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Memphis Shades Café Fairing Review

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.

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

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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.

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

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

  • The girl on a bike memphis shades comparison with fairing
  • 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.

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Top ten tips for dealing with pain

Top ten tips for dealing with pain

After being hit by a red light jumping car in March 2014 I’ve battled with pain for years through my recovery and wanted to share some of the tips I’ve used to help dealing with pain and cope with every day life. For more on my accident please read here.

  1. Take your painkillers: the magic with painkillers is that they really can work. But even low over the counter doses can become much more powerful, if taken correctly [always follow doctors orders]. Taking a painkiller every so often is far less effective than taking them back-to-back. This continual dosage builds a base of pain relief. Therefore if you know, you’re going to have pain stick with the dosage prescribed by your doctor and keep that base-level pain relief going and stick rigorously to the timings.
  1. Use distractions: the magic of keeping your mind occupied really does help one to keep off their focus from the constant pain. For me having uplifting country music or chilled out relaxing tunes, finding a TV series to keep me hooked, watching the odd movie or even reading a book all helped in occupying the brain away from how my physical self-was feeling.
  1. Don’t ignore the pain: pain is there for a reason; normally it is the body’s way of highlighting that an area of the body needs healing energies. Ignore this at your peril. Ultimately, if doing something causes an above 4/10 pain, I would say avoid doing it. I would also recommend focusing some mental energy on the areas of pain to shift your mental and physical energy to this point; it can only help in the healing process [Mindfulness is a great tool for this – see point 8].
  1. Get some treat food: by this, I certainly don’t mean junk food; I mean something that is going to excite you but will still provide much-needed nutrition for your recovery. For me, this was lovely sweet mangoes or grapefruit. These are both items I don’t normally justify the cost of but are invaluable as a little treat pick-me-up, something to enjoy and look forward too. Sometimes it is the simple things.
  1. Don’t push your friends and family away: when in pain it is so easy to isolate yourself and push people away. You’ll be amazed how much uplift even a 5-minute phone call can provide, yes it takes some energy, but it is worth it.
  1. Be aware of the effect your pain has on you: be conscious that you might be a little moody, snap, or burst out from anger. It is only natural when in such discomfort. The trick is simply trying to recognise it. You want / need people around you, and ultimately they will be hurting too through seeing and sympathising with your pain. Try to let them in and support, and try as much as you can not to let the effects of your pain come out on them, if you do [which I certainly did] just be aware of it and say sorry. They are there to help and will understand. An apology goes a long way and might just help you get the next cup of tea you’re longing for.
  1. Try to keep on top of life: yes pain is crippling and can lead to not leaving the house; however, pain is affected by perception. Therefore if you perceive that your pain is preventing you from attending a friend’s birthday, seeing your favourite movie release, going to your Dad’s 60th, then it is going to give you a very downing perception, which will actually add to the level of pain. Try, and function in life, even a trip to Tesco for milk had a huge uplift effect for me. Yes, I then paid the price for the rest of the day, but I was simply out of the house.
  1. Stay positive: this is a lot harder that one can imagine. It takes a lot of mental strength. I found the art of Mindfulness Practice really helpful [this is a great place to start with some simple guides and steps: http://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/]. The key to positivity for me is that, no matter how bad things get they could be worse [I could have died in the accident for example, but I didn’t], and there are always things you can count your blessings for. Try to absorb the environment around you, savour the smell of fresh air, enjoy the soft feeling of your bed sheets, and smile at the birds in the garden. Basically be thankful for what you do have. Even on low days, there are people who would give the left arm to be where you are. Life is precious, so cherish it.
  1. Conscious mind: using elements of DBT remember you have the ability to control your mind. Try to recognise the triggers in behavour that see you push the body to far or the mental triggers where you get upset. What first happens? Do you turn stubborn and decide to just grit your teeth? Could you spot this with a conscious mind and break the cycle? A good read on this is here.
  1. Stay positive: this is a lot harder that one can imagine. It takes a lot of mental strength. I found the art of Mindfulness Practice really helpful [this is a great place to start with some simple guides and steps: http://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/]. The key to positivity for me is that, no matter how bad things get they could be worse [I could have died in the accident for example, but I didn’t], and there are always things you can count your blessings for. Try to absorb the environment around you, savor the smell of fresh air, enjoy the soft feeling of your bed sheets, and smile at the birds in the garden. Basically be thankful for what you do have. Even on low days, there are people who would give the left arm to be where you are. Life is precious, so cherish it.
  1. Stop taking your painkillers: yes you need them for pain, but painkillers can have some terrible side effects and cause all kinds of problems from nausea, constipation, headaches, itching and so much more, including addiction. It is really important that you control your pain, but it is also important that you get off the painkillers as soon as you can. Start slowly but the uplift you will have when the side effects go is very much worth it.

The AccidentTop tops for dealing with pain

In March 2014 I was hit by a red light jumping car while cycling home from work. It was a life-changing moment; my physical and mental recovery has been long and challenging. Today, years since the accident my body has been through a lot, countless steroid injections, months and months of physiotherapy, key-hole surgery followed by full ACJ shoulder reconstruction, multiple hip surgeries, and all of it meant high levels of pain over a prolonged period of time.

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding 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.

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Adventures Latest content

Route 66 in 5 days

Route 66 in 5 days

Ever fancied doing Route 66? Don’t have the time to commit and do the whole thing? I found a way to explore a key section without the investment

Introduction

Everyone knows Route 66. It’s arguably one of the most iconic roads in the world, particularly when it comes to the world of Harley Davidson’s. I’m yet to meet a rider who’s not either done it or want to do it.

For me, it’s always been on my bucket list, and to be honest, it still is! It would be a dream to ride the full 2448 miles across 8 states and 3 time zones, one day! But for now, I found a way to cram in a few top bits in just 5 days. It all started in Texas, the land of big! Literally, everything in Texas is big, from the 72oz steak at Amarillo’s The Big Texan Steak Ranch, to the USA’s second largest canyon, The Palo Duro, to the mega rodeos at Dalla’s Mesquite Arena, and of course their incredible homegrown watermelons. It’s all super-sized – in just the right ways!

So, given some of these snippets and also, the fact Texas lies bang in the middle of Route 66, it seemed like an ideal place to enjoy the open road on a Harley Davidson, the wide highways, incredible scenery, horse trekking, huge steaks, and of course, Route 66.

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Itinerary

Rental

Red River Harley Davidson in Wichita Falls, hooked me up with a Heritage Sotftail, a bike I swiftly became one with, even with its size! Over 5.5 times my weight! From there it was a cruise north west to Amarillo [230 miles], and from here it’s where it starts to get interesting. Why would you want to get to Amarillo on a Harley I hear you?

Roads

Mixed! You have some large highways to blast along, but you also have incredible winding, twisting, sweeping bends around the canyon. Keep an open eye for wildlife around dusk and dawn – it all seems to gravitate to the road [I somehow managed to run out a snake and take a bird straight into my V-Twin – bird sadly died, but the V-twin lived on].

Accommodation

Easily available if you’re happy with the budget. Being America, there are countless motels along the roads. During my trip [total 3 weeks – 5 on bikes] I didn’t book a single place. The motels are in abundance so simply rock up, wonder in and ask for a room. On the rare occasion, they are fully booked; you’ll find plenty of other options in the area. Life on two wheels makes the freedom of not knowing where you’re staying simply add to the escapism.

A few motels I’ve enjoyed: Motel 6, Premier Inn, Best Western, The Big Texan Steak Ranch, Holiday Inn, Red Roof Inn, Super 8 Motels.

Dinning

Two places I recommend checking out if you’re around Amarillo:

  1. The Big Texan Steak Ranch it’s very Texan. All the staff are glammed up in full cowboy / cow girl attire. Generally just a good fun vibe with a very good steak. And if you’re really hungry how about trying the 72oz steak challenge.

What to eat? Steak and corn with a large cold beer

  1. Mid-Point café – you might have heard of this iconic dinner but either way it’s worth a visit. Pop in and enjoy some of their world-famous home-made pies, I can personally recommend getting at least three types to try [it would be rude not to, right?]. Once you’re successfully full on pie and on tap coffee, you can head over the road for a shot with the Route 66 midpoint sign. A must have shot for anyone on Route 66. Here you’ll be exactly 1139 miles Los Angeles and 1139 miles from Chicago.

Coffee

To stereotype the lot, the coffee is very American. Mostly filter and with unlimited refills. Great for a caffeine kick but nothing on a good European coffee.

Fuel/Gas Availability

Amarillo and the route north from Wichita has plenty of fuel stops, however, if you’re heading to the Palo Duro Canyon be sure to fill up first. We went 300 miles without seeing a station and was literally running on vapours when the heavenly sight of a gas station appeared!

Plan your trip and fill up before you leave town.

Scenery

Breathtaking. I can’t give the Palo Duro National Park justice to its true beauty in words, so I’ll let the images do the talking:

Highlights

  1. Palo Duro National Park

It’s right on the edge of the second biggest canyon in the USA, the Palo Duro National Park. This is a truly incredible spot. I would recommend both riding down into the middle of the park and having explored, but also ride the full parameter of the canyon – run rise and sunset are particularly stunning for this. The surreal thing is that on approach because it is all below the eye level, you can’t see it until your right-on-top of it.

  1. Horse riding at the Los Cedros Ranch

Seeing the place on a Harley is one thing, but getting on a horse and escaping the tarmac, stepping into the great outdoors, that’s a whole new twist on incredible.  These guys will look after you whether you’re a total novice or an experienced rider.

  1. Cadillac Ranch an instillation of classic Cadillac sticking out of the ground

This place is just West of Amarillo and is certainly worth a wonder too. You can get spray paint there as well. There isn’t much there, so it’s more of a quick 15-minute stop but it’s pretty epic seeing a massive row of cars sticking out the ground.

Tips From Experience

  • Take lots of sunscreens
  • Helmets are not a legal requirement in Texas, however, remember your safety is most important – I wore a helmet
  • Keep a hawk eye for animals on the road around the canyon at dawn and dusk
  • Also watch for sand and grit on the road – lethal for 2 wheels
  • It’s roasting during the day but the temperature drops off at night so ensure you’ve got warmer riding clothes
  • Make sure you try the steak – PS eating steak 19 of 21 days it totally acceptable
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Vance & Hince 2-1 UpSweep Exhaust Review

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?

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

  • The Girl On A Bike vance and hine 2 1 upsweep exhaust
  • The Girl On A Bike vance and hine 2 1 upsweep exhaust 2
  • 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.

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Crusher Performance Maverick Air Cleaner Intake Review

Customs Customs Customs

Crusher Performance Maverick Air Cleaner Intake Review

How it startedCrusher Performance logo

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.

  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle Crusher Performance Maverick Air Intake 3 e1505856822905
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle Crusher Performance Maverick Air Intake 4
  • 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 InstallationInstallation of Crusher Performance Maverick air intake Harley Davidson StreetBob

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.

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Vance and Hines FP3 Fuelpak Review

Customs Customs Customs

Vance and Hines FP3 Fuelpak Tuning System Review

How it started

My decision to get the FP3 over my original Screaming Eagle tuner most likely comes down to a meercat, like interest in new technology and my love for analysing things. The thought of being able to mount my iPhone on the handlebars [I have a nifty little mount from Roam Accessories] and being able to watch all the performance telemetry was just mind-blowing.  We all know Harley Davidson’s don’t give the most holistic info on the centre console, and here was a product promising me a view of the inner performance of my machine. The draw when I open the throttle in numbers (Not sure what you mean), the analysis of fuel performance, and of course, the ability to refine the tuning without the cost associated with a garage tune-up,  or the need for expensive computer software  and wiring harnesses; I was sold.  A benefit I’ve not yet explored is the ability to fault-diagnose using this tool; the ability to view live engine parameters will certainly speed up investigations in future.

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Performance

Ultimately the FP3 does exactly what it’s sold to do. You can select the tuning desired, specifying your bike, and the configuration of exhaust and air intake you are running.  This can be done by selecting the manufacturer and model of  the system you have, and it does the rest for you. It’s designed to allow you to fully utilise the performance potential of your machine by tuning it to precision.

The app software is always utilising the most up to date information within the Vance and Hines database and reacting correctly.

Mr. Vance and Hines, from what I’ve heard, are rather particular and detail focused guys and making sure the tuning is absolutely spot on is something they’ve nailed. The database is kept current and rest assured that whatever system you’re running you will be able to tune it successfully.

The pre-set tuning options are all for higher performance items, for example, the Crusher Performance air intake. However, it is possible to tune with stock items too. For example, you’ve upgraded your pipes but not your intake. Here you need to use the Auto-tune feature; you plug it in, turn it on and ride. The system will then monitor all the sensors, tuning as your ride, and let you know once it’s done. It’s magic. If for any reason, you can’t ride long enough for this to complete you can shut down and continue next time. This feature, of course, requires you to keep the unit attached while riding.

The auto-tuned feature also provides you with another layer or precision tuning for specific requirements, such as unique components [maybe you’ve got custom made pipes], or different grades of fuel.  This setting utilises all the factory sensors to find the optimum set up, all very cool!

Some fields you can change are front and rear spark advance, air-fuel ratio, front and rear cylinder VE, Acceleration and Deceleration enrichment/Enleanment [aka pop], idle RPM, rev limit and ACR (automatic compression release).

One of my favourites is the ability to adjust the deceleration pop. For me, I absolutely love the pop from excess fuel in the pipes igniting, however for those wanting slightly more civilised sounds you can reduce this. Or of course, increase it as I did! Pop pop pop!

It’s worth noting that, as with all tuning systems, it will only work on one machine. The fuel pack will link to your VIN and can thus only be used on an individual bike.

Look & Styling

As a tiny plug-in device it will fit within your battery case and be invisible. Or you can plug in, tune and remove it. I like having it plugged in as the monitoring gauges are sweet for visuals when you’re riding along. That’s the inner geek in me.

Build Quality

It’s Vance and Hines. It’s spot on!

Ease of Installation

You plug it into your machine, download the app and connect via Bluetooth, and you’re away. The app provides a list of all the custom parts you could tune to, or you can opt for the auto-tuned option and let the factory sensors do the work for you.

It’s a pretty new product to market, and while Vance and Hines have a comprehensive FAQ section on their website, there doesn’t seem to be extensive user guide yet.  But in all honesty, I don’t think you’ll need it. The systems are super intuitive, really user-friendly and ultimately, easy to use. Yeah, it will take you a few minutes to figure your way around the app, but that’s pretty standard.

Crowd Reaction

Being able to show your engine stats on your iphone is pretty unique. It’s a nice little conversation topic. Plus, its ace being able to tune for the type of riding you’re doing or simply crank up the sounds for head turning.

Ultimately though, no one will know you have an FP3 Fuelpak unless you tell them.

£££

You’re looking at around £250-£300. It’s an essential if you’re upgrading parts of your system so why go with the hold when you can have the latest Smartphone tech. The extra money you spend buying it over others available, you’ll save in the ability to re-tune yourself without having to go to the dealer.

Highlights

  1. Simplistic, user-friendly interface
  2. On the go monitoring gauges
  3. Negates the need for a dealer to retune

Tips from Experience

  • If your phone doesn’t see the Fuelpak immediately try unplugging it and restarting your Bluetooth
  • Finding space for it can be tricky on some models, if so, pop it on, tune and then remove it
  • Keep the FuelPak safe; it’s only usable on your ride once paired as you can use it in the future to diagnose and tune

Overall Rating

Compared to the market, the Fuelpak FP3’s ability to refine individual changes directly on your iPhone, the simplicity of its use, the magical auto-tune capability and of course the Vance and Hines reputation behind it, made it a nobrainer for me.

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Protective Heat Shield

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

Protective Heat Shield

How it started

Fitted heat shield to leather panniers Harley Davidson Street Bob
Fitted heat shield

I have a set of beautiful Harley Davidson panniers [similar to these] and with my former pipes, Vance and Hines ShortShots, which point horizontally backwards, they were all good. However, I decided to upgrade to the new 2-1 UpSweep pipes.

Everything was fine until a few rides in when I realised that my new UpSweep pipes, the clue’s in the name…yup, they point directly at my beautiful panniers! I’d successfully, in just a few trips managed to melt the bottom, thankfully nothing too dramatic, still totally functional and visually perfect from the outside.

But at this point I’m faced with three options;

  1. I either remove my panniers and live with a rucksack
  2. I remove my pipes, or
  3. I figure out a way to protect my panniers from the beastly pipes

Anyone that knows about my accident history will know that I’ve had a full reconstruction of my right shoulder and so carrying a loaded rucksack isn’t an option. Plus anyone attuned to riding will know that carrying a rucksack isn’t very pleasurable anyway, so that’s number one out! Oh and getting rid of the pipes, definitely NOT an option.

Poor melted pannier

It left me with finding a way to deflect the heat from the pannier in a cost-effective and efficient way as re-positioning the pipes or panniers definitely wasn’t an option.

I swiftly came to the conclusion that a metal plate spaced from the surface of the leather to allow air flow cooling was going to be easiest. There are loads of options online for plates but it came to me the everyday random DIY use checker plate would be readily available, and I know the local hardware store, ScrewFix sells aluminium checker plate. Cost effective, easy to source, and when it comes to heat conduction aluminium is a pretty poor conductor compared to many metals. Stainless steel would be the dream but the work intensity would increase due to its rock-hard qualities – hard as steel is a valid statement – plus it’s a pretty good conductor so it would likely end up in a scolding hot shield.

I got my idea; all I needed to do was make it! Here’s how I did it

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Tools Needed

  • Aluminium checker plate
  • Disk Cutter [protective glasses, gloves, mask & ear defenders]
    • Metal cutting blade
    • Metal sanding blade
  • Drill with
    • Screwdriver head [match your bolts]
    • Metal drill bits in 3 sizes [small, medium, and large – large being size required for desired bolts]
  • Nuts and Bolts [I used 3x 8mm]
  • Washers [for use as spacers – I used 4 per bolt]
  • Spanner
  • Vice or Clamp
  • Hammer
  • Wood scrap for use hammering
  • Cardboard and sharpie

The Recipe

Make a cardboard template

  1. While pannier is attached, mark pannier where centre, top and bottom of pipe exhaust hits
  2. Remove pannier and make a template plate using cardboard to ensure the areas marked are covered with excess on either side. At this point think about the look you want to achieve, do you want curves, swooping lines, aggressive edges, or even a funky shape? Get it right in cardboard before you crack on
  3. Cut out cardboard template and mark where the folds will be required
  4. Test template on pannier until you’re completely satisfied with the shape and position, and be aware of where the bolts will go – you might want it to be a fraction larger to align with an existing pot rivet that can be drilled out, you can utilise holes and avoid adding holes that will affect its structural integrity.

  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield Template design 1 e1500918314352
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield Template design 2 e1500918301255
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield Template design 3 e1500918328740

Cut Aluminium

  1. Transpose template onto your aluminium plate, be sure you’ve got it the right way up
  2. Use disk cutter to cut out the shape and then the sanding disk to smooth
    and curve the edges to remove any sharp points. Remember to wear your safety gear!
  3. Align plate on panniers and confirm it’s right, then mark where you need your folds – if you must do a curved fold like mine cut a triangle out on the bend to enable the fold to happen in two parts [or more if needed]
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield Cutting Angle Grinder Disk Cutter 1 e1500919315890
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield Cutting Angle Grinder Disk Cutter 2 e1500919302355
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield Cutting Angle Grinder Disk Cutter 3 e1500919345105
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield Cutting Angle Grinder Disk Cutter 4 e1500919333181

Fold aluminium plate

  1. Aluminium is a super soft metal, and so with a firm hand, you can literally manipulate it. Pincer the aluminium in your vice and then, using cardboard to prevent scratches, position a piece of wood on the folding edge. Gradually apply consistent force across the full fold line, using a hammer if needed. The ideal is making the whole fold in one, so it’s a continuous line, avoid doing a bit at a time.
  2. Hold up your new plate to the panniers and continue to adjust the fold until you,re happy with the result
  3. You’re now ready to attach it
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield Bending Aluminium Vise 1 e1500920066403
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield Bending Aluminium Vise 3 e1500920028158
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield Bending Aluminium Vise 2 e1500920054820
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield Bending Aluminium Vise 4 e1500920043879

Attach your new heat shield

  1. Align your shield and mark where the bolts will go, do one bolt at a time
  2. Drill your first hole. When drilling aluminium always start with a small drill bit to minimises jumping and ensure accuracy, then switch to a medium size head, before finally drilling to the diameter of your chosen bolts – I used 8mm
  3. Align your hole with the pannier and drill your pannier using the same gradual method
  4. Put a bolt through your new holes with washers between the pannier and plate – this will provide the gap needed for heat disbursement. I used 4 washers
  5. Once you’ve got one bolt through you can then mark through the inside of the pannier out to where you need to drill the next aluminium hole. Doing one at a time ensures they’ll always align
  6. Repeat the process until you feel your plate is secured. I used three, top, middle and bottom
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield 1 e1500917843781
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield 2 e1500917889833
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield 3 e1500917862619
  • The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Heat Shield 4 e1500917875794

Test Heat Shield works

    1. Refit your panniers with their sexy new plate, turn on your bike and check if the exhaust is hitting the centre of your plate if it’s not you probably need to start again
    2. Go for a ride and check the plate and internal pannier temperature afterwards. If it’s cool, then your work is done! Mission success

Mission success

  1. Step back and enjoy, you now have

Time Required

2 hours

Ease of Completion

Simple cutting, shaping and bolting. Low skill set required.

If you’ve used a disk cutter before; then, this is a pretty easy task, no special skills needed. If you’ve not used one; just have a little practice on a scrap first, still a totally manageable DIY job for a newbie.

Crowd Reaction

Amazingly positive! I half anticipated stick for keeping my panniers and not just getting rid. However, it seems my fellow bikers are practical fellows. I’ve had a lot of comments that the panniers even look better on the plate and I should make one for the other side. Definitely a hit with the crowd, nothing fancy but simple and practical, it scores points.

£££

Super cheap! About £15 for the checker plate and I had a few bolts hanging about.

Highlights

  1. Saves the life of my panniers
  2. Workable solution for protective plates
  3. Looks ace

Tips from Experience

  • Drill your aluminium gradually, small drill bit, medium and finally bolt size to ensure accuracy and prevent jumping
  • Utilise any existing bolts or pot rivets on the panniers, drill them out and reuse where possible
  • The plate could be used to protect other areas of your bike, such as a tank, pannier, heel guard.

Overall Rating

A simple home fix to allow pipes and panniers to live in harmony, and it actually looks sick too. Winner.

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.

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Draggin Jeans Kevlar Motorcycle Jeans Review

Draggin Jeans Kevlar Motorcycle Jeans Review

How it started

Draggin Jeans Logo Kevlar reinforced jeans and clothing

I discovered Draggin in 2015. It was during my post-accident, and I was starting to commute to work during periods between operations when my body was able, and so I wanted something I could ride in but also wear in the office, out for dinner, be in normal life; having to change to get on the bike sucks. Something I thought was an impossible combination. But then I found Draggin in our local Blade Group dealer <link>, and the rest is history as they say. I now have three pairs of different looks, blue, dark blue and black, and I can rock up, get off my bike and not look like a biker in massive bike trousers. I wanted to look ‘normal,’ casual; it’s the ultimate look for the Harley too; safety without the safety look.

So how do I rate them?

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Safety

For me, this is really where Draggin Jeans stand out. They’ve been making motorcycle clothing since 1997; I was a wee kid back then! And, more importantly, they were actually the first casual motorcycle brand in the world to have ever passed the Certified European [CE] Level 1 and CE Level 2 certifications for Abrasion, Burst and Tear resistance. That’s a tested transmitted force up to 18 kN! Blimey. Now for me, that makes me feel protected!  [more on CE ratings here].

If you have any doubts, check out the below video. What better way for a brand to show their trust and confidence in their products; than by dragging someone down a runway in them! Secretly one day I’m hoping I can work with Draggin and do a video like this with me! I trust them that much – hint Draggin.

There are definitely loads of Kevlar jeans out there, but I feel Draggin have gone one step further with their latest kit. In the Draggin Twista jean, they have added a soft knitted lining made of Dyneema which is the world’s strongest fibre and DuPoint Kevlar covering the major crash zones. The lining takes advantage of Dyneema‘s amazing strength, which is 40% stronger than Kevlar and 15X stronger than steel! And they even have the option of extra pads for additional impact protection. For me, safety comes first, and these stats and features give me confidence.

Look & Styling

They literally look like normal jeans. Their earlier pairs had seam lines where the Kevlar was stitched in. However, the new kit doesn’t even have that. I’ve had many comments about me riding in ‘just jeans’, and it’s so unbelievably satisfying when you can turn around and say, ‘actually these are Dyneema Kevlar with a CE level 1 rating!’ Boom!

They have a range of designs, colour and styles. If you want skinny, baggy, boot cut, you name it, and I’m confident they’ll have them. Check them out Draggin Jeans.

  • Draggin Jeans Kevlar 8 e1498460212633
  • Draggin Jeans Kevlar 7
  • Draggin Jeans Kevlar 1
  • Draggin Jeans Kevlar 4
  • The Girl On A Bike Harely Davidson StreetBobo DYNA VANESSA 23
  • The Girl On A Bike Harely Davidson StreetBobo DYNA VANESSA 2

Photos by Victoria Bowers

Ride Comfort

I’m not sure how they’ve managed it, but these jeans are just like normal jeans. Yes, they’re a little thicker due to the Dyneema and Kevlar. However, they have loads of flex, they hug the body, bend and stretch as you move. There are no worries about bending down to pick things up! I frequently wear them all day in the office simply because I can, and changing is such a pain! They’re that comfy.

If I go away on the bike, I tend to literally only take my Draggin jeans, plus some shorts if the weather allows.

It’s also worth noting that some of their newer kits come with a sports liner, which makes them breathable and ideal for year-round riding. Cosy in the winter and breathable in the summer.

Limitations

I’m clutching at straws here…

  • Not waterproof but what jean is… I simply carry a small pair of waterproof over trousers if there is any rain risk. Easy!
  • Draggin doesn’t do Dyneema Kevlar shirts yet – fingers crossed they might start.

£$€

 They’re definitely on the pricey side for jeans, but remember these are not just jeans. These are highly protective high-quality motorcycle trousers, compare their price to some leathers or other dedicated focus bike trousers, and suddenly they don’t look expensive.

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

Highlights

  1. Highly protective
  2. Super comfortable and flexible
  3. Look awesome, like normal jeans

Tips from Experience

  • Squeeze into the smallest pair you can. Given the nature of the fabric, they stretch; so you want to buy small and then when they give they’ll be the perfect fit.
  • Be gentle when washing, follow their instructions, and they’ll last for years

Overall Rating

Must have for any motor biker’s wardrobe.

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