Transform Your Ride : Honda has been the sales leader in motorcycles globally for more than 50 years. Whereas smaller manufacturers may choose to focus on a specific type of bicycle, Honda’s catalog is both expansive and diverse. It produces everything from heavy cruisers and sport touring bikes to
kids’ dirt bikes and mini motorcycles such as the Grom. Is there a more successful car brand in history than Honda? It’s also remained at the cutting edge of motorcycle technology and engineering, providing features that simply don’t exist on bikes from other brands.
With that in mind, not every Honda motorcycle is factory-stock-fitted with every potential rider want. There is still all sorts of accessories available that can assist Honda riders give their bikes the finish touches that fit their needs and riding preference. Some of these accessories are actual first-party add-ons designed and sold by Honda itself, while others may only be found
through third-party manufacturers, stepping up to provide something to riders that they might not be able to find elsewhere. You can find hundreds, if not thousands, of these accessories out there, but there are a few must-haves that will improve the experience for any Honda motorcyclist.
There are a variety of different types of cargo bags available. Saddlebags, tank bags, and tail bags are all fairly easy to find for almost any type of bike, as long as there’s enough room and the motorcycle can bear the weight. Most cargo bags, though, attach to your bike using some systems of straps, which usually can be secured to your bike through buckles, Velcro or snaps;
some tank bags, on the other hand, secure to your bike in a magnetic fashion. Some busses also attached hardshell cases directly onto the frames of some models. And all of these systems also serve the dual function of helping you balance the weight of your cargo, so it won’t affect how you ride your bike. All of these offer up a great deal of storage for your bike, which makes getting
stuff home from those little jaunts to the store a lot easier. Honda does sell a few tank and tail bags, though there is a broader selection of parts available from third-party retailers. The Nelson Rigg Commuter Sport Tail Bag has a 4.8 on Amazon, and should be a simple addition for most bikes, though the company makes them in other sizes too. It extends upward for when you need
extra storage, is waterproof, has UV protection and molded EVA panels to help the bag keep its shape,” “Overall the Commuter Tail Bag is a well made, versatile, stylish at the same time of reasonably priced piece of luggage,” said Rider Magazine who reviewed the bag. “It’s also supported by a lifetime warranty.” Other riders only ride the summer and spring months when the sun
is shining and they can feel the warm breeze whistling on by. Some use their bikes for their daily commute, and would rather skip the car altogether, rain or shine. They don’t offer the same environmental protections as a car, but good cold-weather gear and accessories can take you a long way.
Motorcycle heated grips are an amazing accessory. Because you have to keep your hands on your handlebars, they miss out on the protection your windscreen gives to your head and body. A decent pair of fleece-lined winter gauntlets will help, but an additional heat source will do much to keep the feeling in your digits.
Honda even makes heated grips for its own motorcycles. Various third-party options exist, like the Koso AM111030 Apollo Heated Grips. If you’re going for a specific look or texture, you may find a greater variety of sizes and materials among these. But this is one of those times where it might make more sense skipping aftermarket and opting for an OEM part designed for the handlebars and ready to integrate with the electrical harness of the vehicle.