Gear Guide (Thursday, December 27)

As I have done in blogs for previous trips, I usually include some information about my riding gear I am using on the trip.  This is not intended to be a  full review of any of the riding gear; rather it is just a short list of the key items and why I chose each item.

As you will see below, I have a mixture of brands of gear.  When I purchase gear, I look for maximum versatility to limit as much as possible the number of pieces of gear required.  Also, much of the gear I have had for some time so it may not even be available for purchase any more.

I will start at the ground and work my way up. Let’s begin:

Boots: For this trip I purchased a pair of Alpinestars Belize boots from Revzilla. I wanted a boot that had more support and protection than my regular street riding boots.  I also wanted something that was waterproof and had a strong sole that would provide good traction either when maneuvering the bike or walking.  Comfort when walking was also a strong consideration when making a selection.  These boots have performed very well on this trip and I am very happy with this purchase.

Socks:  I purchased a couple of different type of Klim socks.  Some of the pairs are tall and almost reach my knees; others are shorter, just reaching the top of the boot.  Booth types of socks are very soft and comfortable.  They have moisture wicking capability to keep the feet dry and comfortable. Again, very happy with this purchase.

Riding Pants:  I am wearing my Aerostich Darien Light riding pants that I have had several years now.  I use the pants for daily commuting as well as travel.  I feel these pants provide the level of protection I want without too much bulk. They have long zippers on both legs to make getting them off and on easy even with the larger boots I am wearing.  They include hip and knee pads and are fully waterproof.

Riding Jacket:  I am wearing a Tour Master Flex Series 2 jacket that I have had for some time.  I chose this jacket for riding due to it's versatility.  It has three layers.  The outer layer is wind proof and water proof which has been nice on the trip to stay warm.  There are a couple of vents to open as the temperature rises and have been very effective.  The middle layer is a mesh jacket that can also be worn by itself if temperatures get too warm.  The inner most layer is a quilted liner.  I brought the liner along on the trip but it hasn’t been required yet.

Gloves: My choice here is the Held Air and Dry.  This is really 2 gloves in 1.  The palm of the glove  is made from kangaroo which provides very nice feel to the controls.  If you put your hand in the innermost layer of the glove, your hand is in the "air" section which includes perforated venting in palm and fingers which is nice in warmer weather.  If you put your hand in the "dry" section of the glove, it has a built-in liner that is waterproof and warmer.   On most days, I would start in the "dry" section of the glove for the extra warmth.  If temperatures got warm enough during the day, I would then switch to the "air" section.  I use the gloves for my regular commuting as well and find they work well down to around 40 degrees F and up to about 90 degrees F.  I did bring along 2 other pairs of gloves but did not need them.  One is rain glove and the other is a warmer glove.

Helmet: I have a Schuberth C3 Hi-Viz helmet.  I like modular helmets due to the easy off/on but yet provides the protection of a full-face helmet.  This helmet is the lightest and quietest modular helmet I have had.  I like the Hi-Viz and feel it does help make me more visible to other drivers.  The helmet has faded some over the time I have had it, but I still feel it helps me be more visible.

Communications: I have the Sena SMH10R Bluetooth communication system on my helmet.  When looking at options, I choose this particular unit due to its very thin profile.  I can have the unit attached to my helmet and it still fits in the side bag of the Yamaha FJR that I have at home.  For this trip, I have it paired with the Sena unit (not sure of the model) that Pradeep has.  Once we got pairing figured it, it has worked very well and enabled us to stay connected and share important information with each other.

Ear Plugs: I have a couple pairs of custom-made ear plugs from Fit Ear.  The custom plugs are made by injecting a liquid into your ear that then solidifies to form the custom ear plug.  I had then made at the Minneapolis motorcycle show a couple of years back.  They provide a very comfortable and effective fit.   Because the ear plugs fits well within the ear, I don't have any issues with them coming out of place when putting on or taking off my helmet.  The pair that I brought along is a low profile that I also use when traveling so I can sleep even if there are other noises in my environment.

I hope you found this helpful.  If you want more information about any of the items, there are many reviews available on-line to determine if these items are a good match for your needs.