Moto Gears
HELMET - Shoei Hornet X2
I have tried and worn many helmets since I began riding. The details on a quality helmet that cost over 500 dollars versus one that is 100 dollars is very apparent. While it is debatable and subjective whether the many creature comforts are necessary to one's need, I find that for me it is important enough. I got a grey helmet, it wasn't the color I would have liked, but it was on liquidation, and I was able to pick up for nearly half the retail. I have been wearing this helmet for one whole year/season, and since I have many other Shoei helmets, I have to say, the shell shape of Shoei is the most comfortable for me. The helmet is a bit on the heavy side, and the air flow cant compete with shield less helmet, but on long duration trips/rides the quietness of the helmet beats noisy/ windy helmets.
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM- Sena SMH10
I've been using the SMH10 since its introduction. With its bluetooth connection to my phone, rider to rider communication, and able to sync to my Zumo 550, it does make the riding experience much more enjoyable than not having it. I was one of the very first adopters, back when they were selling the units for 100 dollars. I turn all my riding buddies to SENA, and my riding buddies all made fun of me saying "SENA should be paying you", cause I must have help them sell 2 dozen units. I always have 2 sets of SMH10, one will always be charging and the other I will be wearing. I've been using this system for a long time now, and it has proven to be very reliable. However, this is my second and third unit, the first one died after 50,000 miles and 4 years of abuse. It was partially my fault, as it shorted out, after I plugged it in to charge after a rainy ride, not noticing that there as water in the charge port. My second unit currently is kind of buggy, as I have dropped it a few times. I suppose when it dies, I will upgrade to the current generation replacement.
JACKET and PANTS - Olympia Troy Jacket and Olympia Moto X2 Pants
I settle on Olympia Moto X2 a while back. It had everything I needed, mega vents that I can open when its hot, and liner and rain coat that can be worn outside. When I first started riding, I thought the rain liner and thermal liner I had Rev'it Gear 2 was ingenious, until I actually started using it. When you hop off your bike and want to throw on a layer on the side of the road, no one is going to stand there and strip down to put the liner in, okay maybe someone will, but not me. The idea that the rain liner can go outside of the jacket is a much more real world solution. The one thing that bugged me about the Moto X2 jacket was that it had the hydration pack on the back. The hydration pack attached to the jacket is always not very good. The quality is usually sub-par compare to stand alone hydration bags, and when fully filled it is uncomfortable cause its pulling on the jacket. So when they came out with the Troy jacket, which is essentially the same with slightly thinner abrasion material, and without the hydration pack, I was sold. The lighter material turns out to be a positive surprise, as it doesn't feel so bulky.
BOOTS - Forma Adventure Tall and Superfeet Orange Insole
I have been wearing the Forma Adventure boots for 3 years now. It has a much wider toe box in the front, and my wide feet doesn't feel cramped and uncomfortable as it would in a Sidi. While it does provide less protection compare to a true motocross or a heavier duty adventure boots, the comfort level and my level of riding, I find the protection more than sufficient. My first pair started leaking after a year and 2 month. I called Forma and they said that the warranty is only for one year, and ask me to send my boots in. They replaced my boots at no cost after 2 weeks. I am pretty sold on their customer service. Inside the boot I'm using Superfeet orange insole, this have been tried and true for me over 3 years of use, even before I started off-road I had them in my street boots.
GLOVES - Rev'it Sand Pro and BMW Atlantis Gore-Tex
After years of wearing leather, I still got my love for leather, when you are traveling in hot and sweltering heat, taking a leather glove on and off is a total drag. So I started shopping for textile gloves. One day when I was in Cycle Gear, I saw that the Rev'it Sand Pro was on sale, but they did not have my size. After some shipping mishaps, they finally got me the glove. It has surprisingly a lot of padding and for the price point I don't think it can be beat. It is also super comfortable, most comfortable glove I have ever worn, since the stitching are on the outside. For my Winter/ Waterproof glove, I have my 6 year old BMW Atlantis Gore-Tex glove. Again one of the most comfortable glove I have ever worn, but unfortunately, the liner inside has separated from the outside. I'm also wondering if it still is waterproof. I am not 100% sure I'm staying with this glove.
HEATED GEAR - - Aerostitch Kanetsu Heated Vest
The Aerostitch Kanetsu vest is pretty simple, one button, no temperature adjustment, but also no controller to break. I got this as one of my first piece of gear, and it was one of the most satisfactory purchase I have made. Although I have to admit, I hate riding in the cold, and this vest have seen less than 20 hours of use, but it has worked perfectly every time.
BACKPACK - Kriega R20
I needed more storage compare to my Ogio 3L hydration pack. So instead of just buying a backpack, I got a motorcycle specific one. I was pretty sold from my Kreiga tool roll quality that I pull the bullet and got this bag. There seem to be alot of attention to detail and high quality material. But only time will tell. I like to use this for my hiking back pack on the trip as well as my everyday bag.
WARM BASELAYER - Rev It Glacier Shirt & Rev it Glacier Pants
I fight bought these two years ago to try to extend my riding season. I think it works well, I just dont like to ride in the cold, so I rarely ever use it. I actually used this a few times snowboarding as well, and it worked out really well as well.
COOLING BASELAYER - Dainese Dynamic Cool Shirt & Fox Racing Cut Off T
I had quite a few compression cooling shirts and non of them fit as well as the Dainese cool shirt I had. Only the Dainese shirt, have a loose fitting bottom, all the other ones that are full wrap tend to hike up when you bend over and move. It is the same design as Under Armor shirts, which I find to be the most annoying issue I have with compression shirts. Other compression shirts I had, had really tight collars, which feels like I'm being choked. The fox racing cut off T, is really just a glorify cut off t shirt with synthetic material, it is not nearly as technical as the Dainese shirt.
RAINSUIT - BMW Pro Rain
I first started with a two piece suit from Nelson Rigg, and whenever I ridden in the rain, my crouch is completely soaked. Eventually the water would run down your pants the longer you are in the downpour. I switched to an one piece suit and at first it was a bit of a hassle to put on, eventually it did not take much time at all. It has always kept me dry. Even though the Olympia jacket and pants comes with all the rain piece and are high quality, I still have doubt it'll keep me dry riding in the rain.
NECK WARMER - Rukka Gore Windstopper
Bought for the trip, for nasty bugs in Canada and winter riding. Tried it twice, and it have worked out well so far.