Bowtex Leggings Motorcycle Jean Review

Want to wear your normal jeans on the bike and still have protection? Keep reading

How it started

As a biker one of the things I found the most frustrating was either having to look like a biker in all the leathers or having to get changed all the time. Leathers to normal clothing and back again. There had to be a solution where you could wear something more normal. In comes Kevlar jeans. Amazing, now you can wear normal looking jeans and be safe, but you’re still restricted to that look. A single pair of jeans – unless of course you’re a lucky owner of a money tree and can have multiple pairs.

I was dreaming of total freedom in what I chose to wear while also being safe. That’s when I discovered Bowtex Kevlar leggings. These give you the protection you need in a base layer legging, giving you the unlimited choice of wearing whatever trousers you fancy. The end of looking like a biker and the start of being able to wear whatever you like.

I do find it funny how many disapproving looks you get for riding in your bright purple Calvin Clein jeans…being judged that you’re being reckless but little do they know – underneath I have woven Kevlar to save my skin. Protected!

There are so many companies making protective riding jeans that are designed to offer impact and abrasion resistance should the worst happen. However, this base layer system with the same level of protection, is something offered by Bowtex and only a few rival brands, I really think, is going to catch on.

So how to I rate them?

Safety

Bowtex have been making their leggings with safety front of mind, which is exactly what you’d expect. The main portion of the leggings is made from a blend of DuPont™ Kevlar®, Protex and cotton to provide protection against abrasion, heat and flames, while also giving the comfort. They are further strengthened by 100% woven Kevlar on the high-risk areas including the hips, bum and knees – the areas where you’re most likely to inflict prolonged contact with the ground in a fall or crash. And, you then have the added option to have industry standard D30 armour as the leggings come with pockets ready.

That’s abrasion, heat and impact covered – and all in a pair of leggings! Yes, if you come off your jeans on top will highly likely be written off but you’ll be happy in the knowledge that your leggings are going to keep your skin on and absorb some of the shock!

Full Protection – Bowtex® Kevlar Leggings Yellow. Full Dupont™ Kevlar® Fibre

• Base Layer: 55% Dupont™ Kevlar®, 25% Protex-M, 20% Cotton
• Added patches on high risk areas: 100% Dupont™ Kevlar® for pure Abrasion Resistance
• Unisex
• Built-in hip and knee pockets for Bowtex® impact protectors.

For me, having been in an accident I won’t even jump on the bike for a pint of milk without the right protection and clothing like this makes being protected so easy. It’s a no brainer.

One thing to note is that Bowtex have a couple of legging options. I’m talking about their yellow leggings, which offer the full Kevlar protection. They also do a commuter version for lower risk riding at a lower cost. The commuter leggings have a lower Kevlar portion, replaced by elastane and polyester. The result is a more flexible legging for swift and frequent changing, however these do of course offer lower protection as you’re only protected in the high-risk areas. Personally, not a pair for me but worth mentioning.

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Commuter Legging – Bowtex Essential Leggings Black. Elastane / Dupont™ Kevlar® Fiber

• Base layer: 83% Elastane / 17% Polyester
• Added patches on seat, hip and knee areas made with 100% Dupont™ Kevlar® Fibre for abrasion resistance
• Unisex
• Built-in hip and knee pockets for Bowtex® CE rated impact protectors.

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What I love is that Bowtex trust their kit enough to make an ace video of a guy being pulled down the road on his bum:

Look & Styling

This is down to you! Bowtex give you the protection as a base layer so you can literally style out in whatever jeans, trousers, chinos or pants you like. Hell, you could even wear a skirt if you wanted [it might look a little odd but you’d be protected!

That’s the beauty of having leggings, you have the control of the top layer.

Rock up on your bike in your normal clothing, I love that!

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  The Girl On A Bike motorcycle Bowtex logo unisex Womens kevlar leggings jeans 6
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  The Girl On A Bike motorcycle Bowtex unisex Womens 100 kevlar leggings jeans 7
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  The Girl On A Bike motorcycle Bowtex logo unisex Womens kevlar leggings jeans 5

Any extra swaying point for me was the limited choice of Kevlar jeans on the market. Yes, is has expanded hugely in the last couple of years, but you’re still limited to set styles, designs and colours. Having a legging opens the breath of causal jeans to your bike wardrobe.

If you’re like me and love your super skinny spray on jeans, it’s important to note that not all your jeans will fit over the top. While the leggings are super streamlined they are still a layer to squeeze into your jeans. This will most certainly apply if you add the armour too.

Ride Comfort

With the almost fluffy woven Kevlar material and a nice thick elastic waist and ankle bands these leggings are super comfortable. For me the stay firmly in place, not riding up my legs or sliding down when I bend. They flex and twist with you. My ideal would be having them slightly more elasticated for a snugger fit under my spray on jeans, however they are still offering superb comfort under your jeans. What’s also great is that they form an extra layer for warmth in the cooler weather while also being highly breathable in the summer.

I’ve got no complaints over comfort.

Limitations

• Not waterproof but what legging is…you could wear waterproof jeans or I simply carry a small pair of waterproof over trousers if there is any rain risk. Easy!
• The material is not super elastic, if it was it would give a slightly snugger fit but it’s not essential.
• As a base layer you naturally need a little more space for your jeans to fit, unlikely a problem unless you love your spray on jeans

£££

For a pair of protective motorcycle trousers their mind market on price, however with that you get a huge array of flexibility to wear whatever kit you like.

Note your cost will be the leggings plus whatever you opt to wear on top.

Remember, you get what you pay for. Buy cheap Kevlar and you’ll get cheap Kevlar.

Highlights

1. Expand you bike wardrobe and rock out in whatever jeans you like but fully protected
2. Comfortable and flexible
3. Breathable and protective

Tips From Experience

• If you love your super skinny spray on jeans then be cautious about whether a pair of leggings will fit below. I simply wear slightly looser styles over the top to give a little more space.
• The yellow Bowtex leggings offer the full Kevlar protection, however they also do a commuter version for lower risk riding – their black leggings.

Overall Rating

If you’re a trend setter, someone who loves their jeans, or simply haven’t found a pair of Kevlar jeans you’ve taken to, then these are for you. With these you can rock any style you want on top and still be assured of protection.

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harley’s and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

Cam Case Customisation – Cover Chop on Sportster 

I can do it, you can do it! DIY ‘Do It Yourself’ – for the Bike

This is a complete how to guide on changing the profile of you cam case with a cam case customisation chop.

Please hit follow on Instagram @thegirlonabike and Facebook

How it started

Ultimately my desire to take the angle grinder to my precious Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Sportster started when I saw shots of bikes who had received similar treatment. The raw, rugged and slimmed down look just caught my eye, it looks SICK!” How do I do this myself I thought? A bit of digging on the internet and I was all set. So here’s the how to do a home custom cam case chop on your Harley-Davidson.

It’s worth noting, HD engines do not have overhead cams like modern motorcycles, the valves are driven by cams located next to the crank shaft.  This is why you can see the sexy cam pushrods mounted in parallel to the cylinders, stretching up to the cylinder head valves. Also, as modern bikes have timing managed through the ECU, the timing cover is redundant, it’s purely there for classic old skool looks.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation before
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation complete 1 e1517417931974

Remember, I’m an account director in marketing…not a mechanic or engineer…so if I can do it. You can do it! Give it a go and give me a shout if you have any questions.

Tools Needed

• Angle Grinder + appropriate safety equipment (goggles, gloves and mask)
• Spray paint – 98606BF Noir Texture Harley-Davidson engine paint [or the paint that matches your bikes cam cover]
• Metal files, ideally a coarse and fine file
• Wet and dry sand paper
• Ruler and tape measure [right angle locking ruler is ideal]
• Appropriate tools for bike assembly

Full how to video and detailed written how to below

The Recipe

1. Pick your look

Before you get the angle grinder near your ride I suggest having a good look online for some cam chop shaping options. There are some great designs out there, from simple and minimal like mine through to rather fancy and intricate. Here are a few example looks, you can tell Warr’s London customs have been an influence for me:

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY cam chop customisation design ideas 5
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY cam chop customisation design ideas
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The setup of how the cam case mounts onto the bike means there is some dormant areas. It’s vital to ensure the gasket seal is retained to allow the engine to operate as normal with the customisation, but there is a large area of dormant material that’s not actually fundamental to the operation of the bike. That is the bit we are going to be removing.

2. Drop the oil

As we’re going to be removing the cam cover and gasket we need to drop the engine oil out of the bike. Same as you would for routine maintenance. Unsure how, ask Google or this guy might help too.

Do not skip this part…or you’ll have an oily mess…

3. Prepare to remove the cam case

Before we remove the cam cover and the sprocket cover there are a few parts in the way.

First off, you need to get the exhaust pipes off. Depending how frequently you remove them I’d recommend giving the bolts a quick soak in WD40, hopefully they’ll come off nice and easily.

Secondly, you need to remove the brake push rod linkage. Two little bolts at the front and the circlip and bolt in the middle should get them out of our way. Pop the bolts back in so you don’t lose them or forget where they go.

4. Create cardboard template for Cam Case bolts

Here you’ll be faced with a large number of bolts and it is really important that they go back in the same place. Grab a piece of cardboard and roughly draw the shape of the cam cover to mark the bolt orientation. This gives you a template with the same positioning of the bolts, which means you can pull them out, put them into the template and when you come to put them back together you will know which one is which.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation bolt tempalte

It’s important to remember which bolt goes where – use the template.

5. Remove the cam case and sprocket cover

Carefully loosen all the bolts and place into your template. Use a soft mallet to gently tap the gasket to break the tight seal. You then need to remove the oil hose clip – a small flat head screw driver should allow you to loosen the clip to enable us to slide the hose off.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop custom remove case 1
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop custom remove case 1 1
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation remove oil union
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation oil union

6. Cover the exposed engine while you work

Use a lint free rag to pick up any of the residual oil. Cover the exposed engine and cam gearing system to prevent any dust or dirt getting in. I recommend standard kitchen cling film or saran wrap. Nothing special.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation protect engine
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation protect engine1

7. Prepare cam case for chop

Remove the oil pipe union with 7/16th spanner and cover the whole cam case with masking tape. The tape will simply protect the surface from any risk of damage or scuffing.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation protect engine oil union
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation masking tap 1 e1517415597609
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation masking tap 2 e1517415574470

8. Measure and mark you lines for angle grinding

Carefully mark and measure where you want to reprofile your cam profile. I opted for a 5mm clearance from the gasket seal for a slimmed down look. Remember the angle grinder will make a wide cut line so be careful not to go too tight.

Measure on the gasket dimensions, add 5mm as a safety margin.  I used a right-angle ruler, which enables you to lock on a desired measurement. Lock you ruler and flip the cam case over to mark this on the other side. Complete this at multiple points along the cam case and join them together for a clearly marked cutting line.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation measuring cut lines 1 e1517405376873
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation measuring cut lines 3 e1517405356320
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation measuring cut lines 4 e1517405399858

The diagonal corners will be marked once the first straight cuts are complete.

9. Double check measurements

10. Angle grinder

Clamp the cam case gently in a vice to ensure nil movement and then carefully cut along your marked lines with the angle grinder. Remember to always use correct safety gear.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation angle grinder 3
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation angle grinder 2
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation angle grinder 4
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation angle grinder 5

11. Mark the corner lines & cut them off with the angle grinder

Continuing with the slim profile, I opted for a 5mm spacing on the corners as I was not worried about matching angles. Place the ruler across and mark it before grabbing the angle grinder to snip them off.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation cut corners2
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation cut corners 1

12. Smoothing the edges

Angle grinders can be quite aggressive but we need a nice smooth rounded finish. Here we will use metal files. Firstly, use a coarse metal file, before downsizing to a finer finish. Gently file the cut edges smooth with one directional strokes.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation coarse metal file
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation fine metal file

For the corner profiles use a fine file with a curved stroke to get a smooth radius with a sharp edge. The curved stroke with the file gives it a more natural finish.

Once finished you should have a rough flat surface with no grinder marks and less prominent filing marks.

Next we need to go even finer on the finish with wet and dry sandpaper. Make sure you keep it wet as you slowly smooth the finish. The goal is to have a perfect surface with no blemishes, no angle grinder marks and no filing lines.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation wet and dry sandpaper 1
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation wet and dry sandpaper2
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation wet and dry sandpaper3

This is a slow process but vital to get a professional finish. It took me roughly 30 minutes of filing and sanding.

13. Prep for spray painting

Following all the dirty work we need to make sure it’s spotless before we spray paint. Remove the masking tape, which was purely for protection. Then it’s into the kitchen sink, hot soapy water and a good clean down.  You then need to fully degrease it with some brake cleaner.

Make sure you get rid of all the grime, finger prints and grease ready for spraying.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation clean to paint
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation clean to paint brake cleaner

14. Spray painting

Purchase the correct paint to match your cam case / engine case, however you could of course change the colour of the case at this stage. I opted for official Harley-Davidson textured black – 98606BF Noir Texture via my local Harley-Davidson dealer. No doubt there is an after market version but I went straight to the source to get the good stuff.

Apply paint following the directions on the tin you purchased. I went for 4 coats covering both the new exposed edges and the rest of the casing to ensure no visible blending lines in the paint.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation spray paint noir texture black
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation spray paint noir texture black3

15. Leave to dry or oven dry following paint manufacturer instructions

16. Remove paint over spray on seal surface

With the nature of spray painting you might have some over spray on the surface where the gasket will seal. Use a sharp razor blade, from a Stanley knife, to gently scrape off all the excess paint.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation spray remove overspray
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation spray remove overspray2

17. Final clean and prep before re-assembly

Back in the kitchen for a hot soapy clean. Once dry apply multi-purpose grease to the new gasket and put gasket in place on the bike. The grease will help the gasket swell, which gives the seal required.

Re-attach the oil pipe union with thread-lock to make sure that stays in place. Screw it in finger tight in the correct vertical orientation.

Finally, prime the mating shaft surfaces with some engine oil.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation gasket grease
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation oil pipe union
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation oil prime

18. Refit cam case

Due to the high tolerance fit of the cam case, sliding this back on can be tricky. Work to align the mating surfaces by looking at the gap around the edge. Do not be tempted to use a hammer and bash it on. You must be patient and gentle. Once you’ve found the sweet spot you’ll be able to slide it on pretty effortlessly but it’s about finding that sweet spot.

Return the correct bolts to their original location utilising the cardboard cut-out created on removal. Using you bikes manual follow the diagram for the correct tightening sequence and torque values for fitting the cam case.

For the torque, the manual says 10.2-13.6 Nm. I went for 12, somewhere in the middle.

Here is the pattern and values from the Forty-Eight Sportster manual.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation gearcase screw torque sequence
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Harley Davidson forty eight sportster cam chop customisation gearcase screw torque values

19. Reassemble the bike

Get the pipes and brake linkage back on. Note I have chosen to leave the front sprocket cover off to give a more rugged look. You can buy aftermarket guards if you’re worried about the exposure.

20. Cam case chop customisation complete!

Time Required

It’s a pretty swift job, I would anticipate around 4 hours plus drying time for the paint.

Ease of Completion

Hopefully I’ve shown how easy it is. It’s something completely achievable at home if you have the required tools. Get out there have a look at what shapes you like and try it out.

Crowd Reaction

Given how cheap this custom is it’s well worth the time doing it. Anyone can change the pipes, pegs or air intake but it takes a little more energy and precision to take an angle grinder to you ride. You might get the odd guy moaning that your sprocket is vulnerable but really…unless you’re riding through mud it’s not going to cause any issues. Winner on the streets I’d say!

£££

If you have the tools the only cost is going to be the paint and a new gasket, roughly £20-30. Very cheap given the finished look.

Highlights of a cam case customisation

• Minimal cost for a great look you can do yourself
• Adds a great raw rugged look to your ride
• Easily achievable in a weekend
• This will make you more aware of how your engine operates 😊

Tips From Experience

• Soak any bolts in WD40 before removal
• Ensure your cam case is firmly clamped before using the angle grinder
• Thoroughly clean all dirt before painting and re-assembly
• Apply nice thin even coats of paint to avoid drip lines
• Make sure you to not compromise the gasket seal with your design.

Overall Rating

This simple home custom gives an epic, rugged and aggressive look. You can see the front rear sprocket and have a new slim profile. Simple custom for a great finish.

I CAN DO IT. YOU CAN DO IT.

Please remember to subscribe to my YouTube channel to star tuned for future videos.

KTM EXC 200 2-Stroke

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Specifications

Model:	KTM 200 EXC
Year:	2010
Category:	Enduro / offroad
Rating:	74.1 out of 100.
Engine and transmission
Displacement:	193.00 ccm (11.78 cubic inches)
Engine type:	Single cylinder, two-stroke
Bore x stroke:	64.0 x 60.0 mm (2.5 x 2.4 inches)
Fuel system:	Carburettor. Keihin PWK 36 S AG
Ignition:	Kokusan
Lubrication system:	Mixture oil lubrication 1:60
Cooling system:	Liquid
Gearbox:	6-speed
Transmission type, final drive:	Chain
Clutch:	Wet mDouble disk clutch, operated hydraulically
Exhaust system:	Lubrication
Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels
Frame type:	Central double-cradle-type 25CrMo4 steel
Rake (fork angle):	26.5°
Front suspension:	WP USD 48 mm fork
Front wheel travel:	300 mm (11.8 inches)
Rear suspension:	WP PDS shock absorber
Rear wheel travel:	335 mm (13.2 inches)
Front tyre:	90/90-21
Rear tyre:	120/90-18
Front brakes:	Single disc
Rear brakes:	Single disc
Physical measures and capacities
Dry weight:	97.0 kg (213.8 pounds)
Seat height:	985 mm (38.8 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Ground clearance:	390 mm (15.4 inches)
Wheelbase:	1,471 mm (57.9 inches)
Fuel capacity:	9.50 litres (2.51 gallons)

Customs Customs Customs

Memphis Shades Café Fairing Review

How it started

How does one wake up and go, “oh I know I fancy a fairing.” The reality is, for me, that’s not how it happened. The first Harley Davidson I ever rode was a Heritage Softail. For those that don’t know this model, it’s a large cruiser with insanely comfortable smooth suspension, and the version I rode had a mini windshield. Over 5 days I did 1000 miles with total comfort; I could literally ride for 8 hours and feel fresh getting off.

Fast forward to 2015 when I got my Street Bob and a weekend adventure up to Darlington for the Jungle Memorial Ride where I did over 750miles in two days. I was toasted by the end of it, and I realised that the wind fatigue was playing a huge part in it. So I decided to do some research on a screen of some kind but knowing that I am not personally a fan of windshields. Then Memphis Shades www.memphisshades.com entered my world, and I discovered their Café fairing. The ideal compromise between style and function.

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  The Girl On A Bike Harely Davidson StreetBobo DYNA VANESSA 65
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  The girl on a bike memphis shades logo comparison harley davidson
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  The Girl On A Bike Harely Davidson StreetBobo DYNA VANESSA 60

Please hit follow on Instagram @thegirlonabike and Facebook

Performance

I’m certain it does not add to the performance of my machine.

But, it almost certainly improves my personal physical performance in allowing me to last longer on the bike, by reducing the wind buffer. The fairing, while small, does an impressive amount in deflecting the wind off my chest, redirecting it up over my head. The one-piece construction machined design shape is perfectly tuned to cut through the air flow and provide an appreciated respite from the wind. And the faster you go, the more you appreciated it.

I have noticed that on really windy days, which suck on any bike, it can require slightly more riding compensation to adjust to the wind. Especially if it’s a crosswind as the wind can whip into the back of the fairing, and impact the bars, but just keep in mind that there is nothing to worry about.

This fairing is approximately 7″ from the top of the headlight bezel to the top of the fairing; it may seem small but big enough to make a difference.

For anyone interested in the safety side, Memphis Shades windshields and fairings are “DOT (Department of Transport) approved and conformed to American Nation Standards Institute (ANSI) Z26.1 – 1996, Group 6, Safety Glazing Material for use in Windscreens for Motorcycles”…how that translates to other markets…I’ve not a clue! Sorry.

Ultimately, if you want full protection from the wind there are better options than this little number, however, if you’re looking for something to make a difference to the wind while keeping your styling [i.e. not going full windshield], then this is a good purchase.

Look & Styling

One thing I love about this fairing is the extra road presence it gives to your bike. The fairing is beautifully made of a one-piece aircraft-grade Lucite acrylic construction. It’s seamless with a machined ‘witness line’ outlines windshield, purely for design which I love.

The fairing comes in a factory finish black, great as it is but the surface is also ready to paint to ensure you can easily custom to your ride if desired. As my bike is wrapped in the 3M vinyl wrap, I simply wrapped it to match [check out my pros & cons to wrapping / and how to wrap articles]. It looks the part! Worth noting is that the inside is a nice black finish, so it blends into the back of the headlight.

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  The Girl On A Bike Harely Davidson StreetBobo DYNA VANESSA 65
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  The Girl On A Bike Harely Davidson StreetBobo DYNA VANESSA 20
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  The Girl On A Bike Harely Davidson StreetBobo DYNA VANESSA 24

Build Quality

The fairing and kit, which includes relocations for the front turn signals, looks and feels great. The build is solid and firm, instilling trust, while also being super light-weight so as to not suck up to much pony power from your performance. The engineering design behind the quick release mounting points can’t be faulted, they’re simplistic in their design, functional in their use and mean switching to and from the café look literally takes seconds. Two clips and it’s off.

Their decision to use Lucite is down to its earned reputation as a high-quality material. It’s ultimately a trademarked version of acrylic resin developed by DuPont in 1937. And the key here is that this type of acrylic plastic can be used as replacements for glass while also supporting constructive qualities. Ideal for a fairing with glass and solids! But, don’t be fooled by some cheap options on the market made from acrylic as not all acrylic is equal! Lucite is a widely agreed higher grade acrylic plastic – good choice by Memphis Shades.

Ease of Installation

Super easy. It comes with clear instructions and a full installation kit. If you can use a spanner, you’ll find it a doddle. One slight complication is the need to relocate the front turn signals [if you have standard ones], but as it comes with the kit to do this, it’s all part of the ease.

The fairing is custom fit for your model, so it’s literally ready to go and comes with the Memphis Shades exclusive trigger lock mounting system allowing it to be taken on and off without tools.

An extra point here is that once you have a Memphis Shades trigger locking kit installed you can switch between the café fairing, fat/slim windshields, sport-shields or batwing fairing without the need for tools or different mounts. Totally interchangeable! I’ve only got the one, but I would definitely consider a larger shield if I was planning a week-long road trip.

One thinks to possibly check before ordering is the compatibility with any custom front headlines, I run a standard light, but I don’t know how it works with others. Most likely fine – better to check and be sure.

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  The girl on a bike cafe fairing memphis shades trigger locking
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  The girl on a bike cafe fairing memphis shades trigger locking

Crowd Reaction

Ok, so being totally honest I was a little unsure how it would be received. The nature of a fairing means it’s like Marmite [marmite explanation here]. People either love them or hate them. Well, that is what I thought; it turns out this cheeky little number is a converter. I’ve had a lot of people comment about how surprisingly good it looks, how it gives it road presence = surprisingly good meaning ‘I hate fairings, but I actually like this look.’ Yes, you still get the haters, but ultimately it’s my bike, I love it, and I reap the benefits of reduced wind fatigue. So haters can be haters. I’m a lover, and there are a lot of fellow lovers out there.

See for yourself – with and without:

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  The girl on a bike memphis shades comparison with fairing
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  The girl on a bike memphis shades comparison no fairing

£££

From my understanding, these sit at the mid to high price range. You’re getting a versatile, high-quality product that will last for years. You’ll also get a 24-month warranty and a great team at Memphis Shades on hand to support your every need.

Highlights

1. Functionality merged with style
2. Lightweight
3. Removable in seconds with interchangeable range

Tips from Experience

• Test and adjust the café fairing position for your body position to ensure the buffer goes over your head and not into it
• Keep alert on windy days as the fairing can catch the wind

Overall Rating

Ideal accessory for combining functionality, flexibility to remove and Californian café styling to your ride.

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harley’s and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

Customs Customs Customs

Vance and Hines 2-1 Upsweep Exhaust Pipe System Review

How it started

I’m pretty sure Vance and Hines have a solid role to play in me actually buying a Harley. Honestly! I went to my local dealer to take a bike out for a test ride; I had no intention to buy, I just missed the Harley vibe I’d first discovered in Texas. And that was it, the sound the power, and I was hooked. The bike I took was a DYNA Street Bob with a Stage 1 upgrade. This means it had the Screaming Eagle intake, retune and of course the stunning V&H ShortShots. Oh wow, they made a sound that just reached deep into my soul and told me I needed this bike in my life. Let’s just say the rest is history and now I own Thug my Street Bob.

I ran these pipes for a few years before discovering the temptation of the 2-1 Upsweep   …I figured it would be rude not to give them a go!

So how do I rate them?

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  The Girl On A Bike vance and hine 2 1 upsweep exhaust closeup streetbob
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  The Girl On A Bike vance and hine 2 1 upsweep exhaust close up
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  The Girl On A Bike vance and hine 2 1 upsweep exhaust closeup

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Performance

In a sentence – oh boy do these pipes pull!! Definitely a noticeable improvement.

There are loads of pipes out there, and there’s a long list of differing effects varying pipe styles can have on power. So before you pick pipes you should think about what sort of riding you do most – i.e. what RPM range do you ride at most consistently. For me, just to be a little awkward to this theory, I do a range of riding; town, winding country roads, highway, long trips, short trips, high speed, low speed, and overtaking. I really do a mix. This leaves me ultimately needing a pipe system that can perform under a wide range of pressures. Introducing the Vance and Hines 2-1 Upsweep, which has magically been created to cater for the mixed riding demands of people like me.

So where does the 2:1 fit in? With the Vance and Hines 2-1 Upsweep, they work by having a single system collector that does a very good scavenging job on gasses and reducing reversion or pulses. This means you’re getting improved pull between the cylinders during the intake and exhaust valve cycles resulting in a cleaner charge of air into the cylinder and better combustion. Better combustion means more pressure, which means more low-end power. Plus, you’re combining this with shorter pipes, which are known for their top end power; giving you a far broader power brand and greater performance output.

• Better gas scavenging
• Cleaner air change within the cylinder heads
• Better combustion

But how do they sound?

These babies give a beautiful deep and throaty note in a way that is just so perfect. They’re loud but not obnoxious like some; the sound is just beautiful. When you open the throttle: the raw, the power, the grunt forward is truly incredible. Coming from my ShortShots, which I thought sounded incredible; these take the sounds to the next level. More refined, more enjoyable, just flawless refinement. Put these on your bike, and you’ll be falling in love with something you didn’t know you could love even more.

Hear it for yourself…the moment I first heard them:

For those who don’t like a head turning sound…V&H do offer an optional quiet baffle. But that’s enough on that.

Factor all these together and boy do you have a machine that pulls and turns heads!

Look & Styling

2:1 pipes have had some bad stick over the years; however, Vance and Hines have cracked it with the Upsweeps. They’re slick, sexy but also chunky. They demand attention and stand proudly on your ride. They come with a matt effect [like mine] or in chrome for those who like the shiny look [far too much polishing for me]. The detailing on the pipes includes an embossed V&H emblem. I miss the little bling logo the ShortShots have, but these pipes make up for it 10 times over in all other areas.

Top notch looks from my opinion!

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  The Girl On A Bike vance and hine 2 1 upsweep exhaust
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  The Girl On A Bike Harely Davidson StreetBobo DYNA VANESSA 20

Build Quality

Anything that comes from Vance and Hines, from my experience, comes with their superb build quality. A brand doesn’t get to their level of prestige without producing the quality kit. I gave my pipes a very thorough look-over before installing them, and I couldn’t find a fault on them. Pristine! Everything you would expect for putting on your ride.

Also, anything that includes the description ‘machine billeted’ gets me excited! That’s talking about the end cap.

The best way to clean ceramic painted  pipes is with hot soapy water and a gentle cloth! The perfect combination of a cleaning session on the rest of the bike.

The only thing I would say on maintenance, and this is on all ceramic painted matt black pipes, you’ve got to be careful not to rub your foot on them as you ride. On my last pipes, I made a little guard to prevent me rubbing the black off. So far the riding position with the new pipes means I don’t actually rest my heel on them [but it’s my bad hip side], so I might add one simply because I like the custom look of a plate [and it’s an excuse to get the angle grinder out. Its’ definitely not needed.

Ease of Installation

Okay. I’ll be honest; I didn’t actually fit these ones. But when a legend like Charlie Stockwell offers to install your pipes [read about the day here] you don’t turn it down.

I was there with him when he fitted them, and including all the messing around with me distracting him, it didn’t take more than 1 hour to remove the old pipes, give the engine areas now accessible a clean, and fit the new pipes.

It’s a very simple system, and I would say you don’t need to be a mechanic to fit them.

Please note that due to the change in pipes I did need a re-tune, this was done using the Vance and Hines FP3 Fuel Pak via my iPhone. For more on the FP3, please see my review.

Crowd Reaction

Head turners. Definitely. I’ve had a lot of attention, people hear the lush sound and just can’t help themselves. I’d also say that as they’re quite a new pipe to the market, there is an extra level of interest with people wanting to know more, understand what they are, the performance impact and for me to start her up again. Always willing to give her rev.

There’s something about the unique sound of these pipes that just seem to give people pleasure. From the buddy riding next to me, the couple on the pavement or the car next to me. They’re pleasures.

£££

Pricing for the 2-1 Upsweep from Vance and Hines is on the higher end of the pipe market; ultimately if you can stretch to the price, I honestly don’t think you’ll ever have any regrets

Highlights

1. Head turners
2. Improved pony power [aka more horse power]
3. Look lush, sound lush

Tips From Experience

• Get them on your bike
• That’s it…

Overall Rating

Fantastic all-around high-performance pipe system with great looks, fantastic sounds and what most important, improved performance.

Customs Customs Customs

Crusher Performance Maverick Air Cleaner Intake Review

How it started

I often find myself drawn towards big mean shiny looking things.

Kind of like how a magpie homes in on items glistening in the sun. And I guess that’s exactly where it started with the Crusher Performance Maverick air cleaner! It’s big, it’s bold, and it shines. Plus, from my experience, Crusher Performance, part of the MAG Europe custom family, is a lesser known brand over here in England. This ultimately means when you rock up with their kit you get an extra level of intrigue from others as they’re racking their brain to work out who it’s by. I love that. For me, Crusher was a perfect fit, something slightly different, something that demands attention while stepping away from the main-stream look.

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Performance

This heavy-breathing air cleaner is designed for engines with pony power up to 150hp and from its core is designed to deliver the power you’ve been hungering for. The design factors a high-flow curved entry to the throttle body, tuned for optimum performance.

I’ve got it combined with some 2-1 UpSweep Vance and Hines pipes and the FP3 FuelPak and as a pair ‘boy do they rock’. I never feel my engine struggling for power.

In terms of the filter, Crusher has worked with K&N, one of the ultimate global brands for filters, to design high-flow filter element that’s washable and reusable. So you’ll be set for years.

Improved intake. Improved performance.

Sorry, California guys, it looks like your emissions mean you can’t get this in the State! Come to England and buy it.

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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle Crusher Performance Maverick Air Intake 3 e1505856822905
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle Crusher Performance Maverick Air Intake 4
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  The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle Crusher Performance Maverick Air Intake 2

Look & Styling

With a forged premium grade billet aluminium finish, this intake has a very aggressive look. Its bevelled design combines satin matt black looks, stainless steel mesh inserts with brushed stainless. What I love is how Crusher has specifically designed it to ensure all the mounting points are out of sight too. The centre mount is concealed by the sexy Crusher badge, which dominates across the middle. For me, the balance between the ‘oh so trendy’ matt look and the eye-popping chrome is just right. The intake looks poised and demands interest.

The intake is available in satin mat like mine or chrome for those who like some extra bling. It’s also probably worth mentioning that the Maverick air cleaner is the latest addition to Crusher’s flagship Maverick range which includes exhaust components and heavy-breathing air cleaners.

Build Quality

The intake feels high- quality, with its beautifully forged aluminium to the attention to detail on invisible mounting points. Crusher have also teamed up with K&N who have a resounding reputation for high quality filters, which to me gives it an extra stamp of approval.

Superb piece of kit.

Ease of Installation

I genuinely think anyone could install this; even someone with no history is able to do any form of bike maintenance or of mechanics. The kit comes with clear and detailed instructions providing a step by step guide to installing. For me, it probably took 15 minutes to remove my old one, clean the area whilst it was off and bolt on the Crusher Performance Maverick.  The only disadvantage was the absence of torque values for the mounting bolts.

Crowd Reaction

It actually amazed me how much attention this beast has had on my Street Bob. I frequently get people eyeing her up and asking specifically who the intake air cleaner is by – it’s rather satisfying. For my Street Bob, it’s a thing of beauty. The curves of the tank, the flow of my 2-1 UpSweep Vance and Hines pipes, the light popping on the vinyl wrap. Beautiful! And then you have the air intake, boom; aggressive, balanced, and commanding attention. Perfect.

£££

Priced on the higher end of the market, you’re paying for the aggressive looks, highly refined air flow and head-turning implications of having something outside of the mainstream.

Highlights

1. Aggressive looks
2. Simplistic design
3. Killer sound and air flow

Tips from Experience

• When installing, pay careful attention to the backing plates and the order for fitting – I managed to miss one and had to remove it and start again. Smooth…
• Remember to consider whether your bike will need re-tuning to ensure the fuel metering system is set for optimum performance on changing the intake. Risks of not tuning could be to the detriment of items such as your O2 sensors.

Overall Rating

Refined yet aggressive beauty combined with raw power. Certainly not one for the faint-hearted.