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AeroMoto Corsa Pro Leather Gloves Review A comfortable glove with many protective features that is let down by quality control issues. Recently I’ve had the opportunity to review several items of Sliders brand apparel from Competition Accessories. Most of the Sliders apparel seems geared toward general motorcycle riding, such as commuting or touring and sport/touring. AeroMoto is …

Sena SMH10B Version 4.3 Firmware Update The music sharing ability found in the Cardo Scala Rider Q1 and Q3 intercoms cannot be ignored, but it has been overtaken, by the music sharing feature now implemented for the top of the line Sena SMH10B. Cardo threw down the gauntlet and Sena has responded by moving the yardstick forward significantly …

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 …

The Shoei Open Face Helmet The Shoei RJ-Platinum R is a modern take on an iconic motorcycle helmet design. It’s a popular helmet with touring riders and cruiser owners. The RJ-Platinum R has an excellent build quality. It also has a comfortable interior that is somewhat different from other modern Shoei helmets. The solid-feeling shell …

Vessel Motorcycle Repair and Restoration JIS Screwdriver Kit A well-made set of tools for the motorcycle mechanic who wrenches on Japanese machines. The shorter handle design may make it difficult to get a good grip with larger hands. In 2011, I reviewed a pair of JIS screwdrivers to see what, if any, differences there were between the …

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 …

Comparing the Maxxeon WorkStar 320 and WorkStar 220 Pocket Floodlights The Maxxeon WorkStar 320 is a slightly enlarged version of the excellent Maxxeon WorkStar 220 Pocket Floodlight (review). The WorkStar 320 takes three easier-to-find AAA batteries, instead of the three AAAA batteries in the WorkStar 220. Two years ago, Rick K. described the Maxxeon Pocket Floodlight 220 …

BMW R-Bike Motorcycle Recall Models: BMW R Model Motorcycle Year: 2003 Number Potentially Involved: 7,000 Dates of Manufacture: December 2002 – August 2003 Defect: On certain motorcycles (Opposed Twins w/Two-Spark Ignition), the electrical wiring for the oxygen sensor and the ignition lead for the right-hand secondary spark plug have a parallel routing over part of …

Motorcycle Safety Foundation Announces an Online eRider Course August 2013 – Designed to promote lifelong learning in a convenient, informative online format, the new Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic eCourse is now available for $19.99 on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation website. The highly interactive three-hour MSF Basic eCourse incorporates photos, graphics, video and more to provide …

Sidi Adventure Gore-Tex Dual-Sport Boots Review The Sidi Adventure Gore-Tex boots are the top of the Sidi Adventure-Touring boot lineup. They’re a quality piece of riding gear and they’re not inexpensive, but serious riders may discover that these boots will probably outlast lesser types. The height of the Adventure Gore-Tex boots doesn’t work on my …

Dainese “Dyno C2b” Shoes The Dainese Dyno C2b shoes are located at the mid-point of the Dainese Dyno family. They are located below the Dyno C2b Pro and above the Dyno and Dainese Asphalt shoes (review). The Dyno C2b shoes are street focused. But they also have many high-end features borrowed from the Dainese motorcycle race …

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 …

Cardo Scala Rider Q1 TeamSet and Q3 MultiSet Intercoms The Cardo Scala Rider Q1 TeamSet and Q3 MultiSet are new, small form factor Bluetooth motorcycle intercoms. The Q1 was primarily designed to be a simple, easy-to-use, short range, full-duplex intercom for a rider and passenger on one bike. The Cardo Scala Rider Q3 uses the …

The Visorcat Visor Cleaner The Visorcat is a motorcycle helmet visor cleaning system. It includes both a replaceable sponge and a wiper blade and a reservoir to hold cleaning fluid. The Visorcat attaches to the left hand with an adjustable nylon wrist strap. It feels awkward at first, but I quickly became used to it. …

Respro “Sportsta” Mask Review Riders who commute regularly in urban environments with lots of congestion and/or air pollution have to take extra steps to protect their long-term health. UK company Respro makes masks to help you breathe a little easier Motorcycles are superior commuting devices in almost every respect. They’re light, efficient and fun. As …

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 …

Shoei Hornet DS Helmet Review The Shoei Hornet DS in its DOT guise is comfortable and feels very solid. It is also Snell M2010 certified. It has a huge eye port that provides outstanding visibility for the wearer. The Hornet DS may feel less like a dual-sport helmet than any other I have tried, and …

The REV’IT! Connector High-Visibility Vest The REV’IT! Connector HV vest is one of the niftiest ideas I’ve seen in motorcycle gear for a long time. It’s a high-visibility neon yellow (EN471 certified) vest with 3M Scotchlite panels that attaches to various models of REV’IT! jackets The Connector HV vest is part of a modular system, …

The REV’IT! Levante Men’s and Women’s Mesh Jacket The Rev’It Levante textile mesh jacket is a good, solid piece of gear that means business. It’s suitable for wear in all but the most extreme weather conditions. This was a rare opportunity to review both the men’s and women’s versions of the Rev’it Levante jacket, first introduced …

A High-Visibility Basic Jacket The REV’IT! Horizon HV (High Visibility) jacket is a very nice upgrade from the REV’IT! Energy HV jacket we reviewed in 2011. The Horizon jacket, also available in light gray or black, would be an excellent choice for general four-season use. The major difference between the Horizon and the Energy is the addition …

Sliders “All Season 2” Jacket With Kevlar The Sliders All Season 2 jacket is a very good combination of protection and versatility for comfortable multi-season riding conditions. Compromise. That’s the first thought that comes to mind when I hear the phrase “All Season”. When applied to motorcycle tires, it means they are designed to cope with various …

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 …

Sliders “All Season 2” Pants With Kevlar The Sliders All Season 2 Pants With Kevlar provide a good balance of protection and hot weather riding comfort. I live in a part of the country that has seasons. Four of them. In summer (as it is now), it is hot and humid. But when winter comes, …

Cyclops “Optimus LED Prime” Light Kit Excellent quality, ruggedized, lightweight, superb output are key descriptors for the Cyclops Adventure Sports Long Range Optimus Prime LED Light Kit. This kit has two lights, one with a 10 degree and one with a 20 degree lens. Mix and match is available. Both provide a distinctive and extremely …

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 …

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 …

AGV “Blade” Helmet Review The AGV Blade is comfortable, relatively lightweight and easy to wear. It has a different shape than the typical half-helmet or even the “Jet” styled European open-face helmets. The Blade comes in a variety of colors and graphics and it has an excellent finish and comfortable fit. The chin strap has …

Shark Vision-R GT Carbon Helmet The Shark Vision-R GT Carbon starts with the unique Shark Vision-R helmet with its panoramic view. It then adds several small touches to improve comfort and weight for the touring or long-distance rider. These include an internal sun visor, an air pump bladder system in the liner and a new …

Gaerne Off-Road Boots Review – Part 2 Introduction to Part 2 A promise made and although a tad overdue, a promise fulfilled: Part 2 of our Gaerne GX-1, SG10 and SG12 off-road boots review. At the time that Part 1 of this review was published in February of this year, I was very much looking forward …

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 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”, …

Sena SPH10 Bluetooth Personal Headset and Sena SPH10H Half-Helmet Intercom Sena is an industry leader in Bluetooth communications with an ever-expanding line of motorcycle intercom systems. So where do the Sena SPH10 Headset and SPH10H half-helmet systems fit in? The SPH10 is an excellent system with all the expected features of a full-bore Bluetooth helmet …

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 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 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 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 …

QB Carbon offers MotoGP replica bodywork kit for the Ducati 748/916/996/998 (Photos Courtesy QB Carbon) This is a SWEET!  A complete MotoGP replica bodywork kit for the 916/748/996/998 series of Superbikes! The bodywork is manufactured by QB Carbon, the leading manufacturer of carbon fibre products in the U.K.  QB Carbon, based in Nottingham in the U.K., supplies many …

A Miniature Headlamp and Flashlight Convertible The Fenix HL10 is a useful design that combines a headlamp with a miniature 90-degree flashlight. The headlamp case opens and the small flashlight can be removed. The flashlight also rotates through 100 degrees when it’s in the headlamp holder. The flashlight has the same high-quality machined aluminum and …

Small and Cheap With Good Results The Liquid Image Ego 727 is an extremely compact camera that takes very good videos. Its various user interfaces include a smart phone option, but leave a few things to be desired. On the other hand, the Liquid Image Ego is one of least expensive HD cameras out there; …

RHOK “Gen3” Kevlar Jeans Review The “Gen3” RHOK Kevlar jeans are soft and comfortable. The “PEKEV” Kevlar lining is a special design that covers the seat down to just below the knee in the rear, along with a section at the hips. The RHOK Gen3 jeans come with removable knee and hip protectors. The knee …