Helmets: in my 2nd life as a motorcyclist, beginning in the summer of 1999 and having totaled nearly 160,000 miles since, I've owned three middle-of-the-line, Japanese-made Shoei RF-series helmets, listing at or near $400 each, followed by three top-of-the-line, Korean-made HJC AC-series helmets, listing from near $200 each to around $300 for carbon fiber. The Shoei's were well made, comfortable and quiet. They did not come with a breath guard, ventilation was poor, fogging was a constant problem in cool or wet weather, straps were short and difficult to fasten and linings were not removable for washing. The HJC helmets cost less, are nearly as well made, just as comfortable and nearly as quiet. They come with a breath guard, ventilation is greatly superior, fogging is a minor problem, the straps are longer and easier to fasten and the linings are easily removed for tossing into a washing machine. My latest HJC AC-12 is unadorned carbon fiber, lighter and stronger than fiberglass or other plastic, interesting if you like the look. I wish only for a retractable internal dark shield such as that found in the more expensive German-made Schuberth Concept or the modestly priced Chinese-made Scorpion EXO-1000. Perhaps I'll try the Scorpion next. Oh yeah! All these helmets, except the Schuberth Concept (because of it's flip up chin bar), are both DOT and SNELL approved. Extensive independent testing has suggested inexpensive helmets protect just well as expensive helmets. Money buys you looks, features, comfort and a branded name to be proud of. My advice: Different helmets have different shapes, even for a given size. Find one that fits your head and don't settle for a loose fit.

Jackets and Pants: the first-generation First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket was popular with the BMW crowd, touring riders, KLR riders and many others. Warm, water-proof and breathable, the 1st-generation Kilimanjaro was my winter jacket of choice. I've heard quality suffered with a change in company ownership several years ago and my disappointment with a 2nd-generation Kilimanjaro convinces me this is true. I bought my 2nd-generation Kilimanjaro from motorcyclecloseouts.com because First Gear had changed hands again and the new company had introduced a redesigned, apparently cheapened, 3rd generation Kilimanjaro. Negative reaction must have been intense because this new jacket was quickly replaced with a 4th-generation Kilimanjaro which appears to be the 2nd-generation jacket re-introduced.

I was frustrated with my 2nd-generation Kilimanjaro jacket. Specifically, the sleeves were not wind-proof, a snap broke and Velcro on the collar abraded the jacket on the shoulder. With these frustrations in addition to the fact that I've always disliked the pocket inaccessibility (while admitting they are waterproof) and knowing that 330 Denier nylon is inadequate for protection anyway, I've retired my 2nd-generation Kilimanjaro.

I've also been disappointed in Aerostich recently. I think the quality of garments and service both have suffered. I suspect this may be because Andy Goldfine has become preoccupied with other interests and responsibilities. I'm guessing someone else is running the business. I was recently charged shipping for a package that was never sent. This was obvious from their own records but my complaint was never answered. I'm an off-the-shelf size but my latest Darian jacket is ill-fitting and strangely shaped. The heavy, bulky armor in nylon pockets attached by Velcro will not stay in place because the Velcro on the armor pockets does not line up with Velcro on the jacket. With this jacket, I ordered new-style pants before learning, after two exchanges at my shipping cost, the new style pants were made in China by people who apparently imagined all Americans have at least a 40-inch inseam. I gave up and ordered the old-style Darian pants which were at least stitched in Duluth although not with skill if my jacket is a valid example.

Other than that, the Darian jacket and pants are still constructed from the same stiff, uncomfortable but protective 500 Denier Cordura Gore Tex-lined fabric. I've made the Jacket wearable, while reducing the protective qualities, by replacing the heavy armor with light-weight Temperfoam pads which stay in place when I put arms through sleeves. I've tried to ignore the weird fit. Overall, even with the lesser armor, the jacket still offers better protection than a Kilimanjaro and the Darian is the only jacket I've been able to tolerate on 100 degree summer days. I had hoped the Darian could be my dual-sport, adventure-touring summer jacket and my all-purpose winter jacket as well, replacing the disappointing Kilimanjaro.

Frustrated with both Aerostich and First Gear I'm now I'm taking a big step in every-day riding gear — venturing off from products I once admired and trying something totally different. In recent years I've known but one company I thought might offer better riding gear: Motoport/Cycleport. Started in Germany in the mid-sixties under the name Difi, expanded worldwide under the name Motoport, now distributed in the U.S. under the name Cycleport, the brand can be somewhat confusing since nearly everyone refers to the U.S. gear as Motoport and even the U.S. web address is motoport.com.

Unfortunately, the U.S. web site is somewhat poorly designed, suffers from a lack of proof-reading and was probably written by someone who first learned a language other than English. It also reads like hype -- a good example where hiring professional web designers, marketing people and technical writers might make a difference. Nevertheless, I've thought seriously of trying their riding gear for a year or two but it is expensive and I didn't know anyone who had tried it. At a rally in Moab recently I noticed Mike Cowlishaw of Eagle Mfg. & Engineering, San Diego, CA. was wearing one of Motoport's Kevlar mesh jackets. I asked his opinion and he gave a glowing report. He knew Wayne Boyer of Cycleport/Motoport. Most importantly, he said the claims for products on the web site are true. I know Mike and trust his opinion.

I checked the Motoport web site again, totaling the price of Jacket, pants and liners I would want. I balked at the high price. Then I thought: I spend so much on health and long term care insurance, why shouldn't I have the best protection available when I ride. That would be Kevlar, the stuff they make bullet-proof vests out of, the only material besides leather that can be used in both AMA and FIM racing, as much as 10 times more expensive than Cordura. The object here was one suit does all, cool in the summer, warm in the winter. That meant Kevlar mesh, 10 times stronger than leather and the only mesh that wont melt if you slide on pavement, plus adequate liners for rain and cold. It's expensive but actually not much more than a full Aerostich suit with optional armor.

This gear, like Aerostich, is often custom made but I'm a "normal" size. After a couple email exchanges I accepted gear in stock although it had optional extras: reflective Scotchlite stripes down the jacket sleeves and hip armor in the pants. The Ultra II Air Mesh Kevlar Jacket, Aero-Tex Two Part 3/4 Ultra II Jacket Liner, Air Mesh Kevlar Pant and Aero-Tex Pant Liner were shipped promptly and have arrived. The fit is fine, armor is in the right places when I sit on the motorcycle, the made-in-China workmanship is good enough to please a Yuppie and I'll accept the quality of materials on faith based on what I've read and been told as I hope not to test it myself. This purchase is mostly about good protection but the gear looks nice in a conservative way I prefer. After a while, I'll know if the mesh is cool; Kevlar is the only mesh I would wear. After four seasons I'll know if "One suit does all" works for me. For winter, I'll wear this new suit with waterproof/breathable/windbreaker liner in the pants, Gerbing's heated jacket-liner under the motoport waterproof/breathable/windbreaker liner in the jacket. Also heated gloves. Should work. If not, I have some room for alternative layering — breathable, of course.

Gloves: I've had several pair of gloves. Some were acceptable but only my present and first pair of German-made Held gloves have been exceptional in fit, comfort, materials and workmanship. Gauntleted gloves with some padding and protection, these gloves are adequate for amateur track days or comfortable enough for all-day touring. Expensive, but worth it to me. I don't remember the model but it doesn't matter as they were discontinued when I bought them at a discounted price. I like them well enough I'll pay full price if necessary for the next pair I need.

Boots: although I've had track boots for track riding, to protect both my feet and my everyday boot soles, there is only one street boot for me: Sidi On Road Sympatex. When I needed boots in 1999, I found an extensive waterproof boot test in a magazine, Motorcyclist I believe, and only one boot they tested was truly waterproof: Sidi On Road Sympatex. If a boot can't breathe it's useless for me and that means a waterproof but breathable Gore-Tex or similar membrane which the Sidi On Road's have. I ordered a pair and after well over 100,000 miles, much of it off-road on dual sports, I ordered a replacement pair which I'm using now. I've never wished for a different boot or had wet feet, even after frequently washing them in a power car wash which the instructions say not to do.

There is great riding gear out there but it is costly, not just because the great gear is expensive but also because the cost of buying and rejecting lesser gear in the process of finding great gear is also costly. How does one shorten this process? Not by believing everything you read, especially unsolicited testimonials such as these. It's only my opinion. A Google search will reveal any number of differing opinions. Beware the opinions of those who believe only their opinion is valid. Even respected consumer organizations have led me astray. Opinions change. What I say today is different from what I said a couple years ago which was different then from earlier opinions. But opinions are the stuff of decisions. We harvest opinions from various sources, extrapolating from what sounds logical and true or merely reinforces our own prejudice and misconceptions, searching vainly for consensus. We shape our own opinions, make our choices, note our mistakes and move on. There are riders who do no home work at all, don't notice a jacket doesn't breathe, assume all fabrics are essentially equal. Perhaps they are the fortunate shoppers. Not to resurrect an old pedestrian platitude, "ignorance is bliss," but who's to say a happy uninformed rider isn't better off than an unhappy informed rider? That was me 40 years ago in my jeans, sweat-shirt, lineman boots, deer-skin gloves turned inside out and $19 helmet. Even now, there are times when I wish to be satisfied with having rather than cursed with wanting.