Kat Explains the New Look of Surface Care Products
2012 is off to a great start with a fresh, new look for Harley-Davidson® Surface Care product packaging. Products are now color coded by category to make it easier to pick out products to fit your cleaning, or quick detailing needs:
Clean = Orange
Protect = Black
Detail = Silver
Complementary products are also referenced on the back of packaging to easily identify which products work well together. Viscous products are now packaged in inverted bottles and jars for easier use. A couple product names have been changed to more clearly explain their use. Majority of packages now are recyclable as well!
Harley-Davidson® Spray Cleaner & Polish is safe for use on windshields, plastic, painted, and metal surfaces. It also reduces static attraction to dust and leaves a great shine on the surface and UV protection. This cleaner is perfect for those that only like to wash their bike when it rains- no water or soap needed- just spray, wipe and go.
Want your chrome looking its best? H-D® Chrome Clean & Shine can be used on chrome or brushed aluminum/stainless steel surfaces. The non-abrasive, professional strength cleaner is formulated to ensure maximum shine. It can be buffed to a bright, long-lasting finish, and is detergent-resistant.
The new Seat, Saddlebag & Trim Cleaner is a one step treatment for all your leather, vinyl and plastic surfaces. Unlike other leather cleaners it brightens and refreshes without leaving a greasy residue. (Also, you won’t slide out of your saddle like you would if you used Armor All on it- yes, I’ve made that mistake before….) It is also ideal for use on inner farings, dash panels, and saddlebags.
For those that like to hose down and suds up their entire bike (you over-achievers!)- H-D® Sunwash Bike Soap is a perfect fit, and can be used on all vehicle surfaces (including denim paint). Most bike wash products have limitations on ideal temperatures to wash your bike, or have to be used in the shade. Not this one! Harley® has formulated this biodegradable soap for use in the sun! It also has a unique formulated sheeting action to minimize water spots, and rinse clean on the hottest of days.
Got Scuffs? Tar? Harley® has come out with a gel formulated to break down rubber marks, road tar, baked on bugs, and even melted plastic bags! Just apply to soiled area on chrome exhaust (when exhaust is cool), wait for gel to loosen things up, then scrub and wipe away residue.
Want to keep your paint and chrome looking its best? Want to remove fine scratches and minor blemishes in your clear coat? Want to remove tar, tree sap, or stains from your paint without stripping it? Try Harley® Glaze Poly Sealant- it can meet all these needs- basically three products in one bottle. Glaze Poly Sealant is easy to apply and hand buff for a deep, reflective finish. Shine it up with this durable, breathable, clear poly sealant with UV protection that protects against fading and oxidizing. (Don’t use on non glossy surfaces like denim, wrinkle, or semi-gloss surfaces, or brake discs)
Need a cleaner that is better than the aerosol but not as involved at the Sun Wash? Try out the Quick Wash! This cleaner is tough on dirt, oil, and bugs, but gentle enough to use on all surfaces. Does not strip wax, corrode fasteners or spokes, or stain leather and vinyl seats or saddlebags. Don’t feel like scrubbing? No problem! Quick Wash gets into hard-to-reach spaces, and scrubs for you (Imagine all those scrubbing bubble critters from the spray on bathroom cleaner, all over your bike- its kinda like that.) Spray on, hose off. Thats all she wrote.
What products have you found that work the best?
Protect Your Bike From Corrosion
You made a large investment on a motorcycle. There are many things that you can do to protect your bike from corrosion. Joe, one of our knowledgeable Parts Specialists, wanted to share a few tips and tricks with you.
As we all know snow salt is one of the most corrosive chemicals on the road. And it is all over the roads right now. Riding in it is fine as long as you know how to clean all of that junk off your bike when you get back to your garage.
Harley® Preserve is a very effective bare aluminum protectant that comes in little wipes. It’s great for protecting the stock wheels on some bikes and some engine covers and cases. These are typically the first things to corrode on a stock Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. A pack of these retails for $14.99 and will probably last two life times.
Harley-Davidson® also offers travel care kits that are pretty handy. They include concentrated sunwash, polish and sealant, gloss, wheel and tire cleaner, and bug remover. All neatly packed together in mini spray bottles, this is a perfect pack to toss in a saddle bag and bring with you on any length of trip. Even a short trip across town, this will help keep your bike looking and running great. These travel kits from for about $24.99.
S100 carries a lot of good products as well. The Total Cycle Cleaner seems to be the most popular. It is a spray and wash type cleaner. S100 also sells a corrosion protectant that is just sprayed on and rubbed to a shine. Since it is safe on plastics and rubber it is one of the easiest ways to maintain the look of your bike.
Basically there is a cleaner, gloss, protectant, or polish available for every type of surface on your motorcycle and it is important to keep those surfaces clean.
What types of protectants do you use on your motorcycle?
January MotorClothes® Department Picks
Our MotorClothes® department has been getting in all kinds of new products in and they want to share a few of their favorites.
Destiny and Jess agree that this Harley-Davidson® Comfy Throw makes the perfect accessory to a warm, cozy night at home. Grab the manual for your bike and curl up in front of a fireplace.
Jordan’s new favorite product is this brand new Harley-Davidson® belt and belt buckle set. He likes how simple it is. How simple it is to get the ladies, that is…
Shelly is one of our newest additions to the MotorClothes® department. Her favorite new items of the week is this cute pajama two-piece set that is part of the new Harley-Davidson® Valentine’s collection. Come check out all of the newest items in the shop now!
Affordable First Upgrades to Any Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle
So you buy a brand new Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. What is the first thing you do? Learn to ride it properly (but that’s another story entirely). What’s next? You probably want to customize it and make it truly unique and truly you. Some will put little bits of chrome here and there. Others will put a new exhaust or practical features like a windshield or saddlebags. One of the most affordable upgrades you can make to your brand new bike is to give your motorcycle a voice with Rush Mufflers.
Rush mufflers are performance mufflers that can be put on any model of bike. They come in a variety of styles. They can be worked into just about any performance package you want or can be added to your motorcycle all by themselves. They give you a little extra “umph” in the horsepower department without expensive and in-depth tuning of your engine. At the same time, they also give you a truly customized sound without completely annoying everyone within a 50 block radius.
With just 30 minutes of labor with a certified H-D® technician, your bike can be in and out of our shop in about an hour. But the real key to this upgrade is the fact that it is affordable. A variety of styles for just about any model, installed for under $500. This is just another thing to add on to the list of parts and accessories to customize, but with the affordability offered by these mufflers… maybe this might be inch it’s way a little higher up on the priority list.
Interested in more? Let one of our associates give you a free quote.
What are some other upgrades you might make to your brand new Harley-Davidson® motorcycle?
How Much Riding Do You Do in 5 Years – H-D® Leather Warranty
We’ve all seen those cheap-o leather jackets at local swap meets. They seem like a great deal because they only cost a buck or two and they have all that fancy pazzazz on them. There are many features which make Harley-Davidson® leather the obvious choice for the hard rider, but the H-D® Warranty is definitely worth focusing on.
The H-D® Warranty on Leather Jackets lasts for 5 years. If nothing else, this shows Harley-Davidson’s commitment to quality, durability and the rider’s needs. This guarantees that your leather jacket will be with you on every ride you take for five years.
One of the things we hear the most when customers come in and chat about getting a new leather jacket, is that they are expensive. It takes money to make a quality product and Harley® doesn’t skimp on the details. Most of the jackets come with reflective piping to keep you visible, an action back and pre-curved sleeves to keep you comfortable in the riding position, wind flaps to keep you warm, strategically placed venting to keep you cool, body armor options to keep you protected, double-stitched seams to keep the jacket reinforced, and drum-dyed leather to keep your jacket looking good after thousands of miles in harsh conditions.
If you still think the jacket is expensive after all of that, think about it like this. A quality Harley-Davidson® leather jacket with all of the bells and whistles, suitable for most riding conditions, can be purchased for $500. If you have the jacket for the life of the five-year warranty, that jacket will cost you $100 per year. That means that the premium jacket that will protect you from the elements of the weather and the road will cost you just over $8 per month, and be guaranteed for five years. Is it worth it now?
Super Premium Oil Filters – 98.5 Reasons to Consider
Harley-Davidson® engines are some of the most demanding engines out there. They take a lot of tender loving care. And no oil filter gives them more TLC than the Harley-Davidson® Super Premium Oil Filter.
First, these oil filters were designed by people that know your motorcycle better than anyone else, because they actually designed the bike. They are built using the highest quality components to provide high performance.
The Super Premium Oil Filter is 100% synthetic and has an efficient capture of at least 98.5% of contaminants as small as 5 microns. What is a “micron“? Basically, it is one-millionth of a meter. So we are talking small. Real small.
Have you ever tried cold-starting your bike and the juices just didn’t seem to want to start flowing? Bet you never thought your oil filter might have something to do with that. A higher quality oil filter allows oil to flow better and improves cold starts.
Another thing you probably didn’t consider was that Harley-Davidson® engines have low oil film thickness in their working parts. That is how they were designed. Because of that, they require finer filtration than what most competitive branded oil filters can provide.
So when it comes to that machine of yours, sitting in the garage… You know. The one that you insist on putting Premium Gas in? What oil filter do you currently have? Is it the one that will protect your engine the best?
Harley-Davidson® Batteries – A Decision that Won’t Leave You Stranded
When it comes to buying Motorcycle batteries, or any batteries, most people make a terrible mistake by choosing the least expensive option that is available and save the extra cash. However, buying cheaper batteries that are available in the market today will eat up all your savings in the way of maintenance. Moreover, people always have a misconception that all the batteries are the same and they don’t even check the specifications of the batteries.
So, what makes Harley-Davidson® motorcycle batteries better than all the rest?
- Designed by the Motor Co. – For starters, the Harley-Davidson® Motor Co. designs and manufactures all of their own batteries right there inMilwaukee, so why not buy your battery from the same company who engineered and manufactured the motorcycle it is used in.
- Absorbed Glass Mats – Harley-Davidson® batteries are an AGM type maintenance free battery. This is a newer type of sealed, non-spillable, maintenance-free, valve-regulated battery that uses “Absorbed Glass Mats”, or AGM separators between the plates. This is a very fine fiber Boron-Silicate glass mat.
- Acid Containment – In AGM sealed batteries, the acid is absorbed between the plates and immobilized by a very fine fiberglass mat. No silica gel is necessary. This glass mat absorbs and immobilizes the acid while still keeping the acid available to the plates. This allows a fast reaction between acid and plate material.
- Leak Protection – These type of batteries have all the advantages of they typical gelled batteries on the market, but can take much more abuse. These are also called “starved electrolyte.” Basically, just like the Gel batteries, the AGM Battery will not leak acid if broken, which protects you, your bike, and the environment.
- Charging Systems – The Harley-Davidson® AGM battery has an extremely low internal electrical resistance. This, combined with faster acid migration, allows the AGM batteries to deliver and absorb higher rates of amperage than other sealed batteries during discharging and charging. In addition, AGM technology batteries can be charged at normal lead-acid regulated charging voltages, therefore, it is not necessary to recalibrate charging systems.
- Better Performance – H-D® AGM batteries contains an exclusive oxide formula that enhances the battery’s performance for more Cold Cranking Amps, faster starting power, and longer cycle life keeping you on the road. Low discharge rates extend battery life during periods of non-use and lasts from season to season, avoiding yearly battery replacement seen by a lot of the competitor’s batteries. I have personally seen 5 to 8 years usage from an H-D® battery and have thrown away countless amounts of “aftermarket” batteries that customers told me they just purchased 8 to 12 months ago.
These are just a few of the many thought-out improvements that Harley-Davidson® put into their batteries. So the next time you are in need of a new battery for your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle, don’t let the price be a deciding factor. It may be a decision that could leave you stranded.
Holiday Gift Buying Guide: Give the Best
When considering what gifts to give the riders in your life, why not consider giving the best that money can buy? When it comes to Harley-Davidson gear, the best is the Harley-Davidson FXRG High-Performance Gear. Here are some features of the H-D FXRG collection that will keep you comfortable in virtually all weather conditions.
Schoeller c_change™ waterproof/windproof system – This is the liner in the men’s and women’s textile and leather jackets and pants. It actually reacts to changing temperatures and moisture levels to make sure you stay comfortable. If it senses heat, the structure of teh c_change™ membrane opens up so excess heat can escape to the outside air. If it senses cold, the structure of the membrane closes to retain body heat and keep you warm.
Cool-Max® fixed, breathable liners – Keeps you dry and confortable. This liner actually moves perspiration away from the body to the fabric’s outer surface, where it evaporates quickly. It’s soft, lightweight and breathable.
Airguard™ Fabric – This is the fabric used for the textile FXRG Jackets. It is 20% lighter than nylon and 52% lighter than polyester. This means you still get the wind and waterproof protection that is abrasion and tear-resistant without all of the bulk. It is constructed to regulate body temperature in both warm and cold conditions.
Heat/Sun Deflecting Leather – Black leather typically is much warmer than white leather. With the leather used to make the FXRG Leather Jackets and Pants, the sun’s rays are reflected off the jacket as if it was white, even though it’s black. This helps to reduce your core body temperature when it is sunny.
Pre-curved arms and knees with an “action back” – Designed to fit you best when you are actually sitting on a motorcycle in the riding position. This means when you are standing next to your bike, the gear will feel weird and slightly uncomfortable. The gear feels best because it is designed to match your riding position.
Lightweight, removable body armor – Special little pockets inside the shoulders, elbows, spine, hips and knees hold the body armor pieces. They can each be adjusted to conform to your individual shape.
3M™ Scotchlite™ reflective piping – This feature is all about visibility. This reflective material is visible from at least 500 feet, which makes you as a motorcyclist more visible to other motorists. This is high-tech stuff in that it uses “retro-reflection” which helps the human eye perceive light even in low-light conditions. The material then reflects the light directly back towards teh light source. This material is found on all items in the FXRG Collection to make you more visible to others on the road.
5-Year Warranty – This warranty covers all of the leather and textile jackets and pants. There is a similar 1 year warranty on all the helmets and gloves.
Will you be giving your loved ones the best in riding technology, performance, and comfort this holiday season?
Custom Wheels to Fit a Custom Attitude
If you are looking to spice up the style of your motorcycle, upgrading your wheels is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make your motorcycle look a little less stock and a little more you. Harley-Davidson offers two dozen custom wheel options, and an unparrelled selection of surface finishes to add visual depth and make your bike look stunning. Here’s a look at the most common H-D wheel finishes:
Black Ice: Brand, spankin’ new for 2011! To be honest, it looks like black chrome. Just as shiny, but easy to maintain. This is for those riders that love the Dark Custom look of the Street Bob®, the Fat Bob®, the Blackline®, or the latest Sportster® editions, but still want a little shine to their bike.
Cut Back Gloss Black: These wheels are powder-coated black but have a glossy look to them. They also have aluminum highlights machined into the surface that give the wheel a little extra pop.
Textured Black: These wheels have a combination of satin aluminum spokes and textured black powder coat. This is a perfect balance between dark and light.
Textured Chrome: Like the textured black wheels, these wheels are dramatic, but more so because we have layered chrome on chrome.
Mirror Chrome: These puppies have been polished up to give a super smooth surface and a really awesome mirror effect. If you are going the way of the chrome, this is the way to get the most shine.
Contrast Chrome: What do you get when you mix chrome with gloss black powder coating? Yep. This is it. Visually striking and lots to choose from.
What type of wheel finish fits your bike’spersonality?
Need More Riding Time? Extend it with H-D® Heated Clothing
Everyone wants to spend more time out on the road each day and each season. With Harley-Davidson® Heated Gear you can do just that. But with the advances in technology there are so many options and combinations of heated gear and accessories that we want to make sure you know the whats and the hows so you can make an informed decision.
Heated gear is not just for those riders that insist on riding when it’s below zero and snowing. Heated gear is all about COMFORT AND SAFETY. If you are the slightest bit uncomfortable, it dramatically impacts the ride. If you are concentrating on how cold you are or how best to keep your fingers warm, you aren’t concentrating on the road or drivers around you. This can be a safety issue. Another safety issue is that as your joints and muscles get colder, your awareness, reflexes and body movement suffers. The H-D® Heated Gear works with your body by supplementing the body’s natural ability to generate heat.
The gear is designed for motorcyclists so it can be comfortably warn with other gear options. It also incorporates new Microwire® heat TECHNOLOGY to provide the thinnist, lightest, strongest and fastest heating system ever. That means that heat is going to be dispersed throught the gear quickly but evenly without making the gear bulky and difficult to move in.
Most people are concerned with HOW the gear is hooked up to the motorcycle. The gear can either be connected to the battery of the bike or to a separate battery that is placed in the pocket of the pants or jacket. The best resource for hooking up the heated gear to your bike is to check with the heated gear manual that comes with the gear. This will also give you vital information about how much voltage is used and how that affects your bike’s performance.
Another key to finding appropriate heated gear is making sure the gear FITS PROPERLY. The H-D® Heated Gear works best when it is worn close to the body however, a base layer is recommended to prevent direct contact of the skin with the heating elements. It’s also important to think about wearing outerwear, typically a jacket, chaps or rain gear, over the top of your Heated Gear to protect you from the wind, rain and other elements. Gloves that are too tight or two small may feel too hot. Gloves that are too loose or too big may not provide optimal heat. Also, if gloves do not fit appropriately, they might not allow you to comfortably or consistently operate the controls of the bike. The best thing you can do is to try try the Heated Gear on under your outerwear and sit on a bike in the dealership before you buy anything.
Here’s one last thing to consider when buying Heated Gear. There is a one yaer WARRANTY on all Harley-Davidson® garments. There is a three year warranty on all thermostats, connecting harness, three-prong harness, power switch, Y-plug Splitter, and adapter plugs. There is a lifetime warranty on all electrical components within the garment.
Harley-Davidson® Heated Gear allows you to ride longer and safer, extending your riding time into seasons with colder temperatures. It also allows you more opportunities to create memorable riding experiences.
So how do you plan on extending your riding time?
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