I've gathered a list of some of the hot new items available at www.rockheadbikes.com

Tourmaster 2009 Denim Women’s Pants
These denim jeans are made with a 13.5 distressed wash denim to ensure durability.
Washable leather panels provide great abrasion protection. The six belt loop, five pocket design, and single button fly make these one of the most stylish pair of jeans on the market!

Power Trip Ladies 2009 Textile Jacket
This jacket, complete with a 600 Rock Tex™ Shell and C.E. rated shoulder and elbow protection, and a reflective stripe is sure to keep you safe. The Big Air™ ventilation systems and removable insulated vest liner will keep you comfortable in all weather situations. For maximum fit, this Power Trip jacket has elastic sleeve adjusters, and a Sure Fit™ adjustable waist.

Tourmaster 2009 Women’s Intake Air Glove
These cool gloves have an abrasion-resistant Armor-Link mesh backhand and fingers, with soft goatskin and Lycra. The durable goatskin palm with EVA foam padding helps to reduce shock and vibration. A pre-curved palm and fingers with stretch Lycra expansion improve comfort, dexterity, and help to reduce hand fatigue. The Armor-Link mesh and goatskin combine with a hook and loop wrist closure for a ventilated and secure cuff.

First Gear 2009 Heated Pants Liner

Assume Drivers Can't See You:
You should always be aware of what is going on around you. Most of the time, drivers either can’t see you or aren’t paying attention to you.

Maintain Safe Spacing:
This means between cars in front of you, and also cars on each side of you.

Anticipate Trouble:
Again, being aware of what is going on around you can make you more prepared for troublesome situations including traffic.

Beware of Oncoming Left Turners:
Watch for motorists making left turns in front of you at intersections. Make sure to stay visible to the car turning. Slow down before entering intersections, and be prepared for the possibility of them not seeing you.

Ride Your Own Ride:
Ride at your experience level. Don’t try to keep up with friends. Do only what you feel comfortable doing.

Watch Out for Curves:
Beware of curves in front of you. There could be traffic or a parked car around that bend

Don't Give In to Road Rage:
This really goes for everyone, not just motorcyclists, but for the sake of being safe, please stay out of these dangerous situations.

Don't allow Tailgating:
Similar to allow safe spacing, but this takes into account the person who is tailgating you. For obvious reasons, don’t let people tailgate you. Either speed up slightly to allow more space between them and you, or pull over and let them get around you.

Don't Be Blinded by Sunglare:
Be careful when driving in extremely sunny conditions. Always wear sunglasses or a sunshield to avoid sunglare.

Avoid Riding at Night:
It’s hard enough when drivers can’t see you during the day, but at night is much harder. Especially avoid weekends and holidays when drunk drivers are out.

By remembering and practicing these 10 tips, you will be a safe, more informed rider. All it takes is one slight mistake to cost a life. We certainly don’t want that to be yours.

While doing some research, I came across this article from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While the majority of the article focuses on the legal drinking age, the third paragraph emphasizes how the number of motorcycle related deaths has decreased due to the use of helmets.

The NHTSA is estimating that 7,502 lives were saved over the 5 year period ending in 2007. How this number is determined is beyond me, but nevertheless, its still good news. It just goes to show that wearing your helmet while riding really can make a difference.

No matter what type of helmet you choose to wear, clearly just the practice of wearing one is good news!

-Julie

As mentioned in the previous post, all Speed & Strength Jackets contain CE-approved armor. So what is CE approval??

A CE approval means that the armor in the gear (this can be jacket, pants, gloves, etc) has been lab tested and meets European standards for impact absorption. The armor is designed to provide padding and extra protection in the event of an accident. Though the approval process can be expensive, all European protective gear must be CE-approved in order to be placed on the market.

Very few brands in the United States include CE-approved armor. In fact, there are no standards on protective gear in the United States, meaning that my line of cardboard and tape jackets can be placed in stores tomorrow if I choose.

Though CE-approved armor does meet certain standards, it is important to remember that this is not the be-all and end-all. There are certainly brands selling on the market without CE-approved armor that are indeed, more protective than the gear with CE-approved armor.

-Julie

Speed & Strength is a new product owned by Tucker Rocky Distributing and designed by Bruce Parker (Parker Synergies).

As some may know, First Gear is also a brand from Tucker Rocky. While First Gear caters to specific riders, the new Speed & Strength line caters to the many other riders out there.

Speed & Strength leather is 1.2-1.4 mm, with minimal stitching in key areas to prevent tears during a crash. All jackets have CE-approved armor in the elbows, forearms and shoulders, and a dual density back protector.

Nearly all of the textile jackets are AR-600D, with a few made from AR-800D material. This material is sure to keep you safe in the event of an accident.

So who’s wearing Speed & Strength?? Neil Hodgson, Victor Gotay, Willie McCoy, Clint Ewing, and Aaron Colton to name a few.

Check out the men and women’s line of Speed & Strength apparel at www.rockheadbikes.com.

-Julie

With Christmas less than 2 months away, it’s time to start your holiday shopping, or your own holiday wish list.

I compiled a list of items below that sell at Rockhead Bikes at various pricepoints. Find some ideas for the friends, significant others, parents, and even possibly yourself in these great gift ideas.

Under $20
River Road Vegas Glove: $11.35
Cortech DX Ladies Glove: $19.94
Kryptonite Kryptofelx Cable with Lock: $12.43
River Road Magnetic Map Pouch: $19.15

$20 - $50
Cortech HDX Men’s and Women’s Gloves: $39.89
Scott 83X Goggles: $23.70
Smith Fuel Women’s Goggles, Hot Pink: $37.44
DOWCO Guardian Ultralight Bike Covers: $35.10

$50 - $100
First Gear Rainman Men’s Jacket: $71.20
Speed & Strength Hang 'Em High Pants: $89.96
Ace Leather Large Sissy Bar Bag: $86.40

$100 - $150
Joe Rocket Ladies Trixie Pants: $144.95

As we fall into a new season, the subject of safety is on my mind. In the Northern states, we can expect fog, rain, sleet, snow, ice and many other hazardous conditions in the next few months. Rough weather or not, we should all prepare for the possibility of accidents.

Knowing how and why accidents occur is the most important thing. I found an article on motorvike.com that discusses the most common accidents and how to avoid them. It seems that most accidents happen close to home, at intersections, and a majority are due to the other driver being alcohol impaired.

While we can take steps to prevent accidents, one should note that rarely can we avoid accidents, especially if we are not at fault. Though the article mentioned paying attention and wearing proper gear, being informed is just as helpful in avoiding accidents. Some riders will even practice “sliding” so they are prepared. All riders should be aware that an accident CAN happen and there’s nothing that can be done to stop it. Being informed and prepared are key to avoiding (or at least preparing) for an accident.

Is there anything you do, or any extra caution you take, to avoid or prepare for the possibility of being in an accident?

-Julie

There are tons of websites around giving information on buying new and used bikes, and just about as many sites that are selling bikes. To try to break though some of the worthless sites, I compiled a list of some of my favorite sites where you can find used bikes, get information, and even buying advice.

womenridersnow.com
This site offers good reviews and information on bikes. As the entire site is dedicated to women riders, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for, and get the information you need.

webbikeworld.com
This is one of my favorite sites for finding reviews and information. Unfortunately, this site still has a limited amount of bike reviews, but they are adding. The site does have extensive reviews of many other things though including clothing, accessories, and parts, and most articles are written from first hand experience.

cycletrader.com
This is an excellent site for finding new and used bikes for both men and women. They have a huge database of bikes for sale, so you’re almost guaranteed to find what you’re looking for. In addition, this site includes news, research, and reviews, and information on warranties, financing and insurance needs.

motorcyclescan.com
This site also has a large selection of used motorcycles for sale, though they don’t offer much in terms of information and reviews. It should definitely be a site to check out if you are price shopping for a new bike.

- Julie

While doing some research today, I came across this site for those that wish to have "Biker Weddings." Can't knock it till you try it, but it did seem a little strange to me. As I'm in the midst of planning my own wedding, I can relate to the stress soon-to-be-brides will go through. But a whole site dedicated to planning a theme wedding?

The website went into detail about what type of dress the bride should wear, attire for the groom, decorations, invitations, and even cakes! I've got to admit though, some of the cakes (especially the Harley one) were pretty cool looking.

While a theme wedding may not be for everyone, the though of having one of the most important events in your life so personalized doesn't seem all that bad.

My question today: has anyone ever attended one of these "Biker Weddings" or other biker themed events? Let me know what you think!

- Julie

As more women are joining the streets on motorcycles, manufacturers are beginning to construct bikes with women riders in mind. Companies realize that women are looking for a motorcycle that fits them, not their man.

With this in mind, I’ve tracked down a few bikes that seem pretty popular among women riders. As studies show, many women prefer sport bikes for their agility and speed.

Here is a list of a few good bikes for women:

Harley-Davidson Sportster
Kawasaki Ninja 250/500
Kawasaki ZZR-600
Suzuki SV650
Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD
Honda Shadow
Yamaha V-Star
Harley-Davidson Softail
Yamaha Virago
Kawasaki Eliminator 125

So why are bikes such as these popular? Many women will say it’s because of their speed, light weight, comfort and fit. The bikes above (and many others) are built smaller and shorter, fitting women’s builds better than bikes that are built for men. Women tend to have shorter arms and legs than men, so finding a bike to fit is necessary. In addition, the light weight helps maintain control and balance.

Of course, there are many other options, and preferences can vary tremendously. Some women will even go such lengths as to modify their bikes. Extending handlebars and lowering bikes are popular modifications women make. If you own one of these, or even another bike that you think is “female friendly,” let us know!

-Julie