Really it’s dirt bike and Adv gear. There are many different variations for the Adv riding, it all depends on the route that is planned. It’s going to take me a bit to get through all the gear I’ve tried. Be patient!
Current dirt gear for my everyday rides:
I think it’ll just be easier to list it out, so I’ll start at the top… I’m also going to mostly stick to the gear I’m currently using. Unless, there is a benefit to mentioning it. I’ve had way too many items over the past 10 years to list them all out.
DIRT BIKE GEAR:
Helmet:
6d Helmets: In most street helmets I wear XS. Or sometimes I can use the Youth XL helmets.
I’m on my 3rd 6d helmet. I need to send the first one to 6d to be inspected after my crash in Cuba, NM at the Webe Hare Scramble. I hit hard enough to break the visor and scratch up my goggles. On the upside, I didn’t even realized I’d hit my head at all, let alone that hard. Not the slightest headache after wards. Can’t recommend them enough!!!
Goggles:
EKS Googles: (yes, again Youth size.)
NEVER RIDE WITHOUT GOGGLES!
Since I’ve gotten that out of my system. These goggles did a great job of protecting my right eye as I slid my face across the ground in Cuba. It was super easy to order replacement lens for them. They also did a great job of protecting my eye from a tree branch that left a mark across the side of my face!
Body Armor: Upper Body
Leatt: I love just about all their gear, if only I had unlimited funds!
My current go to is 3DF protection the AirFit version. I use a kidney belt (from O’Neal) with it to help my back for when I have to pick up the bike.
My back up gear is the Leatt Adventure Protective Vest Black, this was a couple of versions ago. I liked it for the level 2 CE protection. It has served me well for at least 7 years, it’s rather beat up, but it still works great!
Gloves:
Leatt GPX 3.5 Gloves
They have great knuckle protection. They are comfortable and wear great. I only wish there was some padding on the palm over the Scaphoid bone area. I keep hitting that and bruising the heck out of it
I have at least 5 pairs and they have served me well for years.
Lower Body Protection:
IMPACT SHORTS 3DF
I picked these up after I took a trip over the bars in a sandy arroyo, I had bruise the across my whole right thigh. Then there was a fall onto my right hip that made sure I never rode with out them again, no matter how hot it was…. Well, most of the time. Since I don’t fall as much anymore, I’ve stopped wearing them for quick training rides. I still wear them for rides that I know are going to be tough or rocky.
knee pads:
These are basically for Adventure rides only. Again; Leatt 3DF pads. They stay put! That way I know that I have my knee protection in the right spot at all times. Unlike the pants knee protection, which I just take that out. So that I can use these. I’ve been thinking about getting the newer ones that have a bit more protection. I also use them for riding trials events, the braces won’t let me move my legs the way I need to go over some obstacles.
I know that I should wear the braces more than I do, but let’s face it comfort is important too. Not to mention that the Tiger is such a big bike that if I put a foot down to try and save it… I’m hosed pretty much hosed. I keep my feet on the pegs as much as I can.
Knee Braces:
These are great, the protection is great, the fit is good too. If I know it’s going to be a really hard ride I know the braces will keep me from really tearing up my knees. They have saved me a number of times. With my dirt bike pants they fit great.
Jerseys:
For the dirt bikes I have more jerseys then I know what to do with. From AXO, Fox, O’Neil, Troy Lee, and Fly. The ones on the top of my list are the Fly kinetic mesh, as I tend to over heat in the summer time.
Dirt Bike Pants:
It’s really the same for pants, I have a host of them, what I wear depends mostly on my mood, but the Fly mesh are the top of the list in hot conditions.
For Trials: I’ve takin’ a liking to the Jitsi Camo pants, I can wear my knee pads or braces under them. Plus the have POCKETS!!!!
Socks:
This is where I have to give a HUGE shout out to Moto-Skiveez!!! The Moto-Skiveez Compression Riding Socks are the bomb! I use them all of the time. I’ve discovered the dirt bike channel’s socks. These have become my go to for shorter day rides where I don’t really need the compression socks as much.
STREET/ADV/Trials Gear:
Jackets:
I’ve been using Tourmaster Horizons Jacket for a number of months now, I really like it. So far it’s been a great replacement for the worn out Triumph jacket. Only down side is that you need to use a rain liner to stay dry in a down pour. I might breakdown and get a Klim or Mosko one but dang they are expensive.
I have an O’Neal Adv jacket that I wear over my dirt bike armor. I really like that set up better than a jacket with armor for everything but street riding.
Triumph Adventure Jacket: Was my go to for a number of years. 3 season Adventure jacket. Waterproof and fits great, has a good liner for colder weather. I often use just that and my electric vest. Unless it’s super cold and wet, that I’ve had to add another layer. This would be my second jacket that I’ve used from Triumph. They have held up to some nasty conditions, yet still kept me dry and warm.
Olympia mesh is my summer time jacket. It has a rain liner and a really warm insulated liner, I don’t use that one much. I have another mesh jacket from Cortech that I also really like. I use that one more in the fall, when the conditions have greater extremes. The liner for it is much warmer when I needed it.
Adv/Street Pants:
Triumph Talon Pants are by far my favorite for riding on the street and the light adventure riding. I used these when I rode to Alaska and Canada. Great pants and not a single issue with them in over 20K miles of use. I’ve now bought 3 pairs of them.
Boots:
I use my dirt bike boots for all off road riding, even the Adventure riding. Now for quick trips around town I still use Sidi boots, just the street ones like I have used for racing or the street shoes they sell. There are times when I’ll use pair of hiking boots, or Ariat Riding shoes. They still offer up great ankle protection, and I can wear them all day at work.
Gloves:
I have three sets that I uses depending on weather and riding conditions. For day to day use I have a set of Racer Guide gloves, as a back up I have a set of A* Celer gloves. For cold weather I use my Cortech Scarab Winter Gloves.
Helmets:
I’ve been using my Shoei and 6d helmets for the street, same ones I’ve used on the race track. I’m doing a lot of off road I’ll use my dirt helmet with googles and sun glasses.