Search Results for: clothing

Robin Dean Dec 9, 2014 CommentsShare!

Heated Motorcycle Clothing Brings Comfort To Cold Weather Riding

Nothing will more quickly falsify a sport touring motorcycle enthusiast's smile faster than a northern winter's seasonal entrance. Here we are, fully honed from our travels during the warmer months, only to place the entire riding year's newfound knowledge under the same protective cover as our favorite two wheeler. Heated motorcycle clothing in the form of gloves, vests and socks along with static installations such as heated grips and seats are all viable solutions.

The thing is, they're even more useful during the warm season! When that first beautiful spring weekend comes along, most of us have already set aside time to enjoy it. Waking up early for what's expected to be a high of 65 degrees, we wheel the bike out of the garage only to be blasted in the face by a 45 degree chill that won't secede until later in the day. Yes, the sun will warm up by noon but we're leaving now, I say! Now!

Summer's no different. No matter how hot the afternoon, dry cold fronts can stalk a sunset. Wouldn't it be nice to simply push a button or flip a switch and immediately feel our core temperature begin to find it's balance? That's pretty much the consensus around here and enough reason to put elaborate focus on the matter so first and foremost, let's figure out how much heat is enough to sufficiently keep up with our surrounding environment.

Robin Dean May 20, 2019 CommentsShare!

This Isn't Just A Motorcycle Helmet Lock

It's a bit more than that. A retractable motorcycle helmet lock recently stole my "KISS" (keep it simple, stupid) prize for some duration, offering enough cable length to secure my ATGATT riding jacket as well. Smaller than a bar of soap, the product I'm growing savvy to gets easily overlooked for all of the right reasons.

Years back, my first helmet cost me just shy of a hundred bucks. While today I'm not hemorrhaging disposable dollars for whatever Schuberth aims to rake, I do enjoy the quiet, comfortable protection offered by higher shelf brands like Shoei and Arai. With bigger price tags than entry-level noggin' cradles, I prefer said investment not walk off in someone else's hands.

That's why I ordered something that can secure all of my riding gear to the bike at once. I figure it's better to tick multiple boxes with one purchase where possible. Many go the "lock helmet to motorcycle seat" route (D-ring to mechanism). I'm now able to secure my riding attire using a motorcycle helmet lock that, well ... wasn't intended for motorcycle helmets.

Margaret Dean Feb 28, 2018 CommentsShare!

Motorcycle Sharing: Rent A Bike Near You

My husband Robin is excited about his new flagship motorcycle, a BMW R1200RS for 2018's riding season. He's also pre-mourning the eventual goodbye to a longtime love, his Suzuki Bandit 1200. Celebrating the Beemer feels like a betrayal to the (ready to rent) Bandit, who has taken him 55,000 miles through twenty-three states over five years.

She's been maintained, upgraded, repaired, updated, enhanced ... in a word: loved.

Robin doesn't want to sell her but as many riders understand, multiple bikes results in more maintenance and less time. Whether the motorcycle runs or is a project, you can only ride one at a time and no matter how much you treasure each bike, you tend to ride one more than most.

Margaret Dean Jan 5, 2018 CommentsShare!

Why Charcoal Foot Warmers Beat Electric

In December of 2012, Robin (our own TRO editor-in-chief) was still a newbie-ish rider. He loved riding and wanted to squeeze in as much saddle time as he could. No winter month in Chicago was going to stop this guy! Here's one example video that inspired him.

As long as the roads weren't icy or wet, he would ride his trusty Yamaha Seca 400. His riding gear consisted of basic ATGATT, balaclava and neck warmer + layers (LOTS of layers). No fancy heated gear for this Robin, the Robin of 2012, as his precious monies were earmarked for Seca upgrades.

Robin's main problem while winter riding, besides other riders thinking he was batshit crazy, was keeping his hands and feet warm. What to do?

Robin Dean Apr 8, 2017 CommentsShare!

Combining SAE And USB To Simplify Wiring

Simple solutions are greatly important to motorcycling. In the case of wiring a USB power port for my wife's 2016 Triumph Street Triple R, that sentiment includes dodging an elaborate, multi-fuse auxiliary relay bullet. Our custom configuration for said bike deems it less than ideal for two-up travel, so avoiding over-complicated wiring is that much easier.

In deciding on a USB outlet installation, I weighed a series of options. Not the least of which was a (perhaps brutish) cigarette lighter port. These have their benefits as they allow for a pretty lengthy catalog of compatible extensions. My only qualm about going this route is that while seemingly universal, there's always something a little chintzy about their conductive points. For this bad girl, we want something sturdy and reliable.

In the past, I've confidently employed both single and dual-port weatherproof electrics from BurnsMoto. Their products are durable to say the least, though in the case of their USB outlets I'd much prefer an inline fuse to their internal circuitry. Sure, they're tough enough for the job but should one fail ... time to order another.

Joe Konrardy Feb 15, 2017 CommentsShare!

It Just Goes To Show (IMS 2017)

Editor's Note: Our vodcast for this year's IMS will soon be up on YouTube. Meanwhile, Joe's well informed history with said event provides a clear summary of many things past, present and future in motorcycling. The direction of spirited and technical long distance riding is rarely predictable but you can bet we'll continue exploring the genre for your reading pleasure.

Every February brings many things. There are the usual things everyone knows of like Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, President's Day and Black History Month. Then there are the things most people are unaware of but carry more meaning for me such as my parents' anniversary, my birthday and the annual Chicago International Motorcycle Show (IMS).

I've regularly attended this show since the early 1980's. I've aged and changed a lot over these years and so has the IMS. I attended the 2017 Chicago IMS on Saturday with my wife and a few friends. These are a few musings on my observations.

Robin Dean Nov 4, 2016 CommentsShare!

Gimme Heat (And Make It Snappy!)

As a new rider, I gladly faced the Chicago winter on two wheels without heated clothing whenever the roads were traction-friendly. I didn't have just any heated grips on my 1982 Yamaha Seca 400 at the time. I had (boisterous) "HEEEATED GRRRIPS" which, from what I remember, felt warmer after sticking my chest out and explaining confidently to others that "of course I rode here!"

Sub-freezing temperatures never felt so squid and my fifteen mile jaunt from Rogers Park to North Chicago validated my will to ride accordingly (sidenote: I miss that bike). Today, with destinations often crossing state lines, comfort has become a much more significant concern. Switch activated "palm warming technology" simply isn't enough when riding between the bronzing sun of West Palm Beach, Florida and the chilling fall of Chicago, Illinois.

Remember, cold weather riding involves a steep wind chill factor that compounds itself at the twist of a throttle. While heated grips certainly help (Hot Grips for ease of installation, Heat Demons for preferred handgrip compatibility), separate components are necessary based on the specific needs of individual riders. Gerbing heated clothing better than answers the call.

Margaret Dean Sep 12, 2016 CommentsShare!

A Lady Rider's Guide To Motorcycle Packing

Let's admit it, shall we? Packing isn't easy for everyone. Only the most prepared A-types have a go-bag always ready. The rest of us hem and haw over what to bring and wear. What if I need this? We might do that so I should bring X or maybe Y.

Motorcycle trips make it easy because you know you have limited space and can't overpack. Motorcycle trips make it hard because you know you have limited space and the line seems to blur when deciding what is necessary and what is optional.

I'm writing to female riders and passengers as I am both. Also, I'm a recovering overpacker. I've adopted a minimalist mindset when packing for long distance trips with my husband riding two-up. I had to. I'm about to embark on my first long distance trip maneuvering my own bike. I decided it was time to form my own moto packing list, one that better suits my needs as a female rider.

Robin Dean Jun 27, 2016 CommentsShare!

Scrubba: A Moto-Camping Laundry Solution

Every now and then a product comes along that hones in on the needs of our target demographic so perfectly that T.R.O. authors verbally stumble in attempts to attain a "test" unit. One such example comes in the form of the Scrubba wash bag, a collapsible laundry system that not only works but takes up less space than a single pair of socks. Boasting just enough pseudo self-importance to give Kanye a run for his money, I somehow managed to convince it's Australian inventors to send one our way.

The promise of an open, honest and scrutinizing review has it's limits, however. Mentioning my upcoming travels seemed to really seal the deal. The only problem is, most of the scenery we enjoyed riding through either didn't provide a water source or was so beautiful that it distracted us from said goal. I knew I'd eventually have to pay the piper and wrote them again with news of an upcoming motorcycle camping trip.

Having just returned from this four-man rally yesterday, I can tell you that the post-ride thunderstorms didn't wash away my will to visually document this incredibly worthwhile purchase as much as the fact that some drunken jack@$$ of an "all American bro" managed to tip over my motorcycle for the entirety of one night. For me, this was just enough of a circumstantial "strike two" to secure both a compositional delay and psychological breakdown. I laugh as I type this since the damage was seemingly minor and almost inspirational for prospective upgrades, many of which my wife will almost certainly roll her eyes at.

Robin Dean May 2, 2016 CommentsShare!

Packing Clothes For A Motorcycle Tour

Years ago, while packing for my first long distance sport touring motorcycle trip, I learned a lot about myself. First, I walked around the house grabbing everything I hoped to bring and made a first attempt at stowing all of it. Next, finding no earthly way to fit it all into my luggage, I began removing what I deemed unnecessary. Finally, I repeated the previous only to discover the final result still skirting the threshold of my motorcycle's total available storage. Fortunately, my camping experience exposed similarities with regard to prioritization.

Starting with whatever warm-weather base layer (socks/underwear/t-shirt) I'm wearing before departure, my current preference is to pack only one of the same. That's two warm weather base layers total plus additional attire we'll explore in a moment, all made from quick-dry fabrics. The question new travelers often ask points to a constant need for laundry services. My response usually makes mention of portable wash systems such as the Scrubba. Those Aussies sure know how to camp!

Packing one base layer while wearing the other might inspire you to believe it necessary to do the same with thermals. I only bring one set as it saves space and can be washed nightly. American companies such as Go Athletic Apparel manufacture lightweight but durable thermal clothing right here in the United States and we couldn't be happier with their line.