BACKROADS HOLIDAY WISH LIST

Dear Backroads People, I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, ‘If you see it in Backroads, it’s so.’ Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O’Hanlon Ginny, Hell yes there’s a Santa Claus, a Papa Noel, Kris Kringle, Weihnachtsmann (trying saying that, little girl!). Not only is he real, he’s coming to visit in just a few weeks. I bet you have a list for him. We do, too!

Dear Christmas Man, Okay, I’ve been naughty… my thought this year has been ‘Be Bad, Have Fun’… but bring me some cool stuff anyway! Here are a few items that have hit the redline this year. Thanks, Brian (PS – The good stuff is behind the cookies and milk!)

BREMBO 19RCS CORSA CORTA MASTER CYLINDER Don’t we all want better brakes? Well, it sems that every MotoGP and World Superbike racer is using one master cylinder – the Brembo 19RCS Corsa Corta. All riders wish that their bike was comfortable enough to tour on and fast and nimble enough to hit the canyons. I know I do…This is where the Brembo Corsa Corta Master Cylinder thrives. It features three different bite-point settings: Normal, Sport and Race. The Brembo RCS System allows the rider to choose between more power or more precision to best complement their riding style, track/street conditions and other brake components. Hey Santa, $375… What do you think? (Nick, behind the milk & cookies… nudge, nudge.)

ADAPTIVE TPX RADAR & LASER DETECTOR 2.0 You can love LEOs, but not want to play with them on the road. They always win. Avoiding them and all Imperial Entanglements is almost a game… so help me out Nick! I want to nd a TPX Radar and Laser Detection System 2.0 under the tree. The TPX is water, shock, and vibration resistant and has oversized buttons that even I can operate. It’s large, angled, top-positioned LCD optimizes viewing from all riding positions and is easily viewable in direct sunlight. The TPX System detects all police radar and laser bands used in the US and comes with a two-year warranty. Backroads once did a side-by-side testing and we found the TPX to be as sharp as, and sometimes more sensitive than, the Valentine-1 – so think about it, okay? It lists for $399 at adaptivtech.com.

GAUNTLET GLOVESFROM CALIFORNIA HEAT Santa, you, more than anyone, know how cold hands are dangerous hands. Not only can they get painful, they simply can’t handle what is asked of them.

My old electric gloves barely work and have been not-so-expertly repaired by me multiple times. Wouldn’t it be great to see a pair of California Heat’s Gauntlet Gloves (Size L, please) under the Hannukah Bush.

If you don’t have them at the workshop, you can get a pair from california-heat.com for just $170.

RKALUGGAGE We have been using RKA luggage for years now, and with good reason; they make some of the best two-wheel luggage on the planet. We’re really big fans of their tank bags that offer ease of use, extreme durability and are just simply well-designed and built. They offer a number or styles, sizes and custom colors as well. Log onto rka-luggage.com to see their latest and greatest. So Kris, get one of these for all of my riding friends – it’s the holidaze and I want all of them to be happy as well.

SHIRA KAMIL

Santa, I’m not going to bother you for anything, but if you can pass this note along to Hannukah Harry, I would be much obliged. He doesn’t ask if we’ve been naughty or nice, he just works on Jewish guilt and passes out something to everyone, and for eight crazy nights! What a deal.

Thanks Harry – see you right after Thanksgiving… It’s been a while since I’ve had new boots – mine are starting to wear thin around the sole – so here’s a choice for you, as I know the supply chain has got your panties in a bunch: Sidi Gavia ($289) – these would replace what I already own and have proven to be a formidable boot for the miles of riding I do each year. The mid-height is just right for me and the Gore-Tex keeps my toes warm and dry. If you can’t track those down I’ll take the

Tourmaster Solution ($139) – another very good mid-height boot which uses HiPora for their waterproofness, I have used these in the past and they hold up well to the elements and abuse of the road. If one of these happens to be in your sights, I wouldn’t mind a new Nolan N100-5 in Hi-Viz Yellow/Black ($440). Mine is doing ne, but has a few chips here and there – I know, I need to be more careful where I place it – and it has been a few years since it was new. Everyone has a certain ‘head’ t and mine is Nolan. It’s light for a modular, the ultra-wide face shield allows for great vision all around, the ventilation works great and the removable liners are super comfy and can be easily refreshed.

MARK BYERS Dear Santa, I hope that you do not mind I used your personal cell number to text you… Rathjen said it was okay. Wishing you great navigation this year… um, we can help! Mark • Scribe and Flight Engineer U.S.Navy This Christmas I think better illumination is always good for the sleigh and my bike. Looking at Twisted Throttle’s Denali Lights I think you will just have to make a quick stop in Exeter, Rhode Island to get this one covered. Their DM LED Light Kit with DataDim Technology will be just what I need to light up the road after the sun has gone to bed. Log onto denalielectronics.com to see them all. And, since we have the lights covered and I can ride way into the night, let’s see if we can make it a more comfortable ride for Mrs. Byers and me. I have had Sargent Seats and have found them to always make the ride that much more pleasurable. This is a great company and when my RT passenger seat heater switch broke, they replaced it at no charge. I have a new RT and could use a new seat. They stand behind their stuff and have a seat for just about every machine. Take a look at www.sargentcycle.com and you’ll see why I want one for the new ride.

DAN BISBEE Dear Santa, I’ve been a good boy this year (and this time I mean it). What I would really like is a hoverbike. It would even be OK if you got me the ultralight version this year. Maybe you could y it to me. I bet it’s faster than reindeer! I promise I would always be careful and wear a parachute (or not), but you can check it out at jetpackaviation.com. In the event that Mom says “no” to that, here are a couple of other ideas for you: SHOEI RF1400

My helmet is seven years old and, well, it’s getting a bit stinky and I think it’s time for a new one. I don’t need a ip up chin bar or a ip down visor or even Bluetooth connectivity. I just want a good basic helmet like a Shoei RF1400. Plain white or Brilliant Yellow so those cage-bound crazies can see me. I would wear it on my hoverbike too! You can snatch one from Shoei for just $529 – I think I might be worth it.

NEMO 2 CHAIN OILER I’m not very good about oiling my chain and those Scottoilers are cool but I’ve heard they are a bit tricky to set up. I like the Nemo2 from Cobrra. I promise I would ll it and use it. You can search this out at www.cobrra.sk.

E-Z PASS HOLDER Finally, for my stocking, I would like an EZ-Pass holder. Vermont doesn’t have any toll roads (except for those cool ones that go to the tops of mountains.) But all the other states are phasing out their toll booths and switching to those automatic money-grabber things that read your EZ-Pass. So, when I get my EZ-Pass, I would like a way to hold it on my bike. Thank you very much, Santa.

PAMELA COLLINS Dear Santa, I promise I’ve been a (relatively) good girl this year and I really don’t need much. However, since it is that time of the year and I don’t want you to think I don’t appreciate the job you do, I’ll ask for just a couple of things in keeping with the seasonal tradition. I just love riding my motorcycle SO MUCH Santa, but sometimes I feel like the abominable snowman when I get off it and have on all that bulky (though protective) gear. I’d like to nd a halfway point, where I can ride protected but still look…you know…nice. I think I found the solution. Actually, two of them. The rst is from the Rokker company, and it’s a pair of the RokkerTech Mid-Waisted Straight Women’s Jeans. These jeans look just like regular, comfortable denim, but pack serious abrasion resistance at its core, with special protective bers woven into the denim, that are supposed to last six seconds in a slide if I should unintentionally dismount from my Triumph. Adding in the protection of D3O Ghost knee and hip impact armor make them the whole package— and much lighter. They cost $429. Pricey, but I have been good. If you think that’s a little out of your price range, Santa, then please consider the Draggin’ Women’s Comfort Straight Leg. They feature tapered legs and are constructed with 11.5 ounce four-way stretch denim and lined at the knee and backside with knitted 13.5-ounce DuPont KEVLAR aramid ber lining. These cost only $205 with the armor. I hope you have a nice Christmas, Santa, and thanks ever so much!