The Motorcycle Industry Council predicts that new motorcycle sales will continue to decline throughout this year (2012).

I don’t know about you, but it feels as though we’ve been in this decline for some time. I remember when I first came into this industry (nine years ago), new motorcycle models were coming out so fast (from all the major manufacturers) that we could hardly keep up.

Now I’m dismayed to find all the models that have been discontinued over the past few years (examples: Kawasaki’s Vulcan 2000 series, Honda’s VTX series – even my all-time favorite Honda Shadow 1100), and the replacement options seem to have shrunk. What happened to all the 1100 cc motorcycles?? You can go 900 or 950cc up to 1300cc. That’s a pretty big gap (especially where women are concerned, I think). For the first time in years, none of the new motorcycles really excite me. (I starting thinking I was getting jaded working in this business!)

So will it help or hinder sales of motorcycle accessories? Personally, I’m a “glass half full” kind of girl, so here’s what I’m thinking.

According to that same article, spending on maintenance and repairs has been rising over the past TWO years. In other words, more riders are opting to hold onto their bike longer and put more money into accessories that give them more comfort or convenience. (That’s our specialty, so I hope this is true!)

And, tire sales have increased 11.7% over last year. What that tells me is that people are putting a lot of miles on their motorcycles. So they may not have the coolest, newest model motorcycle, but it’s not stopping them from riding.

And that’s what it’s all about, after all. Right?

We were reminded again this week why we do what we do. Why our company policy is to treat others as we would like to be treated. We don’t get it perfect 100 percent of the time – nobody does (and if you tell you they do, they’re lying) – but we really do make an effort. It’s nice to know that customers notice – like Kevin, who sent us the following note:

“Let me just say that it was truly a pleasure dealing with you. As I tell my college students, it really is the little things that mean alot, and your professional and personal approach to your business makes the difference.”

You can see all the nice things customers have said about us on our Customer Reviews page.

Living in Minnesota, I’ve tried a lot of things to keep warm over the years. In our Cold Weather Motorcycling Guide, I offer tips for every part of your body. Here is my final “installment” for cold weather riding - my top picks for Head and Neck…

Head: In the rain or cold, there’s no getting around the best way to stay warm: a full-faced helmet. You can keep your half-helmet or ‘beany’ helmet for warmer weather, but make the investment in a full-face helmet too. Our advice: get one with good venting.

For those who argue that their full-face helmet fogs up in the cold, we have a solution for that (and it’s less than $20): get yourself an Anti-Fog insert. Problem solved.

Neck (yep, this deserves its own category): When it gets down into the 40′s, and you’re going 70 mph, you don’t want ANY skin showing. A neck gaitor or balaclava is just the ticket. Again, simple is best!

Check out our Cold Weather Motorcycling Guide for tips for your hands, body/torso, and legs/feet.

Ah, the hands. They are hangin’ out there – so far away from the body’s warm core! – and are the first thing to get cold when riding a motorcycle!

The obvious answer is riding gloves. But, am I the only one who hates the way bulky gloves make it harder (and even unsafe) to grip and manage the bike controls?

I don’t think so.

So this tip is about ways to keep hands warm on a motorcycle other than gloves.

Idea #1: Desert Digits.

To keep cold air and rain away from your hands, there’s nothing better. Desert Digits Hand Protectors can be mounted to any handlebar, adjusted an unlimited number of ways, and are easily removable when you’re not using them. (And BTW, right now they are $20 off!)

Idea #2: Heated Grips. I recently made the leap and installed heated grips on my motorcycle. And let me tell you, it is heavenly. The drawbacks? You have to wire them to your battery (which I dislike immensely), and they don’t protect your hands from rain.

Check out our Cold Weather Motorcycling Guide for more tips on keeeping all your body parts warm!

Here we go with Part 2 of riding a motorcycle in cold weather! Today I’ll be addressing how to keep your body and torso warm.

To extend your riding season, you gotta get beyond leather chaps and jackets. A Heated Vest or Jacket is my first pick. Yes, it requires some wires, but that’s a small price to pay to keep your core warm! Make the electric vest or jacket your second layer, over a thin shirt. You want it close to your skin.

If you really want to challenge the elements, consider a heated seat! A smart idea from the snowmobile market (where they know a thing or two about riding in the cold).

The Desert Dawgs and Desert Digits can help, too, by eliminating much of the updrafts common to riding a motorcycle.

You can find more tips for keeping every part of your body warm while riding in cold weather on our Cold Weather Motorcycling Guide.

I hate being cold. Especially when I ride. And I’ve tried a lot of things to keep warm over the years!

In our Cold Weather Motorcycling Guide, I offer tips for keeping every part of your body warmer. Over the next few days, I’ll share those ideas with you. Here are my top picks for Legs & Feet…

Hands-down, no competition, it’s the Desert Dawgs (and believe me, I would say that even if we didn’t make them!). The Desert Dawgs cut the wind and keep your feet and legs warmer (not to mention dryer if you happen to get caught in the rain). And SO easy to use! Slips them on like a glove on a hand, snap the buttons and slip the straps.

The only drawback is that we can’t make them for every motorcycle model and brand of engine guard bar. But there is an answer: the Desert Digits wind deflectors. These are one-size-fits-all – they will work on ANY engine guard bar (from 1″ to 1.25″ in diameter). Check out the picture of our friend’s Kawasaki Vacquero with the Digits.

You can even use both the Dawgs and Digits to create a mini-motorcycle fairing.

Check out our Cold Weather Motorcycling Guide for MORE stay-warmer tips for your body/torso,  head/neck, and hands!

Looking for power ports or USB chargers for motorcycle accessories? Now you can charge electronic accessories without the hassle of wiring to your motorcycle battery.

The Ultra-Sol Solar-Powered Mounting Kit includes everything you need to ensure your Phone, GPS, iPod/MP3 or radio will never lose power. Use a miniature solar panel to collect and store power and use it as a motorcycle phone charger, GPS charger, iPod charger and more.

Ultra-SOL includes everything you need for a convenient and worry-free ride! Find all the details here!

We haven’t “bragged” in awhile. And it will make me feel a little better that I’m missing all the fun that kicked off in Daytona Bike Week today if I focus on something positive…right?! From the increased volume of calls today, I’d say lots more people are getting in the mood to ride!

So here’s a comment we received from Kevin:

“Tracy, thanks for being aware of the order that came through after I spoke with you on the phone and realizing we were talking about the wrong mount. Also for getting the item out so quick. 6:00 am here and just tracked it and it is out for delivery. AWSOME!!! You can look forward to me spending my money with you in the future. I will also pass on to fellow riders your business. Again, thanks for being a quality AMERICAN business.”

Manufacturing in America is NOT easy. So we appreciate when we get nice comments like this one.

I think of Daytona Bike Week as the start of motorcycle season (forget the fact that we still have a month’s worth of snow to deal with!). It’s always a good time to do a little spring cleaning, too.

So until the Daytona Show ends (March 18) we’re offering FREE shipping on all DeluxeCAM Motorcycle Camera Mounts. Make a visual recording of your trip! Use code “FREESHIP” at checkout.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued US Patent D651,951S covering Leader Motorcycle’s Wind and Rain Deflector known as Desert Digits. The patent covers the unique “convex” design that moves air over and around hands or legs. The Ultra-Swivel fastener is also unique in that it allows the Desert Digit Wind Deflector to be positioned at literally any angle.

The Desert Digits Wind Deflectors were originally designed as Motorcycle Hand Guards and later expanded/modified to an application for leg and knee protection. The purpose of the Desert Digits Hand Guards is to give riders better and safer options for keeping their hands warm while riding:

• Minimize the need for bulky riding gloves – better grip!
• Do not require any wiring to the motorcycle battery – eliminates the possibility of accidentally leaving your heated grips on and running down your battery.
• Are a cinch to install – it only takes minutes (compare that to heated gear or traditional wind deflectors, both of which take considerable time to install, adjust, and take on/off each time you ride).
• Can be easily removed and stored in your saddlebags.

Check out our Tips on Motorcycle Fairings or get more information about the Desert Digits Hand Guards and Desert Digits Wind Deflectors for Legs (including free Demo Videos!).