Racing Calendar Girls with a cause

PHOTO SUPPLIED

The Racing Girls use this calendar to raise money for next season's races.

Larry Tate

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Gifts for me, under $50

The Racing Girls Calendar 2009-10

The Girls produce and manufacture the calendars to raise money for their next year's road racing efforts, so it's sort of a charitable gift, really. It costs $15 and is available at the Women's Cup booth at this weekend's Toronto Motorcycle Show, or directly (with a $10 shipping fee) from one of the Girls.

For more details, send an email to racinggirls@hotmail.com

Moto GP In Camera, Official Portrait of the 990cc Era

Julian Ryder is perhaps the best writer there is on the Moto GP scene, and the 990 cc bikes were far more spectacular than today's 800s (which have been called, with some reason, computers on wheels rather than motorcycles). This book is available at Mini Grid in Toronto, 416-488-7663, also through Amazon and other big booksellers. $45-$75, depending on the source.

www.minigrid.com

www.amazon.ca

Warm weather gloves

While you can easily spend a couple of hundred dollars or more, I've always liked the Teknic Stinger and Venom models for light-duty use, in the $50-$60 range. Most shops can order these from Motovan; in the GTA, Parker Brothers at 416-234-5750 is always a good choice.

www.motovan.com

www.powersports.ca

Gifts to give, under $100

Tinted helmet visor

Visors always get scratched and smeared; a new one is always an improvement. They cost $50-$100, depending on helmet model, available at your favourite motorcycle store. Again, Parker Brothers carries pretty much everything for everything.

www.powersports.ca

Neck warmer

They're great for those chilly spring and fall rides; also useful if you snowmobile in the winter. Prices are in the $40-50 range; pretty much any motorcycle or snowmobile shop should have stock, or certainly be able to order. I like the fleece ones with a rolled neck that can come up high enough to protect the chin if need be.

UFO Body Armour belt

Passengers can use a kidney belt for support on a long or rough trip as well as a rider, and the UFO Body Armour belt does that plus adds some armour for lower-body protection for only $36.99. Also distributed by Motovan; nearly any dealer should be able to order one if they don't have stock.

www.motovan.com

Gifts for me, unlimited

Custom-made leathers

Crowtree, a U.K. company, is a family-run firm with a small production volume and a fantastic reputation for custom-made leathers. The owners are said to be retiring soon, so time is short! About $1,100.

www.crowtreeleathers.co.uk/framesprotect.htm

Ohlins suspension set

There's nothing better to improve both my handling and ride than a set of Ohlins suspension (front and rear) for my Suzuki Bandit street bike. About $10,000, distributed in Canada by Steen Hansen Racing in Edmonton.

www.shr.bz

European motorcycle tour

After three short days riding in the Alps last August, I have decided I need to do a lot more of that, and there's no better way to get a serious sampling than by booking a motorcycle tour. There are several companies doing it, but I'd probably choose Edelweiss just because it's one of the oldest and most experienced. Its "Ultimate Alps Tour" in July sounds like just the ticket, and at $4,000-$6,000 depending on the bike you rent and the accommodation you want, it's not crazy out-of-line-expensive for a 10-day vacation of a lifetime. The riding on this particular tour is rated "tough" by Edelweiss (it also has easy, intermediate, and off-road categories). I did a few of the mountains roads and passes mentioned on this tour and I would agree that some aren't for beginners. But it has dozens of tours around the world, so you could certainly find something that appeals.

www.edelweissbike.com

More videos from Wheels.ca and our partners