Motorcycle Mike
Well-known member
What do you guys use for riding gear on your tours?
I just returned from a 8000+km tour, and some of my gear needs replacing. I am also not overly happy with the performance of some of it.
Boots
For now I am just using original swat tactical boots with a zipper side and composite toes/plate.
I got something like this in case I rode to work as I need safety shoes at work, however I almost never ride to work so I guess I don't need that.
What I do need is something that is truly waterproof and protection for riding dangers, but at the same time I need to be able to walk in them -- possibly hike a km, and not look like a moron walking around in motocross boots. Any suggestions?
Jackets:
Currently I have a cheap Pakistan made leather jacket I bought at a flea market for $150. It has decent padding on the shoulders, lower back, etc, also has vents that can open and big pockets. It actually works well. It can take light rain, keeps me fairly warm with the liner in and vents closed, and is not too hot with the liner removed and vents open. It has lasted me about 7 years, so I think I got my value out of it.
I also have a JR Phoenix 11.0 textile that I use for hot days. It works well keeping me cool, but obviously has no rain protection (I lost the waterproof liner). I also hate the pocket zippers -- they always seem to jam and piss me off more often than not.
I want something modular. I would like to carry just one jacket that can keep me warm and dry if that is what I need or, cool with lots of air flow if the conditions call for it. I have no problem going for the adventure look if I need to -- recommendations?
Gloves
I think I am more or less sorted here.
I have Velocity heated gloves for cold days. The did get wet on one of the days of torrential downpouring in Newfoundland, but I don't know if the gloves leaked or water got in at the cuff, what... Next time I will cover them with my goretex over-gloves and see if that helps.
I also ride with a pair of tour master gloves for hot days, and have a pair of leather gauntlet gloves too.
Pants
I used a pair of Bilt riding pants on this trip, but I don't like them much. When it is hot out, I get too hot in them. They don't breathe at all and I can't stand them.
When it is cold and rainy they work okay, but I still manage to get wet up to my ankles somehow... maybe through capillary action through my wet boots and socks.
The biggest problems, however, are the following: The zippers suck -- I can almost never open or close the leg zippers without them snagging the sides (like the Joe Rocket jacket pockets). I also hate that these pants have no pockets at all -- absolutely no place to keep anything.
What I want to find probably doesn't exist. I would love a pant that can keep me dry but still has air flow and has some pockets. I don't even care if they are insulated as I can wear warm gear underneath. Dry with airflow would work for me -- oh, and not look like too much of an idiot walking around in them. Is that asking too much?
So what have you guys used over the long term that seems to work well?
I just returned from a 8000+km tour, and some of my gear needs replacing. I am also not overly happy with the performance of some of it.
Boots
For now I am just using original swat tactical boots with a zipper side and composite toes/plate.
I got something like this in case I rode to work as I need safety shoes at work, however I almost never ride to work so I guess I don't need that.
What I do need is something that is truly waterproof and protection for riding dangers, but at the same time I need to be able to walk in them -- possibly hike a km, and not look like a moron walking around in motocross boots. Any suggestions?
Jackets:
Currently I have a cheap Pakistan made leather jacket I bought at a flea market for $150. It has decent padding on the shoulders, lower back, etc, also has vents that can open and big pockets. It actually works well. It can take light rain, keeps me fairly warm with the liner in and vents closed, and is not too hot with the liner removed and vents open. It has lasted me about 7 years, so I think I got my value out of it.
I also have a JR Phoenix 11.0 textile that I use for hot days. It works well keeping me cool, but obviously has no rain protection (I lost the waterproof liner). I also hate the pocket zippers -- they always seem to jam and piss me off more often than not.
I want something modular. I would like to carry just one jacket that can keep me warm and dry if that is what I need or, cool with lots of air flow if the conditions call for it. I have no problem going for the adventure look if I need to -- recommendations?
Gloves
I think I am more or less sorted here.
I have Velocity heated gloves for cold days. The did get wet on one of the days of torrential downpouring in Newfoundland, but I don't know if the gloves leaked or water got in at the cuff, what... Next time I will cover them with my goretex over-gloves and see if that helps.
I also ride with a pair of tour master gloves for hot days, and have a pair of leather gauntlet gloves too.
Pants
I used a pair of Bilt riding pants on this trip, but I don't like them much. When it is hot out, I get too hot in them. They don't breathe at all and I can't stand them.
When it is cold and rainy they work okay, but I still manage to get wet up to my ankles somehow... maybe through capillary action through my wet boots and socks.
The biggest problems, however, are the following: The zippers suck -- I can almost never open or close the leg zippers without them snagging the sides (like the Joe Rocket jacket pockets). I also hate that these pants have no pockets at all -- absolutely no place to keep anything.
What I want to find probably doesn't exist. I would love a pant that can keep me dry but still has air flow and has some pockets. I don't even care if they are insulated as I can wear warm gear underneath. Dry with airflow would work for me -- oh, and not look like too much of an idiot walking around in them. Is that asking too much?
So what have you guys used over the long term that seems to work well?