Bike Gadget's

[Stormy]

G'day,

I thought I'd start this thread for those that like to buy new gadgets for their bike.

Today, I bought a handy sized tyre inflator from my local car parts shop for my bike, it's called a "Power Sport Tire Inflator (#40001)" http://www.slime.com/product_111_Power_Sport_Tire_Inflator_(40001).html

https://secure.slime.com/images/uploads/2007090510444294558_med.jpg

https://secure.slime.com/images/uploads/2007090510453293896_sml.jpg https://secure.slime.com/images/uploads/200709051045113402_sml.jpg

As the image shows, it's very small and comes with a whole heap of different power leads and it all fits in a semi-hard case, it's compact size is ideal for stowing in the saddlebag for those long trips away, 'cause you never know when something like this could be handy.

It cost me $56.99 AUD, but it can be had online for $39.99USD.

Mick.

[zl900_moab]

Good purchase....Anyone else?
moab...

[kawboy]

Just bought this tiny digital voltmeter to monitor battery voltage - haven't decided where to put it yet.
http://www.digitalmeter.com/cgi-bin/webshop.cgi?config=configspc.txt

[furchin]

Stormy, I carry the same unit with me. I like the varied array of connections that come with it and the fairly low cost of the unit.

[Stormy]

That's a neat looking and tiny voltmeter, kawboy.

Yeah furchin, the main reason I like it is it's compact size, if it does what it's stated by the manufacturers to do, I'll be happy.
__________________________________________________ _____________________

Another little gadget, I bought it last year, and it definately works,

It's called a"Call Catcher", and it cost $20.00AUD.

http://www.powerbronze.com.au/images/call_catcher/catcher_colours.jpg

http://www.tropicoolindia.com/heb_callcatc.asp (http://www.tropicoolindia.com/heb_callcatc.asp)

The "Call Catcher", is a simple L.E.D light device that picks up the signal when your mobile / cell phone is ringing. No wires, no expensive hands free kits, just a simple, bright red, altenating flash of the two L.E.D lights will tell you your phone is ringing. It uses one CR2032 "Coin" type Lithium battery, which is good for about two years. Use it on the Bike, Car, Truck or in noisy machinery areas, in fact anywhere you want to “see” your mobile phone ringing. Operates within 1.5 metres of an active mobile / cell phone signal, it will also flash when you come back in range of a mobile / cell phone tower and coverage is restored.

Mick.

[Stormy]

If you are looking for a replacement radiator cap (0.9 bar), and you want to know what actual temp the coolant is at, then this radiator cap is for you, it's got a built in temperature gauge (it comes in blue or red colour).

http://www.ferret.com.au/odin/images/172803/The-ultimate-radiator-cap-172803.jpg

If you could just get to see it through the tank, it would be the perfect solution since Kawasaki omited putting a proper temp gauge on our bikes.

Mick.

[Stormy]

Some more gadget's I'm using are;

"TyreCheckers" Safety Valve Caps, for use on motorcycles, cars and heavy vehicles. Price : approx. $11.00 a pair.

http://www.tyrecheckers.com.au/images/tyrecheck.jpg http://www.tyrecheckers.com.au/images/tc_animation1.gif

http://www.tyrecheckers.com.au/

The Tyrechecker valve cap is pre-set to monitor a specific tyre pressure and the clear top of the chromed cap denotes the pressure it is set at.

Pre-set pressures range from 28psi, 30psi, 32psi, 34psi, 36psi, 38psi, 40psi, 42psi, 44psi, 48psi, 50psi, 52psi, 54psi, 56psi, 58psi, 60,psi 62psi, 64psi, 66psi, 68psi, 70psi, 72psi, 74psi, 76psi, 78psi and 80psi

I usually inflate 0.5 psi just above my preferred cold pressure, i.e 38.5psi front / 40.5psi rear. If the tyre drops to 5psi below the pre-set pressure rating, the indicator band will show the YELLOW band and if it drops to or below 10psi below the pre-set pressure rating the indicator band shows the RED band.

I've found they are great when I'm using my bike for everyday, to and from work, type transport, so during my brief, pre-ride check, I can have a quick glance at the valve caps to check that the indicator band is showing GREEN or not, it's way too easy...

BTW, I'm not endorsing any of the above products for any personal or financial gain.

Mick.

[K-Ray]

this is my best buy of the week , http://www.ridecool.com/index.htm
when it hits 100 + and you want to ride this is the only way to go ....
We are getting married Saturday and hitting the hwy on Sunday heading east out 40 then up to the Grand Canyon on the bike's . we talked about going two up but Emmalynn wants to ride her Mean Streak so i'm on the Road King with all our camping gear

[Stormy]

Another "Gadget" thing I use to make life easier is the "Progressive Suspension" hand operated, air pump (glorified bicycle tyre pump), for shocks and forks with a built in analogue pressure gauge. It's pretty expensive (Mine cost me $100AUD from a local stealership, but they put on their profit, so it's cheaper online), and it makes pumping air into the shocks and adjusting the pressure heaps easier.

The whole thing is 8 or 10 inches long and about 1-1/2" across at the gauge, it's got a 6 inch long hose with a screw on "shock valve" fitting (when you unscrew the connection from the valve, it looses very little pressure or air on release). On the side of the pump is an air "bleed off" valve. It can register pressures from 2 psi to 60psi in 2psi increments.

http://www.hotkey.net.au/~mattakana/shockpump.jpg

http://www.progressivesuspension.com/accessories/index.html

I previously used a small bicycle pump and a digital pressure gauge, but it was difficult and very time consuming getting the pressure right.

Mick.

[Stormy]

Another "Gadget" thing I use to make my life easier, is called a "Throttle Rocker" Motorcycle Cruise Assist.

http://www.bluerim.com.au/images/grip.jpg http://www.throttlerocker.com/images/handgrip.jpg

http://www.throttlerocker.com/info.html

It's basically just bit of molded plastic that grips the throttle (by spring pressure) and it's designed to sit under the heel of your palm, it is designed to help with hand fatigue and minimise cramps whilst holding the throttle on over a long period of time whilst riding long distances. I bought mine C.O.D, and it cost me $25.00 (including postage and insurance), but they are supposed to retail for $12.00AUD.

I broke the knuckle on my little finger on my right hand ages ago, and it cramps up badly when I'm riding a long distance, and it really helps reduce the pain in my hand, you can hardly feel it's on, and you hardly have to grip the throttle grip at all to keep a constant speed, so after using it over the last couple of months, I'm pretty happy with it.

Mick.

[Jarney]

Hey guys, would there be any interest or room on the site to make this it's own category so it would be easier to find and post? You could call it something like "Gadgets, ebayers, products and reviews" or something similar - that way you could include the Gadgets thread, good or bad reviews on dealers - including ebay sellers - like the workoutlady thread, helmets, jackets, any product reviews, etc - all would go under this category? Just an idea. Later.

[zlMark]

yea sounds good. keep me reminded until it happens,,lol

[kawboy]

Hey, Mark - just a reminder - remember when you liked Jarney's idea about a gadget/product review section?

[zlMark]

yea I remember, but like I said keep reminding me until it happens,,lol

[Blagadán]

I got this a while back but its real handy.

Garmin Nuvi handlebar mount. eBay, $20. + shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Motorcycle-Mount-for-GARMIN-NUVI-200W-205W-255W-260W_W0QQitemZ170246041733QQihZ007QQcategoryZ58046 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Can be detached easy.


http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/Blagadain/gps2.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/Blagadain/gps1.jpg

[CHRIS]

blag, i like your gps handlebar mount. always nice to know where you are going !

mark, dont forget about the gadget/product review section !!!! lol !!!! CHRIS

[Stormy]

I've often thought about getting a GPS or Garvin, but the roadsigns and highways are so easy to find, there's really no need, unless you go into the cities, but who'd want to go there !!!

Hey mark, how about making this thread a sticky? nudge, nudge...

[Blagadán]

Man.... I'd be lost without my garmin....(get it? Geees, I crack myself up!) But seriously, One thing i really enjoy doing is enter a destination A-B, then hit 'detour' button and it takes me on some weird and wonderful roads. Before buying the gps, I got myself lost good a few times. Buying that garmin is the best money I've spent, probably ever. Ireland is small, but all the minor roads look the same and you can get lost real easy here if you venture off the main roads. Or more importantly, hit the "wheres the nearest petrol station" button.... thats got me out of trouble a few times....lol

Hey Mark.... I got a great idea about a gadget/product review section...

Whaddya mean someone else has thought of it.. sheesh.!!

[zlMark]

Done

[Jarney]

I use one of these. I understand they don't work with all lights but it helped me. I used to work the night shift and would get stuck at a certain light on the way in every night if I was the only vehicle in the lane.

http://www.greenlightstuff.com/trigger.html

[Jarney]

Here's another one I couldn't do without since I've used it. If you ride in cooler weather or want a quieter helmet this is the ticket. I bought the "cold weather" version and it really does the trick. It has a zipper vent in front too so you can really use it year round if you want and so far it has fit on every helmet I've tried.

http://www.mawonline.com/newsite/noj-helmet_warmers.htm#QUIET%20RIDER%20COLD%20WEATHER

[Stormy]

I use one of these. I understand they don't work with all lights but it helped me. I used to work the night shift and would get stuck at a certain light on the way in every night if I was the only vehicle in the lane.

http://www.greenlightstuff.com/trigger.html

That is a great idea, jarney, beats jumping off the bike and hitting the pedestrian crossing button, like we used to do when I lived in the city. Thankfully we don't have ANY traffic lights in the nearest major town where I live, only "roundabouts" or circular "traffic islands" at intersections.

I'd have to travel about 500kms to see a traffic light...

[Jarney]

Here's a product that I didn't have much luck with. Barsnake. When I switched over to the bar end mirrors, I thought the barsnake would help reduce the vibes in the bars and maybe give a better image from the mirrors. I installed the Barsnake (solid model) and saw (and felt) very little improvement in the buzziness of the bars and mirrors. Bad thing is, once it's installed, I don't think there is a good way to remove it - not that it made things worse, it just didn't seem to do what it claims to do. Can't say I would recommend this product even though it's on the holeshot website.

www.barsnake.com