Trends Motorcycle: review

Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Liberty Sport Biker Sunglasses

Posted by dona at 6:51 PM

Liberty Sport Biker Sunglasses Review

Marci over at Liberty Sport sent me over a pair of BikerSunglasses to ride with and evaluate. When the package arrived I opened it up and inspected everything and it was quite a package. Included were a pair Bikers Sunglasses, a Liberty Sport Eyeglass Case for the glasses, a Liberty Sport Strap, a F8 Cleaning cloth, a pair of MagTraxion™ Magnetic Dry Eye Eyecups with a storage pouch, and of course, instructions. All these items made this a complete package and a great value for the price. You can even get the lenses in prescription if you need them.

Here is the Information from their website:

8-base wrap around lens curvature delivers excellent peripheral field of vision.

Raised eyerim back lip provides additional lens retention.

Head hugging, flexible temple design fits comfortably under most helmet designs.

Plano frame comes with Liberty Sport Ultimate Driver or Ultimate Outdoor polycarbonate premium performance sun lenses:

Passes all Global Driving Standards.

Hard Coat Premium Scratch Coating.

100% UVA & UVB Protection.

Comes with semi-rigid case & adjustable strap.

When inspecting all of the items the first thing that hit me was how good the quality of everything was. The glass frames themselves, felt strong and durable, even at the hinge area. The strap was strong and had a unique proprietary way to attach to the frames.

I believe the lenses supplied were the Ultimate Outdoor Polycarbonate.

From their website:

Designed to accommodate the visual needs of the outdoor enthusiast. Lens is extremely useful in forested and offroad environments when faced with variable light conditions, providing low light contrast and good bright light protection.

Amber lens with bronze flash mirror coating.

The lenses were crystal clear, accept for the tint. They seemed to brighten things up a little like blue blockers or yellow shooting lenses. For riding in the bright Texas sun I would prefer a much darker lens choice. The way that they wrapped around, they provided a pretty good field of view, though not as good as frameless ones like my Oakley’s. However, with the MagTraxion™ Magnetic Dry Eye Eyecups, they provided much more protection when riding on windy days.

Here is some information from their website about the MagTraxion™ Magnetic Dry Eye Eyecups:

Eyecups made from soft, hypoallergenic rubber.

Eyecups conform to the outside curvature of the eye to trap humidity and block moisture-sapping wind.

Removable eyecups provide maximum peripheral coverage.

Magnetic eyecups secure easily to frame using MagTraxion™ technology.

Converts fashionable sunglasses into soothing, dryness-blocking eyewear in seconds-it's like getting two frames for the price of one!

Comes in a pair.

I rode with the Liberty Sport Biker Sunglasses for a couple of months this summer and the view and protection was excellent. The fit for me was a little bit small with the frames coming under my eyebrows, which I did not care for. I rode with them along with my half helmet and there was no interference at all. They stayed in place real well and I did not even have to use the adjustable strap.

The case was a black, semi rigid and made of nylon. Though a little bulky, the case provided plenty of protection but not as much as a hard case would have. Clean up of the lenses was a snap with the supplied cleaning cloth.

After I rode with them for a while I turned them over to my son Jake to ride with them and provide feedback. As much as I liked them, He liked them even more and fell in love with them. I believe they fit his face better than they did mine. He has been using them now for several months and everything he has said about them is positive.

I would have to say that the value and quality that the Liberty Sport Biker Sunglasses provide makes them a great choice for anyone looking for a good set of riding sunglasses.

Ride on,

Torch

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Bates Boots Revisited

Posted by dona at 6:09 PM

Bates Boots Revisited

I wrote a review in June of "09 of Bates E02264 5" Defender Tactical Boots. Well they have served me well for quite some time and as many miles at work, and for riding. I finally wore the tread just about clean off of them. They are a little worse for wear but the zippers and everything have held up just fine. So fine, in fact, that I went out looking for a new pair. Here are some photos of the worn out boots:

I could not fine the same model at the local Academy Sports & Outdoors around my area. So, last month, I went with the Bates Men's 8" Tactical Sport Side Zip Boot. They are a little taller and don't have the composite toe protector, but have all the same features:

So far, the new pair have been holding up just fine. Some of the best features of these boots are that they increase your machismo and sex appeal. They also have fantastic traction. The best feature, however, is their easy on and off with the side zipper. These Bates boots definitely was made for ridin'!

Ride on,

Torch

BikersExpressway.com

Sunday, May 22, 2011

MeanStreet Riders

Posted by dona at 9:11 AM

You have probably already read several motorcycle blogs talking about the MeanStreet Riders. Yes, there is a new band two wheelin’ onto the music scene and their making sparks and soon to be rising up the charts. The MeanStreet Riders, whose members are made up of motorcycle riders, enjoy making music about all aspects of riding.

MeanStreet Mary, the bands Social Media Publicist, contacted me and asked if I would be interested in listening to a pre-release demo of their up and coming new album being released June first. I love music so I jumped at the opportunity. The CD arrived in the mail in a few days.

You can read how the band was formed and their bios on their websites see the links at the end of this article. I would like to take the time here to talk about their music.

You cannot pigeonhole there music into one safe genre or make a comparison to one other single popular band. The closest I could come up with to maybe compare them to would be the Eagles. Some of the songs have a definite Classic Rock style & sound and others have a more Modern Country or Americana type sound. You can hear all kinds of instruments in the MeanStreet Riders music from electric guitars to banjo. The vocals are solid with lots of harmony.

It’s hard to put the feelings of riding into words, let alone song, but the MeanStreet Riders manage to pull it off. The first song on the CD, High on the Hog, starts off with a Classic Rock style guitar riff that propels the song to the finish like a hard twist of the throttle. I’m reminded of .38 Special while listening to the lyrics about living the good life and enjoying life and friends as well as the ride to the fullest. The song ends with a snort that left me laughing.

The MeanStreet Riders second song, Kiss it all Goodbye, is my favorite. It has a real catchy chorus and I found myself humming it later on my ride down to Bikers Bay to get the state inspection done on my bike. They have managed to bottle the feelings and emotions of wanting to leave your troubles behind and just ride. You know the feeling. Like when you are on your commute to work on a beautiful day and when you are getting closer to your exit you just want to hit the throttle and drive on by and keep on going. Maybe one of these days….

The third track, 129, is about hitting the road and seeking out the twisties while leaving your troubles and cares behind. It has another addictive chorus and is specifically about Deals Gap, a section of US129 in Tennessee nicknamed the Dragons Tail. You may not have three hundred and eighteen curves in eleven miles near your house but listening to this song definitely catches the spirit of riding the curves, draggin’ the pegs and pushing the limits. There are no chicken strips on this tune.

I’ve had a good ride, track number four, captures the mood of riders everywhere after the ride is over and the kickstand is put down. It ain’t all about if you get their fast, the lyric sys it all. The song itself is not slow by any means but the inclusion of the banjo almost gives the illusion of a lazy day ride out in the country. At the conclusion of every ride I hope everyone can say, “I’ve had a good ride.”

Track five, Rollin’ On, slows down the pace a little. Rollin’ on stats off on a relaxed note with Kansas (the band) like violins and Indians chanting hauntingly. The vocal and musical harmonies seem the blend together nicely on this tune. There is something also real earthy about the sound of a guitar players fingers sliding down an acoustic guitars strings. This song is also about leaving behind your troubles and pain and rolling down the open road to clear your mind.

A Modern Country hit is what track six sounds like. Titled Where I was Born, it reminded me a little of Keith Urban. It’s all about exploring the country side freely on two wheels remembering the past and proclaiming allegiance to your roots. Musically it is very polished and sounds great like the lope of a fine v-twin.

Picking up the pace a little, Livin’ it Up is track seven on the up and coming CD by MeanStreet Riders. With some smooth guitar and the addition of some brass and some synth, this song has a unique sound all its own. The dreamy lyrics are about several different riders and rides and living it up.

Number eight, Long Road of Love, is a slow melodic love song. The love of the road can be compared to the love of a woman. Fun, exciting, thrilling, mysterious, curvy, and dangerous can be used to describe both. If you love the road and have another companion in your life that you love, you will enjoy this song.

Eye of the Hurricane is a number nine on the demo CD. It is about the love of speed and the consequences and dangers of the addiction. When life is in turmoil all around, you can find peace at speed on your bike, in the eye of the hurricane. The driving guitar chords mates well with the driving lyrics of the song carrying the listener to the somber story ending.

The last song on the MeanStreet Riders CD is the rocking Souls of Chrome. It’s about the long road of life and the fact that even when alone you are not by yourself. On the open road you are surrounded by the ones who have gone before you. This song has a driving drum beat and cool guitar licks with some nice vocal harmony thrown in for good measure. This tune is definitely one you will have to keep an eye on your speedometer when listening to it.

MeanStreet Riders music is made by riders, is all about riding, for riders to enjoy. However, you don’t have to be a biker or even a motorcycle rider to enjoy the sounds of the MeanStreet Riders. There is a good musical mix on the demo CD with something for every musical taste. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for some new and interesting music to listen too. So, don’t walk, don’t run, ride out and get your own copy on the first.