One of the most useful items when motorcycle riding is a neck tube type scarf. In cool conditions they help seal top of your jacket, stop drafts down back of neck that lead to a chill and head colds as well they can be pulled up over your lower face […]

I rode a Honda CRF250L though some of Laos and Philippines and I dare anyone to try one of these and not have a good time. Tall saddle and big wheels but the bike is a cinch to ride once moving and soaks up every bump. No effort to explore […]

If you have ever parked your motorcycle facing downhill then you may have noticed it can creep forward and if left it can roll enough to have the side stand fold up and the the bike fall over. While it seems not able to move at first because you have […]

I have been very happy with my Nolan N43 helmet which I have had for 6 years. A replacement liner gave it a new lease of life however I recently discovered there is a legal issue with my third party vehicle insurance if I have an accident wearing a non […]

I purchased the Alpinestars Transition gloves when I was riding in Spain a couple of months ago. I arrived in an unseasonal cool week and after one day of riding with summer mesh gloves I realised I needed better protection from the elements to continue. I already possessed what I […]

Got to spend four days riding a low km Yamaha FZ8 in Spain so I want to talk a little about this motorbike. As usual with my motorcycle reviews I am not going to be talking about the specifications or history and the other press release type stocking filler that […]

I had the pleasure of being able to ride a near new 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer around New Zealand for 9 days so it seems fitting I put a few words to paper. Ergonomics seemed to work well for me (I am 6’ tall) Seat to peg distance was excellent, […]

A brief comparison of sport touring tires fitted to my Yamaha FJR1300. I posted this because every tyre review says “I just put them on they feel great” which is useless. This is some feedback after the tyres have been used to end of their life. I have tried seven […]

I updated my previous cool to cold weather Alpinestars ST-5 Drystar pants to the new Andes Tourer drystar pants. So far however I have not found them very good. The pants have a permeant rain liner in adventure styling. Alpinestars use a material they call Drystar but in my experience […]

I had been ready to embark on a extended tour overseas (prior to breaking my collar bone) heading to cold and wet places like Scandinavia so decided to invest in a set of waterproof boots which I thought would also be pretty handy for tours here in Japan. Prior to […]

Earlier in the year I went looking for something suitable for 3 season touring for future ride plans and by chance I came across the Andes jacket from Alpinestars in my local store. Foreign brands are not common here and local jackets are too short in the arms so I […]