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!).

The eCaddy™ FLEX has been named Number 12 on Motorcycle Product News Magazine’s 2011 Top Product Products: Best of the Web list. The rankings were determined by MPN’s Web site visitors, who voted with their clicks. The List appeared in MPN’s January issue.

The eCaddy™ FLEX was designed with today’s smart phones in mind, and offers the most versatile way to mount a phone (or iPod/MP3) on a motorcycle. The cornerstone of the eCaddy™ FLEX is the NEW Ultra-Swivel feature. Ultra-Swivel gives the rider unlimited positioning ability in not one but three ways (rotational, left-right/up-down and clockwise). It can be used with a simple phone holster or case with a belt clip; or paired with the Caddy Buddy to keep your phone (or MP3 player) waterproof.

All eCaddy™ FLEX parts are MADE IN THE USA. We even offer FREE demo videos, so you can see how easy our products are to use. For more details, check out the Motorcycle Phone Mounting Guide.

It occured to me that an extra note about the Apple iPod models might be in order with this blog series about getting music on your motorcycle.

The evolution of the iPod has resulted in different forms (models) over the years. Apple started with what became known as the iPod CLASSIC. This is the iconic iPod with the turn-wheel operation. Though I don’t think they are selling this unit any longer, they were very popular and hardy (based on the fact mine is over six years old and still working fine).

Apple progressed to the iPod Nano, which is a miniature version of the Classic. It is quite thin and not very wide. (There was also an iPod ”shuffle” in there somewhere but it was rather short-lived.)

The current “iteration” of the iPod is the iPod Touch, which is identifiable by the touch screen (hence the name, I surmise) that looks like today’s smart phone screens. The iPod Touch is also better able to support additional functions, like interactive games, video, etc.

When you consider mounting one of these iPod models on your motorcycle, it is important to know which model you have. Apple has an Identify iPod Model page that helps with this task. It’s actually a pretty helpful page, and we link to it from each of our iPod-specific motorcycle mounting kits.

Once you have this information, you can take a look at iPod-specific motorcycle mounts (and you always have the option of our waterproof MP3 mounts as well) and I’m sure you will find what you need!

Today’s post discusses various ways you can power your iPod or radio when mounted on your motorcycle.

 The first is obvious: running it from its own power. But have you ever wondered if your iPod/MP3 or satellite radio would run out of power just when you want it most? If you’ve been searching for a way to avoid this, read on!

Battery Harness (Wired)

This method ensures you’ll never lose power – but only as long as the motorcycle has power! The drawback is that – yes – you have to run wires. It’s actually not complicated (even I can do it and that’s saying a lot) if you use a simple battery harness kit.

The Powerlet battery harness kits we carry (which are the only ones I have experience with) have a plug on one end (more about that in a moment), 48 inches of wire (enough for ANY application), and the battery connectors (plus/minus or red/black) on the other end. These battery harness kits include a regulator built right into the wire, because you can’t have full volts coming from your battery unless you want to blow out your iPod or radio!

Now a note about the “plug” end. There are several common connectors. Most everyone is familiar with the cigarette socket connector. But if your satellite radio has a USB port, I much prefer the clean, streamlined look of the battery harness kits for USB. If you’re using an iPod, you should be aware that Apple has its OWN plug design (surprise, eh?) and I’d recommend purchasing a battery harness kit specific to Apple.

No-Wire Solar Power

There’s another option if you’re the type of person who hates wiring (like me) or you just don’t want those wires showing: The Ultra-SOL Solar Panel.

This kit includes a rugged mini solar panel that collects and stores power from the sun (or electrical outlet, vehicle or computer), then transfers it to electronic devices as needed. With our hardware, it can be mounted right on your handlebar, switch housing or reservoir, so you can position it close to your iPod or radio. It accommodates all standard electronic plug types.

If you don’t already have a mount for your iPod or radio (topic of the first blog post of this series), the Ultra-SOL kit can be purchased as a complete setup with most of the common iPod and radio configurations. All you have to do is assemble (and that doesn’t require any unusual tools!).

Nothing will put a damper on your music enjoyment like your iPod or satellite radio getting soaked and damaged by rain water.

There are ways to protect your music makers, and that’s the topic of today’s post.

iPod/MP3 mount: What could be easier than slipping your iPod Classic or iPod Touch into a small, waterproof pouch? (Alas, the Nano is so small it’s not cost effective to do the same.) That’s the idea behind the Caddy Buddy waterproof pouch. Once slipped in, the Velcro closure secures it in place. And the clear, waterproof cover lets you operate the iPod with no problem.

The Caddy Buddy is then clipped to the eCaddy Flex mount, which can attach to any round bar, switch housing (Harley, Goldwing) or reservoir (BMW).

(Note: In days gone by, you could find generic cases in stores like Best Buy, but I haven’t seen any recently (now it’s all gel-like coating covers). If you do happen to have one (like I do), check out the eCaddy Lite for an inexpensive way to mount your iPod.)

Satellite Radio: This is even simpler. You place the radio inside the Aqua Box and attach the Aqua Box to our eCaddy Deluxe. The Aqua Box comes in a size specific to today’s satellite radios so it’s not much bigger than the radio itself. Like all of our products, you can choose to mount on a round bar, switch housing (Harley, Goldwing) or reservoir (BMW).

To read more about mounting music on your motorcycle, check out the iPod/MP3 Motorcycle Mounting Guide and the Satellite Radio Motorcycle Mounting Guide.

In the last post, we discussed different ways to mount iPod/MP3 or satellite radio on a motorcycle. Today we’re going to cover how to make it sound good. In other words, how to get the sound OUT of the iPod or radio and to your ears!

I’m going to focus on the two most common wayts to ’broadcast’ your music.

Motorcycle Speakers

I think everyone knows how these work. Nowadays, you can find speakers that mount on round handlebars, reservoir/switch housing, or embed into fairings/dashes on larger cruisers. The speakers themselves are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can find systems for a couple hundred dollars up to over $1000.

Our recommendations: don’t go cheap or you’ll be disappointed in sound quality. Check the amp requirements and installation instructions. Make sure you can wire the speakers to your motorcycle battery.

The potential drawback: you might not have the room for it on YOUR model motorcycle, or you just don’t want to clutter up what room you do have. Which leads me to…

Helmet Headsets

Motorcycle helmet headsets look and function like a regular headset but are shaped and sized to fit inside a motorcycle helmet. Once installed, you run wires out and down to connect to your music source. Or you can get a Bluetooth-enabled system and go wireless. (I confess I’m not the one to ask about Bluetooth!)

The advantage to this method is that you aren’t cluttering up your dash area. It’s neat and tucked away inside your helmet. The potential drawback: getting it installed (if you’re technically challenged like I am) and/or troubleshooting could be frustrating and might necessitate additional money investment for installation.

Stay tuned as we continue our discussion about Music on your Motorcycle!

Many folks either GET or GIVE music devices for the holidays – iPod or other MP3 music player, or perhaps a Sirius or other satellite radio. Or maybe a new smartphone that also plays music.

If this is you, I’m sure you’re already enjoying those tunes in your car … but what about on your motorcycle?

For the next few posts I’m going to focus on ideas related to “Music on your Motorcycle.” Let’s start with “How to Mount”…

I could talk about different mounting options, but honestly, the Leader eCaddy mounting kits are far and away the nicest-looking (and highest-quality USA-made!) motorcycle mounts for music devices like iPod/MP3 and satellite radio. (You think I’m biased, but I’ve seen and tried many others!)

Why? Well, so glad you asked…

1. They’re not made of cheapie plastic molded somewhere like Taiwan or China. All base parts are machined aluminum, then either chrome plated or anodized a rich black – all by American craftspeople. They simply look amazing!

2. They are extremely easy to mount. We live by the KISS method, and our products do too. Keep it Simple, Stupid!

3. They are easy to remove when not in use – no special tools required. Simply remove the Ultra-Security screw and lift the device out of the base bracket.

4. Our parts are even interchangable. That’s important in the fast-changing world of electronics. When you change/upgrade to a new iPod or satellite radio, there’s a very good chance you won’t have to purchase a whole new mounting kit!

For more information, see our Mounting Guides and Demo Videos. Or click right to Motorcycle Satellite Radio Mounts or Motorcycle iPod/MP3 mounts.

If you dread the idea of having to wire your electronic device – but you worry you’ll lose power at an inopportune time – check out the Ultra-SOL mobile Solar Panel.

This solar panel (with mount) is just the right size for your handlebar or reservoir. It won’t interfere with riding - yet can be connected to the electronic devices (phone, GPS, radio or iPod) that you keep right at your fingertips. The Ultra-Swivel feature allows it to be moved as you travel (and as the sun traverses the sky).

The Ultra-SOL Solar Panel can be purchased by itself or ready to accommodate your electronic device (thanks to our patented eCaddy Ultra Dual Mount) – and is so flexible that you can change devices down the road with very little hassle or expense.

And right now, as a New Years special, you can SAVE 15% on the Ultra-SOL (that’s up to $45!) using the code SOL-2012. See all Mobile Solar Power Kits.

Did you receive a phone, music player/iPod, GPS or radio as a gift this season?

Want to mount it on your motorcycle?

We can show you how! We’ve created specific HOW TO guides that can get you pointed in the right direction in just minutes.

Each guide contains helpful hints on how to choose the best mount for YOU and your motorcycle style. It has examples of different mounting options. AND it links you right to installation videos so you can see how easy it is to mount these electronics with our motorcycle mounting kits.

Our eGuides cover:

• Mounting Phone on a Motorcycle
• Mounting GPS on a Motorcycle
• Mounting iPod/MP3 on a Motorcycle
• Mounting satellite radio on a Motorcycle

See a list of all Motorcycle Mounting Guides. We make it easy to see our products in action!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We know what it’s like after the holidays. You shot your wad and you have to finish paying for those gifts.

To help, we’re extending the $5 flat-rate shipping offer through the end of January. No matter how little (or how big) your order is, it’ll ship for 5 bucks.

So if there’s something on your biker wish list that you didn’t get this Christmas … now is the time! Simply click on the links at right (with the eyeballs) and go directly to what you’re looking for!