Gear Review! Teknic SMT gloves

After I bought my nice helmet, I began to feel like the rest of my body was totally naked when I rode my motorcycle, especially my hands. I could feel the wind flowing past them, and when I looked down, see the pavement doing the same thing. I thought, "Even If I have a little spill, I could permanently ruin my hands." So I began the search for good gloves.

I said in a previous entry that we (motorcyclists) should wear the best gear that we can afford. However, that is easier said than done, especially when you are broke. The lure of a motorcycle is such that we save our money to buy one, but are not left with enough to purchase the correct gear. Then, once we have the bike, we must ride even if the risk to ourselves is huge. Not smart! I have been piecing together my kit since I bought my motorcycle in August, now all I need are some pants and riding boots.

I originally wanted some short gloves, supermoto-style. My reasoning was that they look better in a T-shirt. That is probably the most stupid thing I have ever heard. I have yet to actually ride while wearing only a t-shirt, and now that I have a nice jacket, I probably never will. Before I came to that realization, I purchased the Teknic SMT gloves from the Motorcycle Superstore, on sale at a very reasonable price: 19.99 plus shipping.

They are nice gloves, with a large rubbery plastic protector on the top knuckles, and smaller ones of the same material for the digits. They are very breathable because of the thin material used on the between-the-finger area, and vents in the knuckle protector. A little chilly for days colder than 45 degrees or so. The back of the hand is well padded, and the leather and other materialgrippy.

My only major gripe is that I believe that these gloves were made for someone with "meat hands." This is my own technical term for someone with thick, wide palms like beef-steaks, and fingers like sausages (short and fat). I am on the other end of the spectrum. Being 6'1'' and about 155, I have fingers that are long and thin. My hands are big but not especially thick, and until buying these glove, I always thought my palms were large. I usually wear a large glove, so I followed the recommendations of previous buyers ("get one size larger") and bought them in XL. I returned them the next day because the fingers were used on the palm are supple and way too short, and prevented movement. It's too bad, because the body of the glove fit great. So, I got the XXL rather than trying another brand of glove and going through the whole ordeal again.

The XXLs were still a hair short in the fingers, but have since loosened up. The body of the glove is definitely a little too large, and I must use the hook-and-loop wrist strap to tighten them past the point where the loops are, and stick it to the material of the glove body.

So, overall I would rate these gloves great if you have fat hands and want a short glove. However, if you have long fingers, I would suggest looking at some other brand or model. If possible try before you buy. Even if you try in a shop and buy from the internet, know the product you are purchasing. There is nothing so infuriating than buying a pair of bargain gloves instead of the ones you wanted, only to spend the money saved on return shipping to get the right size.

I think I will always be on the search for that perfect glove, and be destined to only find it when I don't have the money to afford a pair. Also, I am definitely looking for a gauntlet style glove now. Suggestions anyone?

Gear Review! Shoei RF-1000 Joust Helmet

With the recent purchase of my motorcycle, it was only fitting that I also purchase a new helmet. In fact in was mandatory. My old helmet - the one I wear on the scooter - is a 10 year old Bieffe that was too large in the first place. While riding my FZR it would move around on my head from the wind buffeting it at any speeds over 45 mph. Not a good thing.

I searched for a long time, trying to find the best price. I honestly wanted an Arai, but the the price was just too steep even for a lower end model, and I wasn't willing to buy used even if I had found one. Although I would still consider buying a yellow and red Colin Edwards replica from 2001, or a blue and red from 2002 if I could find one, but only for collecting.



I finally realized that all of the best helmet deals come from Competition Accessories, based out of Ohio. After doing a ton of reading, I settled on a Shoei RF-1000. For the money (you can choose from a great selection of graphics for $299), I don't think there is a better helmet on the market.

It has two brow vents with two opening positions available, one chin vent for defogging the visor and providing fresh air, and dual vents in the nifty rear spoiler that can be opened and closed with one central switch. The visor is easily removed and replaced; in fact, I have already replaced the stock, clear visor with a lightly tinted one. The liner and cheekpads are simple to remove for washing, and the cheekpads can be replaced with larger or smaller ones (not included) to custom fit the helmet to your face.

Fit and finish is impeccable: the graphics are beautiful, and everything looks great. This helmet has none of the little knit-picky issues that I tend to have with everything I buy. I love it. It even came with a removable breath-guard and air deflector for the chin. Unfortunately, I wear glasses, so the breath-guard just redirects the fog to my glasses, which is much worse. And the last road trip that I took (more on this in a future post) I forgot the air deflector, which would have helped a lot with the coldness blowing up under my chin.

I have a rather long shaped head (front to back) and that was one of the reasons I bought this helmet. It fits very well, with no movement at all. On the road, it is extremely quiet and very easy on the head. However, it should be noted that I wear ear-plugs when riding, as no helmet can eliminate the decibels of a screaming exhaust note.

I would highly recommend this helmet as an alternative to the exorbitantly expensive Arai helmets; but as of now, I have never even placed an Arai bucket on my head. My opinion may change after that experience. Maybe someone could help me out with that? Shoei is world renowned, and at the very least, on a level with Arai for quality. Consider spending a little more than you would on a top of the line KBC or the like, you will find it is well worth it. X-speed helmets seem decent as well, but again, never tried one. Hope someone finds this review helpful!

Here is what the manufacturer says about the RF-1000:

Aerodynamic Shell Design is maximized through extensive wind tunnel and rider testing The Aero Stabilizer dramatically reduces drag and lift coefficients, thus diminishing rider fatigue and increasing performance Two-layer liner offers unmatched ventilation with internal channels and exhaust ports throughout the helmet Integrated Upper Air Intake minimizes air turbulence and maximizes air stream in all riding positions Outlet holes in the Aero Stabilizer allow warm air to be exhausted The lower air intake provides an additional source of air flow The neck outlet vent allows for effective air exhaust Lightweight, Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus (AIM) High performance fiber materials are combined with extremely elastic organic fibers to create a shell structure that is ultra lightweight, rigid and resilient Anti-Fog System The lower air intake provides air flow that helps to diminish shield fog 3D Interior Liner Removable interior cheek pads available in optional sizes for a custom fit Chin strap cover can easily be removed to allow for cleaning or replacement CX-1 V Shield and Lock System w/ Q.R.B.P. (Quick -Release Base Plate) allows tool-less shield removal A wide, 3-dimensionally curved shield offers increased peripheral vision and optical clarity Scratch-resistant coating 100% protection from harmful UV A&B rays A pre-set lever can easily lock the shield in place to prevent it from opening unexpectedly TECHNICAL INFORMATION Standards: DOT 218, Snell-M2000 Construction: AIM (Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus) materials Weight: 3.24 lbs /1470 grams (approx.)

On open letter to Andrew Trevitt of Sport Rider Magazine

Dear Mr. Trevitt,
First off, let me tell you that I am extremely sorry to hear about the accident that you were involved in. Though this type of thing happens everyday, it does not lessen the severity of the issue at hand. An accident of this type can happen to even the best educated, best equipped motorcyclists in the world when a car driver does not take an extra second to look twice - once for cars, a second time for motorcycles.

I am an avid motorcyclist, and have been since I first threw my leg over my (soon-to-be) first bike - a Kawasaki EX500 - at the age of 18. When it gets in your blood, it seems to be there to stay. A few months after purchasing my first and second bikes (a Yamaha FZR 600 that followed the Ninja into my garage within a few weeks), I fell on hard times and had to sell both. I then spent the better part of 6 years without a bike. I passed much of that time working at a bike shop: a truly unique form of self-inflicted torture when you don't have a bike, I assure you. During that time, a fellow co-worker lost his life on his beloved YZ125. Even though it was a tragedy, everyone at the bike shop kept in the back of their minds that he had at-least died doing what he loved. His accident was the result of a temporary lapse in judgment, and in some ways, that softened the blow, in others ways, it made it much worse.

I have recently acquired another FZR 600 that I ride constantly. I never fail to accept the possibility of the worst as I put my helmet on, as do you, I am sure. A motorcyclist must know that every time she or he swings a leg over their bike, they may not dismount as gracefully, no matter how hard they try to avoid an accident. There are many reasons for this: gravel, misjudgment, and overconfidence to name a few. However, the worst reason (and probably the most common) is the intrusion of an automobile into one's lane of travel, resulting in an unavoidable obstacle, and a horrific crash.

An event such as this, when a rider of obviously high levels of skill and ability is struck down by an unobservant motorist (doing something illegal in this case), is a time for us all to reflect on a few basics of motorcycle safety. First and foremost, your accident should be a message to every rider, be it dirt or tarmac that calls to you: we are all mortal.

Secondly, even though I am sure you were adorned with the proper equipment, we should all realize that to ride with anything less than the absolute best safety gear we can afford is to unnecessarily increase the risk that we might not come home. An accident can happen a block from your house (research shows that most do, in fact), and a quick run to the store should require the same precautions as a cross-country road trip.

Lastly, one must always assume that the motorist does not see you, for often they don't. Even with precautions such as this, sometimes it is impossible to avoid. So, as you recover, with thousands of motorcyclists alongside you in that hospital bed, we should all take these three basic lessons to heart. More importantly, however, we must not let the fear of what might happen rob us of something that we are all so passionate about.

Perhaps the most important thing we can do is educate our car-driving friends and acquaintances about the need to be constantly vigilant for vehicles with two wheels, with which they are required by law to share the road. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and we that ride them are much more vulnerable than someone riding in a 4000 lb. steel box. As such, our presence should demand an appropriately larger portion of motorists' attention.

None of what I say is news to you, I know. However, there are many motorcyclists that may not know these basic principles, and through your experience, take them to heart.

I wish you a speedy and thorough recovery. May the thoughts and prayers of so many motorcyclists and friends see you through this difficult period. Be well in spirit, while you get well in body.

Very sincerely yours,
Jesse Phillip Cecil

On Honda: remarks concerning their past and present involvement in moto-roadracing

My family and I have cumulatively owned 3 cars, 1 scooter, 2 motorcycles, 2 lawnmowers, a weed-eater, and a generator all designed and produced by the well-known automotive giant, Honda. I have always found Honda to produce intuitive, easy to maintain, wonderfully engineered products with a longevity rivaled by few other companies. I recommend a Honda product to anyone that is looking for an all around good machine that will do the job for which it was designed, without fault.

However, in my knowledge of the motorcycle roadracing world - which has been gleaned from almost 8 years of diligently poring over any magazine, book, and internet site on the subject - I have found Honda (particularly the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC)) to be less than loyal to its racers and fans. This is a pretty strong statement, coming from a lifelong supporter of Honda products, so let me provide a few examples of the attitude which prompted me to put forth such an accusation.

1.) Colin Edwards and World Superbike: Facing a scattered factory Ducati Corse squad in 2000 on a then-new RC-51, Colin won the WSBK championship for HRC. In 2001, as Ducati put their garage back in order, centered around their new lead rider, Troy Bayliss, Colin could not overcome the chatter problems that plagued the RC-51 that year, but still put up a good fight while losing the championship to Bayliss. The following year (2002) went down in history as a season-long battle between two riders at the peak of their game. Bayliss won nearly every race during the beginning of the season, Colin won nearly every race towards the end of the season. It all came down to the Battle at Imola, which any true race fan will never forget. The result was Colin winning a second World Superbike championship for HRC, with Bayliss a close second.

One would think that Edwards' accomplishments for HRC would have put him in the running for the HRC MotoGP ride that had opened for the 2003 season, especially considering that Bayliss was destined to make the switch as well, aboard the new Ducati Desmosedici. It would have been great to see their battles continue on the MotoGP stage for a couple of years. However, much to my chagrin, that was not to be.

In a prime example of Honda betrayal (and loyalty- more on that later), the ride was given to rising star, Nicky Hayden. Hayden was the youngest ever champion of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Superbike Championship (2002), and former AMA Supersport champion (1999). Although Hayden should definetly have been given the opportunity for bigger and better things, it is my humble opinion that Hayden should have been given Edwards' seat in WSBK where he could have learned the European tracks and honed his abilities on a superbike, while Edwards should have been rewarded for his two world championships with the vacant MotoGP ride. However, perhaps because of the large sum of American Honda money that would accompany Hayden to MotoGP, HRC dumped Edwards, who was forced to take a substandard ride on the new (and ultimately doomed) Aprilia RS Cube.

Edwards' season was dismal, and Nicky Hayden failed to produce a win until 2005, while the his championship didn't arrive until the following season. This was, I firmly believe, because Hayden was still learning the tracks and the lifestyle, both of which he could have adjusted to in WSBK, while boosting his confidence and perhaps earning another championship. Meanwhile, had Edwards been given the best bike in the paddock (the Repsol Honda RC211V), it is possible that he could have produced the results that Hayden couldn't at first. Unfortunately, we will never know.

2.) Nicky Hayden and MotoGP: Don't let my comments mislead you though, Nicky Hayden is a great rider that deserves everything he has gotten. Beyond riding ability, Nicky has a work ethic and easygoing nature that should be imitated by all top-caliber motorcycle riders.
While Nicky's elevation to MotoGP was a reward for two national championships with American Honda (Supersport and Superbike), he was also destined to get the HRC knife placed firmly between his shoulder blades.

During the 2006 season in which he won the championship, Hayden was under pressure to perform. He had been with the HRC squad for quite some time in MotoGP, and many thought he should have done better with the equipment at his disposal. Perhaps because of this, HRC placed him in a developmental position throughout the season, trying out new parts on his bike constantly, while new-hire Dani Pedrosa rode Valentino Rossi's former championship-winning version of the RC211V (one year removed, as Rossi won the title on a Yamaha in 2005).

While riding a frame designed for the next-generation 800cc MotoGP bike, which was significantly smaller than what Nicky preferred, he won the championship for HRC. In spite of all that his detractors had to say against him, Nicky earned the championship by placing ahead of Rossi in the last race of the season at Valencia, which was won by Troy Bayliss on a wildcard Ducati ride in reward for his 2nd World Superbike Championship.

The next season, the first of the 800cc era, one would have expected HRC to sidle up to Hayden, and provide him with whatever he needed to defend his (and their) championship. Ou contraire, mon fraire. HRC instead produced a motorcycle obviously designed for the much smaller Pedrosa, and Hayden was pushed (figuratively speaking) to the back of the HRC garage. To date, Dani has not produced a championship (though he has produced controversy by influencing another HRC betrayal - of longtime partner Michelin tires - when he demanded Bridgestone tires mid-season, a move rendered pointless by the adoption of Bridgestone as the control-tire for the 2009 season), while Hayden has moved to the factory Ducati squad. Marlboro Ducati was very quick to snap Hayden up, in obvious recognition of his skills, a nice switch from the treatment he received from HRC. It should be noted that Hayden, throughout this whole affair, was hardly ever anything other than gracious and humble in his referral to HRC and their treatment of him.

3.) American Honda steps out: Following the controversy over Daytona Motorsport Group's (DMG) purchase and subsequent revamp of the AMA superbike Championship, the proposed participation of the manufacturers has been on-again, off-again at best. However, shortly after assuring all their staff and employees (including contracted riders) that American Honda was going racing in 2009, and barely a week after American Honda rider Niel Hodgson posted the best lap times during the Daytona Dunlop Tire Test, Honda announced that they would not be participating in American roadracing for this year, due to "current global economic situation and its impact on Honda." While that is understandable, it is (in my mind) just one more example of Honda saying one thing while doing another. If everything was that uncertain, it would seem prudent to hold off on assuring employees that they all had jobs for 2009.

I want to close by saying that I still love Honda products, and that I continue to believe that they make some of the best cars and motorcycles that money can buy. Also, it should be noted HRC regularly promotes riders that have shown loyalty to them (Andrea Dovizioso, Dani Pedrosa, and many more), and that other companies are also perpetrators of the kinds of betrayal mentioned here. A prime example: Ducati pawned Troy Bayliss off to Camel Honda in 2005 after one poor season on a still-developing bike. Bayliss returned to MotoGP for one round, the aforementioned Valencia 2006, and won on the same bike, albeit with a one more year of development time.
So, HRC is not the only monster in the paddock, but perhaps they are the biggest.

As a student of Japanese history, I think it is also pertinent to mention that Japanese lords have never been as loyal to their warriors as their warriors were to them, and Japanese culture is still very heavy on tradition.

- This article is an original work by the author of this blog. However, all pictures were shamelessly taken from a google image search without permission. No money was gained from this reproduction, and the pictures can be removed upon receipt of a request made via comments.