Ducati Transparent Maintenance

Whoooaaaa, it’s been a solid minute since I’ve posted a blog article. So, why not come back with a bang and talk about something very controversial in the top tier moto world… motorcycle dealer maintenance pricing?! 

Since my hiatus in the blogging world, I took a job working for a franchised Ducati dealer as the Service Manager. All politics aside from the dealer level, working with Ducati North America was awesome and getting to see my technicians grow and achieve their Ducati certifications was great. 

Now that I’ve moved on and started my own company outside of the moto world, I can speak about some issues at the consumer level to help educate and remind the dealers that consumers take notice and negative experiences have a downhill effect across the market, including at corporate and local levels. Cause and effect statistics of going against training were actually noted during the training. 

One thing Ducati does really well for it’s franchise locations is training. They provide each employee training modules depending on position, which educate the folks who are the front people for the brand, i.e., Sales Managers, Service Managers, and so forth. I wish the owners actually attended some of these trainings, as they might better understand the history, research, and reasons why Ducati spent so much money and time to properly release these materials. Ducati is an intelligent company and looks at the big picture and not just one small section of the painting. 

Which brings me to Ducati’s Transparency Maintenance. This was a key point on the training modules for the service side with discussions about why it’s important for Ducati dealers to follow the outlined guidelines set forth. The diagram listed is straight from Ducati’s website and not private inside information. 

Ducati has earned a reputation for not only being a top tier manufacturer of the sexiest and fastest bikes on the planet, but also for being the most expensive to maintain. Ducati, in it’s analytics/satisfaction surveys, determined that they were losing a significant consumer base from their reputation of being unaffordable for maintenance, so through further consumer research and analysis, they worked to fix this misconception by releasing a tested transparency guideline for all dealers to follow. Ducati required all dealers to post the transparency chart somewhere near the service center so customers would have awareness before even purchasing a new/used Ducati, or having one serviced, that the costs are comparable to Honda’s, so why wouldn’t you want to upgrade to the best?! 

Sounds great, right? Here’s the problem, Ducati North America requires these things but there is not a penalty for the dealer if they do not comply. So, some franchise owners only look at the smaller picture, and decide they want to squeeze every dollar they can out of the consumer, not understanding economics and the effects it has. Do you want to sell 50 bikes and charge $5 dollars a service or sell 25 bikes for $7 dollars a service? Some dealers have maintained an old school mentality and are charging 2 to 3 times the prescribed rates without concern for the effects this has to the industry or the Ducati brand. 

I called around to the top dealers in the country for pricing on my bike, the Ducati Desert X, for an annual service with oil change. Here’s what I received:

Ducati Sanford $850

Ducati AMS $650

Ducati Corsa $650

Ducati Miami $600

Ducati NYC $440

As you can see, these prices for the same service are all over the place. Some do not follow the guidelines, nor are they even remotely in the same ball field. Ducati NYC is the closest to the guidelines. The Ducati chart calls for 1.42 hours and the listed dealers were either almost dead on or multiple hours over. As my buddy mentioned to me, it shouldn’t be cheaper to service their Jaguar and Porsche vs. the Ducati on basic oil service. It’s actually pretty offensive to the consumer and these dealers should be ashamed of themselves for ripping customers off. But then again, if someone is willing to spend 2x as much, why not, right? Well, that goes back to the economics of it and losing long-term. Maybe they can get away with it on the sport bikes but a Desert X customer is a different class of rider and will just go back to servicing the bike themselves or trade it in for a KTM, Yamaha, or something else in the same class for half the cost. 

Now in a perfect world, I would take a temporary position at Ducati North America to rewrite some policies and implement penalties for franchises not following the guidelines. I know what you might be thinking… “who is this guy thinking he knows more than these super wealthy owners and what’s best for them?” Well, it’s simple. I’m applying real world experience as a former high liabilities instructor and as someone who developed and executed budgets in my past career(s). I won’t talk about my family history or finances, but wealth doesn’t necessarily make you smart. It can blind you from seeing the bigger picture and that’s why sometimes you need to take a step back and humble yourselves. 

Ducati North America, please step it up and develop a better accountability plan. Start holding back bonuses to dealers who aren’t following the guidelines. Dealers will comply, you simply have to place emphasis on what is ultimately best for the company AND their pockets in the long run.

-Cheers


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Sargent Cycle Seat Review – Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE

Alright, who’s up for a motorcycle seat review?!

So, probably the worst thing about any motorcycle, whether you spend $500 or $35,000, is the darn seat. Top manufacturers spend ungodly amounts of money on R&D, but completely drop the ball when it comes to rider comfort for the seats. Of my last seven bikes, I ended up needing a more comfortable aftermarket seat option on every single one of them. It has not been a cheap endeavor finding a company that supports my bum to handle extended miles on the saddle. Years ago, when I had my Triumph Tiger, I must have spent close to $1,500 just on finding the right seat. I tried the OEM upgraded “GEL” (terrible), then went on to the Corbin (heavy and hard like a rock), and finally settled on a Saddleman (not great, but better than all the rest thus far). 

I eventually sold that bike and picked up a BMW R1200 GSA. This prompted a search for another seat. Having testing the aforementioned companies, I wanted something else. I had met the folks from Sargent Cycles at the Orlando AIMExpo several years ago and pre-ordered one of the first 2014 seats for the GSA. I eventually racked up over 30k miles on that seat traveling across the USA and Canada. It was comfortable and reasonably priced in comparison to the other brands selling seats. 

In 2020, I purchased a Triumph 1200 Scrambler XE, and tried my hardest to like the stock seat, but eventually gave into the sore ass and sought a new seat. Corbin was the only company I could find that offered an already complete seat without the need to send in your OEM pan. Without being able to see one firsthand and remembering my concerns from the original Corbin, I opted to skip the gamble and go for a company I knew would provide a great product. 

This brings me to my custom Sargent Cycles Scrambler seat. I contacted the great folks at “SC” and explained what I was looking to have done. I gave them my color options and a little personal touch I wanted added. I sent my old seat pan to them and within a short period of time, a couple of weeks at most, I received my new, redone, fully customized seat!

I opted for their unique “super cell atomic foam” with a slight increase to the width from the original for a more cupped style vs. benched. This helps distribute the rider’s weight more evenly, which takes pressure off of the important parts. 

Like any of my other reviews, I prefer to put hours and miles on products first and not just blow smoke. This seat has approximately 1,500 miles on it now with my longest riding day being 300 miles. Much like my other SC products, with more miles comes more of the “old baseball glove” effect, as it just keeps getting more comfortable over time. 

The only downside I can see with this purchase is the overall cost of investment. It’s not cheap at roughly $410, and add in another $60 for shipping the OEM seat to them. That being said, you do get what you pay for. I’m hopeful that in the future they will make a mold, which will lower the overall cost and give the consumer the option to sell their original seat to recoup some of the cost. 

As always, ride safe, and I will see you on the road!


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RLINK For REVER

Do you travel to distant lands or perhaps just to the Starbucks around the corner? Well, either way, I have just the thing for you, especially if you like that extra sense of security along the way. Several years ago, I was introduced to the REVER motorcycling app, which tracks your rides and shows you local rides in your area. There is also an ability to share your routes with others. 

 

RLINK Tracking

 

More recently, REVER introduced a motorcycle security tracking system, which connects directly to your motorcycle. This system syncs with your telephone and sends you updated alerts if your REVER unit detects movement, vibration, or a low battery. So, imagine if you were hanging out in a less than desirable area… you can have some reassurance. Should someone attempt to steal your ride, or take parts off, you can run outside and handle business… or just call the local authorities. 

 

Security Alert

 

I’ve been testing the generation one (1) version for roughly eight (8) months now and have observed a ton of positives and few negatives regarding the system. 

The main positives are obvious, including the aforementioned ability to receive alerts via text messaging for security purposes. Something else that is worth a mention is the fact that you can upload your routes and also live share your routes directly with family and friends. 

 

Family Share

 

The only serious downside I’ve noticed about this unit is the battery current draw. I run this in parallel with the BMW audible alarm. Through testing, I have learned that when the motorcycle is not being ridden daily, the current draw is very intense, and will cause your battery to be so low that you cannot start your motorcycle. This will occur within approximately four to five days. Now, keep in mind I am running two systems, so if you only use the REVER system, you will likely have different results. I like redundancy and I like my coffee black.

If you already have the REVER app, you probably pay for the premium membership, which unlocks all of the features. This system is one of the included features with that membership. The device retails for $250 and I will post a link below. 

Direct link to system

On a side note, the generation two (2) system has been released. It is all-inclusive and takes up less room. I found out that when running my Rally seat (which is how I did my install video), I can install the system quickly and easily. However, when switching back to stock or my other aftermarket seats, I could not fit the unit in the same location and needed to reroute it further back under the tail section. This added a little more inconvenience and an extra 30-45 minutes to the install time. 

R1200 GSA Install Video

If you are not mechanically inclined, I would highly recommend allowing your dealer to install the unit, which will probably run you 1.5 hours of service. 

I look forward to seeing further advancements of this system and hearing positive outcomes from theft prevention and recovery!

Ride safe and see you out on the road. 


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Muc-Off cleaning solutions

 

Hello, my fellow riders! Whether you’re a Moto guy/gal or bicycle rider, I’ve got some awesome cleaning supplies to introduce today!

 

IMG_0631

 

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been keeping things “old school” with liquid soap and water when it came to my vehicles or two-wheeled machines. I was never one of those guys that went out and thought about a soap specific cleaning aid. If soap and water were good enough for my old man, then they were good enough for me… right? Well, yes and no. Over time, companies like Muc-Off developed specific products which help clean up and protect our most prized possessions. 

I was given the opportunity to review Muc-Off’s snow foam and high performance waterless wash and I have to admit I was skeptical at first. 

Video of product in action – Youtube

The snow foam is a PH neutral pre-wash solution. Yes, you heard me right: You spray it on over the mud and grime, wait about five minutes, and spray it off without having to scrub the bike. I actually have a high pressure sprayer of my own, which I used for this, but they do have a compact portable unit, which I will discuss in a later review. The formula is designed to significantly reduce the possibility of damage to paintwork and protects wax treatments. 

 

IMG_0620

 

Now, for the waterless wash, this is your go to spray-on/wipe-off for those in-between heavy wash days. If your bike is dusty or lacking that shine, spray this on and wipe off with a microfiber cloth for a nice, quick and easy clean. I’ve used this on my truck, moto, and mountain bike and it works great. The price is pretty comparable to what you would spend in a automotive store and if you sign up on the website, they send out a coupon code for 15% off. 

Website link for products

 

IMG_0189

 

Keep checking back, as I will be testing the full range of their products in the coming weeks, along with the specially designed portable pressure sprayer. 

Until next time, ride safe and I will see you on out there!

 

6D0FA792-A3B4-4D9E-AED8-8CC62FDA4596

 


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Flying Tent

Next up for the adventure camping gear review series is the “Flying Tent.”

It is not an every day occurrence to hear about a tent that flies. Well, today is a new day and an Austrian company made it work in a pretty genius fashion. They combined the best features of a tent and the comfort of a hammock and transformed it into a Swiss army knife of camping possibilities.

Hammock mode all closed up

I encountered this company a couple years ago when they were running a startup campaign, but did not take the plunge at that time because frankly, the price. The product comes with a hefty price tag of $299.99 and with so many tried and true tents on the market, it was difficult for me to justify taking a gamble on this new company at that level of investment. 

My old, faithful tent and small pocket hammock had always done the job; however, this hybrid product definitely sparked my interest. On Black Friday 2018, the company released a special promo code, which brought the “Flying Tent” down to a slightly more reasonable price. 

I placed my order and was pretty excited to receive the item. The first thing I noticed was the low, flat profile in its collapsed state. This made it simple to pack on top of the motorcycle top pannier. Removing the system and setting it up for the first time was definitely a challenge. Anything that comes with instructions and requires a me to watch a YouTube video is usually more work than I’m willing to do. However, I was able to handle it and it wasn’t so bad. 

Bag ripped

I know what some of you are probably thinking… “What if you don’t have any trees around you?” Well, that’s the beauty of this system. It’s a 3-in-1 shelter, so you can go from hammock, to ground tent, to poncho in a matter of seconds to suit your terrain. The major plus side is that the inflatable mattress and cot can be left at home when using the “Flying Tent” as a hammock. This saves a significant amount of weight and space on the bike. 

Tent mode with man’s best friend!

The rainfly is completely removable, which yields great ventilation and fantastic star gazing. A mosquito net surrounds the entire hammock with a very large entrance. 

Rain fly partially removed

So, if you’re still reading this, you can see that this product has a ton of pros. With regards to cons, I felt they could have skipped the small zipper pocket inside the liner by where your head rests to sleep. Next, the tree tie straps are very short for wider trees and you will likely need to buy larger ones. Also, the break down process, including stowing the item back inside the carrying pouch, takes some practice. Unfortunately the bag rips easily (I know this because mine ripped on the first attempt). I also learned that customer service is available, but was easier reached through Facebook than email. After addressing my concerns about the bag ripping via our favorite, old school social media platform, a replacement was shipped to me.

Tree connection straps

Here’s a recap of pros/cons.

Pros:

Fun

Versatile

Space/weight saving

All hardware included (stakes, guidelines, etc.)


Cons:

Zipper inside the liner where you lay

Storage bag

Small tree tie straps


All things considered, I’m satisfied with my purchase and love all of the options that the product provides. So if you will be flying (ha!) solo for upcoming adventures, this just might be the hammock/tent you’re looking for.

Till next time, ride safe!

https://www.flyingtent.com/america/


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Helinox Chair One

Summer time is here and I am going to start it off with a multipart camping gear segment. For today’s review, I bring you the Helinox Chair One. I have had and used plenty of portable chairs over the recent years and they each have pros and cons. This one notably has a few nice additions over some other brands.

https://helinox.com

One of the first things you notice about the chair is its carrying case. It fits well, is easy to store, and comes with a molle style attachment system. It does not matter if you are on a motorcycle or hiking, you will appreciate having the molle attachment system for your gear.  

Molle Attachment System

Assembly is straightforward like all the rest except with this chair, you will notice a nice, thick connection hub and “DAC” aluminum connection poles for attaching the chair backing. The chair material is stitched well and has mesh fabric for ventilation to aid in comfort on those hot days. They offer a reasonable selection of colors to suit your fancy.

DAC Aluminum Poles

The price is competitive with other brands in this category right at $100. Helinox has won many accolades for providing innovative designs and offers a 5-year warranty for their products. Stay tuned for my head-to-head comparison with some of the top brands for portable chairs in an upcoming article!


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Tobacco Motorwear Company

Jeans… everyone has at least one pair, right? We wear them to go out, perhaps work around the yard, and some of us wear them while riding a motorcycle. 

I, like many of you, have been collecting jeans for years and have acquired too many to count, with the constant need to replace them after a few months (or maybe I’m just too rough on them and unreasonably expect them to last).

When I was younger, my go to jeans were the tried and true Levi’s, but as I got older, like a fine wine, my tastes evolved and I began to prefer a more comfortable and ultimately, more expensive pair of jeans. For an avid motorcyclist, this caused two major issues. 

The first issue, and probably the most important, was the safety aspect of riding a motorcycle and the risk I was taking by only wearing jeans for leg protection. This was definitely not a smart idea, as denim will shred and disappear within seconds of a slide, leaving you unprotected, naked, and in a ton of pain.

The second issue I found was that I would spend $100-150 dollars on name-brand jeans just to see them wear out and need replacement. Thank goodness I never went down on my motorcycle while wearing my name-brand jeans considering that they fell apart with normal wear and tear. I would have had zero protection and might as well been riding pants-less.

To resolve these two issues, I searched for and found a more reliable option. Please allow me to introduce the Tobacco Motorwear Company (TMC). 

Tobacco Motorwear Company started as a kickstarter campaign, which has proven to be very successful and I can see why. They added internal protection to a classic pair of jeans!

What makes TMC different from other denim companies is that they use raw selvedge denim for long lasting durability and added a Dupont Kevlar lining for slide protection. The TMC jeans have a comfortable, modern, straight-leg fit, which over time form to your body and allow the unique characteristics of your style to shine through.

If the selvedge denim and Dupont Kevlar weren’t enough to get you excited, the attention to detail on the stitching, such as the handle bar going across the two back pockets, subtle accents, and the unique buttons, are awesome touches in my opinion.

Did I mention that they are made in the USA?! Unlike so many other companies which outsource their work, TMC continues to support the American workforce. 

Alright, let’s talk cost. The current pricing is $359.00. Before you panic, let’s think about what you’re investing in: 

  1. A safer pair of riding jeans that look good to boot.
  2. Jeans that won’t wear out anytime soon.
  3. Supporting the American workforce.

The staff at TMC have posted some pretty awesome videos of them testing the jeans’ ability to withstand the abrasion and heat from asphalt slides. Check out this YouTube video for more: https://youtu.be/SBEwuU9AsY4

My personal experience with the TMC crew has been fantastic! Since acquiring a pair of their jeans at the 2018 Aim Expo in Las Vegas, I’ve put many hours and miles on them. For starters, I tried them on at the Expo and didn’t take them off for two days… literally two days. After trying them on, I didn’t want to go back to my not-so-lucky jeans, which I had brought along with me. I headed to the airport after the Expo and my flight was delayed until the next morning. This meant that I slept in the airport in, you guessed it, my new jeans. Initially, you will find them to be tough, but as they break in, they become extremely comfortable and you won’t want to wear another pair of jeans ever again. I found them comfortable in temperature ranges from 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit. 
 

Keep in mind that the idea behind these jeans is for them to look like ordinary jeans with added protection for if that “oh-shit” moment happens. They are not meant to replace your long distance touring gear that’s outfitted with armor.

So, if you want to stop buying jeans yearly, have a safer option, and enjoy riding in style, slip these jeans on and get your ride on!



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PackTalk Slim by Cardo Review

Alright… hello adventure riders and motorcycle enthusiasts! Today, I want to talk to you about the PackTalk Slim by Cardo, for which I’ve recently had the opportunity to conduct a thorough review of how the system works. 

So I was given a unit to demo on my KLIM Krios helmet. This particular helmet had not yet been tested for compatibility with fitment. The Cardo folks just weren’t sure if it would work with my helmet, so they went out on a limb to see if it would. 

I received the unit in the mail and immediately started installing it. The installation process was pretty easy with only a slight hiccup and that was getting the wire placement the way my nitpicking brain wanted it. What makes this different than the other units is the fact that it has a separate battery and communicator module. The communicator fits on the side of the helmet like any other unit, but is super thin and streamlined, while the battery module sits on the rear section of the helmet. This adds a superior balance, in my opinion, and makes it so much more comfortable to use while riding for extended times. 

 

 

The unit fits very well with just a slight gap on the communicator module backside. I am willing to state that Cardo could just list the unit as compatible with the Krios helmet on their website, but I will leave that up to them.

My next step was getting it charged. Normally, I would update the unit with the latest software, but I wanted to test it right out of the box. I hopped on a plane and arrived in California. Once there, I jumped on a brand new BMW R2018 GSA. It took me less than five minutes to figure out how to pair my phone with the PackTalk Slim. I headed off and I spent four wonderful days riding around California to test out the unit in various terrains. Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to take advantage of the DMC technology for communication with other riders. However, upon my return home, I was able to connect with my local riding group and take advantage of this feature. 

While riding in California, I streamed music and took full advantage of the natural voice feature, which allowed me to say, “Hey Siri” for my list of full iPhone commands. It should also be mentioned that it works for “Hey Google” as well. 

 

 

The battery life far exceeded my expectations. I went roughly a day and half between charges. The manual states that the battery will last up to 13 hours and I believe that to be factual. Perhaps if I was running with 15 riders on DMC, it might drain quicker, but I don’t ever plan on riding 13 hours in a day.

Another great feature is that you can have a private conversation with someone in your group using the PackTalk Slim. For example, I sometimes ride two-up and if we are connected with 13 other PackTalk units, I might want to have a quick private conversation with my passenger or perhaps someone else in the group. When the private conversation is over, we can hear and speak to everyone again with a simple click of a button. I’m also able to stream music to other riders or easily tune to FM channels in the area where I’m riding. The unit has universal connectivity, so if you are riding with a buddy who loves their Sena and another buddy who loves their eBay special, you can all be connected! No more hating on each others’ communication systems because they don’t pair. 

The only downside I see, which is more of a personal issue, is that the Slim is unable to be switched to another helmet without a hassle. Since I ride multiple bikes and some helmets are used for specifics like Moto Vlogging or riding my dirt bike, I wish I could easily pop out the unit and pop it into another helmet. I should mention that I have four helmets, which is overkill, I know, but they are like underwear for me and somedays I just want some lace…

 

 

Overall, I’m extremely impressed with this unit and how easy it is to control the features. The learning curve is super fast unlike some of the other models. I will be keeping the Slim on my primary long distance touring helmet for sure!

 

Till next time ride safe and I will see you out on the road!

 


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KLIM Teton Merino Wool Base Layers

The most overlooked pieces of riding gear, in my opinion, are the base layers. We focus so heavily on purchasing the highest quality jacket and pants that we can afford, but forget all about one of the key ingredients to keeping our ride comfortable. 

You can have a jacket with 3 vents or 20, but without proper layers underneath, you’re either going to sweat your ass off, cook inside it, or get pretty darn cold. I have personally tried a multitude of base layers from big names like Under Armor, Nike, etc. over countless miles. You would think that since these companies focus on athletes, their products would work for us, right? Wrong. Those tight fitting shirts and underwear might wick away some sweat, but they are not what is truly best for us adventure riders. I did not realize this until I had a chance to test out the KLIM Teton Summer Weight Merino Wool Base Layers. I bet that some of you are thinking, “Wool for heat gear? This guy must be crazy or getting paid to write the article.” Well, crazy depends on who you ask, and I am surely not getting paid to write. All I can say is what I experienced on my recent trip, including how these items performed. 

I recently had the pleasure of riding for three straight days in beautiful, sunny California. I was there as the honoree for the Rever Track Your Story Challenge, and explored a variety of terrains with Shawn Thomas from BMW Mottorad and his brother, Lance. I wore the Teton Merino Wool long sleeve shirt and underwear as my base layers. My jacket and pants were the KLIM Badlands Pro, Gen 3. 

On the first day, we rode in temperatures ranging from 70-78 degrees. It was great weather, so no complaints. We camped out and the next morning (Day 2), rode into the Mojave Desert. We rode for hundreds of miles in temperatures ranging from 98-115 degrees! At one point, we stopped at Trona Pinnacles to walk around and I left my Badlands jacket on. Obviously, it felt hot but manageable, and I did not seem to be dripping sweat like I normally would be with my normal heat gear on. After returning to the motorcycle and heading back into town, a cool sensation came over my body as the wind entered the jacket and passed through the base layers. This is something that I have previously experienced using my other heat gear, but I am typically drenched in sweat, which is what normally causes the cool sensation. After checking into a hotel and removing my jacket, I was expecting to see my shirt and underwear completely soaked in sweat. To my surprise, the shirt had a very small section of sweat build up near the shoulders, but the chest and back were completely dry! I hung up the set and went to bed. 

While preparing myself for Day 3, I was expecting the base layer garments to smell something wicked. I mean, I had literally gone through the desert in the peak of Summer. The base layer garments were dry, and had that “just washed” wool smell, which completely surprised me. I geared up and we pressed on for the day’s adventure. After doing some sweet twisties and amazing off-roading, we ended up just outside of Shaver Lake at Mushroom Rock to camp out for our final night. 

The temperature dropped into the mid 40’s, so I ended up sleeping in the base layer garments. The next morning, I joked around with with the Thomas brothers and told them they should sniff my garments, as they still smelled good. 

Upon returning home and conducting more research about the materials and their properties, I gained an understanding about how I was able to keep wearing the Merino Wool Base Layers without clearing out a room of people. Traditional heat gear is made out of polyester, which rapidly controls the moisture but stays damp and smelly. In comparison, the wool blend is mixed with a highly effective magical unicorn material. No really, the wool blend is anti-microbial and thus, does not retain odors. The Summer Weight line seems to be the most effective material for a motorcyclist riding in a hotter climate. Another huge bonus to using the Teton collection is that it significantly reduces your need for packed clothes, which saves room for other goodies in your panniers and less weight overall. I am looking forward to the increased cargo space during my future adventures and definitely recommend you check these products out!

www.klim.com

Until next time, ride safe and see you out on the road!


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Quad Lock System

Howdy, folks! Before you start thinking it, yes, this is a cell phone case review. It’s motorcycle related, I promise!

So, for about 4 months now, I’ve been testing the Quad Lock system with my iPhone X. I hooked up three mounts on the following motorcycles: R1200 GSA, R9T Scrambler, and the mighty CRF250L. One of the cool things about the mount is the size. It doesn’t take up much real estate unlike my old system the X-Grip by Ram Mounts. 

Since I’m constantly changing motorcycles for different events, it’s nice to just leave the mount on each bike so it’s ready when I need it.

The Quad Lock system itself is pretty straightforward with no real hangups. Well maybe one… if you failed the square hole/round peg IQ test, then this might not be for you. The most challenging part (which really isn’t all that challenging) is connecting the case to the mount. It kind of resembles an “X” style cut out which you have to align, push in, turn and listen for in order for it to lock. 

While using the system, I tried my best to find fault in the mounting connection. No matter what I tried riding-wise I could not get it to fail. What I have noticed is slight wear, but as with anything you use a lot, it is bound to show some signs of use. I’ve dropped the phone multiple times from various heights (not on purpose) and managed not to crack the phone screen. 

The basic kit is going to run you $70 and if you add the weather resistant poncho, it’s $95. Mine came with the poncho, which is a rubber cover that slips over the case/phone. I never felt it rained hard enough for me to pull it out and slip it on. Yes, I know that sounds terrible! 

Pros:

                                       

Ease of use

Great for taking a quick photo 

Able to use for GPS

Good for multiple motorcycles/bikes

Different colored lever mounts

Weather resistant poncho 

 

Cons:

 

Extra mounts are not cheap at $49.95

Colored lever mount is $9.95 each (if you don’t like the standard blue one)

Weather resistant poncho comes at an extra cost 

 

So, if you’re looking for a motorcycle cell phone mounting solution, you can purchase this with confidence knowing it will do what it was intended for. Check out their website below and sign-up on the website for a discount code. 

https://www.quadlockcase.com

Until next time, ride safe and see you out on the road!


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