“Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door,” goes the classic axiom about the power of innovation. Change “mousetrap” to “motorcycle tire changer,” and you have a fitting slogan for Rabaconda. Whether you ride a touring, cruiser, sport, or ADV bike, it makes swapping tires or properly patching a flat so easy you should be prepared to make some new friends.
The keys to the Rabaconda Street Bike Tire Changer’s effectiveness are numerous, but chief among them are its smart design features. It provides a sturdy stand for the wheel and tire well above ground level that allows you to break the bead and spin the wheel easily. Instead of struggling with tire irons that can mar rims and pinch tubes to pry the tire off, the Street changer’s non‑scratch duck head ratchet system slides around the tire bead and rim like a powered pneumatic tire changer, smoothly lifting the tire off or pushing it onto the wheel. Unlike other “portable” changers that need to be mounted to a platform or trailer hitch, the Street Bike Changer stands solidly on its own and breaks down and packs into a roomy 29x11x10‑inch reinforced bag, which weighs 37 lb loaded with everything.
The Street changer sets up in seconds. The main components are a steel four‑piece main stand assembly, bead breaker handle, and duck head ratchet system. The basic kit also includes both 15mm and 20mm steel center spindles (axles) that fit most wheels with 15‑32mm hubs, a pair of drop center tools, a 16‑inch tire iron with protective cover, wheel stopper post and strap, magnetic wheel supports with separate riser brackets (for wider hubs), and a nice wire‑bound, full‑color instruction manual.
For a few bucks more, the Ultimate kit that Rabaconda sent us adds a special duck head for cross‑spoke tubeless wheels (which have spoke heads on the outside rim edge), universal big hub and BMW shaft‑drive hub adapters for 33‑68mm hubs, bead grease, and a brush. Everything conveniently fits in the travel bag. I highly recommend adding the grease and brush ($25), even if you don’t need the rest of the Ultimate accessories – the extra slick, non‑toxic, and biodegradable bead grease makes installing a stiff tire much easier and safer.
The Street Bike Changer handles cast or spoked wheel sizes from 12 to 21 inches and wheels from both double- and single‑sided swingarms (with an adapter). It also works with tube‑type and tubeless tires (up to 250mm wide) with or without rim locks.
I recommend watching a Rabaconda video or two online that applies to your particular wheel/tire combo, as the dismounting/mounting process is easy but can get detailed if you have TPMS sensors, rim locks, inner tubes, etc.
In addition to the Street Bike Tire Changer, Rabaconda offers its famous Dirt Bike Tire Changer, Mini Tire Changer, and a nice wheel balancer, as well as tons of useful accessories. At $739 for the base Street Bike Tire Changer kit and $868 for the Ultimate package, this Rabaconda changer sounds expensive at first. However, with the addition of free shipping in the U.S. and Canada, a lifetime warranty, and six‑month money‑back guarantee, considering what you have to pay at a shop or dealer for a tire change, it will pay for itself pretty quickly.
— Mark Tuttle
FOR MORE INFORMATION: see your dealer or visit us.rabaconda.com
In some states, my 2004 Harley‑Davidson Heritage Softail Classic is just around the corner from being designated as “historical” or “vintage.” While my bike is still in great shape, the original saddlebags didn’t make it for the full ride. The Viking Lamellar Stallion Leather Covered Motorcycle Hard Saddlebags offered the function I was seeking – and gave my Softail a new look to boot.
Capacity was my biggest concern when I was searching for new bags. My wife is my regular pillion companion, and when you’re two‑up, having a place for your “stuff,” as comedian George Carlin put it, is important. Even if I’m out solo, riding where I live in Utah means lots of elevation change, so it’s nice to have enough room to store a heavier jacket when I don’t need it.
At $424.99 for the pair, the Viking Lamellar Stallion Extra Large saddlebags are reasonably priced. They’re also capacious. The Viking bags provide 44 liters of capacity, which surpasses the 34 liters of my stock bags and, for comparison, is just shy of the 1.6 cubic feet (or 45.3 liters) of the saddlebags on the 2026 Heritage Classic.
From a form standpoint, the Viking bags are cooler. The 2026 OEM bags are too boxy for my taste, but the Vikings complement the classic swoop of the rear fender. They enhance rather than detract from the lines of my Heritage Classic.
Other features of the Viking Lamellar Stallion bags include key locking (a major plus), a tighter weather seal than previous Lamellar bags, an interior pocket organizer and foam liner to keep loose items from rattling, reflective side markers, and a keyless quick latch. I get nervous about those types of opening systems, as they can be one more mechanism to fail prematurely, but the Viking quick latch feels sturdy and well‑constructed.
My only concern is that the bags are “leather‑covered,” and based on what I saw when I drilled through them for installation, the covering is not thick. I may add a leather patch to protect the leading sides from stray rock damage.
Viking rates installation as “medium” difficulty, but I found the process to be straightforward. The bags come with additional hardware for turnsignal relocation or if you want a 3‑degree outward tilt, neither of which I needed. I was able to unbox and install the bags in under an hour. You have to be able to hold up the bags where you want them and then mark where you’re going to drill the holes for the mounting brackets. A second person is helpful here. (Pro tip: Put short bolts into the fender mounting holes and push the back side of the bag against the bolts to get an indentation mark on the leather.)
Once installed, I was able to enjoy newer, larger, more stylish, and more versatile saddlebags on my soon‑to‑be classic Heritage Softail Classic. With the Viking Lamellar Stallion Extra Large Leather Covered Motorcycle Hard Saddlebags (whew, say that three times fast!) installed, my Harley gets both a cosmetic upgrade and a functional one. The bags are also available painted with a gloss black finish for $458.99 or with a matte black finish for $467.49.
— Paul Dail
FOR MORE INFORMATION: see your dealer or visit vikingbags.com
Finding women’s riding gear that balances protection, comfort, and everyday style can be a challenge, but the Wind & Throttle Lara Cargo Pants make a strong case for becoming a staple in the riding wardrobe.
At first glance, the Lara Cargo Pants don’t look like traditional motorcycle pants. Their modern cargo styling and slim fit blend in off the bike, making them easy to wear to lunch, around town, or while exploring a destination after a ride. Plus, multiple cargo and zippered pockets provide practical storage.
The biggest surprise came the moment I picked them up. These pants are substantially heavier than they appear. The weight comes from a three‑layer construction that includes an outer layer for style, middle kevlar layer for protection, and inner mesh layer for comfort.
They also carry a CE Certified A rating, with CE level 2 armor in the knees and hips. The knee armor pockets are adjustable so you can get just the right fit. Rather than feeling like casual pants with armor added as an afterthought, the Lara Cargo Pants feel purpose‑built for riding.
That robust construction comes with a tradeoff. Here in Tennessee the summers get quite hot and humid. On hotter days, the heavier construction retains heat more than lightweight mesh or single‑layer riding jeans. Ventilation is limited, and during high temperatures I found myself wishing for a little more airflow. These aren’t the pants I’ll reach for on a humid, 95‑degree afternoon.
Where they really shine is in cool weather. As temperatures begin to drop in the fall, the added weight becomes an advantage rather than a drawback. The layered construction helps block cool air, making the pants noticeably more comfortable on crisp mornings and longer shoulder‑season rides.
Comfort on the bike is excellent. The articulated fit allows for unrestricted movement, and the light stretch built into the fabric keeps the pants from feeling stiff despite their substantial construction. Off the bike, they maintain a flattering, casual appearance that doesn’t immediately advertise them as motorcycle gear.
The fit is a huge benefit to the Lara Cargo, as it’s designed for a curvy figure with wide hips. The sizing ranges from XXS to 5XL with lengths in petite, regular, and tall. It only took a few minutes with their size chart and a tape measure to determine the proper fit. The best part is that the waist has a double cinch on each side, allowing girls with bigger hips and a smaller waist to cinch the band into place. No more waistband gaps!
Overall, the Wind & Throttle Lara Cargo Pants prioritize protection and durability over hot‑weather ventilation. Riders looking for lightweight summer apparel may want to consider another option, but for spring, fall, and mild‑weather touring, these pants offer reassuring protection, practical storage, and everyday style in one well‑built package. They’re available for $285.
— Marisa McInturff
FOR MORE INFORMATION: see your dealer or visit WindAndThrottle.com