Enduro Chic

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This month in the French edition of GQ Magazine, a Christmas Shopping By Dimitri Coste and Jacqueline de Cossette

Fashion assistants : Laetitia Paul Photography assistant: Vincent Vernet

Thanks to Sam and his Bultaco, Stephane and his B50 BSA , Franck and his Rickman Metisse , Fabrice and Marion Bazire And Beauval en Caux.

STÉPHANE

Parka
Loft Design by 450 €
Gilet Henry Cottons 269 €
Pantalon U.S Polo 139 €
Bottes Ralph Lauren Black
Label 950 €
Gants Carhartt 59 €
Masque Moncler 130 €

SAM
Blouson Sandro 690 €
Écharpe Hartford 144 €
Pantalon
Franklin & Marshall 125 €
Chaussures Napapijri 149,95 €
Gants Hackett Aston Martin
Racing 165 €
Casque Ruby 580 €

STÉPHANE
Manteau
Ben Sherman 389 €
Pull Henry Cottons 229 €
Pantalon Pepe Jeans 85 €
Gants Carhartt 59 €
Casquette Stetson

FRANCK
Pull Henry Cottons
299 €
Pantalon G-Star 99,90 €
Bottes Super Victory
Alpinestars 259,95 €
Casque Ruby 580 €
Gants Hackett 140 €

SAM

Blouson Blauer 880 €
Pantalon 85 € et
chaussures 149 €
Pepe Jeans
Ceinture Replay 79 €
Gants Carhartt 59 €
Casque Ruby 500 €

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The Royal Racer

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Our friend Pierre, Opened a new store in Lyon last month, "The Royal Racer". In a motorsports atmosphere, it offers brands such as Belstaff,, Barbour, , Lewis Leathers, Paul Smith, Edwin and Deus, auto/motorcycle helmets ,Ruby and Davida, books and magazines such as Men's file and Sideburn. The Launch party will be held December 1st, we wish them great success!

To visit their Website here is the way














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Bikers Bay Bedford Texas Has Moved!

Bikers Bay Bedford Texas Has Moved!

3164 Harwood Road Bedford, Texas 76021

Map and Directions

Phone number: 817-354-1400

Fax Number: 817-354-1407

Store Hours:

Sunday & Monday Closed

Tuesday Through Friday 9am – 6pm

Saturday 8am - 4pm

Bikers Bay is Bedford’s only Ride In - Ride Out ® motorcycle service shop. Bikers Bay performs general maintenance services on all makes and models of motorcycles. Services include oil changes, tires, batteries, bolt on accessories, interval services, State Inspections and general repairs, all completed by certified technicians. No appointment is ever needed for our Ride In -Ride Out services. Bikers Bay only uses top quality parts and products to service your bike.

Bikers Bay Bedford also carries a complete line of parts, accessories and Biker apparel from many of the leading suppliers.

We pride our self on quality of our work and personalized customer service. Watch your bike being serviced through our shop viewing windows, talk to the tech who services your bike or discuss your customizing project with our experienced parts staff. We are here to assist you in what you need not what someone thinks they should sell you.

Stop in today, check out our shop and experience the convenience, quality, value and excellent service we offer. This shop is family owned and operated by local riders like you. Come by and meet my father, Michael Brown, our General Manager.

Proprietor's: William and Leann Brown

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My son and I have both been shopping at Bikers Bay in Bedford for several years and have been real happy with the service and products. They have recently relocated even closer to me, Yea! I figure they could use a little PR.

So ride over to Bikers bay and tell 'em Torch sent ya.


Ride on,
Torch

Vintage Blue Inc.

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Name Blue Vintage Ltd. (VINTAGE BLUE INC.)

Their Blog here


Location 〒 464-0858 Fukiage Building 3-35-8 Chikusa, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 3F (FUKIAGE BUILDING 3F ,3-35-8, CHIKUSA, CHIKUSA-KU, NAGOYA, JAPAN)

TEL 052 (734) 6916
FAX 052 (734) 6917



Representatives Nori Taka Okamoto Takanori Okamoto (Takanori Okamoto)



Content business Motorcycle Apparel, Collectibles, etc., wholesale imports
Wear Manufacturing Wholesale original planning
Motorcycle Apparel imported goods, motorcycle, and wear original sales at directly operated shops.


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International Motorcycle Show coming to Dallas Texas

2009-2010 Cycle World International Motorcycle Show

What: World's Largest Motorcycle Show Series Rolls Out the Latest Street Bikes, Sportbikes, Cruisers, Scooters and More.

Where:

Dallas Convention Center

650 S. Griffin St.
Dallas, TX 75202
http://www.dallasconventioncenter.com/

When:
Friday, November 13

4:00pm - 9:00pm

Saturday, November 14
9:30am - 8:00pm

Sunday, November 15
10:00am - 5:00pm

Get your tickets & more info now here: http://www.motorcycleshows.com/motorcycleshows

For the first time in Dallas- Demo Rides!

Hope to see you all there on Satuday.

Ride on,
Torch

Chari & Co. N.Y.C

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Chari & Co. N.Y.C : Taking its name from the Japanese word for bicycle, this tiny store deals exclusively in vintage Japanese track bikes dating back to the late eighties and early nineties.



The narrow space boasts over 30 brands, including Makino, 3Rensho, Vivalo, Bianchi, Cinelli, and the popular Nagasawa. The bikes run the length of the shop’s long hallway, with frames hanging along one exposed-brick wall and illuminated by a sparkly chandelier.



It’ll cost you somewhere between $2,000 and $3,000 to emulate the dudes in Keirin races, the Japanese mass cycling events these bikes are usually used for; in New York, the patrons are mainly Japanese enthusiasts, bike messengers, and collectors.



For those prices, you can also put together your own bike, handpicking frames, hubs, pedals, and a saddle with the help of a member of the (mostly Japanese) staff. Accessories like G-shock watches, riding hats, and cranks are displayed in glass cases in the back. The shop also runs a web-based consignment service for those looking to sell bikes (returning 70 percent of the sale price) and conducts repairs on site.

Amos Barshad



175 Stanton St., New York, NY 10002
nr. Clinton St.
212-475-0102


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Lewis Leathers since 1892

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Britain oldest motor cycle clothing company, began life in 1892 as a Clothier and outfitter named :D Lewis run by three brothers, Nathan, David and Michael. The company made formal clothing for the Gentlemen of London. Early in the century D Lewis began to receive requests for protecive clothing for the growing outsuits of motoring, flying and Motor-cycling, the brothers were quick to respond and duly set-up a factory for the production of leathergoods primarily, leather coats, helmets, glove and boots, and by the mid 1920s were making purpose-built racing suits for the prominent TT racers of the day. In 1929 the company was incorporated as D.Lewis LTD, 1930 saw the first use of the Aviakit trademark which was continued to use until today.
















The mid 1950's saw the rise of the teenage motorcyclist, these riders were a new breed and style went hand in hand with their lifestyle. D.Lewis were quick to cater to the needs of these new generations and in 1956 the "Bronx" Jacket was born, the rest is history.

More style soon appeared such as the Lightning, Thunderbolt and Dominator, evoquative names...



A new brand name was needed for these exciting new styles and so in 1960 the famous Lewis Leathers logo was born. Lewis Leathers saw unprecedented growth in the 1960s as the products became immensely popular with the English Rockers, this was largely due to twice monthly visits to the 59 Club where club members could be measured for jackets and these would then be brought to the club two weeks later for their eager new owner. Lewis leathers were also having great success on the race tracks of Britain and Europe as the favourite of riders such as Bill Ivy, Colin Seeley, Derek Minter, Giacomo Agostini, Mike Hailwood and many others. By the 1970s Lewis Leathers and Aviakit being Household names, the brand began to attract a new type of customers, this time on two legs rather than wheels, the "Punk" explosion in 1976 saw the leading musicians like Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon (The Clash), Steve Jones(Sex Pistols), Joey Ramone and Iggy Pop.

In 2001 Junya Watanabe of Japanese fashion house "Comme des Garçons" contact Lewis Leathers with a proposal of colaboration between the two Brands.Autumn sees Lewis Leathers jackets featured in catwalk shows across the world as Junya Watanabe premiers his 2002 collection.

Today Lewis Leathers still attract motor-cyclists and Rock & Rollers in equal numbers, all of whom appreciate the quality and style achieved in over 100 years.

A small selection of the actual collection my prefered in the middle the"Dominator"

Last week we went to the Padington Showroom in West London and met Derek Harris Owner of Lewis Leathers and Hiroyuki Maeda production manager. The showroom is like a temple or the legend continues to live, new leathers alongside the old ones, you can sit in the "Barcelona" sofa and take time to chat while you try the irresistible "Motorway" boots or jackets, that was really a good time. there's a small Photo gallery here
Many thanks to Derek and Hiro for their kindness

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HJC CS-2N Blade MC-5 Helmet Review

HJC CS-2N Blade MC-5 Helmet Review

Last year I needed another helmet just in case I needed to take a passenger with me for a ride. I decided to get another open faced half helmet. I was browsing at Full Boar in Hurst Texas during their Christmas Shoppers Storewide Clearance Sale when one caught my eye. I think it was the interesting flaming skull looking graphic that caught my eye. It was made by HJC and the model was CS-2N and their website calls it the Blade MC-5. It was a half helmet and it was D.O.T. approved. Here is the information from the HJC website:

Thermoplastic Alloy Shell: Lightweight, superior fit and comfort using advanced CAD technology.
Nylex Interior: For added comfort.
Two Forehead Vents: Delivers cooling air.
Aerodynamic Visor: Low-profile design.
Removable “Zip-out” Neck Curtain: Easy to remove. Optional earflaps with speaker pockets.
DOT Approved
SIZES: XS-XXL

I tried several on and the medium size fit me well. The neck strap seemed to land more on my chin than neck which felt much more comfortable than the Vega XT. It also did not feel like it stood as tall on my head, like the Vega Half Helmet. The shape fit my head nicely and CS-2N was balanced well. I made my purchase.

The faux visor is indeed low profile and did not catch the wind as bad as the Vega’s visor did. It offers little shade from the sun, and apparently, is just for looks. For some reason, this Blade already had an Echo Products Quick Connect installed on it, so I did not have to purchase one and install it myself like I did the Vega. Another plus is that along with the standard two D Rings on the Nylon Retention Band, (strap) it has a snap right below the D Rings with a corresponding snap on the end of the long strap for snapping together after the helmet is buckled. This keeps the long loose strap end out of the way. I really like this feature because with the Vega, after it is buckled with the Quick Connect, I had to wrap the long end around the D Rings anyway to keep it out of the way. I guess I’m just too lazy to cut it.

The two Forehead Vents are well hidden under the visor and can only be seen when the visor is removed. Each vent is around 1” wide and ¼” high. They are a lot larger than the vents found on the Vega XT, although they do not have way to close them. It also has a Removable “Zip-Out” Neck Curtain, which I have given a real good workout to this spring taking it on and off as the temperamental Texas temperatures fluctuated cold to hot. It is slightly difficult to get the D Rings and Quick Connect ends through the strap loops on the Neck Curtain.

This Spring I stopped at Cycle Gear and picked up a universal snap on clear face shield, to try and use in the rain, and I found out the Blade does not have snaps to hold the visor on. The MC-5 has two screws on each side and a guide stud in the center to hold it on. For the record, because of the curve of the helmet the “Universal” shield would not stay snapped on the Vega Half Helmet either. Back to the drawing board or invest in a full face.

The HJC CS-2N Blade MC-5 Half Helmet has been my daily wear on my commute to and from work daily. It has functioned for me flawlessly. It is extremely comfortable on my head and I would recommend it to anyone. Torch gives the Blade a M.M.M. Rating of 8 out of 10.

Ride on,
Torch

Which Motorcycle To Start Out On?

I had been doing a lot of reading about which motorcycle a first time rider should get. The amount of information out there is astounding. Books, magazines, on- line forums, talking to other riders, everyone had an opinion. Most riders suggest that you get whatever their style and brand is. A lot of people suggest getting a small used bike, the style of your choice, and after getting used to riding, purchase a larger one. Others recommend getting a larger bike so you do not have to trade up as soon. I kind of liked the buy big theory myself. It would make it a little more challenging at first but you would be able to enjoy the ride for a lot longer without wishing you had something bigger.

The style of bike you get is really a function of personal preference and the purpose of it's intended use. There are several choices of styles including; Sport, Dual Sport, Cruiser, Chopper, Touring, and Adventure Touring. Each of these styles of motorcycle had their own purpose and were designed for specific intents. They each had pros and cons to certain types of riding and conditions. Although similar, riding positions and handling characteristics vary as well. There was the bare minimum, “naked” bike to the completely decked out Tourer with everything on board but the kitchen sink. Come to think of it, maybe I did see a Gold Wing with a kitchen sink.

I had decided early on that I wanted a Cruiser. I felt that the American brand bikes, sad to say, were overpriced, so I looked mostly at foreign made bikes. I had no brand preferences set in stone, but the Star brand of motorcycles seemed to be catching my eye a lot. For those who do not know the Star brand is a part of Yamaha. They were sexy looking with tight lines and attractive curves. They set low which gave them a lower center of gravity helping comfort, control and handling. There was a plethora of accessories to customize them. They also had a very large, loyal, and dedicated bunch of riders.

I looked at all the local motorcycle dealers. Service at the dealers was hit or miss. Sometimes I was waited on right away and sometimes completely ignored by salespeople while I browsed through the new and used bikes or accessories. I even applied for credit with Yamaha and Honda on-line. Both turned me down. Looking back, I'm glad they did. So, it was settled, I would be buying used. I also went to several used bike dealers and checked out what they had in stock as well. I saw bikes of all shapes and sizes.

During this process I set on several different machines to see how they felt. All the V-Stars I sat on sure felt nice. Being a large 6'2” guy, I felt that a 650cc sized engine/bike would be too small of a bike for me. It would probably be just fine starting out but I wanted to get something that I would not outgrow and want to trade up too soon. The 1100cc size seemed to be just about right. They set right in the middle of the large cruiser segment. The search was on.

Ride on,

Torch

Torch's Recommended Vendors

Torch's Rcommended Vendors:
American Throttle

Barons Custom

Bates Discount Cycles #2

Batteries Plus

Bikers Bay

Black Diamond Motorcycle Hearse

CBXMan Motorcycles

Christian Motorcycle Parts

Clocks 4 Bikes

Cody Trading Post

Custom CLassic Saddlebags

Cycle Gear

Flying Tire Motorcycle

GPE Customs

Helen 2 Wheels

Hellriser Customs

IcaCycle

Jardine Perfomance Products

K & N Filters

Life Is A Road

Maxair Engineering

Metric Magic

Metric Thunder

Oakley

Phat Performance Parts

Riders Discount

Road Captain USA

SS Custom Cycle

TWFG Insurance Services

Twisted Throttle

Value Accessories

White Horse Press