Getting any new gear for this riding season?

[Ripshod]

'Tis the season, you know. Finally.

I placed two orders yesterday. One at New Enough and one at Campmor. I really don't NEED anything else but I've come to the point where I need to reevaluate my gear and replace some things.

I've decided that I've pressed my luck long enough and it's time to go hi-vis so I ordered a new jacket in yellow. I ride a black bike and I've always had black gear and it occurs to me that I might as well be invisible, but no more. New Enough put this baby (http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/mesh_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/torrent_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html) on sale and that was enough to get me to go ahead and pull the trigger on emptying my cart. There aren't many 3/4 length mesh jackets out there, and not many of them come in yellow. I even ordered a pair of yellow gloves (http://www.newenough.com/gloves/street_short_cuff/cortech_by_tour_master/gx_air_2_motorcycle_gloves.html) to match.

My good old Alpinestars boots have served me well. For six years they kept my feet warm and dry and that's all I asked of them. I had to get the sole re-glued last year but other than that the only problem I've had with them is their thin, narrow soles. No more. (http://www.newenough.com/boots/waterproof_sport_street_touring_boots/sidi/sport_rain_motorcycle_boots.html) Now, when I put my foot down, it ain't going nowhere.

As for camping gear, I did need an upgrade. I have a Slumberjack sleeping bag I've been using for as long as I've had the boots and I like it a lot, mostly because it packs so small. Last year I bought a silk liner to add to the comfort level and warmth although I never camp in the winter and I haven't had a sleepless night yet, it came close a few times. This year I'll be camping at Glacier Park and other high-altitude locales way up northwest. Instead of replacing the bag, I'm getting a flannel liner (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___45917). So with the sleeping bag, a flannel liner and a silk liner, I should be toasty warm all night.

I also found a little gadget that I think I might really like. It's the Air Grill Inflator (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___23452). Even though I never really minded blowing up my Big Agnes or puffing on coals to bring the fire back to life, I figure 15 bucks is a small price for a small luxury.

I also ordered a new bath towel and a magnesium fire starter, just because I'm a real fire nut and you just can't have too many ways to start one.

So what's on your new gear list this year?

[bigTom]

I just got a new pair of Fieldsheer riding pants from Motorcycle Superstore:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/

I'm real tickled with them so far, about 500 miles. Oh, 3 pair of gloves from the 'closeout' bin...

I'm going to get a saw and some stackable cookware and what ever else I can talk myself into!

[wwells]

I've added an AdCom sound and intercom system to my Wing. It was less expensive that high quality headset replacements for the factory system on the Wing. What does it have to do with camping you ask? It keeps the Princess happy. Nuff said...
I also purchashed a Kelty Noah's Tarp and Noah's Staff poles for those days we set Camp and ride out on day rides.
The cheap Coleman "screw-it-on-the-top-of-the-propane" stove has been replaced with a Whisperlite International. Tha's it so far.

[Ripshod]

I may be one of the few ST Owners who didn't have a big problem with the stock seat. Sure it isn't the most comfortable thing I've ever sat upon but I must have a HondaButt because it never bothered me that much although I will admit that I do have to stand up every few miles and wiggle my butt to get the wedgie out, but that's always bothered the person behind me more than it ever bothered me.

That was, until I saw this ad yesterday. (http://knoxville.craigslist.org/mcy/1154031268.html)I called him last night at about 8:30 and was at his house, 60 miles away, one hour later, cash in hand. He dropped the price to $280 on the spot. I don't know why - maybe he liked me.

While I was there, I went ahead and bought this (http://knoxville.craigslist.org/mcy/1154055814.html) from him. Inexplicably, he also lowered the price on that item to $80.

As for the guy who sold it - I want to be him when I grow up. This guy has a dream garage filled with dream bikes. He had a new Connie which replaced the ST, a Triumph Tiger, a Ducati Multistrada, two Guzzis - a Breva and a truly sexy V11 Sport, and a brand spanking new KLR. All of them are shiny and pristine and each bike was cradled in a clamping wheel chock. In the driveway were two opposite cars - a Boxster and a Smart Car. He's a hoot. We stood around jawing for about an hour. He started the V11 so I could hear it roar. I have to admit that something stirred down there just a little bit.

Oh, and one more thing - he also has this ad (http://knoxville.craigslist.org/mcy/1153968741.html). If I needed a tank bag I probably would've brought that home too.

This is cross-posted to ST-Owners - just gotta brag!

[finalchecker]

Waterproof boots are at the top of my list. I need to get a small mess kit for group camp outings. On my last trip, I was staying in a new camp every night and ate at restaurants before I made camp. At the hillbilly roundup, I did not have anything to eat with.

[Ripshod]

Waterproof boots are at the top of my list.
Whatever you want, you can probably find it here. (http://www.newenough.com/boots/waterproof_sport_street_touring_boots/) They're the best guys out there as far as I'm concerned.

I need to get a small mess kit for group camp outings. On my last trip, I was staying in a new camp every night and ate at restaurants before I made camp. At the hillbilly roundup, I did not have anything to eat with.
You probably already know about Campmor but just in case ... (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/SubCategory___40000000226_200368411)

[finalchecker]

Whatever you want, you can probably find it here. (http://www.newenough.com/boots/waterproof_sport_street_touring_boots/) They're the best guys out there as far as I'm concerned.


You probably already know about Campmor but just in case ... (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/SubCategory___40000000226_200368411)

Thanks, I shop at both of those stores.P^ Newenough has great customer service, and Campmor has a huge selection of gear.

[Ironheadziggy76]

I picked up a pair of Joe Rocket waterproof boots. P^

[fredric]

I purchased a Byer Allagash Aluminum Cot from REI and used it on the Hillbilly Roundup. It really works well. It does't pack small but I have enough room on the Wing.

[WingnutMike]

I don't "need" much more camping equipment but I do plan to buy a water filter. I also plan to build a cheap 12 volt shower system. If it works well, I'll post a "how to" on it.

[finalchecker]

I picked up a pair of Joe Rocket waterproof boots. P^

What style did you get?

[Ironheadziggy76]

I went with the Meteor, it's listed as a sport/touring boot. I've been well pleased with them so far. Here is a link.

http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/index.cfm/116/150/Boots/Meteor_Boot

[finalchecker]

I went with the Meteor, it's listed as a sport/touring boot. I've been well pleased with them so far. Here is a link.

http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/index.cfm/116/150/Boots/Meteor_Boot

Thanks, I'm looking at all the boots right now.

[Ironheadziggy76]

I got a present from the Brown Santa :ups: today. :D I ordered a Seattle Sports dry duffel from Sierra Trading Post. Looks to be well made, and costs less than a lot of other similar bags I have priced! P^ Have a look.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,77152_Seattle-Sports-Roll-Top-Duffel-Dry-Bag-Large-Waterproof.html

[Millsaps2]

I prefer a polyester liner to cotton, if the cotton gets damp it will take forever to dry. I have tried the Slumberjack with a fleece and silk liner. It adds about 10-15 deg to the bag but it is a pain to use getting into and out of the bag. I think I am switching to a down bag for colder weather camping. At Glacier during the summer it will be in the 30's at night.

[bigTom]

Hey, final checker.

Motorcycle superstore sent me a flyer, they have an Icon boot on at $59.99. Don't know if that's what you want, but Icon is pretty good stuff...

[Yamifj1200]

I got a present from the Brown Santa :ups: today. :D I ordered a Seattle Sports dry duffel from Sierra Trading Post. Looks to be well made, and costs less than a lot of other similar bags I have priced! P^ Have a look.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,77152_Seattle-Sports-Roll-Top-Duffel-Dry-Bag-Large-Waterproof.html


Steve,
I have the same bag and you will be happy with it. I has kept my gear dry on quite a few rainy rides. Hope you have the same luck with yours...

Eric

[finalchecker]

Hey, final checker.

Motorcycle superstore sent me a flyer, they have an Icon boot on at $59.99. Don't know if that's what you want, but Icon is pretty good stuff...

Thanks Big Tom. I checked their website and all they have in stock is white boots.:eek:

[Ironheadziggy76]

Steve,
I have the same bag and you will be happy with it. I has kept my gear dry on quite a few rainy rides. Hope you have the same luck with yours...

Eric

Great minds think alike! :D Good to hear yours is keeping your gear dry. P^

I got my battery ordered this morning, thanks again for hooking me up with Batterystuff!

[Uncle Phill]

I ordered on oof the FirstGEar Jackets in YELLOW! http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5000&L2=2&L3=112&L4=113&item=TUC_51-3444_G

My FG Kilomanjaro is an excellent jacket for cooler weather.

Oh ya...I got a Shadow/Aero 750 to go with my KLR.

Phill

[Motocentaur]

I'm set for riding gear, but I did splurge on a great belt knife for camping; a custom-made, traditional, Nessmuk style knife with curly maple handles. It was made by Shawn of SDS Knifeworks. He has a website.

[Ripshod]

Hey Unca Phil, I just got that same jacket in yellow. After just about 700 miles I'm sold. But I do plan to get a minor alteration done on the cuffs. It seems that I have very skinny wrists and when I pull up the slack with the velcro flap it bunches the zipper up in a big wad on the underside of my wrist. I'm going to try to find someone to take out some of that slack. Other than that, I'm real pleased with it.

Congrats on the new addition to the stable!

[Ripshod]

I need to update my earlier post. In post #4 above, the first link was to a Craigslist ad for a Sargent seat. The second link was to another ad from the same guy for a Throttlemeister. Those ads were removed and it occurred to me that without those links there's no way you can tell what I was talking about.

He still has the ST1300 tank bag (third link in that post) for sale, though.

[Ripshod]

I see that I also was unclear in my original post. If you didn't click on the links, you'd have no idea what I was talking about. I'll try to kick that habit.

But I did have a problem with one of the items I mentioned in that post, the Sidi Sport Rain Boots. When they came, I was excited. I liked the looks of them and the zipper/velcro closure and the stout soles, but after the first step, I noticed there was a big problem. You see, both boots have a large, oddly-shaped toe shift pad. The pad is very stiff. With every step, the flex along the upper foot sent that shift pad gouging into the top of my foot. It hurt like hell. I wore them for a short trip to the hardware store (in the cage) and walking up the aisles became an exercise in finding a silly walk which didn't cause intense pain on the top of my foot. I was unsuccessful. In the back of my mind, I was thinking that if I could break them in they'd be fine, but my feet told me they'd never make it that long.

I reluctantly sent them back ( I really wanted to like those boots!) and New Enough emailed me a gift certificate code for $220. I ordered a pair of Aplinestars Ridge Boots on the recommendation of a friend. Since they only cost $130, I also picked up some miscellaneous items, such as one more pair of Sidi's Coolmax Socks. Them's some good socks.

[famousperson@mac.com]

I'll say I have new gear. Stuff I can barely afford but managed to justify.

First off is a ThrottleMeister. I took a long trip around Maine last year and numb throttle hand syndrome is not pleasent. I'm going to the Smokies this year and am hoping that the Throttle Meister will help.

Then I splurged on a pair of Vendramini Daytona boots. I waffled between those and a pair of BMW All Arounds, which are $75 (30%) cheaper. The Vendraminis are, I think, the better boot, although I am sure if they are worth the extra money for the kind of riding I mostly do. My old Harley boots were fine for riding but hell on my feet when trying to walk. The new boots are a tad tight width-wise, but I am hoping they will stretch out to fit my fat feet. If not, I will take them to a shoemaker and have them stretched.

Okay, I didn't really need a new helmet, but my trusty Shoie helmet was showing its age and I ended up with a Shoie Multitech. It is more comfortable than the RF-1000 but I am still forced to take my glasses off to get it on (not the case with my old Harley modular and the specific reason I got the new one).

Then the usual bits and pieces--a new Swiss Army Knife, a 90 degree valve stem extension to make filling the tires easier, an aluminum plate to keep the kick stand from sinking into the soft ground I anticipate meeting up with at the campgrounds where I stay.

I don't need any new/different camping gear, thank goodsness, although I may replace my folding camp stool with something a little bigger. I went small the first time because last year was my first time motocamping and I wasn't sure what I could carry. A bigger and slightly heavier chair won't be a problem.

I restocked my freeze dried food and trail snacks. I'm hoping to avoid restaurants altogether--partly out of principle and partly out of cost.

I will need new tires when I get back, and I've already ordered a set of Michelin Pilot Roads--$400! Yikes!!! I sure hope they last longer than the Contis have (6000 miles).

So that's the list. It's longer than I thought. At that, it isn't anywhere near the number of things I acquired when I was starting out from scratch, of course. And a fraction of the cost. Last year the brown angel was at my door nearly every day for two months.

So, I'm set, save for the ziplock bags to stash the food in daily lots, and packing up. Tennesee here I come!