Apart from your helmet, one of the most important pieces of motorcycle gear is CE-certified armor. However, as vital as it is, an armored jacket isn’t necessarily on the cutting-edge of biker safety. That’s because you can now choose from a wide selection of motorcycle airbag jackets. But even though the latest ones offer some …
Think that deer looks cute and cuddly? Think again. Hitting one can wreck your vehicle and seriously injure you and your passengers. Though you should always drive with caution in rural areas, deer’s unpredictable nature is still a big risk factor. Some drivers add deer whistles to their vehicles to try to keep these adorable …
You’re driving on the highway, headed home from a long day at work, when something darts out in front of you. It slams into your car, and the next thing you know, you’ve got major damage to your vehicle and an injured deer to boot. Could deer whistle accessories on your car have prevented this? …
Changing things like the handlebars and wheels on your motorcycle isn’t always just about aesthetics. As with aftermarket mirrors, some modifications are as much about safety and comfort as they are about looks. Especially when it comes to handling-related accessories. And if you’re trying to improve your bike’s handling, one common recommendation is fitting a …
From new windshield wipers to extra power outlets, there are plenty of accessories available to make life easier for motorists. And if you’re planning a road trip, one common recommendation is a police radar detector. Anyone with a history of speeding tickets would likely consider it a must-have. But is it an accessory worth buying? …
Recreational vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, and many people are buying their first RV. As with all things, there are some pitfalls that new owners might run into with their camper. One such issue is security. Here’s a look at why buying an RV security system could be worth the money. Is a security system …
Tinted windows are undeniably cool. We’ve all seen action movies and music videos filled with luxury vehicles whose darkened windows add enough panache to make us drool. But when it comes to car safety, dark window tinting isn’t always a good idea. Even if a Lamborghini is out of your price range, you can legally …
Car headlights shine so brightly today in part because, as with many automotive accessories, new technologies are available. Instead of halogen bulbs, headlights now often feature HID bulbs or LEDs. However, while dim lights can be a safety hazard, so can blindingly-bright ones. But more than simply dazzling drivers, can HID and LED headlights cause …
From quickshifters to lighter wheels, there are plenty of accessories available to motorcycle riders. Some modifications focus on making the bike quicker. But others, like aftermarket mirrors, are about making riding easier, safer, and/or more comfortable. The latest patent from Michelin falls into that vein. But it’s not, as you might expect, some kind of …
Although bright car headlights can be annoyingly dazzling, your lights are key safety accessories. Poor headlight performance is what led the IIHS to rank the Subaru Outback lower than the Legacy, for example. Still, as anyone who’s been blinded by an oncoming car with aftermarket LED or HID headlights can attest to, it’s possible to …
Even if you’re not planning on installing some LEDs, headlights are a common car maintenance item. And even if you’re sticking to halogen ones, making sure your headlights are clean and clear is an important safety concern. But how bright the lights are isn’t the only thing to pay attention to when picking out bulbs. …
Even if your vehicle is off-road-ready from the factory, going off-pavement requires the requisite set of accessories. That means protective skid plates, snorkels for easier breathing and occasional water-crossing, and, depending on the destination, light bars. Plus, off-road-rated tires, of course. BFGoodrich could already help out with that last part. But the tire company recently …
As impressive as the 2021 Odyssey is, the Honda minivan still faces a criticism leveled at all minivans: styling. Hence why the 2021 model received a mild redesign meant to deliver a ‘macho’ look. But if that’s still not enough, famed Honda tuner Mugen has stepped up to the challenge. Mugen has an extensive history …
Going off-roading on your motorcycle can be fun, provided you have the right gear. However, that doesn’t just mean getting the right helmet, jacket, boots, gloves, and so on. Your bike also has to be prepped for the off-pavement excursion. But besides installing a skid plate, an off-road motorcycle needs the right tires and wheels. …
A solid motorcycle helmet, while absolutely vital, is just one of several safety accessories you need to go riding. You also need good gloves, a proper jacket, and a solid pair of boots. And, naturally, you also need a pair of quality pants. For casual riders, that typically means a pair of motorcycle jeans. However, …
Car spoilers have a purpose besides being flashy accessories. Although they’re technically not wings, both they and spoilers use the air rushing around cars to reduce lift. However, they’re not the only aerodynamic aide available to road cars. Some models, like the Honda Civic Type R, are starting to feature vortex generators as well. But …
Spoilers, whether factory equipment or aftermarket accessories are usually visual shorthand for a performance-oriented car. Or at least a vehicle pretending to be one. Given their shape, car spoilers are understandably often referred to as wings. However, although these terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not synonymous. Wings don’t help cars fly—they help them not …
Regularly rotating and changing your car’s tires are important parts of your maintenance schedule. But even if you’re not buying the most expensive car tires, quality ones don’t come cheap. So, naturally, most people want to make sure they’re getting their money’s worth when it comes to longevity. Especially if they’re buying all-seasons, even though …
Whether you plan on upgrading to LED headlights or sticking with halogens, your car’s lights are vital accessories. But as bright as they’ve gotten in modern times, trying to drive through a foggy night can still leave you blinded. Given their name, you would expect fog lights to be the perfect solution. But do they …
The seeming return of the 2021 TLX to its sport sedan roots is good news for Acura fans. But while it’s a good car overall, some reviewers have found the regular 2021 Acura TLX more lukewarm than hot. However, the hosts of the YouTube channel Throttle House seem to have figured out how to give …
Until a truly self-driving vehicle finally appears, cars will continue to need steering wheels. But just because cars need steering wheels doesn’t mean they all need the same one. That’s part of the reason why aftermarket wheels are available in the first place. And yet, for all the variety in wheel design, only a handful …
While the number of available automatic and no-shifting motorcycles is slowly growing, most bikes still use manual transmissions. That means not only learning how to operate a clutch but also how to shift gears smoothly and quickly. One way to speed up shifts on a car is to install a short shifter. And while a …
From more power to stickier tires to sportier and stiffer suspension, high-performance cars benefit from a variety of accessories, features, and tools. And nowadays, launch control is a common sight amongst such vehicles. Even a few motorcycles like the Ducati Panigale and Streetfighter offer it. But how does launch control benefit your car? And can …
If you plan on riding a classic motorcycle, you’ll naturally notice several differences compared to a modern bike. Carburetors instead of fuel injectors, for example, and fewer electronics. And depending on how old the motorcycle is, it may have a kickstarter instead of an electric starter. So, how does it work—and is it worth keeping …
New jackets and gloves aren’t the only accessories available for motorcyclists. Just like with cars, there are a variety of ways for you to modify your bike, from handlebars to heated grips. And a common modification is swapping out the standard motorcycle mirrors for some aftermarket ones. But is it a modification worth pursuing? Why …
Before buying your dream car, you probably pore over reviews, peruse specs, test-drive your favorites to find the model that gives you everything you want. Features — from engine size to trim level to USB ports — can make a car special. But not all features are enough, and sometimes you need a bit more. …
Adding more power via something like a turbocharger is a common-enough idea. But some modifications, rather than increasing raw performance, are about tweaking a car’s character in subtler ways. You can install a short shifter, for example, or swap your transmission’s gear ratios. Or you can give your car a lighter engine flywheel, or a …
Your brake pads, like your rotors, aren’t just maintenance items. As with your tires, wheels, intake, and exhaust, you can swap them out for upgraded versions. And when it comes to high-performance cars, carbon-ceramic brakes are a common feature. But are these ceramic brakes a modification worth pursuing? What’s different about carbon-ceramic brakes? Although a …
Even some of the worst infotainment systems on the market have touchscreen displays. It’s rare, in fact, to find cars nowadays that lack them. Indeed, Tesla’s EVs are famous for having little-to-no physical controls. Instead, the majority of the vehicle’s functions, even its windshield wiper controls, are found on the touchscreen. However, not every car …
A good-fitting helmet is the bare minimum when it comes to motorcycle gear, especially safety-related gear. Naturally, not every rider needs every kind of gear. For example, if you only ride in moderate climates, you probably won’t need heated gear. However, wearing motorcycle armor is definitely a necessity. And it needs to be found elsewhere …
Changing up your wheels through the aftermarket is one of the most common vehicle modifications. But all too often these non-factory wheels end up being more trouble than they’re worth. However, that’s usually because people buy them for the wrong reasons. Done properly, aftermarket wheels can be beneficial. The best aftermarket wheels lower unsprung weight …
Winter, or at least the onset of cold weather, usually spells the end of motorcycle season. But some continue to brave the icy landscape regardless, especially if there’s little-to-no snow. And even when spring comes, the chill lingers for some time. So, it’s crucial for motorcycle riders to have cold-weather gear and know how to …
Going outside to start a cold car on a freezing day is dreadful. That’s why gifting someone the power to start their car remotely is a great idea.
Maintenance isn’t the only thing you can do to your motorcycle outside of riding it. Like car owners, many riders customize and modify their bikes to suit their needs. Someone going off-roading, for example, will likely fit skid plates and crash bars. Those interested in touring will start looking into luggage racks. And so on. …
Whether you’re preparing your car for winter or simply doing regular maintenance, air filters are rarely at the top of the list. And when they are, it’s usually the air filter in the engine. However, with relatively few exceptions, cars also have cabin air filters. And yours probably needs to be changed. What does your …
As winter approaches, more and more cars are going to start encountering snow- and ice-covered roads. Some drivers may think that having an all-wheel-drive vehicle makes them immune to winter driving hazards. Inevitably, though, someone who hasn’t done the necessary prep-work will find their car spinning out in a spray of snow. As nerve-wracking as …
When it comes to the comforts of home, cars usually fall behind RVs and dedicated campers. After all, you can’t really put a bathroom in a normal car. And at first glance, if you need to do some cooking, an RV seems like the better choice. However, with a bit of work, it’s possible to …
While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has quashed the in-person SEMA show, that’s not stopping Ford. Toyota has already virtually introduced its planned SEMA builds, and now the Blue Oval is doing the same. The official reveal is happening on YouTube over two days, starting at 8 pm EST on November 19, 2020. We’ve already seen …
Courtesy of models like the Himalayan, Royal Enfield is gaining steam as a purveyor of affordable motorcycles. But not all of its bikes are offered in the US, nor are all of its accessories. At least, not yet. Recently, Royal Enfield unveiled a new bike, the Meteor 350. And said bike comes with an interesting …
A key part of getting your car ready for winter is making sure all the necessary maintenance is complete. But we’re not talking just about involved tasks like oil changes and timing belt replacement. There are a number of small and seemingly minor maintenance tasks that, if not completed, can cause anything from bouts of …
Having the freedom to go off the grid means planning and preparation. Even if you are only heading off the beaten path for a few days, it’s really nice to have equipment that makes it easy to self sustain in a variety of situations. One modern luxury that is extremely helpful to bring with us …
Depending on who you ask, adding a spoiler to your car is either a waste of money or a worth while investment. What cars need a spoiler?
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says $509 billion annually is pirated in spare parts. This counterfeit problem affects all automakers big and small. Sadly, customers may think they are getting a factory authorized replacement part, but in fact, may instead be receiving a lookalike substandard part that was made as economically inexpensive as …
You may have seen the cool advertisements for the Decked pickup truck bed accessory. They fit in most trucks like the Nissan Titan or Ford F-150. But sometimes this grain of aftermarket add-on can turn out to be cheesy. Are Decked drawers an organizer that is actually as cool as it looks? Or should we …
Whether it’s on pavement or going off-road, long motorcycle trips require a certain level of comfort. That’s why many touring and adventure bikes feature heated grips, for instance. But there is such a thing as too much heat. That’s why motorcycle jackets and gloves have vents and mesh. However, that doesn’t really work if you’re …
It’s the early-2000s: Apple introduces the revolutionary iPod, boy bands own the airwaves, and the original The Fast and the Furious film brings underground import tuner culture to the mainstream. For the most part, the cultural phenomenon spurred by the massive success of The Fast and the Furious was a good thing—the automotive aftermarket exploded …
Finding the right tires for your truck is crucial to maximizing its performance. Luckily Consumer Reports has a list of all the best tires.
Getting a custom grille for your truck is the perfect way to upgrade it. There are plenty of options to choose from and it doesn’t break the bank.
Can the color of your truck really impact its performance and value? The answer is yes, and some people think this common color is the worst choice.
Every once and a while a trend will come a long in the truck world that just refuses to go away. This trend is the most scratching of them all.
Protecting your truck is a must. Grille guards not only protect your truck, but also add a rugged look. What are the most durable guards?
