In a completely opposite move as Kijona, I just sold my car and am now relying on my GS500 as my sole form of transportation.

It'll be an interesting experience.  I used a chunk of the cash from selling my car to get better gear.  New jacket, new pants, a new helmet, and I'm currently shopping for some wet-weather gear.  My goal is to save up some cash and get a new cage by winter, and I also plan on riding until the first salt hits the road.

Wish me luck!  Also, any advice?

I typically ride into the cold, and I have been in rain and storms several times already, just never on purpose.  I'm also planning on getting some nice waterproof soft luggage for my work clothes since I'm destined to have to ride to work in the rain.  I'm thinking a Kriega US30 or something.

That is so cool!!  If I had some extra cash I would love to get good rain gear.  I already ride in the bitter cold as long as the roads are dry but I don't enjoy getting soaked to the skin when I get caught in the rain 

Pics of the gear!!! Please 

Quote from: ShowBizWolf on June 23, 2015, 07:14:34 PM
That is so cool!!  If I had some extra cash I would love to get good rain gear.  I already ride in the bitter cold as long as the roads are dry but I don't enjoy getting soaked to the skin when I get caught in the rain 

Pics of the gear!!! Please 

It's gotta get here, first!

I ordered an Icon Variant, an Icon Citadel jacket, and some AGV Sport Airtex pants.
I could use a new helmet as both of my current ones are several years old and are a little worse for wear, and the Variant is such an awesome design it just called to me!  I currently use an Icon Decay and I love it!  Shame is that it was a helmet I got from a friend and before he gave it to me it sat in his basement for a couple of years because it was too small for him.  The result is that part of the liner sheds, and recently the little rubber trim under the helmet had the adhesive fail and it fell off.  When it came loose some plastic bits came out, I think they were from the chin vents.  I still wear it, but it's due for retirement.

And it's getting hot out and I could use a jacket that flows more air than my Firstgear Rush Textile.  I suffered several summers in that thing already, a mesh jacket is long overdue.
And I've been using paintball pants as overpants paired with some softshell kneepads for the past couple of years so it's really about time I got legitimate riding pants with built in armor and such.

Not sure on the wet-weather gear.  Really just need a rain jacket as the pants come with a removable waterproof liner.  If I could find a waterproof jacket liner I'd go for that.  A friend of mine has a set of Frogg-Toggs that he really loves, maybe I'll go with them. 

Actually, I'll probably end up getting tops and bottoms so I can "step in" quickly if it starts to rain while I'm riding.  Pants liner would involve taking the pants off, installing the liner, then putting the pants back on...

Sweet.

Check out Olympia Motorsports rain gear. Or even their one piece suite.

My advice on no car is leave a full day each weekend for maintenance. The miles creep up fast. It's much easier to stay out of a cage with 2 bikes, so when your maintaining one you can ride the other.

Watcher, I just recommended it in another thread but I have a waterproof Nelson Rigg bag. It doesn't come on and off the bike quickly and is kinda fussy to just open to get something out... but it is very adjustable to fit to the bike. You wouldn'tbe able to fit a top box, would you?

Might be able to fit a top box, but as of right now soft luggage works better for me.  I'd be taking it off the bike frequently and I'm short on storage space in my residence.  If it can roll up a bag and shove it under the bed it'll be better than trying to find a spot for a top box.

Well, I tried using the Nelson Rigg bag for my work related duties  (lunch box, work clothes, etc) and it was a hassle for that. The bag is held onto the bike by 4 cinch buckles that can stay on the bike or be taken off. But to get into the bag there are 2 cinch buckles that need undone, undo 2 plastic buckles on the sides, and then unroll the top fabric (since it is a roll top waterproof bag).

They do make some waterproof saddle bags too. If all you need is a little waterproof space, and don't mind the side bags....

Quote from: Watcher on June 23, 2015, 08:30:47 PM

I ordered an Icon Variant, an Icon Citadel jacket, and some AGV Sport Airtex pants.
I could use a new helmet as both of my current ones are several years old and are a little worse for wear, and the Variant is such an awesome design it just called to me!  I currently use an Icon Decay and I love it!  Shame is that it was a helmet I got from a friend and before he gave it to me it sat in his basement for a couple of years because it was too small for him.  The result is that part of the liner sheds, and recently the little rubber trim under the helmet had the adhesive fail and it fell off.  When it came loose some plastic bits came out, I think they were from the chin vents.  I still wear it, but it's due for retirement.

I love the Variant, it looks like something out of Halo. Let us know what you think. I was worried that the visor would be noisy and catch the wind a lot at higher speeds. One review said that it was like a sail, but most were favorable. Does your commute take you above 55?

My commute sees speeds up to 75mph depending on traffic, and averages 60mph.
I'll let you all know how it does in wind.  I think as long as you aren't star gazing it won't rip your head off, but I can see it being odd when head-checking blind spots.

@BigRich
The kriega I was looking at seems like it works the same way, it has 4 cinch straps that are the method of attachment and a roll up top with buckles for the opening, but its also designed to be taken off the bike and used like a shoulder bag.  As long as it'll fit shoes, pants, a shirt, socks, and some spare undies, I think it'll be all I really need.

Got my helmet today!



Bad picture is bad, I got the "Hard Luck" graphic.  It's basically lettering applied right to the shell composite material, it looks amazing!  It's also got a texture to it, which is kinda odd.  Anyway, lets get to a mini first-day out kind of review.

Ok, so I happened to encounter a total jackass on the road and wanted away ASAP so I ended up hitting a high of 85-ish today before settling down to a 65-70mph average.

Does the helmet experiencing buffeting?  Yes.  Is it worse than the average helmet?  Yes.  Is it bad?  Not really.

I noticed a few things about it, but before I get into it I should mention that today was that weird sort of weather that's constantly between storming and calm overcast so there were random wind gusts all over the place.  It may have made the helmet feel a lot worse than it actually is.

-Ok, so just looking ahead and going in calm conditions it's not so much an issue at all. 
-Cross breezes seem to catch the visor a bit so if you are in that swirly vortex caused by heavy semi-traffic it does push your skull around like a play thing.
-If you tip your head down slightly it does mitigate the effects, as the primary wind direction is now pushing the visor into your head so any inflection from the sides doesn't seem as strong.
-If you tip your head up it is pretty bad.  I don't star-gaze when I ride expressway, you shouldn't either, so this won't be an issue really ever.  If you do it then it feels like the helmet wants to pull off your head, but as long as you have the right size helmet and have the chin strap secured it'll only feel like it wants to lift off.  You have to tip your head, like, way up, though.  Just glancing up like at a street-light or a hawk flying overhead or something is no big deal, looking for airplanes is.
-Turning your head side to side is all a matter of how you do it.  Seems like if you tend to tip your head down while checking your blind spot (like trying to touch your chin to your shoulder) it will catch the wind and push your head, but if you just turn your head like your neck is a swivel it's not even an issue.

All in all, though, it's not really that bad.  My last helmet had all the same symptoms, it just seems, like, 20% stronger in the Variant.
Anyone who makes that big a deal out of it is either a drama queen or has no neck.  Or got a helmet that was the wrong size.  Mine fits perfectly; I'd imagine if it was a little looser then the helmet shifting slightly on my head would amplify the issue.

Still, it does have more turbulance than a standard helmet.  If you are getting a helmet for touring this might not be the best choice.  If you are commuting in it, weekend riding in it, or even day tripping it won't cause you any more fatigue or discomfort.  It might on extended rides.  It's too early for me to make that judgement.
I'd run it, but then I'm the kind of rider that rode for three years in a jacket that had little ventilation through 90degree heat and high midwest US humidity...


The helmet overall is pretty amazing, though.  It is quiet, quieter than you'd think.  I don't know if it's the quietest helmet out there, but it's the quietest I've ever owned, and that includes both a cheap AFX and my Icon Decay.  Noticeably less wind noise, and less engine noise as well.  Still seems to get plenty of sound through when stopped with the visor open, though, ordering food in a drive-thru was no issue.

It also flows a ton of air!  It has a total of about 7 intakes, 3 in the chin with one venting directly onto the lens, 2 over the eyebrows, and 2 on top of the head.  It feels great!
The lens is crystal clear!  Not a single instance of distortion, if it wasn't for the lack of wind attacking my eyeballs I'd not even know it was there!  I do wish it had a smaller first detent so I could just crack the lens open, I am used to being able to do this to get some wind directly on my face without subjecting my eyes to dust and such.  The first detent seems just a little too wide, but that could just be my personal opinion and it might actually change the more I ride.  Either way, the vents flow enough air that it's not really a big deal, at this point it seems like that works just fine as an anti-fog position when stopped or at low speed.

It came with a clear lens installed and a smoke lens in the box free of charge.  It's not quick release, which is unfortunate, but even if it was I'm not one to carry a whole spare visor with me.  I frequently ride at night and its often overcast in my area so I get a lot of use out of a clear lens, and it's easy for me to just shove some sunglasses in the liner.  Sunglasses take up a lot less room in the pack than a whole other lens, anyway.  If they make a photochromic lens I might invest in one, but I don't think they do (yet).

The visor is actually pretty useful as a sun shade in addition to just looking cool.  Some reviews commented that the visor was basically pointless, but it is very noticeable when wearing the helmet.  You look up and there it is!  Works great!

Liner is incredibly comfortable.  It's soft and has a sort of microfiber feel to it.  Comes out easily and should be easy to clean.  The helmet came with a chin curtain and it works pretty awesome, but being summer I opted for more airflow at the expense of some additional wind noise.


I love it!  Money well spent, and I'll be happy to use for for years to come!

Finally got the last of my gear in.  Couldn't make up my mind on pants, and when I did the fit was really bad, so I just said "F*&% it" and went with the pants that matched my jacket.  Icon Citadel tops and bottoms!





Haven't ridden in the pants yet, but if they are anything like the jacket I'll love them!  The knee armor was easy to adjust, they are comfy both as overpants (as intended) or stand alone pants, and the materials seem very tough.  The thigh height inseam zipper makes on and off really easy while wearing boots, too.  Now it's just a matter of seeing how comfortable they are on a ride.
Only thing I don't like about them is that there aren't any front pockets, only zippered rear pockets which I'll likely never use.  But, the jacket compensates with a good amount of storage space, and since I almost always ride with my Kriega R25 it's not a deal breaker for me.

While I was at it I picked up a Sena SMH10R.  So far I love it!  Very easy to use, and having the ability to listen to music and deal with calls (especially calling 911 in an emergency) is incredible!  Every rider should have one of these!