Just got back from a trip which included many weather conditions
here is my opinion of the gear I used:
The FJR...
This bike sucks! You ride your butt off, get tired and pull into a rest stop
for a nap. You walk towards a picnic table for some shut eye and you swear
you can hear the bike taunting you "Is that all you got sissy boy"
Seriously this bike rocks!!!
Aerostich Roadcrafter jacket...
This jacket IS all its cranked up to be. I was pleasantly surprised. I found
It kept me dry in the rain I experienced and comfortable in the heat with its vents.
Areostich Airvantage Heated Jacket...
Wow, I debated on electrics, I ended up buying this sole jacket.
I have fractured my spine (2 times) and when I LD ride this is one
of my weak points. This jacket not only kept me warm, I found when I inflated
the air bladder tight it helped support my back while the heat kept me from tight
"fatigue pain" I usually get.
First gear HT II pants...
Loved them... I wore these instead of my roadcrafter pants due to a "fit" issue.
I was surprised to find I stayed dry in them also. In the heat I rode with the
zippers on the legs opened and found them comfortable. I think the transition
of liner/no liner could be made easier, but then I was always in a hurry. With the
liner I never needed fleece pants, that I had brought, to stay warm.
Cruiserworks Defender boots...
This was the first test for these boots, as previous rides were dry and shorter.
I was very pleased with the warmth these provided in the cold. I never doubled
up socks and yet my feet were warm. I got the Defender model as they are "Lace
Up" I have a plate with 7 screws in my right ankle, and these give me a "custom" fit.
BUT most importantly... they proved they were waterproof!!! Kept me warm in the cold,
dry in the rain and comfortable in the heat. I can't imagine the ride with wet feet.
Gloves...
I took 4 pairs of gloves. I learned not to buy "Winter" gloves from a Florida cycle shop.
My son's ski gloves got me through the cold and even kept my hands dry, but lack of flexibility
was a major issue when I had to use my hands. I also brought rain overgloves by firstgear.
These may work for summer gloves, but I got them too tight for cold weather gloves, and found
they crush the insulation and destroy the gloves ability to keep the hands warm. For warmer riding,
my tourmaster Gel Cruiser gloves are great for comfort with vibration and grip. Hot weather, I wore
Motoboss mesh.
This was an area I was not satisfied with. I went fishing in Canada on the return trip and came
accross some "River Rat" fishing gloves. They are 90% neoprene, 5% nylon and 5% fleece. They are
waterproof and warm. They also have a rubber palm for grip. Could I have stumbled on something here?
I will give these a try for cold/wet weather. Needless to say, I am going to electrics for hands in cold
weather from now on.
Shark Evoline II...
This is the first modular helmet I have owned, so my opinion is limited by lack of comparison. I liked
the ability to fuel without removal of headgear. I LOVED the drop down tinted visor. This was great to
rely on from the last fueling at dusk and the fueling before sunrise. Also combined with sunglasses I
was able to drive into the sun at sunrise and sunset. I had forehead issues with soreness, It could be a
sizing issue? I travelled with it in the lock back position in the heat...3/4s can be nice at times!
I also had a neck gear. I do not remember the brand, and do not want to go looking for it. It is turtle
fur I think, it stops the cold air from entering the helmet and jacket. These are fantastic and well worth
the $.
The reason I write a review like this? I have benefited from the advice of others on this forum on
equipment issues and saved some $ on getting it right the 1st time. This is just my opinion on the
gear I used. Take it for what it is worth. One of my first LD rides was the 100CCC in which I left out
on the fjr with no bags, blue jeans, blast jacket, water socks and helmet. It rained from San Antonio
TX to Jacksonville, FL... I was miserable the last 24 hours. This trip....
Ride safe, ride far,
Tony
here is my opinion of the gear I used:
The FJR...
This bike sucks! You ride your butt off, get tired and pull into a rest stop
for a nap. You walk towards a picnic table for some shut eye and you swear
you can hear the bike taunting you "Is that all you got sissy boy"
Seriously this bike rocks!!!
Aerostich Roadcrafter jacket...
This jacket IS all its cranked up to be. I was pleasantly surprised. I found
It kept me dry in the rain I experienced and comfortable in the heat with its vents.
Areostich Airvantage Heated Jacket...
Wow, I debated on electrics, I ended up buying this sole jacket.
I have fractured my spine (2 times) and when I LD ride this is one
of my weak points. This jacket not only kept me warm, I found when I inflated
the air bladder tight it helped support my back while the heat kept me from tight
"fatigue pain" I usually get.
First gear HT II pants...
Loved them... I wore these instead of my roadcrafter pants due to a "fit" issue.
I was surprised to find I stayed dry in them also. In the heat I rode with the
zippers on the legs opened and found them comfortable. I think the transition
of liner/no liner could be made easier, but then I was always in a hurry. With the
liner I never needed fleece pants, that I had brought, to stay warm.
Cruiserworks Defender boots...
This was the first test for these boots, as previous rides were dry and shorter.
I was very pleased with the warmth these provided in the cold. I never doubled
up socks and yet my feet were warm. I got the Defender model as they are "Lace
Up" I have a plate with 7 screws in my right ankle, and these give me a "custom" fit.
BUT most importantly... they proved they were waterproof!!! Kept me warm in the cold,
dry in the rain and comfortable in the heat. I can't imagine the ride with wet feet.
Gloves...
I took 4 pairs of gloves. I learned not to buy "Winter" gloves from a Florida cycle shop.
My son's ski gloves got me through the cold and even kept my hands dry, but lack of flexibility
was a major issue when I had to use my hands. I also brought rain overgloves by firstgear.
These may work for summer gloves, but I got them too tight for cold weather gloves, and found
they crush the insulation and destroy the gloves ability to keep the hands warm. For warmer riding,
my tourmaster Gel Cruiser gloves are great for comfort with vibration and grip. Hot weather, I wore
Motoboss mesh.
This was an area I was not satisfied with. I went fishing in Canada on the return trip and came
accross some "River Rat" fishing gloves. They are 90% neoprene, 5% nylon and 5% fleece. They are
waterproof and warm. They also have a rubber palm for grip. Could I have stumbled on something here?
I will give these a try for cold/wet weather. Needless to say, I am going to electrics for hands in cold
weather from now on.
Shark Evoline II...
This is the first modular helmet I have owned, so my opinion is limited by lack of comparison. I liked
the ability to fuel without removal of headgear. I LOVED the drop down tinted visor. This was great to
rely on from the last fueling at dusk and the fueling before sunrise. Also combined with sunglasses I
was able to drive into the sun at sunrise and sunset. I had forehead issues with soreness, It could be a
sizing issue? I travelled with it in the lock back position in the heat...3/4s can be nice at times!
I also had a neck gear. I do not remember the brand, and do not want to go looking for it. It is turtle
fur I think, it stops the cold air from entering the helmet and jacket. These are fantastic and well worth
the $.
The reason I write a review like this? I have benefited from the advice of others on this forum on
equipment issues and saved some $ on getting it right the 1st time. This is just my opinion on the
gear I used. Take it for what it is worth. One of my first LD rides was the 100CCC in which I left out
on the fjr with no bags, blue jeans, blast jacket, water socks and helmet. It rained from San Antonio
TX to Jacksonville, FL... I was miserable the last 24 hours. This trip....
Ride safe, ride far,
Tony
