Three Great Motorcycle Accessory Shops in the DFW Area

A new motorcycle, so they say, is simply a down payment on accessories.

While the new motorcycle market's aggressive competition and constant buy-outs, mergers, bankruptcies, and new entrants keep prices reasonable on that new arrangement of wheels, motor, and gear box, the after market accessory suppliers still enjoy charging premiums for the saddle bags, touring trunks, wind screens, crash bars and other goodies that round out the functionality and comfort of a big two wheeler.

Fortunately there are still a few motorcycle accessory stores that offer quality merchandise at reasonable prices. In the Dallas area there are three that top the list for affordability, quality, and variety.

Moto Liberty

A consistent winner in Ride Texas magazine's annual favorite store polls, Moto Liberty has a location in Dallas at 11441 N. Stemmons Fwy, Suite 201.

This little store at the top floor of an ancient strip mall is so jam packed with merchandise you can't walk down the aisles without your shoulders brushing the articles on the racks and shelves. Mostly textiles, helmets, and gloves, Moto Liberty also carries a modest selection of soft bags, tools, and gadgets like Cardo communication sets.

Riding jackets with built in CE armor and leather from classic biker jackets to full racing sets are abundant and competitively priced on the garment racks. Moto Liberty also has a full wall dedicated to one of the best selections of riding gloves you will find anywhere and a full aisle of riding boots and footwear.

The entire store is dedicated to merchandise for serious riders...no Harley Davidson doggy t-shirts or coffee mugs here.

Beyond the brick and mortar, Moto Liberty also has an eCommerce site at http://www.motoliberty.com with an even larger range of motorcycle related products. You can also find directions to their San Antonio location at the site.

Cycle Gear

Cycle Gear is a national chain which carries much the same types of products as Moto Liberty, although some of the product is cheaper (in which cases the quality is slightly less than stellar as well). Cycle Gear is the Wal Mart of motorcycle accessories, with all the most common brands displayed on it's shelves and racks.

Cycle Gear has a massive selection of quality helmets from top manufacturers like Shoei, Arai, and the less expensive HJC.With three DFW locations at 1424-B Airport Freeway in Bedford, 2301 N. Central Expwy, Space 182 in Plano, and 3032 Alta Mere Drive in Fort Worth there's always a Cycle Gear withn a short ride from and DFW metroplex neighborhood.

Like any other large chain, Cycle Gear has an eCommerce site boasting even wider selections of all it's retailer offerings at http://www.cyclegear.com.

Bates Discount Cycle No. 2

We have no idea where Bates Discount Cycle No. 1 is or was, but we love browsing the bargain priced items at the cave-like Bates Discount Motorcycle Parts 2 in an old dilapidated building at 14007 North Stemmons Freeway in Dallas.

When one enters Bates, it's easy to get distracted by the massive array of merchandise packed into the building and miss the gems hanging in the rafters. Old frames, a few full bikes, and various other motorcycle related items dangle there like a suspended room from a transportation museum.

Back on the floor, the selection of racing fluids, tires, leathers, helmets, soft luggage, and gadgets is excellent, with budgetary selections for many items ranging from dirt cheap to moderatly expensive depending on how much quality you can afford.

Bates 2 also has tire mounting services at excellent rates if you're willing to pull and reattach the wheel yourself.They have a splash site at http://www.bates2.net but unfortunately no specific product catalog or online buying capability.