Motorcycle Gear

Now and again, I receive a comment on the WaltInPA YouTube Channel asking about a particular piece of Motorcycle Gear used in a video. I have created a list below to answer that question and break out all the various gear I use.

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Warm Weather Riding Gear

As a father with three young children, I have chosen to always ride in full motorcycle gear. This doesn’t always make for a pleasant riding experience – especially when temperatures reach triple digits. The Motorcycle Gear that I use helps me stay cool and provides protection in case of an accident.

Voss 989 Moto-V Helmet

I purchased my Voss 989 Moto-V Helmet in the Fall of 2022, and it has been an excellent helmet. It is a little on the noisy side (especially with the vents open), but it is Pin-Lock ready, has good airflow, and is lightweight. A variety of tinted shields are available to suit your style.

When I purchased my Voss 989 Moto-V Helmet, I wasn’t planning on using it for Motovlogging. The more I used it, the more I liked it and wound up setting it up for recording video.

Read my Full Review – Affordable Style and Safety: A Comprehensive Review of the Feature-Rich Voss 989 Moto-V Motorcycle Helmet

Icon Contra 2 Perforated Leather Jacket

The Riding Jacket of choice for Spring and Summer Riding is the Icon Contra 2 Perforated Leather Jacket. The name is a little deceiving as leather is only used on the impact zones (Chest, Shoulder, Elbows, and Back). The remainder of the shell is a lightweight textile material perforated for maximum airflow.

This Icon Riding Jacket includes a removable thermal liner that can be used on cool mornings. Unfortunately, the liner is a vest and does not have full sleeves. It also comes with removable Armor on the Shoulders, Elbows, and Back.

Joe Rocket Anthem Riding Jeans

While I prefer a heavy pair of Textile Pants for protection, they can be very hot in summer. For this reason, I have switched to Joe Rocket Anthem Riding Jeans. I find them much cooler and more comfortable when walking around off the bike.

If you are a heavier rider with a short inseam, these riding jeans are available in a Short Size (30″ inseam). They are among the few options I’ve come across for my build, and I’ve been delighted with the quality. They also come with Armor on the Hips and Knees.

Scorpion SGS MKII Leather Motorcycle Gloves

I’ve been wearing my Scorpion SGS MKII Leather Motorcycle Gloves for roughly three years. These gloves are comfortable, offer hard knuckle protection, and have a palm slider. Over three years, though, they are starting to show their age. The velcro closure is a bit tired, and the leather is beginning to separate where I tend to tug to put them on.

I’ve tried a couple of different gloves, but I always go back to my tried and true Scorpion SGS MKII Leather Gloves. When it comes time to replace them, I’ll buy an identical pair.

TCX Jupiter 4 Riding Boots

The first day I got out with my TCX Jupiter 4 Riding Boots, I got caught in a torrential downpour. Buckets of water were falling from the sky, and wind gusts were blowing trash cans throughout the neighborhood. By the time I got home, I was utterly soaked – everything except my feet. From that moment on, I’ve been a massive proponent of Goretex and can’t see myself wearing any other type of waterproof boot.

The TCX Jupiter 4 is a Mid-Height Riding Boot with protection at the ankle. After more than three years, my only complaint is that the tread is light, and they are prone to slipping in gravel parking lots.

Cold Weather Riding Gear

Riding in Pennsylvania Winters can be bitter cold. Over the past several years, I have tweaked my motorcycle gear in an effort to increase riding time and maintain comfort. This often means additional base layers, heated gloves, and heated socks to keep the cold at bay.

HJF F70 Helmet

My HJC F70 Full Face Helmet was the first piece of gear I purchased when I got back into riding. It is an excellent helmet with plenty of visibility through the large visor. It is Pin-Lock Ready and also provides a drop-down sun shield.

The HJC F70 is communicator ready, has pockets for Speakers and the HJC Bluetooth Communicator (I use a Sena 50S), and installs easily. It is a little on the heavy side, but it is quiet and seals well when the vents are closed.

Icon MH1000 Textile Jacket

On the first cold day of fall, I quickly discovered that my Icon Contra 2 Perforated Leather Jacket wouldn’t do. I sought an affordable riding jacket with minimal venting and found the Icon MH1000 on Clearance.

While the Icon MH1000 isn’t anything fancy (probably why it is no longer being produced), it gets the job done and works well with a warm base layer. Like my Contra 2, the thermal liner doesn’t include sleeves. If you can find one of these on closeout for under $130, it is worth picking up as a Fall Riding Jacket.

Joe Rocket Ballistic Ultra Textile Pants

I have a fondness for Joe Rocket Riding Gear, especially when it comes to pants. They seem to be one of the few manufacturers that offer Short Sizing in a large Waist. This ensures that the Knee Armor is appropriately positioned when riding.

My only gripe with the construction of these pants is that the waist adjustment buckle is plastic and prone to breaking. They are tremendously warm and far too hot for summertime riding, so I only use them during the colder months.

They include Knee and Hip Armor, Thermal and Waterproof Liners, and a zipper on the back, which allows them to be tied into a jacket to mimic a one-piece riding suit.

Sedici Antonio Waterproof Gloves

While I love my Scorpion SGS MKII Gloves, they are unsuitable for riding in the cold. On a whim, I picked up a pair of Sedici Antonio Waterproof Gloves on sale for a mere $35.00. The bulk of the insulation took a little getting used to, but they are a solid pair of gloves and well worth what I paid.

They include a safety system that links the pinky and ring finger together. I couldn’t get used to the feeling of having my fingers bound, so I cut them apart.

The gloves are waterproof and have a squeegee-like wiper on the thumb. This comes in handy in the rain and quickly removes water from the visor of a full-face motorcycle helmet.

Fly Racing Ignitor Pro Heated Gloves

Riding in the winter can be challenging, even with a heavy pair of insulated gloves. When the temperature drops into the 30s, supplemental heat is necessary to keep your hands from going numb. I’ve been skeptical of Heated Gloves primarily because you seem to lose safety features in trade for warmth.

I picked up a pair of Fly Racing Ignitor Pro Heated Gloves on Amazon for about $200.00 and wasn’t sure what to expect. They are battery-operated and do an excellent job of extending my riding time. Battery life is determined by how high the heat is set.

I was able to purchase off-brand batteries from Amazon for $43.00. They are smaller than the OEM Batteries and don’t last as long, but they get the job done.

TCX Jupiter 4 Riding Boots

I wear the same pair of TCX Jupiter 4 Riding Boots in winter as in summer. A warmer pair of boots would suit me better, but I find that heated socks (Costco) keep my feet warm.

Electronics

When riding, I take two pieces of equipment with me every ride. The first is my phone – it lets me pull up a map and figure out where I am when lost. The second is my Sena 50S which allows me to pipe turn-by-turn navigation into my helmet to get me back on track.

Sena 50S

I purchased a Sena 50S Bluetooth Communicator several years ago so that I could talk with friends on Group Rides. I have used it countless times and can’t imagine returning to hand signals and shouting at traffic lights!

The Sena Mesh Network is fantastic – it has a good range, clear audio, and is simple to use. The older technology standard Bluetooth isn’t nearly as good, but it works well for communicating with riders with older devices.

The audio quality for listening to music is fair. I wouldn’t say it delivers rich sound, but I don’t have the newer Harmon Kardon speakers, which claim to be better.

Motorcycle Luggage

I ride a 2022 Yamaha MT-09 SP and a 2023 Kawasaki Ninja 400. Neither bike comes with onboard storage, and I often need to carry camera equipment or odds and ends on a motorcycle trip. For this reason, I’ve invested in a few pieces of Motorcycle Luggage to help resolve this problem.

Sedici T2 Sicilia Backpack

It is safe to say that at least half of the time I’m out on my motorcycle, I wear my Sedici T2 Sicilia Backpack. It lets me pack a few things for random rides and keeps my camera gear and batteries handy if I’m inspired to record something.

The Sedici T2 Sicilia Backpack has been discontinued – which is unfortunate because I think it is a solid backpack and was affordable. It has a main compartment (with Laptop compartment) as well as two small side pockets.

The Helmet Carrier is my favorite feature and the primary reason I selected this backpack. This allows me to store my helmet on the backpack while away from my motorcycle. It is convenient during lunch stops when I’m inside and can’t see my bike.

Nelson Rigg Commuter Series Tail Bag

While I like my Sedici T2 Sicilia Backpack, it can be hot and limit airflow in the summer months. To help with this, I occasionally use a combination of Nelson Rigg Commuter Series Tail Bags. I use the Lite Tail Bag on my 2023 Kawasaki Ninja when I only need a little storage and a Sport Tail Bag on my 2022 Yamaha MT-09 SP when a little extra space is required.

The Nelson Rigg Commuter Series Sport Tail Bag is large enough to hold my camera gear comfortably, plus a few odds and ends. Both Tail Bags are high quality and hold their shape well.

Viking Momentum Extra Large Tail Bag

On my Motorcycle Bucket List are several items, one of which is to get out there and take an overnight trip. One challenge to such a trip is packing clothes, an extra pair of shoes to walk around, and a few creature comforts. Until recently, I haven’t had a way to make such a trip without combining my Backpack with a Small Tail Bag.

Thanks to the fine folks over at Viking Bags, I was sent a Viking Momentum Extra Large Tail Bag Free of Charge in exchange for a Product Review. When fully expanded, the Viking Momentum Tail Bag can easily store these items without the need for a Backpack.

Read My Full Review – Viking Momentum Tail Bag Review: Quality Motorcycle Luggage

Motovlog Gear

GoPro Hero 10 Black

Regarding Motovlogging, GoPro seems to be the gold standard for quality. While it has its issues, I’ve been quite happy with my primary setup. It includes a GoPro Hero 10 Back with Media Mod and Max Lens Mod. For sound, I use the Purple Panda Microphone wired into my helmet.

I prefer the Enduro (White) Battery over the OEM Batteries (Blue). They provide increased runtime and function well in the cold.

On my HJC F70, I use a plastic mount that attaches the camera to the jawline of the helmet. On my Voss 989 Moto-V, I use a Chinmount to connect the camera to my helmet.

GoPro Hero 8 Black

My primary setup was the GoPro Hero 8 Black (with Media Mod and Purple Panda Mic for audio). I have since moved to a GoPro Hero 10 Black and shifted the GoPro Hero 8 Black to my handlebars for rear-facing footage.

The GoPro Hero 8 Black has been a workhorse, and I’ve had fewer issues with it than I have the GoPro Hero 10 Black. For batteries, I prefer the GoPro Brand. I have tried a few third-party batteries from Amazon and haven’t been impressed with the runtime.

Insta 360 One X2

One of my favorite Pennsylvania Motovloggers (and longtime supporter of WaltInPA), TrekkiMoto, uses the Insta 360 One X2 very cleverly. He has transitioned from a helmet-mounted GoPro and instead uses his 360 camera for various angles. In essence, his single 360 camera serves as multiple cameras.

I decided to take a page from Trekkie’s book and give it a shot on WaltInPA. While the Insta 360 has some resolution and depth of field limitations, it is a wonderful supplemental camera that I use pretty regularly.

DJI Mavic Mini

When I was getting hot and heavy with my Motovlog, I got caught up in the need for bigger and better gear. There seemed to be a trend where content creators inserted drone footage into their videos, and I wanted to be one of the cool kids.

I received the DJI Mavic Mini as a gift from my Wife and quickly discovered that while they are very cool, they are also a lot of work. I found myself packing up the drone less and less. These days I’m unable to use the drone as I don’t have a Prop 107 License (without it, it can’t be used on a channel that is monetized since it is seen as commercial use).