The 2024 Union Garage Gift Guide
We’ve compiled our annual list of holiday gift ideas, from the easy-and-obvious (gift cards!) to the nerdy and practical, like the latest variable filter ear plugs, fast-charging vibration-dampened phone mounts, and bespoke motorcycle tie down straps.
We’ve got lots in between: maps, mugs, coffee to go in said mugs, books, boots...all ripe for the picking.
Skip it.
If you're buying a gift for a motorcycle-loving loved one, odd are you're going to mess it up. Between sizing and style considerations, there are many ways to go wrong. The easy and instantaneous way to cross something off a holiday gift list: A Union Garage gift card. Starting as low as $25, these gift cards can be delivered via email and/or easily be printed out and slipped into a card. Or just forward the email. Holiday shopping: Done.
Some might consider gift cards impersonal. And if you get them an Amazon gift card, it will be. A UG gift card is not cop out, but a thoughtful blank check. Thank you, and you're welcome!
Stuff it.
Sea to Summit stuff sacks; available in three colors and 3 different sizes, these rugged easy-to-pack drybags offer compartmentalized, fully waterproof storage, and are a fantastic piece of kit for motorcycle touring. They're also rugged enough to be strapped directly to the back of a bike, or stowed inside larger panniers.
Follow it.
The Beeline Moto II is a brilliant device for any motorcyclist. Any GPS device, or app, can tell you how to get from Point A to Point B. But only the beeline has the satisfying interface, and the algorithm to deliver windy roads that are perfect for motorcycles, and that Google Maps wouldn’t dare put you on.
Beeline eliminates the need to have your phone lit up constantly for directions. Instead once you’re route is set, you can follow the discreet, yet eerily intuitive screen to navigate turn by turn.
The Beeline software has an option of selecting the most direct route, or “the fun one.” You can set basic details like how long you want to ride for, and plug in a destination, or select Loop Mode, and the algorithm does the rest. Beeline will lead you to windy roads you otherwise would have overlooked. It’s a great companion for exploring new areas, or even for a fresh perspective on roads in your own back yard.
Fix it.
The 36-piece Proxxon 1/4" drive kit is an incredibly handy set for anyone who appreciates quality tools. Each tool in this kit is well thought out, made in Germany, and ready for anything from random household tasks to specific motorcycle maintenance. The sturdy steel case will last for a lifetime of use. And it's easy to gift wrap and would be a joy to open!
Charge It. (1 of 3)
First up: the accessory a lot of riders have been waiting for: wireless charging for Peak Design phone mounts. With the recent addition of QI2 fast-charging (up to 15W), Peak has not only caught up to their competition, but surpassed them, making the reigning champ of motorcycle phone mounts all that much better.
Charge It (2 of 3)
An essential for any motorcycle owner. If you don’t already own a Battery Tender, get one. It’ll keep your bike primed and ready for use even after prolonged cold-weather storage. Even a couple days of freezing temps can be enough to tax an old battery. Keeping it on a tender will prolong battery life and make cold starts easier.
This Battery Tender Jr Selectable model works with both Lithium Ion and conventional batteries, and comes with everything you need to maintain your bike’s battery health during the off season, including an SAE plug-type “pigtail” that ties in directly to you battery and offers and easy lead to plug in your charger once parked—or run on-the-fly accessories.
Charge It (3 of 3)
Last, and related to #1 and #2, an SAE-to-USB adapter helps pull power from your motorcycle to keep your devices charged on the go. You’ll want one with USB-C if you’re planning to use a fast-charger Peak Design mount. These widgets also come with a built-in volt meter to monitor battery health while you’re at it.
Study it.
The promise of Total Control is simple and substantial: “to significantly improve your ability to control any motorcycle.” Based on the proven techniques of expert coach Lee Parks' critically acclaimed Advanced Riding Clinics, reading this book cover-to-cover will no doubt improve your skill (and safety) on a motorcycle. Or put it this way: as a gift, this book is guaranteed to make the reader a better rider. EG: Less likely to crash and die.
Read it.
It’s been a few years since Elspeth came to the old shop and regaled a packed audience with the first-hand account of her incredible journey around the world on a 1970s air cooled BMW, but she sure did leave an impression. 
You can catch a grainy archive Facebook video of the talk on Union Street, but it’s really no match for the book, which in poignant and surprisingly personal detail spells out an epic around-the-world journey that will leave any reader properly gobsmacked. For a mere $25, Lone Rider presents an absurd value.
There’s also a highly reccomended follow-up publication available exclusively through Elspeth directly—her self-published photo book called “Lone Rider - The Photographs,” which serves as a great complement to this memoir. If you’d like to check out a copy we’ve got one on the coffee table at the shop.
Roll it.
The RSD X Kriega Tool Roll is one of the best examples of the breed we've seen to date. It comes with several zippered pouches, a socket-rail for 3/8" sockets, and mounting points for more socket rails, in different sizes, if needed. It rolls up and can be chucked into the bottom of a pannier, or strapped to a rack or sissy bar. Available in black or tan waxed canvas finish with Hypalon and Cordura construction making for a bomb-proof build.
Brew it.
Having a cortado (or espresso, or Americano, or iced coffee in the summer) at the showroom is a hallmark of the Union Garage showroom experience. And now you can enjoy that same high-quality coffee at home. We’ve always proudly served Stumptown’s medium-road Hair Blender blend, which we've now got packaged in 12-oz bag ready to go.
Kick it.
Why buy summer shoes on the eve of winter? Because the REVIT arrow riding shoes are the most comfortable all-day motorcycle shoes we’ve seen in a decade of hunting. And they’re no slouch in the protection department either. 
The solidly built Arrow shoes from REVIT leave little to be desired with reinforced toe caps and heel cups, and sturdy ankle protection built into the inside and outside of each ankle.
Strap it.
There are a hundred different options when it comes to tie-down straps. Skip the flimsy orange Home Depot version, especially when it comes to transporting something as precious as your motorcycle.
These motorcycle-specific tie-down straps from Lee Parks Design have been verified after years of use hauling everything from dirt bikes to Vermont in the summer to retail fixtures across state lines, in the snow.
They're ridiculously overbuilt, and simply the best. Sold in pairs; made in USA. Available in a ratchet version, or a simple cam-buckle system. Both have built-in soft-ties for protecting your bike while holding it securely.
Upgrade it.
One of our most popular upgrade items this season, again, has been the magically thin and flexible Level 2 D3O Ghost armor. Available in two profiles, Elbow/Knee, and Hip/Shoulder, this stuff slips into most standard armor pockets and instantly upgrades your level of protection while simultaneously, and sort of uncannily, saving space, thanks to a super thin and flexible design.
We also now offer a modified L2 D3O knee protector set with sewn-in industrial Velcro to make it compatible with any of our best-selling John Doe Riding Jeans.
*Note: We also have the new Ghost back protector in stock, but we're not crazy about it, and recommend the standard D30 Viper instead.
Mark it.
We don't make or even sell wall calendars, but the team over at Nova Motorcycles (right ova the border in Massachusetts) have produced a hum-dinger again this year. We've got ours handing in the shop, and they've got stock for sale while supplies last. LINK.
Wipe it.
The Netherlands-based Pinlock is one of the smartest motorcycle brands out there. Years ago it patented a foolproof storm-window namesake "Pinlock" insert that can fit inside any standard motorcycle visor, and it licenses it to every high-quality helmet company in the business. This comes stock with most of our Shoei and Arai helmets.
“I Have One Word for You: Plastics!”
This cagey Dutch firm has also developed its own Pinlock brand visor wipes, for keeping your shield and said Pinlock delicate inserts clean and smudge free. The secret is a two-part process, with a wet wipe to break up and clean away debris, and dry cloth to buff it out. Using a paper towel, by contrast, risks scratching and hazing the soft plastic pinlock insert and exterior shield. Take care of your equipment, and it'll take care of you.
Bungee it.
There are two types of motorcyclist—those who've discovered the awesome power of the humble cargo net, and have one (or more, can you ever have enough?) kicking around the garage. And there are those who aren't yet on the program; for whom this is an easy gift, or add-on.
Store one at the bottom of a saddlebag or tank bag, or just web it across your back seat, ready and waiting to tote a spare helmet, that extra layer you plan to shed when the day warms up, or just grab groceries or a 6-pack. These universal bungee cargo nets turn any pillion seat into cargo-capable real estate.
Layer it.
These armored Bowtex Kevlar leggings are a versatile utility piece to help riders stay safe on long road trips or short commutes. Simply put, they supercharge any normal pair of pants to CE Level AA+ levels of protection.
Slide these form-fit armored leggings under a pair of standard denim jeans, slacks, even a tuxedo—and voila: instant protection upgrade.
Note; while these are AA rated (one notch lower than the Bowtex Elite AAA product), we still think they're a valid option for the money, and like them because of the thermal value offered by the Kevlar.
Map it.
We love the tactile old-school feel of of a quality map, and when it comes to motorcycle maps, the only name in the game is Butler.
These are no generic AAA trip-planners, they’re made for motorcyclists, by motorcyclists, and they specifically call out the Gold Standard (G1) best roads for two wheels, as well as off-road routes.
We’ve got the whole dual-sport BDR on-/off-road series, as well as Butler’s G1 road map series covering the entire USA. Each map comes with a waterproof coating and is made from tear-proof material — ready for service at the campground picnic table or life at the bottom of a tank bag.
Plug em.
Do you have a friend or loved one who doesn't listen to you? If they ride without proper ear plugs, that's not going to get any better.
Enhance the riding experience with Earpeace Moto ear plugs, precision engineered to reduce wind noise without interfering with bluetooth com systems, or the fit of your helmet. Each kit includes two different sized plugs to get the perfect fit, plus three sets of interchangeable filters (17dB, 20dB, and 26dB) for customizable noise reduction. And in a very thoughtful nod, Earpeace includes an extra plug per size (and 3/each of the variable filters), so that when (not if) you lose one of these, you'll have a spare in the chamber
High Five.
We’ve carried Lee Parks Deerskin Gloves since Day One, and for the last couple of years we’ve co-produced a special Union Garage D3 Moto version that blends LPD’s renowned quality and craftsmanship with our own spec D3O knuckle armor.
These gloves come complete with touch-tips at the thumbs and index fingers, ready for use with your smart phone on the fly.
// Shop Swag
Our best selling swag is in stock and ready to ship. Support your local motorcycle shop and look good doing it. Win-win.
Order anything from our store, and we’ll include a thank-you note on your receipt and a complimentarily sticker. But the only way to get the whole stack of stickers is to plunk a 6-pack sticker pack in your cart. Six matte-finish vinyl stickers, guaranteed to class up any pannier, helmet, toolbox, or urinal.
Shop online, or come by the store—December 21/22 marks the last full weekend at the showroom until next spring. But we'll be here mid-weed, Saturdays, and by appointment.
Even when the showroom is closed we ship orders as fast as they come in.
For the time-sensitive holiday shopping season, any UPS or USPS rate usually equates to next-day shipping within the tri-state area, and we’re happy to ship globally, too.