Tested or reviewed

Just simple words about things I have purchased and bikes I have rented but honest reviews not fake bullshit that fills YouTube.

Book Review – Adventure Motorcyclist

Adventure Motorcyclist by Dr Gregory W Frazier. I saw this book mentioned on Ride in Asia forum so picked it up on kindle and basically read it in a few long sessions on my flights and layovers during the 30 hour journey from Townsville to Warsaw. (and a warning this […]

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N-Com B601R Bluetooth headset

Despite my Captain Cheap Charlie Bluetooth headset working fine I splashed out on a genuine Nolan helmet headset. The reason is comfort. My Aliexpress bluetooth headset when installed to my Nolan N70 helmet was not a good fit. Nolan helmets are all designed to have a Nolan N-com headset installed. […]

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Garmin XT2 – what a piece of shit

On my USA tour I got to use the new Goldwing navigator and realised again my navigation setup was dated. Besides my ill fated look at Apple Car Play (which stopped working after one tour) I have been using a 2009 Garmin Nuvi 765 as my navigator outside of Japan […]

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Merlin Shenstone gloves review

After my bad luck with the Dryrider Stealth gloves I bought whilst on my Kaputa tour I ordered what I hoped would be much better quality summer gloves. I searched to try find any stock of the Rough and Road Coolmax lined summer gloves I previously owned but were lost […]

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7 days with the new Honda Goldwing.

I like bikes in the tourer category but there are very few left due to everyone jumping on the ADV bike craze. I’ve looked at the BMW K1600 series but it’s said the cost of valve checks will bankrupt you. I was never a fan of BMW’s boxer engine so […]

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12 days with the Moto Guzzi V85TT

I have always wanted to know what the Moto Guzzi side ways V Twin engine felt like and I also thought this bike might be decent alternative to a BMW GS if I wanted a large ADV style bike in the future. I found a lot to like about the […]

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Devil Wipes tour test

I saw these at my local motorcycle accessory shop and decided to see if they are better than my usual cheaper touring item of a wet microfiber cloth in a zip lock bag. In Australia I just stop at a petrol station and use the free paper and water provided […]

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Merlin Mahala Explorer Pro pants review

I have been impressed with my Merlin Mahala Pro jacket so I decided l will get the matching pants. I already had a good pair of riding pants in the Resurgence Gear cargo’s but they were a little lighter style of pant than what I had hoped for. The Mahala […]

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Cheap Charlie motorcycle sock adventures

I’ve let Captain Cheap Charlie loose again on a madcap mission to find affordable motorcycle boot socks. (p.s. I’ve been to the Captains beach at Baler, Philippines too) I really liked my Alpinestar Coolmax boot socks that were lost in shipping. I’ve had other products from them that let me […]

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Dryrider Stealth gloves review

Not all reviews are going to be positive and this is a negative one so if that sort of thing annoys you then don’t read on. I was not intending to buy gloves from this brand but the night before my recent Kaputa tour I discovered my summer Rough and […]

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Merlin Mahala Pro jacket review

This is one of the more expensive bits of rider gear I have purchased but I had a firm idea of what I wanted and for once was not going let my inner Cheap Charlie make compromises. I specifically want to move away from nylon jackets and pants. Of all […]

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Gearelec Bluetooth Helmet headset

Do cheapo Bluetooth headsets even work? Here is Captain Cheap to find that out for you I wanted to try a helmet headset but not spend a fortune since I was not sure I had a long term use for one or that I’d even hear it given I wear […]

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