15,000 Mile Gear Review

Suit

Suit - Olympia X-Mot

• Would Recommend - NO
• Cost - $479.99 Jacket - $299.99 Pants
• Link - http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-x-moto-jacket - http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-x-moto-pants
• Pros
  • Price
  • Lots of features
  • Very comfortable
  • Good protection
• Cons
  • Rain layer goes on the inside
  • Vents take a long time to open/close
  • Waterproof pockets are not waterproof
  • 1L hydration pack is a complete joke

This jacket seems to compete with the high end suits from Klim and others on paper. It advertises everything from a 4 season waterproof suit to a built in hydration system. However, in practice, this jacket falls short it almost every area. For starters the rain layer goes on the inside. This is wildly impractical in the field. It's warm out then it starts to rain and now you are on the side of the road in your underwear...in the rain...putting in your rain liners. This fact alone would rule this jack out, however in addition, the hydration pack at 1L is completely useless unless you want to pull over 3 times a day to fill your hydration pack. Further, the waterproof pockets aren't waterproof AT ALL.

In terms of protection I have walked away from everything I've seen while wearing this suit. This suit has been with me for 2 years, from trips to Baja to the single track forests of Mendocino in California. I've crashed on the street, on rocks, into cactus', etc. It only failed on one crash...I went over the handlebars when plowing into a rock deep in sand in Baja...as I went over the handlebars, with the vents open, the pant got caught on my handlebar and tore straight open. I suppose though that is to be expected with vents that protection will be reduced.

How do I make this suit work? I bought a Givi Rain Suit, 2 sizes too big and do not use the rain suit it came with except for very cold temps. I bought a Camelbak 3L hydration pack and threw out the built in one. I don't use the waterproof pockets.

Bottom Line

Pass on this suit for it's rain solution alone.

Update

Olympia has updated this suit and now the rain layer can go on the outside and the hydration pack is 2L however a fellow rider on the long trip south says he is not thrilled with its fit and finish. I would pass on this one as well.

+Givi Rain Suit

• Would Recommend - YES
• Cost - $70
• Link - Bought in a store in Medellin?
• Pros
  • Actually waterproof
  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Comfortable
  • Easy to put on over boots
  • Price
• Cons
  • None

This rain suit now has me believe that a fancy and expensive Gortex suit is not only unnecessary but sub optimal. Essentially, for $70 you can make any gear 4 season and rain proof. No matter how many vents and openings a suit will never be comfortable in 100 degree desert heat. Therefore, I suggest wearing your dirt gear and carry a jacket (sans gear) and your rain suit. This is the only true 4 season gear as the others are really 3 season...let's be honest. The rain suit is great for cutting wind in cold climates and has been quite comfortable when heading over those 4000 meter rainy passes in the Andes. I have been able to leave my X-Moto suit alone and simply put on and off my rain suit, much faster and easier then dealing with a series of liners.

Bottom Line

Skip the fancy waterproof suit. Get yourself some comfortable warm gear, a rain suit and a jacket for highway speeds.

Boots

Alpinestars WP Scout

• Would Recommend - YES
• Cost - $279.95
• Link - http://www.revzilla.com/product/alpinestars-scout-wp-boots
• Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Waterproof
  • Price
  • Protection
• Cons
  • Clasps are giving up after 2 years of use

These boots have been with me through everything and they always come out of it intact while keeping my feet and ankles dry and unbroken. They've even done an OK job at a hike or two. Comfortable enough to wear all day. Actually waterproof, even after two years. One of the clasps doesn't like to stay clasped anymore is my only complaint.

Bottom Line

Look no further for your next pair of affordable adventure boots.

Gloves

Rev'It Dirt 2

• Would Recommend - NO
• Cost - $109.99
• Link - http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-gloves-dirt
• Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Protection
  • Touch screen compatible
• Cons
  • Durability

I was so excited about these gloves. I loved the original Dirt glove and this one seemed to be an improvement in every way. The feel great, they protect one of the easiest to injure parts of your body and, usually this doesn't matter to me but, they look awesome! However, they didn't survive 15,000 miles. The capacitive touch webbing was worn out or completely gone before 10k miles. And after 12k miles my middle finger on my left hand was sticking out the top of the glove. Now a little electrical tape will make these last another 15k miles but for $110 I'd expect a longer life. I do tend to shift with just my middle finger (hydraulic clutch, yay!) but still I'd like to see them reinforce the tips better in their next version.

Bottom Line

Tough to recommend with the durability issue. Stick with the Dirt 1 gloves if you've got them.

Update

Rev'It have replaced them!

Dakine Scout

• Would Recommend - YES
• Cost - ?
• Link -
• Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Waterproof
  • Warm
• Cons
  • Protection

The further I go and the more climates I see the less of a fan of pure motorcycle focused gear I am. In really harsh wet/winter climates use snow gear. Put an armor layer underneath. Otherwise, you will be cold and you will be wet.

Helmet

Arai XD-4

• Would Recommend - YES
• Cost - $599.95
• Link - http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/arai-xd-4-helmet-solid
• Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Versatile
  • Protection
• Cons
  • Expensive

It's just a great, high quality helmet. You get what you'd expect from a $600 helmet. It may be expensive but it delivers. I'm a big fan of a full face helmet. This helmet works even when really hot and really cold.

Bottom Line

If you can swing it, you won't be disappointed with this helmet in all conditions.

100% Goggles + Quick Strap

Adding a pair of googles on quick straps makes the Arai XD-4 the easiest helmet to adapt to different riding conditions...all without stopping. By sticking with the clear visor and using a tinted lens on the goggles (also the cheaper way to do it) you have both sun protection and night riding setup available 100% of the time. Simply run the goggles around the back of the helmet when not in use. When it's hot and sunny keep the visor up and wear the goggles. When it's cold and sunny use both. At night, just use the visor.

Bottom Line

Try the visor, tinted goggle combination and you won't be disappointed.

Headset

Sena SMH10

• Would Recommend - YES
• Cost - $157.46
• Link - http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sena-smh-10-bluetooth-stereo-headset
• Pros
  • Durable
• Cons
  • Sound volume
  • Sound quality

Great headset...let's face it, fumbling with headphones and wires is a constant pain in the ass. Been through hell and back with this headset and it keeps working. Volume is too quiet when using ear plugs for wind noise. Sound quality is appallingly bad...but then so are all the others I've tested.

Sena 20s

• Would Recommend - NO
• Cost - $269.95
• Link - http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sena-20s-bluetooth-headset
• Pros
  • Lots of features - some of them actually useful
• Cons
  • Durability

Total garbage. Had two of these completely fall apart on me. Battery life is inferior to the original and it uses the same speakers and has the same volume so there are no improvements there over the more durable SMH10.

Bottom Line

Stick with the old SMH10 version. The new features aren't that useful and the fact that it's twice as expensive and falls apart should be enough to turn off any buyer.

Update

Sena replaced my mangled 20s for a brand new one. I was able to sell this and recover some of my losses.

Luggage

Giant Loop Great Basin

• Would Recommend - No
• Cost - $450
• Link - http://giantloopmoto.com/products/great-basin-saddlebag/
• Pros
  • Most out of the way, dirt capable bag of them all
• Cons
  • Small
  • Expensive
  • Not waterproof and neither are the internal waterproof bags
  • Hard to get to things
  • Weight is carried high up
  • Fitment can change the shape of the bag

I have been a big proponent of Giant Loop's stuff and they have taken care of me. Even shipped me a new bag, in the middle of my trip, free of charge when mine ripped! However, after riding through Central America during the rainy season I have determined that this just isn't a bag suitable for long distance, see everything travel. It needs to be waterproof. The internal bags that are supposed to be waterproof just aren't. I don't know why but they simply are not waterproof. Everything in my Giant Loop has gotten wet and many things have gotten ruined.

Bottom Line

This is a great bag for that light weight small bike trip to Baja but not great for longer adventures.

Update

I've replaced this with the Kriega Overlander 60.

Giant Loop Dry Bag

• Would Recommend - YES
• Cost - $?
• Link - Discontinued
• Pros
  • Actually waterproof
• Cons
  • Narrow opening

Great addition to the Giant Loop Great Basin. Straps onto the top or back of it. Perfect for clothes. Has kept everything dry for months!

Bottom Line

If you get a Great Basin, get this add-on.

Giant Loop Fandango Tank Bag

• Would Recommend - NO
• Cost - $230
• Link - http://giantloopmoto.com/products/fandango-tank-bag-pro/
• Pros
  • Great fit
  • Great bag
• Cons
  • Not fully waterproof

Bottom Line

It needs to be waterproof. All the competitors tank bags are.

Giant Loop ZigZag Handlebar Bag

• Would Recommend - YES
• Cost - $55
• Link - http://giantloopmoto.com/products/zigzag-handlebar-bag/
• Pros
  • It holds stuff
• Cons
  • Not waterproof

Silly little bag hardly worth mentioning but it's good for toll money and tire pressure gauge.

Kelty RPI Backpack

• Would Recommend - NO
• Cost - $Free
• Link - None
• Pros
  • It was free
  • I've had it since college
  • It attaches nicely to the dry bag.
• Cons
  • Not waterproof

Simply for toiletries, laptop storage and as a day pack for when off the bike. This simple backpack I got for free (or $100,000 tuition) to RPI hugs the Giant Loop Dry Bag nicely and keeps my laptop safe and above everything else.

Update

I've replaced this with the Givi 35L Waterproof Backpack.

Cameras

Olympus TG3

• Would Recommend - YES
• Cost - $349.00
• Link - http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Waterproof-Digital-Camera-Black/dp/B00IZDKTIC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421188764&sr=8-2&keywords=Olympus+TG3
• Pros
  • Waterproof
  • Dust proof
  • Shock proof
• Cons
  • Not the greatest picture quality
  • Zooming often results in blurry pictures

I chose this camera because of all the waterproof/tough cameras it takes the best photos. Still a lot is sacrificed for having the waterproof and shock-proofing in terms of cost and picture quality. Still the pictures are decent...this entire website is an example. I strap it to my jacket with a scuba divers retractor cable which allows me easy access to my camera even when riding and because it's waterproof I don't need to worry about it when it starts to come down.

Any electronic device that has come out the other side of what I've put things through gets huge bonus points in my book and this camera is no exception. Well done Olympus. It truly is waterproof and was even at the bottom of a lagoon in Guatemala for a while until a french free diver went down for 3 mins to retrieve it for me.

Bottom Line

GoPro's are overrated. Do you really want to spend all your time editing mostly boring, unimpressive, distorted footage and fumbling with batteries and cases and mounts? Or would you rather tether a camera to yourself and be done with it?

iPhone 5s + Lifeproof Fre Case

• Would Recommend - YES
• Cost - $90
• Link - http://www.amazon.com/LifeProof-iPhone-5s-Case-Realtree/dp/B00HYN9SPE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1421189186&sr=8-3&keywords=iphone+5s+lifeproof+case
• Pros
  • Actually waterproof
  • Still takes decent pictures
• Cons
  • Expensive

After about 10k miles on my handlebars in a ram mount my phone got dust in the camera lens and no longer takes good pictures even outside of the case. That said, this case has survived flying off the bike at 60mph, water, rain, mud and much more and it's still waterproof and you can still see through it.

Bottom Line

Great way to protect your iPhone from the elements.

GPS

Garmin Montana

• Would Recommend - NO
• Cost - $385
• Link - http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Montana-600-Waterproof-Hiking/dp/B0050SNCN4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1421189361&sr=8-4&keywords=garmin+montana+650t
• Pros
  • Works with gloves
  • Waterproof
  • Durable
  • TOPO support
• Cons
  • Garmin, the worst company ever

Good, but still might as well go with the more features of the Montera if you have the cash. Mine got stolen in Honduras.

Garmin Montera

• Would Recommend - NO
• Cost - $650
• Link - http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Monterra-Wi-Fi-Enabled-Handheld/dp/B00BLZDK82/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421189461&sr=8-1&keywords=garmin+montera+gps
• Pros
  • Works great with Sena as a music player
  • Topo support
  • Works with gloves
  • Durable
  • Waterproof
• Cons
  • Expensive
  • Garmin the worst company ever
  • Very very very very buggy firmware and Mac support
  • Constant annoyances

Good device but I can't recommend anyone give any money to Garmin.

!!!Garmin The Worst Company Ever!!!

Garmin will try to screw you over at every turn. They will try to get more money out of you when ever they can. If you buy maps 2 weeks before they update them you will have to buy them all over again at the upgrade price, which is the same as the full price. If your device gets lost or stolen you will have to repurchase all of your maps seeing as they are tied to given device. Garmin states this is a technical issue but as someone who works in tech I can promise you it is a self imposed limitation to fuck over customers. If you buy a Garmin I suggest loading the Open Street Maps...donate to one of the many sites that make the maps available in the Garmin format.

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