshields as a stock accessory and there are many companies such as National Cycle and Memphis Shades, to name a few, that can outfit your bike, regardless of shape or size. They also come in handy during summers when the bugs are larger than your head. Find the windshield that matches your height and riding style.

Seat: Keeping your butt from freezing to your seat can be an easy task with a sheepskin seat covering. Like the seat covers that are used in cars, natural sheepskin assists in temperature regulation and also helps to keep you dry by preventing water and moisture from pooling in the recesses of the saddle. I personally use the sheepskin pads made by Alaska Leather on my FJR1300. They make lots of sizes to fit the many types of seats out there and are definitely worth the investment. Did I mention that their fuzziness also adds a little plush as well?

Legs and feet: If you don't have the bike that has a decent amount of leg covering, some alternatives include leather engine bar covers, leg chaps, and leather leg gaiters. For the most part I've found that a combination of on-the-bike and worn equipment will help legs stay warm effectively. Unless you're riding a Goldwing-esque bike, this will always be a challenge.

Hand coverings: If you're the proud owner of a dual sport or enduro-style bike, there's probably a company that makes hard plastic hand guards for your model. Some possible alternatives to this extra layer above the gloves include ATV mitts and Hippo Hands. If you're using the removable type of hand covering, be aware that wind can push the fabric into the brake and clutch levers as that can activate them earlier than you'd want them to so please test them before riding.

Aside from typical luxury items such as a GPS or radio/MP3 player, these additional accessories can help make cold weather a lot more tolerable and your bike a lot more versatile. Don't forget to follow proper maintenance schedules, have fun, and ride safely!