Hard-nosed
The Spartan Windshield from National Cycle puts maximum protection between you and whatever nastiness the highway might throw at you. Made of Quantum hard-coated Lexan polycarbonate, the Spartan is impact- and scratch-resistant in the extreme, and the black powder-coated stainless steel frame is as attractive as it is sturdy. Offered in both 17-inch and 19-inch heights, there are Spartans designed for virtually every Harley-Davidson model with prices ranging from $199.95 to $249.95. Model-specific mounting kits run from $79.95 to $124.95.
National Cycle www.nationalcycle.com 877.972.7336
Rugged good looks
Bringing a fresh dash of bad-ass styling to their Street Series of motorcycle eyewear, Wiley X has introduced the new Hydro model. Beefy matte black frames and smoke grey lenses give these shades a distinctly menacing mien, and the famous Wiley X bulletproof impact resistance provides unmatched protection for your peepers. Optical clarity and contrast are also second to none, and protection from both UVA and UVB rays is 100 percent. The $104 price includes a leash cord and zippered case. Prescription lenses are also available.
Wiley X www.wileyx.com 800.776.7842
Small wonder
The new Mini Valve Spring Test Gauge from the toolmeisters at JIMS simplifies the critical task of checking valve spring pressure for both the shop professional and the shade-tree hobbyist. As its name would suggest, it’s a small device with a small price of $141 to match, and it can be used with common garage tools like an arbor press, bench vice or drill press to test any Harley-style valve springs including conical springs. The Mini features a top-grade aluminum body and piston, steel spring plates and a rubber-booted precision 0–600 psi pressure gauge.
JIMS www.jimsusa.com 805.482.6913
Skin-deep beauty
A whole new approach to laying down some custom cosmetics on your scoot is offered by BaggerSkins, which replace the disassembly hassles and big-buck expense of an elaborate paint job with the ease and economy of applying pre-printed vinyl “skins” over your bodywork surfaces. A number of wild graphic themes are offered, and according to the manufacturer, the application process can be performed “in a matter of hours in your own garage.” The skins are UV-protected and can be washed and waxed like a conventional paint job. Currently available for batwing-faired baggers, prices range from $299.99 for a partial front-end kit to $599.99 for a kit to cover your whole machine.
BaggerSkins www.baggerskins.com 916.624.9367
Hard shell
If you like the protection afforded your gear by hard bags, but don’t want to actually mount them on your bike, you can mount one to yourself instead with the new Hard Pack Backpack from MotorClothes. Made of ballistic nylon with a rugged polycarbonate shell, the Hard Pack features a double-zipper storage compartment with a removable pouch. Padded areas on the back keep it comfortable, and adjustable chest and waist straps keep it tight to your torso. The price is $120, and from the looks of it it might be just the ticket for young bloods commuting to school on their Iron 883.
Harley-Davidson www.harley-davidson.com
Dial-a-ride
The new 970 Series High Performance Piggyback Shocks pack a long list of state-of-the-art technology and features into one seriously handsome package. These shocks use a high-pressure gas monotube design and deflective disc damping that is adjustable for compression damping on the fly via small easily accessible adjustment knobs on the piggybacks. Both the shock body and piggyback are internally coated to reduce friction, and feature a tough forged aluminum cap. The progressive rate coil springs can be pre-loaded by threaded adjusters to fine-tune your ride to weight, conditions and riding style. Currently offered for Dyna and XR1200 models with more applications under development, the 970 Series shocks sell for $999.99.
Progressive Suspension www.progressivesuspension.com 877.690.7411
Room at the top
Keeping your collection of small indispensable effects above the jumble and jostle of your packed panniers just got simpler with the introduction of the Top Shelf Saddlebag Organizer from Hard Bagger. These molded high-impact polystyrene trays install and remove quickly with the twist of a stock Dzus fastener, but even when installed it’s possible to access the other stuff beneath it in your saddlebag. The Organizer retails for $39.95 and comes with a grip-rubber floor mat and an oversized washer for the stock fastener. Options are available as well, including custom foam inserts with cutouts sized to snugly accommodate your shades, cell phone, tire pressure gauge, smokes and the like. Versions are available for 1991–2003 fiberglass bags as well as 2004–present ABS units.
Hard Bagger www.topshelforganizer.com 951.834.2557
Flash drive
From Dynojet Research comes the new Power Vision performance tuner and data monitor that puts a staggering number of functions at your fingertips. Designed for use on all 2001–2011 Harley-Davidsons with a Delphi ECM, the Power Vision lets you select, download and flash any of a menu of pre-loaded tuning configurations simply by following the prompts on the touch screen monitor. You can tune your bike right from the saddle—no computer is required, but a Windows-based tuning application is included for more elaborate configuring. Once installed, the Power Vision immediately identifies your bike’s settings and suggests a myriad of applicable and proven tunes to choose from. The unit also displays a wealth of operational data, so you can monitor virtually every parameter of the motor’s performance while in operation. Price is a reasonable $549.
Dynojet Research www.flashyourharley.com 800.992.3525
Snatch proof
Harley-Davidson’s Quick-Release Windshields are ridiculously easy to affix to your fork tubes and just as easy to detach, and that’s an attractive feature—unless, that is, it’s some light-fingered lowlife who’s doing the detaching. To thwart that type of casual theft, Harley-Davidson has designed the Locking Quick-Release Windshield Clamp that replaces one of your stock clamps with one that requires a key to remove. Virtually identical in appearance and function to the others, the Locking Clamp adds the security of a push-button lock operated by a mini-barrel-style key. A pair of keys is included in the $39.95 price of the device. These clamps are available in sizes to fit most Sportster, Dyna and Softail models as well as some VRSC models.
Harley-Davidson www.harley-davidson.com
