When I grew up (which wasn’t all that long ago in the grand scheme of things), wool was still unfavorable as it was itchy and not the most comfortable fabric to wear. Well, the superfine merino wool changed everything. I was working at the BMW National Rally in Sedalia when a friend and subscriber suggested [...]

Schuberth is a German-based company that has been designing and producing high-quality head protection systems for more than 70 years. Recently, the company has been aggressively pursuing a larger share of the U.S. market. The S2 model is Schuberth’s latest full-face, non-flip-up offering. Although S2 pricing is at the high end for motorcycle helmets sold [...]

For the past couple of years, my girlfriend has tried to make me into a camping enthusiast. With mixed emotions, I always played along. I’m 6 feet 2 inches tall, and I’ve always had to crawl around tiny spaces in a tent. Once finally lying down, the top of my head and the bottom of [...]

In all my product-testing years, I’ve never seen such a jacket before. The Chameleon two-jackets-in-one concept blends in everywhere—just like its name suggests. The core is leather with integrated CE armor, and the outside is a waterproof shell that keeps moisture away from the inside. Pure genius. No need to strip down beside the road [...]

It’s hard to be an everyday rider or long distance tourer without decent waterproof boots. When I set out to find a pair, I wanted a reasonably priced sport-touring boot, not something that looked like a race boot or a big enduro/adventure boot. The $200-$250 range of boots has become much like the smartphone market. [...]

Winter gloves are usually a compromise between warmth and feel, and it’s often the attention to detail that helps strike the right balance. The Alpinestars Overland Drystar gloves incorporate many of the features that their racing-oriented gloves are known for—full gauntlets, knuckle protectors, pre-curved fit, and a “finger bridge” connecting the pinky and ring fingers [...]

Icon’s daring design of the Variant helmet is a hybrid dual sport inspired helmet that typically finds its home on a rider with a motard, urban, or adventure type bike or on someone wanting to make a dramatic statement with this aggressive and sharp looking lid. The helmet is available in 16 vastly different graphic [...]

Long before there was Ewan and Charley (and their film and support crews) there was Zoltán and Gyula. In the years between the world wars, the two Hungarian boys set out to see the world and chose a sidecar equipped Harley-Davidson to carry them. The trip lasted almost eight years and took them through 68 [...]

Provider of high-quality American made saddlebags, tankbags, and soft luggage, Giant Loop is now backing up their work with a limited lifetime warranty. In the words of Giant Loop’s owner and co-founder, Harold Olaf Cecil, “When we started Giant Loop in 2008, we didn’t know what to expect, we were concerned that dirt bikers would [...]

Motorcycle batteries discharge during storage, and before you know it, they’re ruined. Pulsetech’s innovative Xtreme Charge battery maintenance charger works on any type of 12-volt, lead-acid battery, including valve-regulated lead–acid battery (VRLA), absorbed glass mat (AGM), and the common flooded type. It automatically adjusts its charging regimen so you don’t need to select the battery [...]

OEM seats are often cheaply made and can become uncomfortable during a long day in the saddle. This shortcoming in meeting touring riders’ needs has created a robust aftermarket for motorcycle seat makers. I’ve owned some of them and they usually are better-designed, made from higher-quality materials, and provide more long-distance comfort than an OEM [...]

Over the last few years, we have seen a flood of Bluetooth-based helmet communications systems hit the market. In order for one to truly stand out, it must offer something unique along with first-class functionality. Cardo’s Scala Rider G9 certainly has that covered. Instead of using a strictly software-based application to sync with your computer, [...]

Except for a few plush touring models, it seems like little effort goes into designing motorcycle saddles for all-day comfort. Although they look great in the showroom and allow inseam-challenged riders to feel the security of touching the ground, most standard equipment leaves the distance rider to discover “the agony of ‘da seat!” Pressure points, [...]

When testing thermal wear, it can be hard to determine what effect comes from the clothing, and what is the result of the jacket over it. That said, BiLT’s Freeze-Out gear is certainly something I want to have on when the temperature drops. I recently tried out two products from the Freeze-Out line, the BL [...]

If you’ve ever been camping, you know that few things are as essential as a good flashlight and/or lantern. Without one, you’ll be tripping over twigs, rocks, and woodland creatures on the way to find your beef jerky. And, if you’re camping on a motorcycle, space is at a premium so having well-designed, compact, and [...]