Five Motorcycle Riding Leather Care Tips

Proper care for leather apparel used by motorcycle riders is important not only to looks but also durability and level of protection given to the wearer. Old, uncared for leather can be dry, look poor and offer only very limited protection to the rider. With only a few simple tips, leather gloves, chaps, jackets and vests can last longer, provide good protection and look great.

1. When leather gear becomes wet or soaked, empty the pockets, remove all pins and air dry. Using a hair dryer with the heat turned off is also acceptable. Using heat to dry leather can cause it to shrink and possibly crack.
2. Routinely treat your leathers to a good leather oil. Do not use leather "wax." This helps keep them waterproof and looking good while replenishing the leather's natural oils. Some good treatments include Obenauf's, Oak Wood Leather Conditioner and a high quality mink oil. Follow the instructions of whatever treatment you choose. Do NOT use saddle soap on your motorcycle leathers.
   
3. Oil any zippers with a good quality sewing machine oil.
4. Watch for fraying or loose thread along seams. If you see any, bring your leather into a leather store to be repaired. Be sure they are familiar with motorcycle leather repair.
5. Do not simply throw your leathers on the ground, garage floor or generally abuse them. When not being worn they should be hung up.
   

Royal Enfield Doubling Capacity

According to this article at the Wallstreet Journal, Royal Enfield of New Delhi, India will be doubling it's manufacturing capacity. They hope to sell 50,000 motorcycles in 2009 and estimate their over seas sales to increase 15% over the next four or five years.

Royal Enfield, originally built in Europe is now a global icon of motorcycle simplicity and utility. The machines are simple, parts easy to find and the global rider can find people just about anywhere that can work on these.

Even as other companies are cutting back, closing plants and laying off employees, Royal Enfield expands.

Yamaha HV-X; a True Hybrid Motorcycle

While the Yamaha HV-X is not a production hybrid motorcycle, there is plenty of promise to this experimental bike.

As reported by Cycle Canada, the HV-X is powered by a Lithium high capacity battery and a 250 cc engine. Yamaha has not openly stated whether or when this technology will be released. However, the test ride video does look intriguing.

New Ducati Multistrada

Those Ducati fans out there may already be applauding the announcement (here at Cycle Canada) that a new Ducati Multistrada 1200 will be unveiled at the EICMA 2009 International Motorcycle Show in Milan, Italy on November 9.

According to rumors, the name of this new bike is the Ducati Strada Aperta. Please post any links or information you may have, here.

Harley to Shut Down Buell, Sell MV Agusta

If you want a new Buell, supplies are getting short. When they are gone, there will be no more. As many already know, Harley Davidson, in a cost cutting measure, is shutting down Buell and selling MV Agusta.

With Harley sales down this year, there may be more cuts at the iconic US motorcycle maker. Read more about it here at the New York Times.

Marisa Miller teams up with Harley - Salute Those Who Defend Freedom.

Teaming up with Marisa Miller, Harley Davidson put together a nice 40's style pin-up tribute to our troops. You can browse to the Harley Davidson site for Marisa Miller wallpaper, to enter drawings and help support our troops.

And, by the way, Marisa Miller is not only an attractive young lady. She also rides.