Review
[REVIEW] Rev’It! Quantum 2 Gloves
As I ride a sport tourer, a 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650, I have often focused more on the tourer part of the equation. This is probably through the combination that I’m still relatively new to the riding world as a whole, and that I am still gaining confidence slowly but surely about the capabilities a …
Scorpion Covert Pro Jeans: Hands-On Review
Truth time! We have all done it, and I shall confess. “Oh holy gods of two wheels and petrol, I confess to riding squid.” The vast majority of us in the biker world live in jeans 24/7, but my faithful 501’s are nothing but an illusion of protection. Scorpion offers the Covert and Covert Pro …
Motorcycle Tech: D30’s Shock-Absorbing Goo “Worthy of Tony Stark’s Lab”
On September 10th, I covered a new tech prototype that was being tested for stab-proof vests. The material was a variable-rigidity chainmail-style of interlinked shapes that allowed the user full flexibility without compromising on protection. Today, we’re talking about non-Newtonian materials (substances that absorb shock or stiffen on impact) in the business of protective gear …
[REVIEW] Scorpion EXO-Talon Gloves
The story of how I came about getting the Scorpion EXO-Talon gloves is a bit of a tale, but suffice it to say, I bought a pair of Scorpion EXO-Vortex Air gloves way back in June 2021 at my preferred gear shop in town. I wore them home, took them off, and then didn’t think …
2021 BMW R NineT Scrambler: First Ride & First Impressions Review
Walking Up To A Little Piece Of Germany Let me start off this review by first thanking BMW Motorrad Canada and BlackFoot Motorsports of Calgary for having the cross-Canada demo days event. For Calgary, it happened on September 3, 2021, with the first ride going at 9:30 AM on a fairly chilly day so as …
[REVIEW] KLIM Tactical Armored Base Layer
If there is one disadvantage to being a taller and bigger rider is that many manufacturers don’t seem to think that anyone has a waist bigger than 40 inches, hips that are larger than 44 inches, or an inseam longer than 30 inches or shorter than 34 inches. Seeing as my hips are at about …
[REVIEW] Scorpion EXO-HX1 Helmet
In the world of motorcycles, there are about as many types of bikes as there are riders for them. Some love to ride sportbikes, some love to ride cruisers, others go for ADV bikes or dual sports. Each style of bike also seems to come with its own distinct style of gear, with the full-body …
[REVIEW] Scorpion Covert X Solid Modular Helmet
Introduction The Scorpion Covert X just looks killer in its full configuration. I received it in gloss Cement Grey, which judging from the trend I see in the automotive world, is a totally on-point color choice. I am not entirely sure how I feel about the lego-like nature of the 3 in 1 design, but …
[REVIEW] Racer USA Hi-Per Gloves
Introduction It has been a while since I last reviewed a pair of gloves from Racer with those being the Grip gloves back in 2015. At that time I found myself “luke-warm” about those gloves. They offered good protection for street riding but the fit and comfort wasn’t convincing to me. If not for the …
[REVIEW] Fieldsheer Mobile Cooling Short Sleeve Shirt
The Mobile Cooling SS Shirt Acknowledging that this review is somewhat overdue and that Alan Buller beat me to the punch with his most informative review of the Fieldsheer Mobile Cooling Long Sleeve Shirt, I will try to make up this shortfall in this less-is-(possibly)more review of the Fieldsheer Mobile Cooling Short Sleeve (SS) Shirt. …
[REVIEW] Giant Loop ZigZag Handlebar Bag
Introduction As identified in the previously submitted GL Pannier Mounts and MotoTrekk Panniers review and the just submitted GL Possibles Pouch Quick Look, Christmas in July came early this year with a big box of Giant Loop goodies received in June this year. In addition to the GL Pannier Mount Kit with BMW GS ADV …
[REVIEW] Giant Loop Possibles Pouches
Introduction As identified in the recently submitted GL Pannier Mounts and MotoTrekk Panniers review, a big box of Giant Loop goodies arrived early June this year. The shipment contained a GL Pannier Mount Kit; the BMW R1200/R1250/F850 GSA adapter (off-set) kit; a set of MotoTrekk Panniers; two Possibles Pouch(es) – one with the First Aid …
[REVIEW] Giant Loop Pannier Mount & MotoTrekk Panniers
GL Pannier Mount & MotoTrekk Panniers: The Breakdown One Reviewer, Multiple Products Related to the approach taken with the review Jim Pruner and I did of the Mosko Moto Reckless 80L V3.0 Revolver Luggage system in December 2020, this is a bit of a longer-term review although with perhaps less travel and fewer rocky roads …
[REVIEW] Fieldsheer Hydrologic® Cooling Vest
Fieldsheer Hydrologic® Cooling Vest Testing riding gear is always a fun adventure, but this cooling clothing is a new type of product to me. Fieldsheer is trying unique approaches to help regulate the body’s temperature, and I have spent a few weeks testing the Hydrologic® Cooling Vest. Who Is Fieldsheer? Fieldsheer got its start in …
Apple Says Motorcycle Vibrations Are Killing Phone Cameras
I think I can vouch for nearly all of wBW when I say that technology is progressing faster than I can keep up. Sure, I have my iPhone handy on the daily, but it’s by no means the latest release – and the newest variant of Apple now touts a slew of new features such …
Indian Motorcycles: Heritage, Rogue and Moto Fall Apparel
America’s first motorcycle company has released their fall collection of men’s and women’s apparel just in time for the fall – and this year, they’ve got three sub-collections to choose from. Having made a name for themselves in the 20th century in the flat-track scene and on the world-famous Bonneville Salt Flats, Indian Motorcycles today …
Per-Mile Motorcycle Insurance Launched For Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio
An innovative InsurTech company named Voom has just partnered with insurance company Markel to offer a stunning solution to today’s motorcycle insurance premiums – and the price will purportedly be measured on a per-mile basis. The report from CycleNews states that both companies intend to play equal roles in the product; Voom will be responsible …
Bell Moto-10 Full-Face Helmet: A New Glossy Carbon Finish
Bell has just released a new variant of the obscenely popular Moto-10 Spherical helmets – and the glossy carbon newcomer is already nearly sold out. Bell released the first of this line back in 1971 when the Bell Moto-3 full-face helmet was revealed as the world’s first full-face motocross helmet. Since then, the company has …
New Graphics for Arai VX-PRO4 Helmets
We’ve just had word that Arai has updated their VX-PRO4 Helmet graphics – and the new ‘block’ scheme is nothing short of groovy. Advertised as “The latest expression of the ultimate off-road helmet,” the VX-PRO4 Helmet uses a uniquely handmade shell to improve the durability, safety, and performance of the helmet. Upgraded from the VX-PRO3, …
[REVIEW] AKASO V50 Pro SE Action Camera Review
Being honest from the start, GoPro and DJI action cameras are expensive. Unless you are a YouTuber, an action sports star, or just need the best of the best, it can be seen as a waste of money to go after the top end. Thankfully, however, there is a complete range of action camera manufacturers …
[REVIEW] KLIM Marrakesh Textile Pants
My Riding Gear History Like many including myself when I first began riding, I had no issues spending money on a jacket. Back in the day how it ‘looked’ seemed more important to me than how much protection it offered. Textile riding gear was not a big thing and the only company who ‘seemed’ into …
[REVIEW] KLIM Marrakesh Textile Jacket
My Marrakesh Introduction Ugh, jackets. I have searched long and hard for a 12 step program for jackets. Bags too. The problem with both is they are legal to purchase, carry and wear be it in public or in the privacy of my own home. One of the only reasons I’m happy with my age-failing …
[REVIEW] Ruroc Atlas 3.0 Core Full Face Helmet
Ruroc Must Mean Relentless In 2019, Ruroc expanded their business into the motorcycle helmet scene, their confidence buoyed by their success previously in designing and selling snowsports headgear. Over the last two years, this ambitious company has already revamped that original Atlas helmet design twice in their quest to become the top name in the …
[REVIEW] Knox Urbane Pro Trousers
Most riding pants, mesh as well as most solid textile ones suffer from a loose cut. This is why, in most instances, I use MX-style knee/shin protectors instead of integrated knee armor when riding in mesh and most other textile riding pants. I wanted to find some mesh or other style of well-ventilated pants that …
Fieldsheer Mobile Cooling Long Sleeve Shirt Review
Fieldsheer Mobile Cooling Long Sleeve Shirt: Versatile Cooling Base Layer A friend recently asked what I had in the pipeline for reviews. When I mentioned the Mobile Cooling T-shirt, he looked at me oddly and said sarcastically, ‘that should be exciting.’ I must admit we here at WBW get to review some pretty cool stuff, …
[REVIEW] KLIM Dakar Pro Gloves Hands-On Review
With the exceptionally hot temperatures that ravaged the Pacific Northwest of the USA and pretty much all of Western Canada during the month of July 2021, having hot-weather-appropriate riding gear turned from being a nice thing to an absolute necessity. While I do have my Icon Super-Duty II gloves, they seem to perform much better …
CARDO Coaches Program Provides Discounts on PACKTALK Headphones
Cardo Systems is providing discounts on their brand new PACKTALK Headphones for a program called “Cardo Coaches” – and instructors looking for wireless instruction in loud environs will be able to benefit from the opt-in resource. Cardo Systems’ pedigree in wireless com devices stretches as far back as the first decade of Y2K when they …
[REVIEW] REV’IT! Volcano Women’s Gloves
Background If you’ve been reading my reviews over the years, then you know I have something of a glove fetish. At one time, I had over 20 pairs of motorcycle gloves. Over the years (with the encouragement of my husband), I have thinned down the pile to one pair per season (plus a couple of …
[REVIEW] Sena Outrush R Modular Helmet
Sena Outrush R Modular Helmet Here we are well along another riding season (such as it is given everything else) here north of the one-way (more or less) border, although the restrictions are loosening or being modified; as such, many of us remain semi-contented in riding closer to home, exploring more of the roads (paved …
[Review] Sena 3S Plus Boom and Universal Intercom Systems
“Universal Fit and Small Footprint” Way back in late 2014, wBW got its first look at the original Sena 3S systems announced at the 2014 AIMExpo and while Rick was pretty positive over these early variants, some observations and reservations were expressed in his subsequent Small Size, Big Features review in April 2015. And it …
[REVIEW] BMW GS Pure Full Face Helmet
It’s So Pure This GS Makes Me Swoon “Would you like to review a newly-released BMW adventure helmet, Jim?” Simon Armstrong, the BMW brand champion at Blackfoot Motosports (my local dealership in Calgary, Alberta) surprised me with an opportunity to get my hands on an alluring new helmet a few months back. A couple of …
[REVIEW] Arai Regent-X Full Face Helmet
I have to confess that my first motorcycle helmet was an off-brand sale rack item that I purchased to attend the MSF course. I didn’t pay much attention to its quality, and sure enough, the chin vent broke off shortly after I got my license. Since then, I have had a few accidents, and I …
[REVIEW] KLIM Hardanger HTD Long Gloves
For me, motorcycle gloves are almost as important as my helmet. In 2001, I was looking at a pair of Held gloves at Helimot’s shop since Helimot sponsored our team. When I asked him the price and he said “Mark they are $450.00.” GULP WTF did he say!? When he saw my expression he simply …
[REVIEW] HJC i10 Full Face Helmet
While riding around in my Scorpion EXO-GT920 was perfectly fine from March through to May here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, when June arrived this year, it arrived with hell on its heels. The temperature spiked hard, pushing through to over 30 C (86 F) almost every day of the month. Frankly, the GT920 no longer …
[Review] HJC i90 Modular Helmet Review
About the HJC i90 Years ago, the field of modular helmets seemed like a distant cousin of the world of full-face lids. Modular lids were noticeably larger, as heavy as an anvil, and about as stylish. Chinbars flopped about seeming more like a loosely fitted accessory than an integral part of the helmet. Apart from …
Show Off Your Lid With Trip Machine Helmet Hangers
If you’re anything like me, you spend the occasional Saturday morning curled up on the couch, nursing a hefty dose of caffeine while nibbling at last night’s cheat meal leftovers (we know, it’s a bad habit we’re working on). Amidst the weekend errands, a favorite pastime is scanning the wide web for new gadgets – …
Interview: Karleen Eberle, Owner and Designer of Raven Rova Women’s Motorcycle Gear
It was a hot July summer evening, and this chikita had just finished her beginner’s motorcycle course. I was stoked, sure…more importantly, I was desperately in need of good gear. I beelined for the nearest local moto dealership, on a mission to find something that fit better than the horror I had MacGyvered for the …
Moto Guzzi Experience Expands To The USA For 2021
The Moto Guzzi Experience is coming to the USA – and they intend to bring you along for the ride. For those of you who don’t know, Moto Guzzi is an Italian company that started in 1921 and currently stands strong as Europe’s longest-running motorcycle manufacturers. They were also, surprisingly, responsible for the world’s first …
[REVIEW] EarPeace MOTO Pro Earplugs
The Right Gearing For Your Hearing Taking the bike out for a long ride is a joy we share with millions of people around the world. When talking about safety apparel, most riders think of helmets and eye protection, jackets, pants, gloves and boots made for motorcycling. But there’s another piece of protective equipment often …
[REVIEW] Racer Gloves USA Pitlane Gloves
Gearing Up For The Summer Note: Thanks to Racer Gloves USA for providing the Pitlane Gloves for this review I always carry extra gloves in case of changing weather during my ride. So when Racer Gloves USA asked us if we would like to try out some of their gloves, I asked for two pairs, …
