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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Posted in Gear Review & Thoughts and tagged #adventure, #alarm, #bmwmoa, #bmwmotorrad, #explore, #klim, #madeforadventure, #makelifearide, #motorcycle, #spiritofgs, #travel, #xladv, rever, rlink by admin with comments disabled.
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!
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.
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.
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!
Posted in Gear Review & Thoughts and tagged #adventure, #bmwmoa, #bmwmotorrad, #camping, #campinggear, #explore, #klim, #klimgear, #klimlife, #madeforadventure, #makelifearide, #motorcycle, #mucoff, #outdoors, #review, #spiritofgs, #tires, #travel, #xladv, CRF250L, R1200GS by admin with comments disabled.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/
Posted in Gear Review & Thoughts and tagged #adventure, #bmwmoa, #bmwmotorrad, #camping, #campinggear, #explore, #motorcycle, #travel, #xladv, 2WheelAdv, hammock, tent by admin with comments disabled.
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!
Posted in Gear Review & Thoughts and tagged #askforcardo, #bmwmotorrad, #motorcycle, #xladv, 2WheelAdv, Cardo, PackTalk, R1200 GS, R1200 GSA by admin with comments disabled.
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!
Until next time, ride safe and see you out on the road!
Posted in Gear Review & Thoughts and tagged #klim, #klimlife, #motorcycle, #xladv, 2WheelAdv, Motorcycle accessories, motorcycle clothing, wool by admin with comments disabled.
Field Company Skillet Field Test and Review
Cast iron skillet for a traveling motorcyclist?! Some of you are already wondering, “What the heck is this guy thinking?!” Those take up too much room and weigh a ton! You cannot possibly expect someone to travel efficiently on a motorcycle and bring a cast iron along.
America!
Well my friends, today you will learn that it can be done and with a lot less weight than you might expect. You will be surprised with just how little room it actually takes up when packed correctly.
One of my New Year’s goals was to cook more while camping, which was partially inspired by my Latin American friends. I already had a pot to boil water in and some very tiny saucepans, but wanted something I could really cook with while on the trail. I did my normal YouTube research, read reviews, and almost bought an aluminum saucepan.
Someone ask for some gluten?
Luckily I didn’t! For whatever reason, maybe pure luck, I came across an ad for “Field Company” while on Facebook. It was like the computer read my mind and this creation of a forged light weight cast iron skillet appeared!
I clicked on the ad, which brought me to a very professional, clean looking site. As I was scrolling down admiring the amazing looking foods cooked inside the pan, there was the verbiage, “Light enough to use everyday,” and just underneath it, “25-50% lighter than most cast irons.” My interest was piqued and I continued stalking the site.
Upon clicking the products link, I learned Field Company offers two sizes, the No. 10 and No. 8. I measured the size of my OEM pannier on my BMW R1200 GSA and was delighted to see that the No. 8 would lie flat inside.
#8
Before purchasing or supporting companies, I always like to know a little something about them. Reading over the “about” tab on the Field Company website, I learned of the company’s rich family history and the thought process behind recreating a tradition, while adding a modern touch to improve upon their designs. Another awesome feature about Field Company is that you are supporting an American made product with your purchase. The pans come with a lifetime warranty and you can have peace of mind that it will be passed down from one generation to the next.
I decided to reach out to the company to express my desires and expectations. I was greeted with a welcoming response and my brand new, adventure camping No 8. skillet arrived within a few weeks.
Personalized note inside
After a few back and forth phone conversations about how to properly care for and season the pan, I hit the ground running and started cooking bacon like any normal man would do!
Bacon!
Over the next few weeks of camping, I tested out a wide array of foods inside the pan. The skillet was tested over direct flame made with wood, coal, and just about anything lying around, including Amazon boxes and Starbucks cups. After using it in the field (get it, “field” as in Field Company….ah, never mind), I brought it home and used it on my glass cooktop. This truly is one pan that rules them all.
Camp fire flat bread
Ok now for my set-up… I initially used a towel to wrap the skillet and placed it flat side down on the bottom of the left pannier. Keeping the skillet at its lowest point on the motorcycle is crucial for proper packing. The towel worked but took up extra space. I went to my local hardware store and picked up a thin rubber tool mat, cut it to size, and used that for vibration control and protection. To protect the seasoning, I placed a piece of aluminum foil over the top. My additional camping items then fit inside the skillet, taking up almost no room. I use the sides and corners of the pannier to hold my salt, pepper, and garlic in place.
OEM PANNIER
If you like camping, meat, and motorcycles, this is the pan for you! I encourage you to give it a try!
Till next time, ride safe and I will see you on the road less traveled!
Posted in Gear Review & Thoughts and tagged #camping, #campinggear, #castiron, #cooking, #explore, #madeforadventure, #makelifearide, #motorcycle, #outdoors, #review, #xladv, cast iron, R1200GS by admin with comments disabled.
Motoz Tractionator GPS Tire Review
Hello 2018!
What better way to start off a new year than with a set of new motorcycle tires for the upcoming riding season?!
I bring you my latest semi long-term test review of the Motoz Tractionator GPS tires. I equipped these tires on my 2014 BMW R1200 GSA back in August, 2017 and set my sights on some curvy roads. My goal was to challenge these tires in wet/slick conditions and determine their cornering abilities. I packed my bags and headed north to Lorton, VA and started my way down through the Shenandoah National Park. I got exactly what I wished for because it rained non-stop for the next several days.
Besides the rain, the leaves were changing colors and falling off; thus, providing me with an even greater challenge of riding untested tires on curvy roads, in wet conditions, and also on a leafy surface!
Having had 30k miles of experience with the direct competitor (Heideanu K60 Scouts), I wanted to focus on identifying the riding characteristics of the Tractionator GPS tires in comparison. I have always heard rumors about the K60 Scouts being slippery as hell on wet roads and never thought much of it, as I drive all the time in torrential Florida rain and had never experienced an issue. It wasn’t until my recent trip to Alaska, riding two-up on a straight road to Kennicot, that I fishtailed and fully understood the slippery horror others using the K60 Scouts had experienced before me. With pure luck and cheeks puckered, I managed to keep us upright and push on.
With that experience in mind, I continued on to the Blue Ridge Parkway to further test the handling of the Tractionator GPS tires. Getting used to them and feeling more confident, I made my way down to the bottom of famous Tail of the Dragon. I started my first run moderately and pushed harder on the following runs.
Check out my YouTube video from Tail of the Dragon:
The Tractionator GPS tires claim to be 50/50 with an option of the rear tire being reversed for even more traction off-road. I would rate them as a solid 60/40 road configured and a 50/50 off-road configured.
What I can tell you is that these tires perform well in all conditions with the possible exception of ice since I tend to stay away from frigid temps if I can help it. They are by no means a full road tire or hardcore motocross tire, but rather are a good all around adventure tire for those seeking the ability to jump on and off the road with confidence. I managed to rack up just under 4,000 miles and the Tractionator GPS tires show no signs of wearing out anytime soon. If I had a crystal ball, I would estimate these will last a total of 8-10k miles on the rear.
Price Comparison:
Motoz Tractionator GPS – Front $139; Rear $210
Heideanu K60 – Front $154-195; Rear $189-285
For years, consumers have had limited tire choices for the larger displacement motorcycles which offer both on-road and off-road manners. The Motoz Tractionator GPS tires are a win in my book and I will continue to use them for my long distance adventure travels.
For more product information, click the link below:
http://pacificpowersports.com/products/motoz-tires/
Till next time, ride safe and keep adventuring!
Posted in Gear Review & Thoughts and tagged #adventure, #bmwmotorrad, #madeforadventure, #makelifearide, #motorcycle, #xladv, BMW R1200 GSA, motoz, Motoz Tractionator GPS, R1200GS by admin with comments disabled.
Scala Rider PackTalk long-term review
Today, I want to share about a long-term test review of the Scala Rider PackTalk by Cardo.
I’ve spent just over a year now riding with this unit to bring you a straightforward, no BS, hands-on opinion of what I think is cutting-edge technology.
I’ve tested the system in various climates and terrain. My goal is to provide you with an informative review that I hope will increase your knowledge of Bluetooth vs. DMC (Dynamic Mesh Communication) systems for your potential future purchases.
I initially purchased this product when it was just released to the market and had some firmware update issues. After a few updates, the system became more user-friendly.
Prior to buying this unit, I had a Sena SMH10, which failed me on my ride to Nova Scotia when water got inside the unit and eventually fried it. I also tried the 20S, but ran into a few problems and didn’t get much help from the customer service end to resolve those issues. I returned the 20S unit.
I then switched over to Cardo. Right off the bat, I noticed this unit had a lot going on. I mean really, this PackTalk could do just about everything for me besides maybe wash my bike. I was able to not only connect to multiple riders, but also to my iPhone, GPS, and music system seamlessly. Learning all these features didn’t come quickly, though. I had to watch many YouTube videos, make a couple of trips to the local dealership, and then finally make contact with a Cardo rep, Mike, at the BMW MOA Rally in Hamburg, New York. After a few back-and-forth conversations with Mike, I quickly learned how easy it was to use the system that initially seemed so difficult to learn, but was really just me overthinking it. Mike opened my eyes to the understanding of what DMC technology is, as well as the great benefits of having DMC vs. Bluetooth.
To put it in simple terms, DMC provides a seamless interaction between multiple units and has the ability to instantly connect riders when turning another unit on or coming within the range of an active unit. The more units you add, the stronger the signal and ability to cover greater distances. The exact opposite happens when using Bluetooth technology, as you are in a daisy chain and each unit you add weakens the signal.
I bought a second PackTalk unit for my wife. We took a quick trip to the mountains of Georgia and Tennessee, and got to experience the crystal-clear clarity of the system firsthand. When I still had my Bluetooth system, I would always experience some sort of interference or distortion when speaking with someone paired to the unit, and if we got separated, it was sometimes a painfully long delay before getting paired back up.
Seeing as how the PackTalk is a new unit, I had trouble finding other riders that also carried the system, and thus, I was never able to use the DMC technology to its fullest potential. I reached out to Cardo and told them about my Alaskan adventure. Cardo provided my group with four headsets to bring along for the experience so we could provide feedback, good or bad, upon our return.
Upon receipt of the four units, I made sure they were updated with the latest software, and I paired each unit to the pack leader (me).
What we initially noticed was that the system worked great when riders did not change or attempt to pair the units to other systems such as a phone or GPS. This was mostly due to the fact that they kept hitting the wrong pairing sequence, which would interfere with the primary pairing of the system. Once we recognized and corrected that minor setback, we didn’t have any further issues.
PackTalk is said to have a 5 mile range for up to 15 riders. While riding in Alaska, we were synced between three to five riders out of six total PackTalks on any given day. We never got to experience all six riders connected at once due to bikes breaking down and people getting separated or delayed. What I can tell you, and everybody in the group will agree, is that the more riders connected with the DMC headsets, the stronger the signal was, giving us a greater distance of area between riders.
When we only had two to three headsets connected with DMC, we could tell that the range on the units was reduced. I believe we were only at a range of approximately 3/4 of a mile with only three riders connected. When we were able to use four or five units, the distance/signal strength was noticeable greater.
Using the built-in radio, auto tuner was simple and straightforward. While traveling to different areas, 3 simple clicks on the unit allows the rider to search for the strongest signals in the area and automatically tune into those channels.
Everyone got to experience their PackTalk systems through many miles of continuous rain or “Dalton dirt.” Each day they continued to perform as designed without a hiccup. We averaged 10 hours of daily use with these units over a period of roughly three weeks.
Overall, everyone was pleased with the unit and I believe Cardo earned some more business from the trial.
Is it an expensive investment? Yes, but when compared to the competition, it’s worth the investment.
Keep leading the way with great customer service and technology!
Posted in Gear Review & Thoughts and tagged #communication, #motorcycle, Cardo, PackTalk, Scala Rider by admin with comments disabled.
Snugpak Gear Review
Is Snugpak the holy grail for compact camping gear?
From the tundra of the Arctic Circle to camping in your backyard, Snugpak has you covered with a wide selection of gear.
I brought the MML 3 Softie Smock and the Tactical 2 Sleeping Bag along on a recent adventure. The MML 3 Softie Smock is a pullover, insulated jacket, which is extremely compressible for convenient space saving during packing. The fabric is super comfy and kept me warm throughout my trip. It is rated from 0 celsius comfort to -5 celsius low. Thus, it keeps you warm in some of the coldest climates. While at Prudhoe Bay, I only needed to wear an under shirt and the MML 3 Softie Smock while exploring the Arctic Ocean. This created a perfect combo, along with my riding jacket for the outwear, for my trek to the far north.
MML 3 Softie Smock at the Arctic Ocean
The tactical series of sleeping bags gives you everything you need and nothing you don’t. I was on the quest to find the most compact, space saving sleeping bag which would still provide me with the low temperature rating needed for my trip. I found the cost to be reasonable when comparing it to other brands, which attempt to compete with its size and temperature rating, but cost significantly more.
Tactical 2
Compressed size
Something that I personally feel strongly about, and place my full support behind, is a company with traditional values and heritage. To my knowledge, Snugpak is one of the last companies of its kind which still engineers and produces several products at their vintage mill dating back to the 1800’s in West Yorkshire, North England. Because of this, the products come with reassurance that the price you are paying is supportive of workers being paid a fair wage to produce a quality product with pride instead of a bunch of machines doing the job.
So again I ask… is Snugpak the holy grail for compact camping gear? Why yes, yes it is.
To view the full US product line, click on the link below:
http://www.proforceequipment.com/product.php?brand=snugpak
Dalton Hwy
Posted in Gear Review & Thoughts and tagged #adventure, #camping, #campinggear, #clothing, #motorcycle, #outdoors, #snugpak, #travel by admin with comments disabled.
Golden Tyre GT723 Review
So, probably one of the most controversial topics I could blog about is motorcycle tires. Coming back from Alaska, I swapped out my K60 Scouts in Montana for Golden Tyre’s just released GT723s to continue some off-road riding in Idaho and Utah before heading home.
Before I ramble on about my experience, I would like to share the below paragraph which was sourced directly from the Golden Tyre website.
“The GT723 was originally designed as a purebred race tire for the most demanding rally stages on the planet. Its perfect balance of grip and road manners have created a confidence inspiring race tire that is now used as the best adventure tire on the planet. Adventure riders throughout the world have found that the exceptional grip and durability has been paired with an unmatched level of longevity not found in traditional race tires. Adventure riding covers a wide variety of terrain and the GT723 has you covered anywhere your adventure leads!”
So does this tire live up to their ad? Well, that’s debatable and is based entirely on your riding needs. I’ve broken this down into three sections: The good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Good (which is actually great) – Off-road riding with this tire on my R1200 GSA was amazing! I tackled a variety of terrains including super slick mud, rocky sections, gravel, hard-pack, and the dreaded sugar sand.
The Bad – On-road capabilities are what you would expect with a full knobby tire. Highway speeds will be reduced initially, but improve after the tires have had a chance to break-in.
The Ugly – Holy heck, these things are scary when they are first mounted! The knobs flex a lot making you second guess yourself.
Right after I left the dealership, I was riding two-up and fully geared. As soon as I began driving, an uncomfortable feeling came over me as I felt very little control over the bike on the road. The tires have full knobs which caused a great deal of flex and difficulty with safely maneuvering the bike due to the amount of weight on it. After checking into the hotel, I removed my panniers and did some solo riding around town on the pavement to get a better feel for them. They improved slightly, which gave me hope.
The following day, my passenger flew home and I continued to Wyoming to visit Yellowstone National Park before hitting Idaho. My highway speeds were initially limited to 65 MPH due to almost experiencing a fishtail feeling in the handlebars, which continued to worsen with more speed. I did not want to chance losing control of the motorcycle on the highway, so continued at a slower pace for roughly 200 miles. I eventually started to notice slightly less feedback on my handlebars and was able to gradually increase my speeds. After traveling for another 400 miles, I was able to open the bike up to 90 MPH without having that feeling of losing control.
I made my way down to Idaho where I met up with the guys at KLIM and stripped my bike of excess weight. We left KLIM HQ and rode off into some great terrain, which put these tires through a series of great off-road riding tests.
It didn’t matter what terrain we encountered: Slipperier than snot mud, rocky single track, or gravel, these tires were excellent. The ride was almost everything I could have hoped for to get an accurate account of exactly what these tires could handle.
After leaving Idaho, I continued to travel on the road to Utah to attend the 2017 BMW MOA Rally. The tires continued to perform better on the road over time, and I experienced a lot less road issues than I had at the beginning. I want to say that my overall mileage with the tires was between 900-1,000 at this point.
I left the MOA Rally and returned home to complete my testing of the tire in some of the most challenging terrain one can find… Florida sugar sand! I figured I would drop the bike a lot so I removed all my panniers, and mirrors in preparation for the inevitable fall(s). I met up with my buddy, Alberto, from Florida Outdoor Adventures, at Croom Motorcycle Park. He assisted me by videoing this experience for your viewing pleasure. Before I embarked on this challenge, I dropped my tire pressure on the front down to 27 PSI and the rear to 30 PSI.
For those that don’t know, Croom is a large fenced-in park for motorcycles, ATVs, and Side-X-Sides.
After the camera gear was setup, I headed off and started my run in the big open sand pit, which looks like something out of Star Wars. It was quite entertaining seeing everyone stop in their tracks to watch me attempt this. It was probably the first time anyone has seen a 600 lb. motorcycle in the park, let alone in the sand pit!
Once in the sand pit, I was 100% focused. I took Big Bertha around, hit some large whoops, practiced starting from a dead stop, and managed to leave with all of my extremities intact, due to a miraculous lack of falling.
Follow the link below to witness the pure amazingness that was Croom:
Who do I recommend these tires for? Someone doing serious off-road riding. These are purposefully built tires for the ultimate off-road challenge. I might go as far as saying that these are the best off-road tires I have ever experienced.
If you’re interested in purchasing these tires, below is the link to their website:
https://www.goldentyrewest.com/adventure-rally
Posted in Gear Review & Thoughts and tagged #goldentyre, #GT723, #klim, #motorcycle, #offroad, #review, #tires, #travel by admin with comments disabled.