New Gear Checkout

[Bigwolf]

I recently purchased some new gear and today I checked it out.

Both of my helmets had reached the 5 year mark so I began thinking about getting a new one.  Since I rarely used the half helmet I decided to not replace it.  My full HJC helmet was the one  I always grabbed when heading out for more than just a few miles.  A couple of weeks ago I found an HJC RPHA 10 helmet on closeout.  I ordered it and it arrived at my door yesterday.

I have been riding in kevlar jeans and a leather jacket.  However, I have been wanting something a bit more functional for long treks in whatever weather prevails.  A few months ago I found a one piece riding suit for less than half price and ordered it.  That TPG Expedition suit has been in my closet unused for the biggest part of 2 months.

Today was cool and sunny.  A great opportunity to give this new gear a short shakedown.  High 40s when I headed out and about 50 when I returned.

I headed north out of Cookeville.  From Livingston I went thru Alpine and on into Jamestown.  I took my time, just enjoying the scenery.  At Jamestown I turned right onto 127 which I followed back to I40 and made a right turn back to Cookeville.  It was not a big ride at only 110 miles but I enjoyed it and I can now say I am happy with my new gear. 

The suit is supposed to be waterproof.  But with 15 zippers?     I'll have to check that out another time.  I'm hoping it is mostly waterproof.  A few small leaks I can deal with.  Today however, it kept the wind out and I stayed warm without a lot of heavy clothing underneath.  I do not have heated gear yet.  I never opened the vents as I am sure they will let air flow thru when I want them.  The RPHA 10 is an upgrade from the old IS 17 I am retiring.  This helmet does not have the internal drop down shade.  I never liked that feature anyway.  It just takes a minute to pull over and put my sun glasses on.  The RPHA 10 is lighter and has much better air flow and I believe it is quieter.  I like the air adjustments better on this helmet too.  They are very easy to work even with gloves on.  Below 40 mph the shield would fog up unless I clicked it open a notch.  This helmet came with a pinlock piece that is supposed to do very well at discouraging fog on the shield but I have not installed that piece yet.

It was a good day!  Sorry, no pics.
Bigwolf

[Ice]

The suit is supposed to be waterproof.  But with 15 zippers?     I'll have to check that out another time.  I'm hoping it is mostly waterproof. 

Wolf.  Just drive thorugh the car wash, kills two birds with one stone, bike gets clean and you know if the suit will stop the rain 

[cookiedough]

Yah, but the car wash usually does not get all of the bug splat juice off the cycle, must hand clean/wash the bike to get most of those splats off.

I really never understood the need, unless really needed for a mechanical/wear-out issue,  the need to get rid of a perfectly good helmet every 5 years.  I think the mfgs. of these helmets just want to stay in business.    15-20 years, yes,  need a new helmet more than likely, but 5??

[Bigwolf]

I really never understood the need, unless really needed for a mechanical/wear-out issue,  the need to get rid of a perfectly good helmet every 5 years.  I think the mfgs. of these helmets just want to stay in business.    15-20 years, yes,  need a new helmet more than likely, but 5??

I expect the 5 year limit is an overly conservative number based largely on legal issues.  However, I do not know exactly how fast a helmet deteriorates in normal wear.  What I do know is that I have had 2 helmets fall apart while I was still trying to wear them.  The last was a 15 year old helmet that had been sitting in my closet for 13 years while I did not ride.  I bought this Valkyrie, pulled that helmet out of the closet and went for a ride.  The shield had gotten dull so I took it off before I started out.  I kept getting dirt in my eyes somehow getting past my glasses.  Thought the road must have a lot of dirt flying around to be getting so much in my eyes.  Got back home, took the helmet off and the whole interior lining rained down over my face.  Now I figure I had better stick to a time limit that someone more knowledgeable than me has chosen.

Bigwolf