Nolan N86 Review
Nolan N86 Helmet Review The Nolan N86 is the third new helmet announced by the Italian manufacturer for 2014. The N86 replaces the Nolan N85 (review), which was the webBikeWorld Motorcycle Helmet of the Year in 2012. The N85 was very impressive when it arrived and it had a lot to like. It reminded us of …
REV’IT!! 2013 Fall/Winter Clothing
REV’IT!! 2013-2014 Fall/Winter Clothing Preview Twice each year, I make the trip up to Red Hook to see the latest REV’IT! gear for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. I’ve been doing it since 2006 and it’s been very interesting to see the evolution of REV’IT! products during that time. The brand has been a personal favorite of …
REV’IT! Neptune GTX Jacket
REV’IT! Neptune GTX Jacket Preview Continuing with the new Rev’it Mediterranean mythology naming conventions, the Neptune GTX is another all-new jacket for 2014. The Neptune GTX replaces the Rev’it Legacy GTX but once again, it gets kicked by a notch or two to make it even better. The Legacy GTX was a favorite do-it-all four-season jacket that …
REV’IT! Poseidon GTX Jacket
REV’IT! Poseidon GTX Jacket Preview The Rev’it Poseidon GTX jacket takes over the top spot in the Rev’it clothing lineup for 2014, replacing the Everest GTX jacket (review). The Poseidon GTX is a hybrid of the Everest GTX and the popular Rev’it Defender GTX (review), which will remain in the lineup. The Poseidon hits the mark with …
REV’IT! Chronos GTX Jacket
REV’IT! Chronos GTX Jacket Preview The new Rev’it Chronos GTX jacket is a replacement for the much-beloved Rev’it Turbine jacket that recently left the company’s lineup. Like other Rev’it products however, the Chronos GTX takes everything learned from the Turbine and kicks it up a notch, with a solid evolution of a proven design. Chronos is …
VQuattro Milano Academy Boots Review
VQuattro “Milano Academy” Motorcycle Boots The VQuattro Milano Academy boots are the final pair of our preview trio. As with the other VQuattro boots, I don’t have much information on these. In fact, I no longer see them on the revised VQuattro website. But, as long as they’re here and we have the photos, well, …
VQuattro Milano Paperboy Boots Review
VQuattro “Milano Paperboy” Motorcycle Boots Next in our brief overview of the new VQuattro motorcycle footwear is a look at the Milano Paperboy boots. I’m not sure where the marketing people come up with the names for some motorcycle products, but “Paperboy” it is. Truth is, I never saw a paperboy wear a pair of …
VQuattro San Remo Boots Review
VQuattro “San Remo” Motorcycle Boots webBikeWorld regulars know we’re big fans of VQuattro products. In fact, we named the VQuattro Squadra heated gloves (review) as a 2012 webBikeWorld Product of the Year. The award was given for excellent performance and build quality. We’ve reviewed several other VQuattro motorcycle gloves (reviews) And we have been equally impressed by the French …
Resurgence Gear PEKEV Jeans Review
Resurgence Gear PEKEV Jeans and Cargo Pants Review The Resurgence Gear “Black Bird” jeans and “Cargo Trousers” are comfortable and stylish. The Black Bird jeans are especially comfortable; the denim includes a stretch fabric that expands by about 25% for a good fit that also helps retain the protectors. The Resurgence Gear jeans and cargo …
Racer High Speed Gloves Review
Racer “High Speed” Gloves Review The Racer High Speed gloves are the new flagship motorcycle race gloves for the Austrian-based company. The High Speed gloves are made from cowhide with kangaroo leather palms for protection and feel. A Pittard’s “digital leather” overlay is used for grip on the palm of each glove. The latest Knox SPS …
Racer R-Safe Gloves Review
Racer “R-Safe” Gloves Review The Racer “R-Safe” gloves currently occupy the top spot in the Racer Gloves lineup. These may just be the most protective motorcycle gloves I have ever come across. They have many different protective features, backed up by redundant layers just in case. The gloves are made with kangaroo leather palms, which …
Dainese Super Speed Textile Jacket Review
Dainese “Super Speed Tex” Jacket Review The Super Speed Tex (the official name) jacket is one of the most popular Dainese summer-weight textile jackets in 2013. In fact, it’s so popular that it has nearly sold out in every color and size this summer, with retailers asking for more. It’s functional yet stylish, with right on …
Clearwater Darla Lights Review
Clearwater “Darla” LED Lights Review The high-quality Clearwater Darla light kit is indicative of the latest in LED technology and also reflects the best of what Clearwater Lights brings to motorcyclists. The Darla lights have nearly the same perceived brightness as the more powerful Clearwater Krista Lights (review) but with the small form factor of the Clearwater Glenda …
Racer Stratos Gloves Review
Racer “Stratos” Waterproof Gloves Review The Racer “Stratos” gloves are a combination of leather and goat hide with a full-sized gauntlet. Also included is a leather-covered hard knuckle protector for the main knuckles. The Stratos gloves are an all-around, multi-season type but they’re not as heavy as true winter motorcycle gloves. They also feature the …
Dual Horn Relay Wiring Harness
Installing a Dual Horn Relay Wiring Harness For some reason, dual horn relay wiring harness kits are difficult to find lately. The Eastern Beaver dual horn relay harness (review) that I’ve used before is no longer being made, unfortunately. But I found a new source and added one to the BMW C 650 GT scooter. Rolling your …
REV’IT! Airwave Pants Review
REV’IT! Airwave Trousers for Women and Men Strictly for summer, the Airwave trousers offer excellent air flow combined with a good fit and protective armour. Easy to put on and take off, they’re great for commuting, and can stand up to longer trips too. The Airwave pants also work as overpants with a pair of …
Racer Limes Gloves Review
Racer “Limes” Gloves Review The Racer “Limes” (lee-muhs) gloves are made from leather and goat hide with a full-sized gauntlet. These gloves also feature a large and hard leather-covered knuckle protector on the mains. The Limes gloves have a lightweight feel with a comfortable fit. They also feel a bit more protective than the short-gauntlet Racer gloves …
Best Motorcycle Helmet?
World’s Best All-Around Motorcycle Helmet Bargain? I’m baiting you, of course. A little bit, anyway. After all, as we’ve said for many years, there is no such thing as the “best” helmet. Or jacket. Or gloves, boots, pants, oil, tires… The fact of the matter is, there are just too many variables involved to pick …
Overlap Manx Kevlar Jeans Review
Overlap “Manx” Kevlar Jeans Review The Overlap Manx jeans may have hit the perfect formula for motorcycle jeans that look good on the street. They look as good as any street jeans and they’re very soft and very comfortable. The Manx jeans arrive fully broken-in, with that worn look that gives ’em lots of character. …
Overlap Imatra Kevlar Jeans Review
Overlap “Imatra” Kevlar Jeans Review The new Overlap Imatra jeans have many protective features, including SAS-Tec knee and hip protectors. A full-length Kevlar lining is included and the Imatra jeans have been tested and certified to meet several CE Level 1 and Level 2 protection standards, according to the company. The jeans are considered “PPE”, …
Racer Guide Gloves Review
Racer “Guide” Gloves Review The Racer “Guide” Gloves have a short gauntlet and perforated sections for cooler summer riding. The gloves also feature Clarino and goat hide palms and large Knox scaphoid protectors (sliders). The nylon tricot lining is attached using the “mcFIT” (Maximum Comfort Fit Technology) system described in detail in our introduction to the VQuattro gloves review. Perforations …
Racer Mickey Gloves Review
Racer “Mickey” Gloves Review The Racer “Mickey” Gloves are another short gauntlet summer type but with more protective features than the Racer Guide gloves (review). The most prominent feature of the Mickey gloves is the large bifurcated Superfabric-covered main knuckle protector. Another Superfabric-covered slider protects the scaphoid. Only the top of the inside of the gloves has a liner; …
Racer Summer Fit Gloves Review
Racer “Summer Fit” Gloves Review The Racer “Summer Fit” Gloves have a 100% leather (goat skin) outer shell and a full-sized gauntlet. The goat skin makes these gloves lightweight and comfortable. Soft padding knuckle protectors means the gloves are very flexible, another plus for hot-weather riding. The palms are lined with Kevlar and the Summer Fit gloves …
Shoei J-Cruise Review
Shoei J-Cruise Helmet Review The new Shoei J-Cruise replaces the popular and long-lived Shoei J-Wing helmet. The J-Cruise feels just like a full-face helmet…but without a chin bar. In other words, it has all of the features and build quality you’d expect from a Shoei helmet. This includes the outstanding ventilation that has become a …
BMW Scooter Oil and Filter Change
Changing the Oil and Filter on the BMW C 650 GT I finally got around to changing the oil and filter on the C 650 GT and here’s my report. It’s a relatively easy job, with no surprises. It would be nice if BMW had a shop manual though; I don’t know the torque values …
Sena SMH10R Bluetooth Headset Review
Sena SMH10R Bluetooth Intercom Review The Sena SMH10R Bluetooth headset is a very different type of motorcycle helmet intercom system. Instead of the traditional single intercom module that attaches to a helmet mount, the SMH10R intercom functions are split across two separate modules. One module houses the Bluetooth “brains” and the rider control buttons, and …
Rukka Vauhti Gloves Review
Rukka “Vauhti” Gloves Review The Rukka Vauhti gloves have “adventure tech” styling and a boatload of features that make them a contender. The short-gauntlet glove body is topped off with Superfabric, carbon fiber and TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) sliders and a Gore-Tex X-Trafit liner. That’s right — the Vauhti gloves are waterproof! While the Gore-Tex membrane may hinder …
Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS Adventure
2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS “Adventure” Quick Pics The 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS was introduced in the U.S.A. at the inaugural AIMExpo show in Orlando, Florida in October of 2013. I immediately ordered the “Adventure” version for the next webBikeWorld project bike and it arrived yesterday at the local dealer, JT Motorsports in Frederick, Maryland. I took a …
Lazer Monaco DOT
Lazer Monaco Helmet Review (DOT Version) The new DOT version of the carbon-fiber Lazer Monaco gives up nothing on the excellent ECE version of the Lazer Monaco we reviewed in 2012. It’s nearly as light, with this size XL DOT version easily sliding in as the second lightest flip-up motorcycle helmet ever reviewed on webBikeWorld. And …
Airoh Terminator Helmet
Airoh “Terminator” Helmet Review The Airoh Aviator (review) has a firm lock on the lightweight helmet category. But the 2013 Airoh Terminator is nearly as light as the high-tech Aviator yet it costs about 25% less. You’ll give up a few of the leading edge race-oriented features from the Aviator, but you’d have to be a Pro …
Rukka Airway Jacket Review
Rukka “Airway” Jacket Review The Rukka Airway jacket and AirVision pants combo is designed for hot-weather riding. But unlike most mesh motorcycle clothing, this gear is built to take all you can dish out — and then some. The Airway/AirVision outfit is more successful in many ways than the Rukka Armas outfit (review), which is designed for cooler …
Midland XTC-300 Review
Excellent HD Video Choice The Midland XTC-300 VP4 continues Midland’s tradition for ease of use, now in HD. The XTC-300 has surprisingly good video for a camera in this price range The colors are very accurate and the exposure is perfect in daytime lighting conditions. The camera also couldn’t be easier to use, with its …
Rukka AirVision Pants Review
Rukka “AirVision” Pants Review The Rukka AirVision pants are, of course, the perfect match the Rukka Airway jacket, reviewed in Part 1. The pants could be worn with other Rukka jackets or with jackets from other manufacturers, although that doesn’t seem likely. The AirVision pants have the same Cordura AFT mesh fabric as the Airway jacket …
Motorcycle Bluetooth Intercom Compatibility
Are Motorcycle Bluetooth Intercoms Compatible? We have not been able to pair two different brands of motorcycle Bluetooth intercoms. Although it’s impossible to definitively state that this is true for every Bluetooth intercom system, there is no indication that two different brands will pair, despite the rumours you may have heard. This is unfortunate, and …
LS2 FF394 Review
LS2 FF394 “Epic” Snell Certified Flip-up Helmet Review The new LS2 FF394 is claimed to be the world’s first Snell 2010 (M2010) certified flip-up motorcycle helmet available for sale. There’s nothing obviously different about this flip-up that makes it apparent that it’s Snell certified. In fact, it’s rather ordinary in appearance. Apparently, LS2 took a …
Xena XX10 Disk Lock Alarm
Xena XX10 Motorcycle Disc Lock Alarm The Xena XX10 is the latest evolution of a successful series of motorcycle disk lock alarms. The XX-series has been updated with several features. Like the other Xena disk lock alarms, the lock is independent of the alarm, so a dead battery has no effect on the locking attribute. …
BMW Scooter Top Box
BMW Scooter Top Case Review The BMW scooter top box (aka top case) is expensive, but it’s naturally a perfect match for the new C-series scooters. The top case is made by SHAD for BMW and the molded plastic is thick and strong. In typical BMW fashion, buying the basic black top case is just the …
SHAD SC20 Scooter Bag
SHAD SC20 Scooter Tunnel Bag The SHAD SC20 is a basic but rugged scooter tunnel bag with a unique attachment system. It has a single large pocket that can hold a smaller helmet, plus two narrow side pockets that are easy to access. This is a generic soft bag, without stiffeners. It attaches with provided …
AFX FX-120 Review
AFX FX-120 “Air Pump” Helmet Review The new AFX FX-120 must be the world’s least expensive motorcycle helmet that includes an inflatable bladder system. The system includes inflatable cheek pads and the liner around the top of the head also inflates with an air pump in the rear of the helmet. A special EPS liner …
ROOF Desmo
ROOF Desmo Helmet The new Roof Desmo flip-up helmet is an update on the classic Roof Boxer and it incorporates many improvements. The Desmo is a solid-feeling helmet with a completely redesigned rotating flip-up visor and new face shield system. The liner features updated padding and soft-feel fabric and what feels like a new internal …
