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Review


Pilot Trans.Urban Jacket Preview October 17, 2013 – Pilot USA is a relatively unknown custom manufacturer of motorcycle apparel. Pilot makes custom leather suits for AMA motorcycle racers and others and the company also makes the apparel for Suzuki, Honda and others. Chances are you’ve seen Pilot motorcycle clothing, but just didn’t know it! That …

2014 Shark “Raw” Helmets October 16, 2013 – The new Shark “Raw” helmet has to be one of the most unique designs…ever. I ordered one — as did many other webBikeWorlders — way back in the Spring. The helmets were supposed to be here in July, then September. Well, the wait is finally (almost) over! …

New Ducati Testastretta DVT Engine Has Desmodromic Variable Timing October 15, 2013 – Ducati announced today the new Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) engine. This is the first motorcycle engine with variable timing of both the intake and exhaust camshafts. Here’s an edited version of the press release: Where to Buy Ducati Testastretta DVT Announced See …

The One and Only Ultra-Classic The Belstaff Tourist Trophy jacket is based on the iconic Belstaff Trialmaster jacket (review). But it’s now modernized with D3O protectors and a removable quilted lining. This type of waxed cotton water-resistant design has been used for well over 100 years and has been proven by sailors and anyone requiring protection from …

Tucano Urbano “Trip” Jacket The Tucano Urbano Trip jacket is a very stylish take on motorcycle and scooter attire. No problem wearing this to a store, a movie or to dinner. In fact, it’s probably better looking than most jackets in your street wardrobe. Not only that, but it comes with a nice looking synthetic …

Garmin VIRB Action Camera Preview The Garmin VIRB is brand new and ours just arrived yesterday. The battery is still charging, but here are a few very quick pics and initial impressions. A full webBikeWorld review will be coming soon and we’ll compare the Garmin VIRB with the GoPro Hero 3 (review). It seems like everybody …

Garmin Makes An Action Camera The Garmin VIRB action camera is built like a brick with excellent overall construction. It’s also relatively heavy and we discovered that this has implications when mounting the camera. Overall, we’re disappointed with the video quality of the Garmin VIRB and we hope that Garmin can and will correct the …

Sidi “Traffic Air” Boots Review The Sidi Traffic Air boots are the fully perforated version of the Sidi Traffic Rain boots. They include two useful features and also something rather interesting that we discovered. First, they’re “user friendly” due to the simple side entry zipper. And the combination of perforated sides and thin liner give …

Tactical Boots Comparison Are you willing to forgo some of the features of motorcycle-specific riding boots? Then try the Ridge Outdoors “9000 Ultimate Zipper boots” and the Blackhawk “Warrior Wear Light Assault Boots”. They will cover most — perhaps all — of your riding needs. They are both rugged, functional, extremely comfortable, and cost less …

Cardo and Shoei Announce Intercom Partnership October 28, 2013 –  Shoei and Cardo announce a high-end communication system for Shoei Customers Shoei Co., Ltd. and Cardo Systems Inc. announced today that they have signed an agreement under which Cardo will design, develop and market an unique and high-end communication system to specifically fit the Shoei Neotec, …

Sena Bluetooth Action Camera Announced October 2, 2013 –  The news has leaked; we’ve been trying to hold the secret but word got out that the Sena Bluetooth Action Camera will be formally announced at the upcoming AIMExpo show in Orlando, Florida on October 17. UPDATE: Here’s the report on the Sena Action Cam from the AIMExpo. We’ll …

Nolan N44 Helmet Review Releasing even a single new helmet design is a major undertaking; three at once is nearly unheard of. But that’s just what Nolan is doing today, with the release of the brand-new Nolan N44. Also released today are the completely redesigned Nolan N86 full-face replacing the Nolan N85 (review), which was the …

Nolan N91 Helmet The Nolan N91 replaces the Nolan N90 (review), which was the 2010 webBikeWorld Flip-up Helmet of the Year. The N90 was and still is a very popular flip-up helmet. Priced at $150 less than the flagship Nolan N104 flip-up (review), the N90 is what we like to call a “steal”. The N91 continues that legacy. …

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!! 2013-2014 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 …

Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones Review The new Bose QuietComfort 20 headphones or earbuds are amazing…under most conditions. Throw the switch and most of the external sounds are immediately hushed. When riding a motorcycle, however, the system only dampens noise to about the same level as a good pair of disposable ear plugs. …

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 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 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 …

Teiz Motorsports Sahara Jacket The Teiz Motorsports Sahara jacket is a comfortable, functional garment. It served me well throughout the entire 15 days of the western portion of the Trans America Trail ride. The fit — bespoke in this case — was great and if you don’t notice your gear when wearing it, it’s doing something right. The …

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” 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” 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 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 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 …

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 …

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. …

The Essential Buyer’s Guide by: Dave Orritt Paperback ISBN: 978-1-845845-23-0 Publisher: Veloce Publishing Publication Date: February 2013 60 pages. 195 mm x 139 mm x 4 mm List Price: $19.95/£9.99 Here’s another in the “Essential Buyer’s Guide” series from Veloce Publishing, which includes nearly 100 vehicles, from the Volkswagen Beetle and BSA Bantam to this …

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 …