TCX Blend 2 Boots

MotoReview- TCX Blend 2 Boots

Greetings and salutations my awesome and devoted MotoReader friends! Today, I'll be talking about my new TCX Blend 2 Waterproof Boots, not to be confused with the X-Blend Boots that I reviewed a few years ago (click here for that review). If you read my previous reviews (I actually did a couple on the X-Blends), you know that I really liked those boots, so much so, that after wearing holes through the soles of my first pair after a few years of constant use, I picked up a second pair. So, after my second pair met the same fate, I figured I'd head on over to my favorite online retailer, Revzilla, and pick up another pair. To my dismay, I learned that TCX had replaced the X-Blend boot with the similar, but different, "Blend 2" boot. Now, I'm going to try my best to do a fresh review, and not a comparison, since the X-Blends are no longer an option, but some comparisons are going to be unavoidable.

Disclosure

If you're new here- before each of my MotoReviews, I like to give a disclosure statement regarding the gear I'm reviewing. My goal is to be as transparent as possible about the company or gear I'm reviewing, and how I came to be in possession of the gear in question. I take pride in the trust that I have established with all of my loyal MotoReaders and I value the confidence they, you, have in me regarding my thoughts on this stuff. So, with that said, this one is pretty straightforward- I was not, and am not (yet? But I'd absolutely be willing to be... hint, hint TCX!) an affiliate of TCX, Revzilla, Comoto, Union Garage NYC, or any other brand related to this review. I bought my first pair of TCX boots after doing my own research, and I've been a loyal TCX boot customer since. I bought these boots with my own hard-earned money, without any deals, promises, affiliate discounts or other incentives and this review is mine and mine alone. With that said, let's get into it.

Similar, But Different

Okay, so I know I said I was going to try to avoid comparing the boots, as much as possible anyway, so let's get those comparisons out of the way, right up front. Apparently, TCX listened to their customers and made some changes to their "Blend" boot design, based on reviews and critiques... or at least that's what it seems like. The first thing you'll see when you compare the two boots, is on the toe. The X-Blend had an additional leather patch sewn onto both toes. I really liked the additional leather, but one of the problems I found on the first pair of X-Blends I had was, after a year or so of use, I noticed the stitching broke loose on the right (brake side) boot, which caused the leather to curl up. It didn't affect the functionality, especially since it was on the brake side, but it didn't look great. The second pair of X-Blend boots I bought, never had that issue, though... so maybe it was just a defect in that one boot. By comparison, though, it looks like this was enough of an issue that TCX did away with the leather toe patch altogether for the Blend 2 boots. The new Blends have an embossed area on both of the toes now, instead of a sewn-on leather patch. While the patch of the X-Blend and the embossed area on the Blend 2 on the brake side boots is for decoration only (unless you ride an older bike with a right side shifter), I do like that TCX designs their boots to be symmetrical... I just think it looks better. As far as the embossed area is concerned, I think it will serve the purpose of masking any shifter marks on the boot, but I do wonder how well it will hold up over time and regular use. If I do see some excess wear as time goes by, I'll be sure to do another review. 

Another change that TCX made was to the soles of the boots. Where the X-Blend had a squared design, the Blend 2 has the inverted  honeycomb design you see here. The rubber compound seems to be different on the two boots, as well... which is potentially a good thing, since I wore holes through both pair of my X-Blend boot's outsoles. Hopefully, the new sole of the Blend 2's will hold up better than their predecessors. 

 

One final detail to note, is the new lace stay on the Blend 2, which was absent on the X-Blend. It's a simple, yet smart, little addition that you can use at your own discretion. Basically, it's a small elastic strap with a convenient grab-tab that will hold your laces in place to keep them from getting caught on any protruding parts of the bike, like a shift lever, for example. Some folks may think it's silly, but I've been using it on these boots and, while I don't necessarily think it's needed, I do think it's handy to have. 

Styling, Comfort, Safety, Sizing & Price Tag

Overall styling is pretty great, in my opinion. The Blend 2s, like the X-Blends, look like casual boots, but with the right amount of features that someone who knows, will be able to recognize them as riding boots. The best part of them, though, by far... is the comfort. TCX won me over several years ago with the comfort of their X-Blend boots and the new Blend 2s are carrying on that tradition. Most riding boots aren't great for walking around in, and most casual boots lack the necessary safety features of a proper riding boot. Features like the ankle cups and waterproofing that the TCX Blend boots have. I also like that that they lace up and that the eyelets for the laces are well made and durable. Speaking briefly on the waterproofing, I should point out that the X-Blends were more... uh, let's say, water resistant, than water proof. This could be because of the way the leather panels of the outer shell were sewn together, which has been changed on the Blend 2s. The upper leather on the X-Blend boot was sewn flat with exposed stitching, where the Blend 2 has a hidden seam design, which should prevent water from getting into the boot. Admittedly, I've only had the Blend 2s for just under a month now, and haven't had a chance to test that theory, yet. It seems like I have another reason to do an updated review later on.

TCX is an Italian company, which I recently learned was bought out by Dainese in 2020. While both pair of X-Blend boots I own were made in Romania, the Blend 2s that I'm wearing now were made in Vietnam. As an Italian brand, they are sized in EU, so make sure you check their size guide for your specific size. From my experience, they run true to size, so you shouldn't have any concerns there. 

Now, let me say this for any critics of "foreign" products- I like American made products, but I'm more interested in quality and value. Most American made products, like boots, are so expensive, that it's hard to justify the cost. Let's be honest, too- we are living in a world market in 2026. The vast majority of the products that you use daily are made overseas. In our modern world, we have the luxury of importing and exporting goods from one continent to another, all to the benefit of you and I- the end consumer. What I look for in any product that I buy and use, is the quality and the value. Sure, I could spend $675 for a pair of White's boots, or $664 for a pair of Nick's Boots (and wait 10-14 weeks for the "Quick Ship" option), or I could pay $218 for a pair of TCX, that I know will last me for several years, and have them on my feet within a week of ordering them. 

Look, I'm absolutely not bashing Nick's or White's... I'm positive that they both make an outstanding product, but for the working man, dropping almost $700 on a pair of boots is just not reasonable. That's not to say that their boots aren't worth the price they're asking- after all, both companies make their boots by hand in Spokane, WA... and yes, I recognize that I've now spent close to that, at just over $600 on my three pair of TCX boots over the past 5 years or so... BUT... I also abuse my boots- I wear them ALL the time- I don't even own a pair of sneakers. It's a lot easier for me to justify spending $200-ish bucks every 2-3 years on a new pair of boots, than it is to drop $700 once to get the same amount of time and use. After all, materials are materials... rubber wears out, thread breaks, leather wears and what's left is the same thing- a worn out boot that either has to be replaced or re-soled (which is my plan for both pairs of my old X-Blends). 

Bottom line here is, if you want an American made boot, and have the dough to drop on them- go for it... I'm sure you'll be very happy with them. But, if you are a little more budget-minded, and have to spread that expense out, then grabbing a pair of TCX boots is a great way to get a high quality boot at a more accessible price. Personally, I like to buy from Revzilla, but you can also order directly from TCX, which is a nice option if your favorite retailer is out of stock (which Revzilla was for a couple of months).

Final Thoughts

I am pretty happy so far with my new Blend 2 boots. They look as good as my X-Blends, feel great to walk in and they are breaking-in easily. I've ridden my Road King, my Dyna, my Janus and even my old XR600 in these boots and shifting and braking is easy and comfortable. The short, wedge shaped heels fit on the pegs nicely and they don't "lock" my feet in to one position, like the squared heels of my X-Blends did. I'm still on the fence about the embossed toe protector, and I'm sure I'll have an opportunity to ride in the rain in the coming months (more on that later), but for now, I'm pretty darn happy with them. 

So, if you bought a pair of X-Blends based on my previous reviews, found them to be an ideal all-around boot like I did, and you are now in need of a new pair of boots, like I was- fret not because I think TCX did a damn good job of upgrading it with the Blend 2 and, with the price remaining, basically, the same, I definitely think it's a win-win for all of us. 

Until next time, MotoReaders...

Ride safe and make good choices!

P.S.

If you haven't checked out my affiliate links at the top right of this page yet, now's a great time to do it. As Summer winds down, and the cooler weather starts coming in, you can save a lot of money on new leather gear or some fresh comms, just by clicking the links on my page. While I definitely don't get enough to pay for my time writing this blog, I do earn enough for a tank of gas and a burger every once in a while, so make sure you gear up for the next phase of the riding season (and save yourself some money at the same time). See you on the road!

Viking Bags

Viking Bags Update

Hello, hello my loyal MotoReaders! You guys know how I like to review products and, if you've been around a while, you know that I also like to do follow-ups after I've had a chance to beat up the products a bit. Since Viking Bags sent me their 45L Tactical XL Motorcycle Backpack a few months ago, I've used it as my primary piece of luggage for several trips, so I feel like this is as good of a time as any to give you some honest feedback on how it's holding up so far.

Travel, My Way

The first thing you're probably going to notice, if you read my first review on this bag, is that I'm using the same photos of this bag from my Milwaukee trip. I actually have a very good reason for this... I felt a little lazy and there isn't any need to take some new photos, not yet anyway. The bag still looks EXACTLY the same now, as it did in April. It's showing no wear, despite being put through several trips. 

Here's the deal, I try to pack as light as possible for any and every trip I take, but, depending on the destination, I want to be able to dress appropriately. The resulting outcome of these two ideologies tends to be a single, overstuffed, bag that is nearly busting at the seams. 

Enter the Viking Bags 45L Tactical XL Motorcycle Backpack.

Retirement Is Awesome... 

...But it can be a bit boring, so I decided to get a part-time job. Now, you may be wondering how this is relevant to this Viking Bags review, well stay with me, baby birds... daddy's gonna feed ya.

This new job is what you would consider, semi-professional. I get to work from home, which has zero dress code (get your minds out of the gutter- I just mean that I can dress however I want). In my initial training, however, I did have to meet my boss and the rest of the team, so not dressing professionally wasn't even an option. Since my training was away from home, and expected to last a few days, I wanted to make sure that I had enough professional attire, business casual attire, and straight casual attire to last several days. I could have easily packed a large suitcase, but I'm not really a "suitcase kind of guy", so I packed my Viking Bag and my smaller H-D bag with everything I'd need and I hit the road. When I tell you that the Viking Bag was overstuffed, I mean... it was like Milwaukee all over again. I was laying across the top just to get it zipped shut. I lived out of the bag for two days, and was able to head back early because I'm super smart and picked up the training really quickly (or, maybe I just learned enough that I could fake my way through it so I could get back home early...either way, training didn't take as long as expected). 

The same month, Mrs. MotoWriter and I took a trip, where I used this bag as my only piece of luggage again, this time to visit our good friends in Florida. As usual, I wanted to have enough clothes to cover me for several days, so the Viking Bag Tactical Backpack got overstuffed, once again. While I wasn't laying across the bag to zip it shut this time, it was pretty close. I was able to pack several days worth of clothes- jeans, t-shirts, a couple of button-down garage shirts, socks and underwear, you get the gist. Once again, the bag performed exceptionally well.

Final Verdict

Look, I'm not what you might call "easy" on my gear. I use it and use it hard. I tend to overstuff my bag so I don't have to carry more than one and I throw it around like I'm trying out for "angry baggage handler of the month" at the airport. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to tear it up, but I don't have room in my life to be delicate with things that shouldn't require delicate handling. 

In my previous review, I disclosed that this bag was comped to me. As you can imagine, in the absence of a financial investment, I have been *slightly* less cautious with it... just so I could give you guys a worst-case scenario if it did fail. Simply put, we tend to take better care of the things we buy, so it's sometimes difficult to actually torture test a product when you have dropped over a hundred bucks on it. 

I've beat this bag up, thrown it around like a petulant toddler throws around a second-hand rag doll, I've overstuffed it and I've tested the strength of the zippers and the seams on several occasions and this thing still looks like it did the day I got it. It has been, and will continue to be, my primary luggage when I'm traveling around doing MotoWriter stuff, or when I'm acting like a grown-up and doing work-related stuff. So, if you haven't clicked the links yet, go ahead and click this one to get one of your own. I'm not an official affiliate for Viking Bags, so you won't get any discounts by clicking out of my blog, but Viking Bags pretty much runs sales all year, so getting a good deal on a great bag is pretty easy to do with them.

Until next time, MotoReaders...

Ride safe and travel often!

2026 Harley-Davidson Deadwood

The Deadwood

Well, well, well, MotoReaders, it looks like Artie is making good on his promises, so far. The MoCo just released a new, at least in name, motorcycle and I have to say... I dig it. 

I'll admit that I'm a sucker for black motorcycles... always have been, but did the designers make the right choice by dipping into their usual bag of tricks for the 2026 Harley-Davidson Deadwood? Let's take a look and talk about H-D's new FL.

Black Is Beautiful

Out of all the bikes I've had throughout the years, the vast majority of them have been black. Sure, I've had a few that weren't, but let's be honest- as far as motorcycles are concerned- the only thing prettier than a black and chrome motorcycle, is a black on black motorcycle. Now, there's nothing wrong with having some color on your scooter, but there's just something about that deep ebony paint that evokes an, almost, emotional response. Needless to say, when I saw the Deadwood, it's dark and moody demeanor piqued my interest right away. The MoCo's new scoot comes in black, and if you don't like that, it also comes in black. Chrome? No. Brushed aluminum? Nope. But... for the folks that absolutely have to have a little color in their lives, the MoCo does offer the "Redline Collection"... which gives you the option of adding some, you guessed it- red (or oddly enough- blue and... black) trim pieces like timing and derby covers, footboards, gas cap, grip ends, brake pedal and shifter pegs for accents. 

Just Another Softail

At first glance, you might be asking yourself though- is it just another Softail? Isn't the Deadwood, basically, just a blacked-out Heritage, or a Slim with full fenders? Well... yeah, more or less. But, pretty much every Softail is "just another Softail." They always have been. A Fat Boy uses the same frame as a Heritage, a Slim, a Standard, a Night Train, a Deuce and so on- you get the point. Back in the day, before H-D killed off the Dyna and the Evo Sportster, there were several models in those "families" to choose from, just like their flagship Touring bikes, too. The frames on each of these lines are interchangeable within the family. For example, I have a friend that took a 2003 Anniversary Road King and made it into a Road Glide. He did such a good job with the conversion, that the only way that someone would know it wasn't a factory Road Glide, is by decoding the VIN. The MoCo has always used a common frame for a line of bikes, then trimmed each one out to make a different model, and it's a brilliant business model that H-D has used for decades, thanks to Willie G. Take 5 or 6 frame designs and upfit them with a variety of tanks, bars, wheels, seats, fenders, front-ends, etc., and you can make, exponentially, more options for new models. Artie Starrs seems to recognize the genius in this concept, which is evident in the new Deadwood and Super Glide, and he also sees the potential in it, which is also evident by his claim that they will be bringing back the Evo Sportster. There is limitless potential for improving revenue, by creating new models, trim levels and selling custom parts. 

Some folks might argue that the Deadwood is not a "new" bike, it's just trim. But, let's be honest for a minute- while anyone can customize a Heritage and turn it into a Deadwood... most people won't. Just like anyone can take a perfectly good anniversary Road King and make it into a Road Glide... but my buddy is one of the few people, that I know of, that actually did it... because that kind of customization takes a lot of time, money and work... work that most people can't, or won't, do themselves. Heck, most people won't even do their own oil changes, much less swap tanks, bars, wheels, exhaust, engine covers, etc. A lot of my beer money has come from doing, just that kind of work for folks. I'm not complaining, though- because their inability, or outright refusal, to work on their own bikes has kept my beer fridge stocked with the Champagne of Beers for a few years now.

Cool Bike, Cool Name

Deadwood, South Dakota is an historic city, known for its proximity to the beautiful Black Hills. It's the final resting place of Wild West heroes like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok and of course, it was the home of one of the country's first major gold rushes, in 1876. It might be a tourist trap now, but that doesn't change it's history or significance in shaping the West and that doesn't make it any less cool. My more clever MotoReaders may have picked up on the simile, there. The Wild West town of Deadwood, SD turned into a place that brings in thousands of visitors a year, to see and be a part of the town's history. They are drawn in by the mystique of the town, and the historical significance of it. The H-D Deadwood is a genius play on that concept. The Deadwood's model designation is FLHD, which is as brilliant as it is simple if you know the way the MoCo codes their bikes (click the link to learn). The H-D Deadwood, much like it's geographical namesake, seeks to draw people in to Harley-Davidson dealerships, and get them to spend their money on souvenir T-shirts, poker chips, jackets, parts, services, and of course, the ultimate goal- to sell them a badass, American made motorcycle backed up by 123 years of uninterrupted motorcycle building history. 

Riding In The Right Direction

The Deadwood's style isn't for everyone... but by offering another unique model, straight off the showroom floor, at a pretty reasonable price point, I might add... the MoCo is sparking new interest in the brand. Unlike the other guys, who are currently under new ownership, yet again, who have remained pretty stagnant in their, rather limited, lineup. Maybe Indian's new owners will diversify their lineup and, hopefully, even get out from under Uncle Polaris altogether, and actually build something new and fresh, but for now... that remains to be seen. Harley-Davidson's newest CEO, on the other hand, is actually listening to his dealers and customers, and is pushing the Company to give dealers bikes that will draw customers in, at prices they can actually afford to buy. The FLHD Deadwood is priced (just barely) below $18k and others in the Softail lineup start as low as $15k. The RevMax Nightster comes in at $9,999, which is a pretty competitive price for a great bike- I've ridden one and I can attest that it is a genuinely fun ride. While the pricing for the new Sprint and the, soon to be revived, Evo Sportster has yet to be determined, I'm guessing that the MoCo will most likely be able to put their name badge in your garage for well under $10k, very soon. The name of the game is building brand loyalty, and getting people to see that H-D has, hands down, the best dealer network of any motor vehicle company in the world, is a great way to start that ball rolling. 

Maybe the new Deadwood is just another variation of the same old concept, but hear me out for a moment- if a chef makes an award winning steak that brings customers in, why would he change the recipe? That makes no sense. The smart thing to do, instead, is to offer more things to the menu to keep people coming back, but the one thing that attracted them in the first place, has to stay the same... because that is what brought folks in to begin with. Consumers love consistency, and the 2026 Deadwood is about as consistent of a Harley-Davidson as any bike I've seen. It's simple, dark and cryptic, dripping with attitude and it has the perfect balance of modern enhancements and analog styling. 

Final Thoughts

Regardless of how you feel about the 2026 Deadwood, one thing is for certain, and that is that Artie Starrs is off to a great start with his "Back to the Bricks" strategic plan. I'm actually excited again about seeing what the newest CEO of our beloved Motor Company has in store for us. To be completely honest, for several years, I dreaded reading the news and going in to dealerships because it was obvious that dealerships were struggling with Jochen's "Hardwire" plan. While I've seen the Chinese-built X350RA (the Riding Academy bike that I'm fairly certain will eventually be re-badged as the Sprint) and I'm not really impressed with it, I am interested to see what the actual new Sprint will look like, and will be priced at. I'm also very excited to see what form, and price tag, the Evo Sporty will return to us in.

While we continue to wait on the XLs triumphant return, though, at least we get to see, and maybe even ride, a sexy new Softail model.

Until next time, MotoReaders... 

Ride Safe and Make Good Choices!

MotoReview MSR Legend Off Road

 MotoReview- MSR Legend Off Road Gear

I know that I've been reviewing a lot of off-road gear lately, so much so that you might be wondering what the heck is going on. It's simple really- I've been riding on the streets for well over 20 years and, during that time, I bought and used gear and figured out what I liked and what I didn't, and I've procured a collection of riding essentials that have become my staple attire. When I first started riding more seriously, I didn't have any kind of platforms on which to share what I liked and what I didn't, so by the time my wee little corner of the interweb got established, my street riding gear collection was, for the most part, already fully established. 

Since I started riding off-road again, though, I've been able to bring you guys along with me, right from the start. I've been able to share my story of getting the bike and getting it ready to ride, to sharing my rides and now, sharing my gear purchases, all of which have pretty much been in real time, which is why you are seeing so many off-road reviews. But fear not, my fellow asphalt warriors, I promise that I've got some reviews coming up for you soon... but not today. Today, I'll be talking about the MSR Legend Off Road Jersey and Pants and the MSR Adventure Boots. 

MSR Legend Off Road

For full disclosure- I was NOT sponsored by MSR or Rocky Mountain ATV/MC for this post (but if they want to reach out and collaborate, I'd be happy to talk to them about it). 

For this acquisition, I wasn't lucky enough to get any deep discounts from any closeout or overstock retailers, instead, I picked this gear up from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC and I paid full price. I had done some research on the MSR Legend gear, and I really liked the features I saw, so I started shopping. Some friends had given some pretty great reviews of Rocky Mountain, so I figured I'd peruse their offerings and see what I could find... I went down a rabbit hole, but that's a story for another day.

Malcolm Smith is a legendary off-road racer that achieved international acclaim when he starred alongside Steve McQueen in the 1971 documentary, On Any Sunday. MSR stands for Malcolm Smith Racing, so as you can probably guess, their gear is top-notch. The best part about it though- is that it isn't bank-breaking expensive. They make high quality, well thought out, riding gear that is actually pretty affordable for the novice rider and the pro's alike. Now, for full disclosure, I didn't know any of these details prior to buying it, I was honestly just looking for good prices and nice looking gear. 

MSR Legend Off Road Jersey

There are so many reasons to love this jersey. First of all, let's talk about the styling- it's simple, the colors aren't flashy and it doesn't have wild graphics, which is perfect for the guys or gals that just want to ride their dirty bikes and have some fun. This thing is crazy comfortable- the sides are a strong, micro-mesh fabric that breathes so well that I sometimes forget that I'm wearing a jersey at all. The sleeves fit well and the cuffs keep them at the wrists, where they belong. The material is strong and hasn't snagged or ripped on any of the, eh hmm- many, thorny vines and bushes that I've encountered while riding thus far. The fitment is spot on and it fits true to the "off-road" sizing- meaning that it is true to size to accommodate a roost/chest protector worn under it. 

Rocky Mountain is a major retailer of MSR gear and, as such, they have all of the sizes and color options in-stock. Talking about color options, the Legend series gear comes in black, brown, tan, gray, military green and steel blue. I went with the brown, because I liked the added visibility of the orange banner across the chest. This jersey retails for $36.99 and that's what I paid. Honestly, I've paid as much, or more, for a basic cotton T-shirt from other companies that I like to support, so $37 USD for a high quality, functional shirt like this is actually a great deal for me. 

MSR Legend Off Road Pants

These pants come in two different options- inside the boot, and outside the boot. I chose the inside the boot variant for a couple of reasons- first, to prevent ticks and any other little biters from getting on my legs and crawling up to my sensitive areas; second- to avoid having any loose material that could, and undoubtedly would, catch on some of the many things I find on the trails; and third- because, for trail riding, I just think it looks better. 

MSR really did their homework with these pants, too because other than offering them in inside, or outside, the boot wear... they are also absolutely packed with features. First and foremost- they have pockets. Yes, off-road riding pants equipped with zippered pockets. Why am I so excited about this? Easy, I can carry my phone, my truck key, wallet or ID, pack of chewing gum, knife, granola bar... well, you get the point. I can carry any, or all, of that in my pants pocket and not in my backpack. I could keep going about how much I like the pockets, but I'll move on because I think you get the point. The next best thing about these pants are the zippered vents. Yes, I said zippered vents. Man, what a game changer these are. Too chilly, make sure those vents are zipped shut; too hot, unzip them to reveal the mesh liner that will prevent leaves, sticks, ticks and spiders from travelling in with that cool breeze. Whoever designed these pants, without a doubt, rides a motorcycle. The material is a strong, durable ripstop that is sewn well and has accoutrements like leather inner knee panels, stretch panels in all the right spots and inner hip pockets if you want to put in some hip armor (not included). They have a zippered groin so you don't have to drop your drawers to relieve bladder pressure, and a ratcheting buckle to close them up at the waist. If you need to fine-tune the waist fitment, MSR doubled down on the comfort efforts, by putting a velcro adjustment on each side. These are, by far, the most comfortable riding pants I have. Much like the other pants I have, the legs are precurved and the pants are roomy enough to easily accommodate knee/shin guards worn on the inside. Again, styling is simple, conservative and nice looking without looking ostentatious. 

MSRP for the inside the boot britches is right at $109, and the outside the boot option will set you back another $10, at $119. This might seem like a lot of cheese, at least it did for me, but after seeing what I got for my money, I'm pretty satisfied. I look at it like this- my favorite pair of Levi's cost me around $60 these days, when I catch them on sale (thanks to inflation) and I usually wear them every day, and have to replace them every year or so. To put it in perspective, I spend about $100- $120 every year or so, on a couple of pair of jeans. Comparatively, I spent $109 on this one pair of MSR Legend Off Road riding pants, that will likely last me for several years of off-road riding adventures. When you consider that these pants are specifically designed for the specific movements we do when riding off-road, and for the unique conditions we face when riding enduro and/ or single track trails, it's kind of a no-brainer. Sure, as I've shown you in some of my other MotoReviews, you can definitely spend less money, but you're also likely to get less features. 

MSR Adventure Boots

Keeping with the MSR trend, I chose the MSR Adventure Boots. Now, to be completely honest, these were not my first choice when I was making my initial purchase from Rocky Mountain. Without having any knowledge of off-road riding boots, I went with the least expensive option- the MSR M3X. They were priced a little over $100, so I added them to the cart with the rest of the stuff and got them on their way without really considering what I needed. Before they arrived though, I saw a video review from a YouTuber that calls himself SwankyCat, who just happened to do a review of MSR's M3X boots compared to their Adventure boots. Now, I don't know him and I don't know what, or how, he rides, but he did make a few points in his video that made a lot of sense to me. After watching his comparison of the two boots, I got back on Rocky Mountain's website and decided to test out Rocky Mountain's "easy return policy" before the M3X's ever even showed up at my house. Rocky Mountain's customer support made it super easy and when the M3X's arrived, I was really glad that I was sending them back. It's not that they weren't good boots- they just weren't going to be good for me, and my riding. 

The Adventures shipped the same day, and I had them within a week or so, thanks to the crappy weather that was affecting the Western side of the US of A. Once I got them, I was immediately impressed- they are very well made and they are very comfortable. They are built with real leather, have stitched-on rubber guards all over them and the best part (and one of the main reasons I got them)- they are waterproof. The only thing that's predictable about the Southern Mississippi weather isn't if it's going to rain, but when and for how long, so the likelihood of hitting standing water on the trails is a guarantee. Keeping my feet dry is as important as having a good sole with some grip, for pushing the bike through the muck when necessary, and I've found it necessary more than once to use the grippy soles on these. I've also tested the waterproofing several times and can report that, these boots are in fact, waterproof. They are a bit wide in the toe-box and I've found that the old-skool technique of wearing wool socks really is the best to get the maximum comfort out of them. The wider toe also makes it a little tricky to manipulate the shifter and rear brake on my vintage XR, and that did take some getting used to. The buckles are well made, but just like SwankyCat, I did find that I needed to trim a little length off the bottom ratcheting strap. The velcro top does a good job of sealing the top of the boots against my calf, and the shank of the boot easily fits my O'Neal articulated knee/shin guards. Since these are my only off-road riding boots, I've worn them on every excursion on the "ole legbreaker" and I can tell you, I've abused them. They have held up extremely well and I don't see them wearing out anytime soon. While they might be better suited for riding an ADV bike like a Pan America, Tiger or GS, rather than a 37 year old XR600, they are working very well for me and I'm pretty happy with them. These boots set me back a smooth $200 from Rocky Mountain and, while that is a lot of money, I will refer back to my previously noted cost analysis. Just like the pants, if these boots last me, let's say, three years before they need to be replaced... that's only $66 a year. If they last five years, that's a paltry $40 bucks a year. Sure, the initial investment might give you a bit of heartburn, but for what you get with MSR's Adventure boots compared to similar boots, like Gaerne, Alpinestars, Sidi or Forma... the MSR's are a bargain at less than half the price of the competitors. 

Final Thoughts

If you're like me, and are just getting into riding off-road, you need good gear to get the most enjoyment out of your new adventures. Wearing jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers while riding on trails is a recipe for disaster. A long time ago, I hit a berm a little too hot while riding my YZ250 and ended up on my ass. I didn't have any fancy riding pants back then and, after that little spill, I had to ride the bike back to the truck with my backside hanging out through the giant rip in my jeans. If you blew most of your budget on the bike, then take a look at my other reviews here and here for some great gear at even better prices. If you saved yourself some money though, and bought yourself an older bike like I did, then I recommend going to Rocky Mountain ATV/MC and checking out their selection of MSR Legend Off Road gear. 

Until next time, MotoReaders,

Ride safe and make good choices!

The Return Of The Sportster!

photo courtesy of Thunderbike

 
Sportster Fans Rejoice!

Harley-Davidson's new CEO, Artie Starrs, has confirmed it- the Evolution Sportster WILL return to the model lineup. Along with the Sportster's confirmation, he mentioned that the Sprint will debut with the Sporty, and he also hinted at the return of another touring motorcycle... the Road King, perhaps?

Zeitz Versus Starrs

Jochen Zeitz's plan to 'right the MoCo ship' was, basically, to save build costs by eliminating models that were lower priced, in order to focus production and sales on the big price tag bikes. The problem with his idea, is that, as Scott Bumpus told Artie Starr's when he met him- "most Harley-Davidson riders wear their names on their shirts." A, not so subtle, way of reminding the incoming CEO that the Motor Company needed to get back to their roots, and focus on the blue-collar, working class riders that have kept the brand alive for over 120 years. Jochen's plan eliminated the entry level bikes, and made it more difficult for bar-and-shield loyalists to be able to afford anything more than used bikes, or worse- competitor's bikes.

Artie Starrs is coming in strong, in my humble opinion. He has visited numerous dealers and learned what they have been struggling with. Artie seems to understand that the dealers are critical to the success of the Motor Company, as they always have been. By focusing on improving dealer relations, he is effectively opening the pipeline to actually move bikes. By bringing back entry level bikes, he is giving the dealers more options in order to move inventory, and giving the customers a variety of options to fit their individual riding styles and, more importantly, their budgets. The fact of the matter is, when a new rider buys a small bike like a Sportster, or the new Sprint, they'll ride that bike for a while until they get more comfortable, then they'll be right back in the dealership upgrading to a bigger bike. By giving dealers more options in the lineup, Artie is providing them the opportunity to increase revenue in bike sales, services and parts and accessories sales. 

Will The King Live Again?

Don't get me wrong, I like the new Street Glide and Road Glide, but I'm a Road King man at my core. I prefer a more visceral ride over the watered down, refinement that comes with fairings and infotainment systems. I like tank-mounted analog gauges and I like a simple, quick-release windshield. I've had a Road Glide and I rode an Electra Glide for several years... and they are both exceptional motorcycles, but I don't think it was a smart move for Harley-Davidson to remove the option of a Road King to customers like me. Truth be told, now that I've retired from my payin' gig, I don't see myself buying any new motorcycles, not for a while anyway. I have my Road King Special dialed-in perfectly to my tastes, so I'm not interested in trading her in on a new Road King, even if they offered one. But... let's play the "what if..." game for a minute, shall we?

• What if my 107ci M8 gives up the ghost early? It is sitting at over 41k miles, after all and I've heard a lot of horror stories about the first generation engines.
• What if, God forbid, my bike is destroyed in a crash? 
• What if it is stolen and not recovered?

If any of these things were to happen, and I survive the scenario, of course, thanks to Jochen's idiotic plan, I'd have to leave the royalty of the Road King, and settle for "Gliding" on the "Road" or "Street", or settle with buying a used bike. But, if Artie was hinting at the return of the Road King... then I wouldn't have to settle on anything other than exactly what I wanted. To be clear, he didn't specify which touring bike would return, but I would like to think that he was talking about the Road King.

 Sportster

So, apparently, I was wrong in my prior assumptions (what happens when you make an assumption?) and the MoCo did not sell the designs to SWM for their Stormbreaker motorcycles, although, I don't know how they are able to make a ripoff Sportster without any legal ramifications, but that's a story for another day. Today, I'm focusing on the fact that H-D is going to bring the Evolution Sportster back. Let me say that again, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company is bringing back an air-cooled Evolution powered Sportster. I don't know what model they are going to release, if it will be an 883, a 1200 or both, and I don't know how they are going to market it alongside the RevMax powered Sportster S and Nightster models, but damn... I am excited to see what they do. 

The reason I'm so excited about the return of the dual shock, Evo Sportster, is because it gives me hope. Hope that if they are bold enough to bring back this bike, maybe, just maybe... they will see the value in the Dyna lineup and reintroduce that family of bikes. I've mentioned it before, but I still get giddy over the idea of a 114 Milwaukee 8 engine stuffed into the small frame of a Dyna. I would love to see the return of the Wide Glide... now that is a bike that I would go to the dealer for.

Final Thoughts

I'm going to address Artie directly, here... not that he reads my humble little blog, but on the off-chance he does... here goes:

Artie, can I call you Artie? Artie, I appreciate your candor and how you openly admit that you weren't a "motorcycle guy" before getting the call from Harley-Davidson. I also appreciate how you acknowledge the importance of the H-D dealer network and how you seem to really understand who your core customer base is. I'm a Harley guy, I guess I have been since I was a kid, but it really bloomed in 2009 when I was finally able to buy my first Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Ever since that fateful winter day, I've had a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. I've spent a small fortune on new motorcycles since then and I've peer-pressured more of my friends into joining the bar-and-shield club than I can count. Keep doing what you're doing. Bring some stability back to the brand. Harley-Davidson is unique in that the company has been in business, without interruption, for 123 years now. Unlike Indian, who has been bought and sold, over and over, and again this year. Those guys like to claim "since 1901" but their slogan really needs to be "established the first time in 1901..." I'm not a brand-basher, but every once in a while, I feel the need to give it back to the Indian Motorcycles crowd (just for fun). Bringing back the Evo Sporty is a bold move and, although I'm not a fan of the Chinese partnership for the Sprint, I understand the reasons for that choice. I do really hope that you'll also bring back the Road King and, while I admit this is probably a pipe dream, the Dyna line. Regardless of what hits the showrooms, I'll still be riding my Harley-Davidson motorcycles, wearing my Harley-Davidson attire and writing about the MoCo, all while hoping that you can undo the disastrous plan of your predecessor. 

Until next time, MotoReaders, it looks like we'll just have to wait and see what comes out of the 414... so in the meantime, you know what to do...

Ride safe, and make good choices!

MotoReview-Thor Sector Edge Off Road

MotoReview- Thor Sector Edge

Greetings MotoReaders and welcome back to another MotoWriter gear review! Today, I'm going to be talking about Thor's Sector Edge jersey and pants. The sun is shining, so let's not waste any time!

Disclaimer- I am not being sponsored by Thor, or any affiliate of Thor, and I'm not being sponsored by MotoStealz, or any affiliate of MotoStealz. 

Where It Came From, And What I Paid For It

With that little "disclaimer" out of the way, you might have guessed that I "stole" this set from MotoStealz.com. The jersey is normally $28 and I got it for $10, and the pants are normally $75 and I snatched them for the low, low price of $15. Now, I was already somewhat familiar with Thor Racing products, because I've got one of their 3/4 street helmets- The Hallman McCoy... but that's a different review for a different day. Having some experience with the brand, along with the deep discounts, I felt pretty confident in letting go of the $35 + shipping for this jersey and pants. MotoStealz delivers quickly, so I had them in my grubby mitts pretty quickly, only to realize that, either I was a bit chubbier than I thought I was since retiring from my payin' gig, or these pants are just not as forgiving as my Levi's. Regardless, I knew I needed one size bigger and, fortunately for me- they had them in stock in the larger size, too. It was cheaper to keep the smaller size pants, since shipping them back would have cost more than I paid for them in the first place, so I just crammed them into my gear cabinet in case I lose weight or if I come across someone that needs a pair of riding pants in that size.

The Jersey

Despite the pants being, eh, hmm... one size too small, the jersey is spot on. I wear a large, ordered a large and the large fits me perfectly. One really nice part about off-road/motocross jerseys is that they are, intentionally, slightly bigger to accommodate wearing them over your protective gear. The styling is pretty basic- I got the gray with the hi-vis panel, but they also have red, and blue options, too. Now, because these were overstock that MotoStealz picked up, sizing and color options might be limited as they sell out.

Wearing it on the trails is really where the quality of this jersey shines through- the sleeves stay down thanks to the slim and, Goldilocks-fitment cuffs- they are tight, but no too tight for those unfamiliar with the story of the little blonde trespasser. When I'm on the trails, I sometimes like to ride into bushes and fall down in briar patches... this jersey hasn't snagged or ripped yet. The material is thin and light enough to be comfortable in the humid Southern air, but strong enough to withstand my off-trail oopsies. 

The Pants

Once I got the correct size pants, I found them to fit very well. They are precurved with well placed stretch materials where needed, and they have reinforcements in the groin, knees and lower legs for protecting your legs from those pesky branches, rocks and thornbushes. The ratcheting buckle closure is easy to use and the zipper is a handy feature when trail riding, when there is a tree that needs... um, "watering." The pants easily accommodate my O'Neal articulated knee and shin guards (that MotoReview is coming soon). The outer shell is very strong and made of a durable ripstop material and the inside of the pants have a mesh lining that does a good job of keeping the pants from sticking to your sweaty legs out in the woods. The only complaints I have about the pants, is that they are a bit scratchy on the inside when you first put them on and, if you're trying to slip out of the house while your better half is still asleep... put the pants on after you leave because they are sort of loud. Not squeaky loud, or color loud, but loud like your obese aunt, wearing new corduroy pants loud. These pants are not stealth, but once you get in the woods, it doesn't matter anymore, so that's not a deal breaker. 

Final Thoughts And Observations

Cleaning this riding gear isn't bad, just throw them both in the washing machine on cold and hang them up to dry. Easy-peasy. One other thing to note, is that the reason these were so inexpensive, is because they are new old stock- basically new, unsold gear from a previous year's styling, so MotoStealz bought it up and is selling it for crazy discounted prices. What that means, is if you need to wear the most up to date styles so that you are the most fashionable of your riding group, then MotoStealz probably isn't the best online retailer for your new gear... but if you're tight on cash and just want some well made, name brand, gear that does a good job protecting your hide while still looking pretty good... then go check them out. 

Overall, I like this riding gear a lot. I'm not a fan of the scratchy pant legs, but maybe they'll soften up a bit after a few washes. If they don't, I'll just wait until the weather cools off and wear my insulated underwear under them to prevent any potential chafing issues. Regardless, with MotoStealz's discounted prices on this Thor Racing gear, you really can't go wrong- you're getting a reputable brand with a pedigree in motocross racing for dollar store pricing. Stay tuned, because I have some more off-road riding gear to review, coming soon.

Until next time, MotoReaders...

Save Money, Gear Up, and Ride Safe!

Riding

Riding On The Gulf Coast

Living on the Gulf Coast affords motorcycle enthusiasts, like your old pal The MotoWriter, the opportunity to ride year-round, but every place has its issues, and those of us that ride all year are built, just a little bit differently. We prioritize our riding as being just as important as regular rest, food and exercise. We don't ride because it's just some cool thing to do, we ride because it's a part of our identity. Riding is how we maintain our mental health, where we can talk to God without distractions and it's where we can sort through the madness of the world around us and shed some of the stress of our lives... one mile at a time.

 

No Matter What You Ride

It doesn't matter if you ride a Harley-Davidson, a Honda, a Triumph, an Indian or any other motorcycle brand, and it doesn't even matter if you ride on the road, off the road, or both. The key component is the riding. For those of us that are more comfortable straddled on a machine that defies all the safety standards of the modern automobile than in the safe and stable rolling roll cage that is the modern vehicle, we recognize the common bond in our fellow riders. That's why we wave at strangers on the highway, why we nod in approval at the pickup truck driver hauling a dirtbike down the highway and why we talk to other riders at gas stations and rest stops. We all recognize that same energy in one another- the same wildness of the spirit and the same, untamed, fire that drives us to ride. We are kindred spirits.

Down South, It's Not The Heat, It's The Humidity

We love to say things like that here and for good reason- because it's true. Sure, the heat does play a critical factor in riding during the summer months, with temperatures often reaching the mid to upper 90's in the peak of summer. While a lot of places out West easily top 100º F, especially in the desert areas, the humidity rarely gets past 50%, but down here on the Gulf Coast, our humidity levels typically average over 70%. Combine a 93º ambient temperature with 71% humidity and most people are ready to hibernate indoors until Autumn. But not us, nooo, no. We, the motorcycling enthusiasts of your communities, can't sit still when the sun is out. We are thinking about where we can ride, what roads offer the most shade and what restaurants have the coldest drinks. The worst time for motorcyclists along the Gulf Coast has got to be hurricane season, or, specifically... when there's actually a storm in the Gulf. Hurricanes bring excessive humidity, flooded roads, washed out bridges and, often, power outages that last hours, or even days. Even the less severe Tropical Storms can hinder our riding for days or, sometimes, weeks at a time. Talk about frustration. But when the skies clear up and the floodwaters recede, you'll see us back out on the roads or trails.

Trail Closures And The Gulf Islands National Seashore

Tropical Storm Arthur dropped a ton of water on us over the past few weeks and it wreaked pure havoc on the everything south of 31st parallel, with everything from catastrophic flooding, to tornadoes to major roadways being closed due to significant washouts. One of the reasons that I enjoy riding my dirtbike so much, is that I can still ride, even when the weather isn't so great, especially when riding the Harley isn't that smart of an idea. One of the most frustrating things about the dirty bike scene on the Gulf Coast, though, is that there aren't many public trail systems, even though we have lots of public access forest land. While I live in a very rural area, all of the land around me that could offer awesome off-road riding, is either privately owned or state owned and leased to private hunting clubs, so all the fire roads and trails are off-limits. It can be pretty frustrating at times, to have to load up and haul the bike to a public trail system an hour away. It's acceptable though, as long as the trails are actually open and the USDA does some periodic trail maintenance. I've spent a lot of time on my old XR lately because, well, to be honest- it's my newest "toy." But with all of the storm damage lately, all of the local OHV trail systems have been closed, so the only dirty biking that I can do, is ripping around on my own property, which can get pretty boring, pretty fast.

So, I did what I needed to do, and I fired up the MotoWriter Road King Special and hit the road. On the first day following the storms, I only rode about 75 miles or so- basically just an exploratory ride to see what roads near me were closed. The next day, I decided to venture out a little further and, while I didn't have a destination in mind, after riding for a while, I found myself close to the Davis Bayou Area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. For those that don't know, the Gulf Islands National Seashore is the largest national seashore in the United States and it stretches 160 miles from Mississippi to Florida along the Gulf of America (the body of water formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico). Mississippi has 26 miles of white sand beaches spanning from Ocean Springs to Bay St. Louis and, unlike many of the beach roads in other states, there are very few developments on the beach side, meaning that you can ride along the beach roads and actually see the beaches and the water of the Gulf. The Davis Bayou Area is located on the mainland, east of the town of Ocean Springs, and the entrance of the park is easy to overlook, as it's smack dab in the middle of a busy business district. Riding into the park though, the busy highway quickly fades away behind you and, while it's a relatively short ride in, it's pretty scenic and is a very nice departure from the heavy traffic of the highway. Even though it was hot, I found some shade and parked the bike for a few minutes. I didn't stay long, just long enough to get some water, take my helmet off for a few minutes and snap a couple of pictures for this blog post. There was a nice breeze blowing, but the air was still pretty hot coming in off the water, so after getting rehydrated, I saddled up and headed out. Since Mrs. MotoWriter is currently out of town, I took the long way home and made it back just before sunset... just in time to enjoy an ice cold beer or three before ending the day by grilling myself a steak for dinner.

Enjoy The Discomfort

I'm not suggesting that you intentionally seek out uncomfortable situations... or at least, not all the time, but discomfort makes us appreciate how good we have it. It builds, or in some cases- reveals, our character. We all want to live comfortably, but at what cost? What must we sacrifice for the sake of "comfort"? Riding motorcycles is inherently dangerous and, often, uncomfortable. There is no steady cool breeze of mechanically cooled air blowing on our faces as we sit cozily in plush seats with lumbar support and surrounded by cupholders with our iced lattes and fountain drinks and a multi-speaker stereo system blaring around us. But the experience of riding a motorcycle is not just thrilling, it's almost spiritual. You feel the wind on your face and the sun on your skin, you feel all of the temperature changes as you ride along a country road, and you smell the fresh cut grass, the hay and all of the aromas of the flowers and the trees. Being one with the machine as you lean into curves lets you experience the scenery and appreciate your surroundings in a way that you never even notice when driving in a car. We all have to endure discomfort whether we want to or not... so why not embrace it? Why not harness it and make it into something good, into something that ends with a far better result? When I ride, even in humidity so thick you can cut it with a knife, I return home with a clearer mind, less stress and memories I can look back on when my body eventually gives out on me.

Final Thoughts

No matter where you ride, or what kind of riding you do, enjoy it as much as possible. Practice your skills and improve your techniques so that you give yourself the best opportunity to avoid injuries and stay safe. Don't just be a "fair weather" rider. Some of the best experiences I've had on two wheels were when the conditions weren't "ideal". I've ridden in freezing cold temperatures and I've ridden in temps so hot that you have to take a break every hour or so, just to stay hydrated. While I try to avoid leaving in a rainstorm, I've ridden in plenty of them. I've ridden in downpours so heavy that I couldn't see the highway 20 feet in front of my motorcycle and I've ridden in a steady rain long enough for my boots to, literally, fill with water. I'm not special and I'm not bragging; instead, I'm just pointing out that discomfort is simply part of the experience. Whether it's humid, hot, raining, cold or, absolutely perfect weather, the ride will always be worth it. 

Until next time, MotoReaders...

Ride Safe, and GO RIDE!