Holiday gifts for motorcyclists

You're looking for a gift for a motorcycling buddy--your husband, wife, brother, sister, grandmother . . . whatever. But you need ideas. OK, you've come to the right place.

Of course, not all bikers are created equal. Some have been riding for decades and already have most of what they need. Others are just getting started and need everything. And then there's the big middle.

Plus, different riding preferences require different gear. Someone who parks the bike for the winter doesn't really have a use for the things someone who rides year round needs.

I'm going to break this down into categories so as to make it easy for you. But just because one gift suggestion ends up in one category, that doesn't mean it wouldn't be appropriate for someone in a different category. That's up to you to determine. I can't do all the work for you.

Beginning riders

Probably the easiest group to shop for is the beginning rider, because in most cases this person is going to need just about everything, maybe even the motorcycle. If you're looking to actually get the person a bike that's a whole other discussion that we don't have space for here. So we'll assume they do have one. What else do they need?

Training--If this person is a new rider the absolute best and first thing they need is training. There are training organizations in every state that use the Motorcycle Safety Foundation training procedures and your rider needs to sign up. The course fee varies by state but figure around $200.

Generally they'll want the Beginning Rider Course. This is where they'll learn to actually operate the machine and ride safely. Small bikes are provided so the rider can get the feel for shifting, braking, turning, and all that--even dumping the bike, sometimes--with no worry. It's all done on a closed course so they don't have to be concerned with traffic.

One added bonus, in many states, is that successful passage of a rider training course earns you your motorcycle validation on your driver's license.

AMA membership--For $39 a year your motorcyclist will get a lot from a membership in the American Motorcyclist Association(http://www.ama-cycle.org/) (AMA). They'll be part of the largest organization in the country that works for the benefit of motorcyclists and through American Motorcyclist, the group's publication, they'll keep current on what's going on across the country, both in the way of events and political issues.

Plus, if membership is handled online with a credit card and an OK to having membership renewed each year automatically, via the card, they will get . . .

Roadside assistance--Roadside assistance can be invaluable. If you join AMA and sign up for automatic renewal, as per above, you get roadside assistance free. No extra charge at all. Particularly if someone is riding an older bike, which may have a propensity for break-down, the idea of free assistance vs. paying $70 or more for each call is a total no-brainer.

Gear--With no steel cage supplied with seat belts and air bags, in the event a motorcyclist crashes, the only protection is what they're wearing. Whatever your biker doesn't have, buy them. That includes at minimum helmet, gloves, boots, leather or textile jacket, and chaps. Also a good rain suit, with emphasis on "good."

We'll go into details on these elements of gear next time.