Father's Day Motorcycle Gift Guide 2017
Give something to Dad since he gives so much of himself
Father’s Day is looming on the horizon, and those of you who have motorcycle loving fathers are (hopefully) looking for a way to tell Dad how much you appreciate all he’s done for you and the family over the previous year. If he’s like most fathers, dad has probably avoided buying or doing things that he wanted to, just because the needs of the family outweighed his own desires. For families like that, you already know what to get him – just order that thing he decided not to get for himself. However, if Dad’s moto-needs are a mystery to you, take heart. We’ve put together a listing of stuff that’s bound to make your riding father quite happy. The prices range quite a bit here, so you’re sure to find something within the range of greenbacks contained in your wallet.
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled – $11,395
Did you grow up sitting in your dad’s lap, watching On Any Sunday? If so, we know you’ll make your father really happy with this modern interpretation of the bikes shown roosting in the desert on all those weekends. The Ducati Desert Sled takes the base Scrambler and reinforces both the frame and the longer swingarm to lengthen the wheelbase to a more stable 59.3 in. The chassis then receives a combination of long-travel suspension (7.9 inches at both ends) mated to a 19-inch spoked front wheel and a 17-inch spoked rear shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR knobbies to get dad off the pavement and into the wilds. Powering the Desert Sled is the standard 803cc air-oil cooled V-Twin seen in the other Scrambler models. Other dirt-inspired touches include: a high front fender, wire headlight cover, and a cross-strut on the aluminum handlebar. Available in Red Dusk and White Mirage, pricing starts at $11,395. Find out more on the Ducati USA website.
Sena Cavalry Helmet – $349
Bluetooth communication systems have become increasingly popular with riders, but people who preferred half helmets were left out of this trend until Sena released the Cavalry Helmet. Now, Dad can take your calls asking for money while he’s riding. Since riding makes him happy, you probably stand a better chance of him saying yes to your request. For $349, you get a DOT-legal half helmet in a size range of XS – XXL. The communication system is a built-in Sena 10R unit that has controls above the rider’s left ear. The speaker ports are designed to project the sound downward towards Dad’s ears while a noise-canceling microphone in the brow of the helmet allows for clear conversations without having a boom microphone wrapping around in front of your mouth. The Sena Cavalry Helmet is available in glossy or matte black.
Push SmartGauge – $399
Professional racers rely on data acquisition to help them go faster when the green flag drops. The problem is that data acquisition systems are hugely expensive – too expensive for your average track riding dad to be able to afford. Well, Push has come up with a reasonably priced, hockey puck-sized means of gathering the data that will help Dad drop his lap times. The Push SmartGauge uses GPS and motion sensors to automatically track Dad’s every lap. When he’s back in the pits, his smartphone downloads the data and view it in Push’s app or one of its partnered apps to allow the study of braking/acceleration points, lateral g-forces, top speeds, lowest cornering speed, and other performance data. If Dad believes in using his mind as much as his right wrist to go faster, order up a $399 Push SmartGauge from the Push website.
Ducati XDiavel S – $23,495
So, Dad likes cruisers… and sportbikes, and he’s struggling to decide what his next motorcycle purchase should be. Well, make the decision for him and give him both – in the form of the Ducati XDiavel S. Lets just look at some numbers. How does a cruiser with 40° of lean strike you? Downright sporty, no? Then let’s toss in 95 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. Mmm, tasty. Pour on 156 hp at 9500 rpm for dessert, and you’ve got a plate full of performance that Ducati has dressed in cruiser garb. The relaxed feet-forward riding position and the V-Twin powerplant meet the cruiser requirements. Would you be surprised to learn that the beefy 1262cc engine can be a real pussycat when trolling around town in the low rpm? The cruiser that only Ducati could build is available in a menacing black, starting at $23,495. For more info, check out DucatiUSA.com.
Black Brand Fahrenheit Kooltek Perforated Jacket – $451
For generations, black leather jackets have been the protective gear of choice for motorcyclists. Dad’s first jacket was probably black leather. However, this piece of motorcycling kit has a major drawback – it turns into an oven in summer sun. Perforating the leather helps matters by allowing cooling airflow when the rider is moving, but Black Brand took cooling one step further by constructing the Fahrenheit Kooltek Perforated Jacket out of specially treated, heat-reflecting KoolTeK leather. Black Brand claims that, in testing, it found the Kooltek leather to be 20° cooler than traditional black leather. And who doesn’t want a cool dad! Available in sizes M–2XL, the Fahrenheit Kooltek Perforated Jacket retails for $451.
MO Tested: Black Brand Fahrenheit KoolTeK Perforated Jacket Review
Ducati Multistrada 950 – $13,995
If you want the Swiss Army Knife of Ducatis, you owe it to yourself to look at the Multistrada 950. The 937cc Testastretta 11-degree motor generates a claimed 113 horsepower at 9000 rpm, with a very flat torque curve said to produce 80% of its 71 lb-ft peak all the way from 3500 to 9500 rpm. With a riding position suitable for any kind of riding, the Multi 950 can be equipped with one of four different accessory packages: Touring Pack (side panniers and centerstand), Sport Pack (Ducati Performance exhaust by Termignoni, billet aluminum frame plugs, billet aluminum front brake fluid reservoir plug), Urban Pack (top case, tank bag with tank lock and USB hub to charge electronic devices), and Enduro Pack (supplementary LED lights, engine crash bars, aluminum radiator guard, aluminum sump guard, broader kickstand base, and off- road rider pegs). The Ducati Multistrada 950 is available now in Star White Silk or Ducati Red, starting at $13,995. Find out more on DucatiUSA.com.
Kriega Hydro 3 Enduro Backpack – $139
So, Dad likes to take long summer rides on his motorcycle. Why not make him more comfortable (and safer) while he’s doing it? Keeping hydrated is an important part of staying sharp out on the road. The Kriega Hydro 3 Enduro Backpack offers a great way to carry 3 liters of fluid on those long rides. Both the pack itself and the drinking tube are insulated which means that Dad never has to drink tepid Gatorade unless he wants to. For $139, you could order one for Dad here.
Grip-N-Ride – $89
So, Dad wants to take the kiddos for a ride, but they’re still not big enough to easily wrap their arms around him. No problem, he can strap on a Grip-N-Ride and give the little hands some grippy handles to hang on to. The Grip-N-Ride’s wide nylon belt features a safety clip in front and four padded handles – two on the sides and two in back – to offer a variety of secure locations to stay in contact with Dad. Don’t think this is just for kids, either. We know of a few moms who prefer the solid attachment when riding pillion, too. Grip-N-Ride can be ordered here.
Dynaplug – $60
If Dad’s been riding for a while, he’s probably experienced a chance meeting with a nail or two. Dynaplug offers a great, compact tire plug kit that could keep him from being stranded far from home. The Dynaplug’s secret is the brass point that makes it easier to insert the soft, gooey plug into the tire. If one plug doesn’t stop the leak on a large hole, multiple plugs can be used. Dynaplugs are available in aluminum and stainless steel versions starting at $60 here..
MotoPumps Mini Pro Inflator – $70
Fixing a flat tire with a plug is great, but at some point Dad’ll need to re-inflate the tire. Otherwise, he’s just as stranded as he was with the nail in the tire’s carcass. So, Dad could probably use a MotoPumps Mini Pro Inflator to refill the tire. We liked the Mini Pro so much that we named it Honorable Mention Best Motorcycle Product Of 2014. This 2 x 4.75 x 5.75 in. pump has the chops to inflate a 190/50–17 rear tire from 0 psi to 36 psi in 7.5 minutes. That won’t seem like a long time when Dad is 70 miles from the nearest gas station. The MotoPumps Mini Pro Inflator is available here starting at $70.
Pit Bull Bike Stands – $149
If Dad has a sportbike, he’ll need a way to support it while he’s wrenching on it. Pit Bull offers a wide variety of stands for the discriminating mechanic. Pit Bull stands have a reputation for high build quality and longevity. The company also tests its stands with each generation of sportbike, assuring that the stand you order for Dad will fit his bike without issues. Pit Bull Rear Stands start at $149, and Front Stands start at $155. Order Dad’s stand here.
Rev’It Palmer Gloves – $119
So, Dad likes vintage gear. Give him some gloves that are thoroughly modern, despite their old-school styling. The Rev’It Palmer Glove is constructed of a rusted cowhide outer shell for a rugged look, while still offering the suppleness of a summer leather glove. A visco-elastic knuckle protector and Temperfoam protect from impacts. Rev’It’s PWR | shield aids in abrasion resistance since we always put our paws out in an accident. Available in sizes S-XXL, the Palmer Glove retails for $119 in either black or brown here.
EagleRider Tour – $Varies
When it comes to organized motorcycle tours, Eaglerider is a known quantity both in the United States and overseas. So, if you’re looking to give Dad an exceptional motorcycling experience, you should take a gander at EagleRider. With an extensive listing of U.S. destinations (as well as Mexico, Canada, and worldwide), trip durations to match the amount of time you can spend away from home, and the choice of a guided tour or a custom trip of your own design, EagleRider is capable of fulfilling your two-wheel vacation needs. Check out everything EagleRider has to offer at the company’s website.
Transitions Shield – $150
If Dad tends to take rides that go from day into night, he knows what a bother it can be to carry a clear shield to switch to after sunset. Why not get him a Transitions Shield for his helmet. Then, no matter lighting conditions, he’ll have the right shield. Sadly, these shields are not available for every helmet model, so you’ll have to do some research. Expect to pay at least $150.
Smart Turn System Self-Canceling Signals – $167
Many new bikes are coming with self-canceling turn signals, and maybe Dad’s getting a little envious. Well, you can surprise him with the gift of a Smart Turn System. This clever 0.9 in. x 1.0 in. x 1.75 in. box will take care of that tedious signal canceling effort with just an hour or so of installation time. It’ll put a smile on Dad’s face for just $167.
Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.
More by Evans Brasfield
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Ducati must have floated some $$$ to get 3 of their bikes on the list. Takes away all the credibility of the article when it's that obvious.
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