Picked up a pair of gerbing heated gloves to go with my existing gerbing heated jacket liner. Using it with a single controller for now. Will post thoughts in a few days.
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There is a real struggle between choosing a dedicated navigation unit and just using a smart phone. Many people use both. They choose a Garmin of some sort, paired with a smart phone right next to it. I did that for a while, the garmin would be my backup, but the phone would do the heavy lifting. The problem is the phone isn’t as dependable and fails in certain scenarios. The Garmins problem is that its so much less useful than a smart phone. There is a need for a hybrid device, and they exist right now. The options are slim but are there. Here’s my experience so far….
TL:DR I want a hybrid navigation device, that has the hardware of a Garmin device, but the software of an Android device. I found a Chinese device that seems promising, and I want to test it. What do you have, and what do you wish you had?
When we hit sand, a big smile came across my face… instead of the typical loose front end, I was able to plow right through it in a way I never thought was possible. No more tank slappers, no more constantly reminding myself to be loose with the grips, just a nice firm and fun ride through sand!
Ill be honest, it felt a bit like cheating. My ability improved several fold while my skill level stayed the same. A friend compared this to tuning up your race car on an x-box game to get to the next level and he’s right.; Thats exactly what it is! A few bucks and less than an hour of installation for a product that drastically improved my game immediately…
I last used the tarp on a 5 day trip on the MABDR with 7 other riders, starting in Tennessee and headed north through George Washington and Jefferson National Forest then farther north, MD and PA. The poles held the tarp open for porch mode with such ease by just letting out some slack on the line tensioners. Closing up on the colder nights was just as easy while the poles kept the tarp wide enough around the spreader bars to get in and out without putting pressure on the tarp at all. There’s enough tie out points to do just about anything…
I decided to give up my BMW NAV a while ago, and just use phone based apps. I was frustrated with how slowly the BMW NAV advanced. the NAV 6 was such a minor upgrade over the NAV 5, it was disappointing. I used REVER and waze on my iPhone and it worked pretty well. The thing is, the BMW NAV was still more advanced when it came to tracks and waypoints.
I recently found Galileo…
This isn't complicated, if you off-road your GS, you need protection. If you're not falling, you're not having fun. This is why crash bars are hugely important, but that's not the end of the story. On a boxer GS, your engine is sticking out waiting to hit something. The engine itself is actually super strong, but the cylinder head covers can be a weak point. It's another point of protection you should really consider.
Where are you on your motorcycle journey? It's what you've been through to get to the rider you are today. If this was a video game,what level would you be at? If you've read my Joining the Boxer club post recently, you'll have an idea of where I was on that journey. That was BEFORE my recent trip to California. Going to Raw Hyde was like warp zones from mario brothers, allowing me to quickly get through levels in a very compacted amount of time. The short version is, I bought a used bike from raw hyde, then went to them for a 2 day Intro to Adventure course, followed by a 2 day adventure in the desert (BCA). Read on for more detail....
Woo! I got the new NEXX XD1. Its a helmet that seems to have all the boxes checked, with all the features. It seems to be a little low on some quality finishes, but overall it looks really great. I wore it for a few hours around the house, and got to installing my SENA 20S in it. I'll write a little review after I go for a few rides in it. This post is all about installing the 20S in to the XD1.
My Initial Gear
/ motechmy first few weeks in i bought some gear. this is just a quick list with general impressions. most everything in this list was purchased from union garage, they were very helpful.
Gloves
Revit Striker gloves were recommended to me. it was the middle of the summer and they are supposed to be very breathable, and most importantly, they have iphone compatible fingers :) ok ok most important is they are protective. they have knuckle guards and feel great. my only gripe after a few months of owning them is they seemed to have stretched a little in the palm area which gets annoying on long trips.
http://uniongaragenyc.com/shop/index.php/gloves/rev-it-striker.html
http://www.revitusa.com/en-us/#/products/FGS078
Boots
i needed something i could wear to clients and not look like a motorcycle racer. i opted for these great casual boots that are well protected. they are navy blue, with steal toe, ankle protection, a reinforced heel, and they are water proof. they also have a nice rubbery grippy sole. after a few months, i have no gripes, i love them. they are great.
http://uniongaragenyc.com/shop/index.php/boots/tcx-x-street-wp.html
http://www.tcxboots.com/eng/prodotti-dettaglio.php?prodotto=57
Jacket
again, middle of the summer, i needed something very breathable but i didnt want to have to buy another jacket for spring or fall, and maybe even winter. i loved the revit jackets at union garage but i had to find the right one at the right price. so i looked in to 3 season jackets, one that breathed the most, but still had a nice removable thick liner for the other seasons. it also had to match my bike and my style. i went with the Revit Levante in silver / black. it happens to match my bike (and helmet) great. its extremely breathable in the hot nyc summer, with huge mesh areas on the jacket. its got a great warm liner thats water proof, and it has protective padding around the elbows, shoulders, and some minor back padding. i can add a real back pad insert later when im ready to spend on it. its late september now and starting to get a little chilly so im not really sure how it will perform in the cold, but so far i love this jacket. great buy. Union Garage didnt carry this specific jacket, so they ordered it for me. they did have a lot of other very similar revit jackets that i got to try on in the shop i knew what size to order.
http://www.revitusa.com/en-us/#/products/FJT152
Helmet
i really wanted a matte white helmet, but they dont seem to exist. i looked around and could not find something i liked. i didnt like the normal round style helmets. i found a really interesting one by AFX at… Union Garage. they had it in black, i tried it on and it felt great. it had a lot of room in front of the mouth area so i wouldnt feel claustrophobic, which happens to me easily. it also has great venting for the summer…. im not sure how great it will be in the winter though. time will tell. so far i still love this helmet after months of us. its not on unions website, but i did buy it there. they only had black in stock, but ordered me the white one. it was around $120. i got a small, because i have a small head. i took off the visor on top after a week of using it, im not off road so.. not much mud flinging going on.
http://www.afxhelmets.com/helmets/dualsport/fx-39ds.php?show=pearl
Bluetooth
possibly my most appreciated piece of gear, as i use it constantly. i bought it with the helmet, as advised by union garage, and they isntalled it in to my helmet for me. i got the Sena SMH10. its so easy to use, modern, and good looking. a great rotary dial on the side that lets me easily control volume and change the song. it works great for phone calls at low speeds, music, and also really helpful, GPS. i use it with my iphone, and siri is finally really useful. she reads me text messages, lets me reply, gives me directions etc. love this thing. zero complaints. and its got a great battery. looking forward to riding with someone else that has it so we can use the “intercom” mode. union garage doesnt show it on their website, but they did have it, recommend it, sell it to me, and install it free with purchase. it was around $175 i think? helmet with bluetooth at the end was under $300 so that was right in my budget.
http://senabluetooth.com/product/intercoms/smh10/
Plate Puller
sounds lame but it is helpful. when parking in metered spots for 20 minutes or so, i just pull my license plate out. risky as it can get towed, but its good for quick run ins. otherwise when parking ill go find legal parking which usually isnt far, and park between two cars.
http://uniongaragenyc.com/shop/index.php/accessories/union-garage-platepuller.html
Top Case
BMW gave me $500 towards accesories when i financed the bike. i opted for the top case as the side cases would have made my bike too wide for city driving. i do really want more storage these days, but thats not to say the top case isnt awesome. it holds my laptop bag, helmet, gloves, ezpass, random tech tools and a sweat shirt. not all at the same time, basically the laptop and helmet trade spots through out the day. its an original BMW top case, and BMW even keyed the lock to match my bike key. easy peasy. its also easily removable so i can take it off anytime in under 20 seconds.
a shot of me and my gear very soon after i got it all.
RECENT POSTS
There is a real struggle between choosing a dedicated navigation unit and just using a smart phone. Many people use both. They choose a Garmin of some sort, paired with a smart phone right next to it. I did that for a while, the garmin would be my backup, but the phone would do the heavy lifting. The problem is the phone isn’t as dependable and fails in certain scenarios. The Garmins problem is that its so much less useful than a smart phone. There is a need for a hybrid device, and they exist right now. The options are slim but are there. Here’s my experience so far….
When we hit sand, a big smile came across my face… instead of the typical loose front end, I was able to plow right through it in a way I never thought was possible. No more tank slappers, no more constantly reminding myself to be loose with the grips, just a nice firm and fun ride through sand!
Ill be honest, it felt a bit like cheating. My ability improved several fold while my skill level stayed the same. A friend compared this to tuning up your race car on an x-box game to get to the next level and he’s right.; Thats exactly what it is! A few bucks and less than an hour of installation for a product that drastically improved my game immediately…
I last used the tarp on a 5 day trip on the MABDR with 7 other riders, starting in Tennessee and headed north through George Washington and Jefferson National Forest then farther north, MD and PA. The poles held the tarp open for porch mode with such ease by just letting out some slack on the line tensioners. Closing up on the colder nights was just as easy while the poles kept the tarp wide enough around the spreader bars to get in and out without putting pressure on the tarp at all. There’s enough tie out points to do just about anything…
I decided to give up my BMW NAV a while ago, and just use phone based apps. I was frustrated with how slowly the BMW NAV advanced. the NAV 6 was such a minor upgrade over the NAV 5, it was disappointing. I used REVER and waze on my iPhone and it worked pretty well. The thing is, the BMW NAV was still more advanced when it came to tracks and waypoints.
I recently found Galileo…
Some products make it easier to ride longer distances, some give you more storage, some protect your bike, and some protect you. This product is one that literally protects your ass. This is a rear brake light, loaded with features. There are several on the market that do something similar, this one is my pick. Read on...
This isn't complicated, if you off-road your GS, you need protection. If you're not falling, you're not having fun. This is why crash bars are hugely important, but that's not the end of the story. On a boxer GS, your engine is sticking out waiting to hit something. The engine itself is actually super strong, but the cylinder head covers can be a weak point. It's another point of protection you should really consider.
was researching the 595LM to replace my NAV 5, and couldn't find any decent interface walk through videos on youtube. I made something quick in case it benefits others. I ended up returning it soon after. The Nav 5/6 both feel archaic, while the 595LM is a bit more modern yet still old world. I understand the need for a dedicated GPS device for some, i'm not going to argue that. For me though, I ended up choosing a jailbroken iPhone as my main device. I have it set up so I can run two apps side by side. Click on for the video ....
Where are you on your motorcycle journey? It's what you've been through to get to the rider you are today. If this was a video game,what level would you be at? If you've read my Joining the Boxer club post recently, you'll have an idea of where I was on that journey. That was BEFORE my recent trip to California. Going to Raw Hyde was like warp zones from mario brothers, allowing me to quickly get through levels in a very compacted amount of time. The short version is, I bought a used bike from raw hyde, then went to them for a 2 day Intro to Adventure course, followed by a 2 day adventure in the desert (BCA). Read on for more detail....
Woo! I got the new NEXX XD1. Its a helmet that seems to have all the boxes checked, with all the features. It seems to be a little low on some quality finishes, but overall it looks really great. I wore it for a few hours around the house, and got to installing my SENA 20S in it. I'll write a little review after I go for a few rides in it. This post is all about installing the 20S in to the XD1.
I bought this months ago, and finally got around to installing it. Having a garage really helps, and since I'm now garage equipped, it was easier to work on the bike. I bought the power hub because I have too many electrical devices hard wired directly to my bikes battery. That and my aux lights could be turned on at any time because of the way they were wired, key in or not.
Or, Everything you ever wanted to know about Vario cases, but were afraid to ask.
One of the beautiful things about BMW's Vario cases is that they can be repaired part by part. My case was recently damaged while parked. I ordered the one part that broke and replaced it. It wasn't easy, i made a bunch of mistakes, but I now know how to take apart the entire case and put it back together. On top of that, I also added Bungie Buddies to the top of them. This post is going in to good detail on how to repair them, and touch on modifications you can add to them.
This is a boring post. Just a simple bash plate bolted on with 3 screws. The only bit of valuable information that you can get here is that the bottom of the bike has three pre threaded screw holes just waiting for a bash plate. So nothing needs to be unscrewed to install this.
I love my bike. If anyone f**ks with it, I want to know, right away. If someone is trying to steal it, or the city is trying to tow it, the sooner i know the better. I've owned and tested the Spot Trace, and I've looked heavily at the Scorpio Ride system. I recently stumbled upon the Trackimo system, and i was intrigued. Trackimo agreed to send me a review unit. I've had it for a few weeks now, How does it compare? Read on..
At first I didn't wear ear plugs at all. Then I found NoNoise which were pretty cool. I recently misplaced them and a friend gave me an extra set of Laser Lites he had on him for our ride together. Funky pink and yellow foam ear plugs...
This is technically my 4th helmet is 2 years. I think I'm settled, and at the same time, in love. Helmets before this, the AFX31, Schuberth C3, a borrowed GT-Air for testing (which I'm not counting in the total), and a briefly owned Shoei Neotec. Video review and photos after the jump...
SENA announced a great looking camera a while back, and I've been anxiously awaiting its release ever since. It was finally released a few weeks back, i quickly put my Sony action cam on ebay, and the second it sold I went to order the SENA PRISM. I'm not going to do a full review here, after all I've barely had it a day. But i will give my initial impression along with some photos and video.
I'm not bright enough on the road. Its becoming more obvious to me this winter as its dark out early, and because my friend Yoshi has an R1200GSA with LED headlight and aux lights, he's bright as hell on the road and i want that. It feels like a safety issue.
Added gear, just in time for the denver trip. I just received the Kelty Noah's Tarp, and two 6ft REI Tarp Poles, just in time to test them out during yesterdays overnight in Staten Island. This is key camping gear for the unexpected rain. You can set it up first, and then set up your tent under it. The inside of your tent will stay dry while you put it up. You can also pitch the tarp over your picnic table so you have a place to hang out in the rain as long as your tent is safe under its rainfly.
I've been researching more dirt friendly tires for a while. I'm not a dirt rider but when I occasionally get off the road it's really nice to have. Recently my stock rear tire got a screw in it. It was plugged, then the plug failed. Long story short it was plugged three times in the same spot. Time for a new tire. Why not two? Decided on the heidenau K60 tires.
Before the summer I bought an inflating full size air mattress for camping. It just fit inside my tent with no extra room. I bought it mostly to make my wife comfortable coming camping for the first few times. I knew I would need something smaller eventually. I got this great air pad on Amazon. $50 each. Two of them are way smaller then the full size mattress, and I don't need to rely on a motorized pump. Key criteria for our Denver trip. Click on for photos.
it all started with the scorpio ride. i discovered it some months ago, and really wanted it. i just had trouble justifying the price to my self. recently i got the bug again, and started looking in to making the purchase. last minute before i pulled the trigger i stumbled upon the Spot Trace.
Ok so this one isn’t much of an install, since the bike came pre-installed with the mounts. Thats usually the install portion of it, but to my surprise, the cases had brackets that needed to be installed on them.
I never thought about adding these to the 650, but with the 700 being taller and heavier, i sometimes feel like i could drop it. Its still easy to hold up, but not as easy as the 650. After a lot of research, i found the set that i think is a good balance between cost, protection, looks, and features.
ok. i did it. huge decision. huge step up. i pulled the trigger. i got a Schuberth C3. i already have a helmet, why did i do it? how do i like it so far? read on…
What is Wheels in the Field? Sure you’ll see some of that here. This is mostly a personal story of our weekend there which you may or may not enjoy!