KRATZMC

Well after my last two rides, I suffered some casualties in the way of worn out gear.  So I just ordered replacements.  Since I believe in ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) and with the miles I ride, I tend to go through gear much faster than the average rider.  I will talk about the gear gone by and offer some opinions as to how they performed.

When looking for gear I usually go to all the local dealers to look at the latest models and try them on for fit and sizing.  Then I look for the cheapest price and order online.  In the case of the Phoenix jacket, Georgetown Honda had them on sale, so the rack price was what I paid for my original Phoenix in 2001, $104.

The main zipper to my Joe Rocket “Phoenix” mesh jacket finally broke.  I bought this jacket the first year they came out with the Phoenix line around 2001 and it has served me well.  In hot weather I always ride with my skin protected from the sun’s rays, so having a perforated jacket actually keeps me cooler and still allows the evaporative cooling process to take place.  I give this jacket high ratings.  I opt for the lighter colors, which do not absorb the sun’s heat so readily.  Lighter colors also make you more visible and are about 10 to 15 degrees cooler to the touch when left out in the sun.  Below you can see the first model Phoenix which I am wearing, compared to the newer model.

Above is the older Phoenix jacket on its last trip this August near Death Valley. The pants I am wearing are mesh made by Olympia Motorcycle Gear. Either the Olympia and Joe Rocket Phoenix pants are good quality options in mesh pants. I replaced the Phoenix pants with the Olympia after the crotch wore out, after 4 years.

Note: The new model Phoenix Jacket up above is more stylish, they added black fabric which collects heat in the hot desert sun which is retarded.  Seems like everything made for motorcycling has to be black, which has no place in in the hot sun.  “I ride because I love to ride. I don’t ride to be loved. “  Which means form and function takes place over fashion sense.

My helmet, the White Nolan N-Com is over a year old but has seen its better days.  The first day I wore the N-Com the vent covers on the jaw piece of the helmet popped off.  The sun visor of the N-Com is also located on the outside which collects bugs when not in use, so when you want it, you end up looking at the bowels of all the bugs you killed.  I preferred the inside mounted flip down sun shields like my Schuberth Helmet which is similar to modern Pilots Helmets.   The N-Com proved it’s ability to handle heavy rain for hours on end and it easily accommodates head phones and commo gear.  The Nolan is an adequate helmet but I couldn’t wait to replace it.

The Schuberth Helmets are my favorite but are hard to get except in Germany and Europe. You can still find some in the U.S. but the tend to all be in the small or non-typical sizes.

The Schuberth C2 left, the best helmet made if you can get them.  The Nolan on the right.  Nolan stopped short of making a good helmet so they lost me as a customer.  The two vent tabs on the front of the jaw are what fell out on my first ride with the Nolan.

The Scorpion EXO-900.

I bought the Scorpion “Transformer” EXO-900 Helmet.  A versatile helmet, in has an inside mounted sun shield.  Starting at $269, it is also a good value.  It has an air pump so you can adjust the comfort level of the interior padding.  It is also a very quite helmet, reducing air noise significantly and is less noisy than the Nolan.  My views will surface as I use the helmet more but I like it much better than the Nolan. The Scorpion is also Commo gear friendly and is set up for easy installation.  The Scorpion performed well in severe weather  but most folks don’t ride in the weather I do. Some water got on the inside surface of the face shield during one storm, which was irritating because I couldn’t wipe it off. The Scorpion also has an adjustable air bladder, so you can custom fit the helmet to fit your head. The ventilation is excellent and is this Helmet is now my preferred choice.

My gloves, the Elk Skin “Ropers” from Aerostich can’t be beat for hot weather gloves, they are supple and their light color does not absorb the suns heat.  For some reason, gear manufacturers do not make desert compatible or color appropriate clothing for hot weather, making all gloves black which means HEAT!  The Ropers are not insulated and offer marginal crash protection but do offer comfort.  They have a built in rain squeegee to wipe off your face shield and will transfer dye to your hands when wet.  Although these gloves don’t offer knuckle protection, I love em. This was a no brainer, order more of the same for $39!

The Roper from Aerostich.

My AlpineStar boots just wore out on the gear shift protection pad.  It can be repaired for a few bucks by a local cobbler but I wanted a good hot weather boot.  I chose the Sidi Champion Air Boot.  Hard to find, I finally found a pair on EBay.  I like the quality of Sidi Boots but they are pricey.  The jury is out until I have a chance to wear them and test them out.

The Sidi Champion Air Boot, $185 USD.

The bottom line for me when it comes to riding gear is needs to be functional.  I’m not riding around to be popular or win a fashion contest.  I want to be comfortable but at the same time well protected from the elements and the road.  Through my experience I have also learned that quality is important.  When you skimp on something as important as motorcycle gear, there can be a price to pay later either through frustration or injury.

Although I had to shell out a few bucks for new summer gear for now, it should last be another 5-8 years and help me enjoy more good times on the road.  If you have any question, just drop me a line.

“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves.”…André Gide

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