New Ideas

NEW IDEAS

Cycle Wipes

Whether a plague of locusts rained down from the heavens or a solitary flying creature appeared from nowhere—splat!—the result is the same: Your faceshield is smeared with bug guts. Cycle Wipes are made from “non-woven, dirt-grabbing mesh fabric” and come pre-moistened and neatly folded in a resealable 12-pack ($6.95). According to the manufacturer, one 4 x 8-inch wipe will typically clean a faceshield or goggles and visor, then, when re-folded, also tidy up your bike’s headlight and turnsignals.

Cycle Wipes LLC, 206/201-1139; www.cyclewipes.com

Classic Motorcycle Race Engines

If you’re a fan of Kevin Cameron’s technical writing (who among us isn’t?), buy this book. Classic Motorcycle Race Engines (408 pages; $48.95) explores 50 racing engines in great detail, from early Moto Guzzi Singles to the Kawasaki and Yamaha 750cc two-strokes that Cameron spent a decade building and tuning to the latest MotoGP machinery from Ducati, Honda and Yamaha. A snippet: “Much nonsense has been uttered with regard to Honda’s racing engines of the 1960s—that they contained wondrous metals unknown to science, that they could not be successfully made today and so on. Like all of man’s works, the fabulous Honda racers were imperfect.”

Haynes Publishing, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7JJ, UK; 011 44 1963 442030; www.haynes.co.uk

Michelin Anakee III

Michelin says its new Anakee III has three distinctive attributes that make it ideal for big, powerful adventure-touring bikes: 1) beveled lateral grooves that shed mud and gravel when riding off-road; 2) indented tread grooves, which provide consistent lateral grip even as the tire wears; and 3) transverse grooves to evacuate water for dependable wet-weather grip. Prices start at $180.95 for fronts and $235.95 for rears.

Michelin North America, Inc., P.O. Box 19001, Greenville, SC 29602; 800/346-4098; www.michelinmotorcycle.com

CW SPOTLIGHT

Tumi Ducati Retro Collection

Travel back in time with Tumi and Ducati. Inspired by the Italian bike maker's historic one-two finish with Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari in the 1972 Imola 200, the Retro Collection has four pieces: Bronco Top Zip Crossbody ($425), Evoluzione International Carry-On ($995), Apollo Crossbody ($495) and Scrambler Rucksack ($595). Soft, saddle-colored, full grain leather is used throughout the line.

Tumi, Inc., 800/299-8864; www.tumi.com