October 2017
Issue 14
EXPERIENCE PURE OFFROAD ADVENTURE -
Blast off on brag-worthy excursions with the new KTM 1090 ADVENTURE R! When the pavement turns to dirt, kick it up a gear and attack whatever challenges lie ahead. From corner-riddled mountain roads to knee-deep sand washes, if you can picture it, this savage can overcome it!
/ktmusa
Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing and observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations! The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models and some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.
Photo: M. Chytka
www.kiska.com
ISSUE 14 October 2017
OGO SHEET October, 2017
Issue 14
Cover Simon Cudby Art Director Chris Glaspell Photography Simon Cudby Contributing Writers Justin Dawes Dale Spangler Scot Harden Seiji Ishii Contributing Photographers Adam Booth Tim Burke Olivier de Vaulx Want to advertise with us? Contact: Brandon Glanville brandon@upshiftonline.com
Want to contribute to Upshift? If you’re an experienced writer or photographer with great editorial instincts who loves finding interesting and unusual photo-related content, we want to hear from you. Contact: info@upshiftonline.com
Join us online at www.upshiftonline.com Join us on Instagram at @upshift_online
THE INSIDER THAT TIME OF THE YEAR
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THE LATEST STUFF
horizontal on whiteV-STROM 1000 RETHINKING SCOT HARDEN AND GREG ALBERTYN RIDE MAMMOTH, CALIFORNIA
BAJA BEACH BASH RAISING MONEY FOR A GOOD CAUSE
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66 NORTH
SIMON CUDBY EXPLORES THE ICELANDIC WILDS
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TESTED
SCOTT PROSPECT GOGGLE FLY RACING REVEL OFF-ROAD CE ROOST GUARD VEMAR TAKU INVASION MULTI HELMET
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Upshift Magazine is published monthly by Upshift Online Inc. 2017. Reproduction of any material requires written consent from the publishers. All photos, editorial contributions and advertisements are accepted upon representation that they are original materials by the author and or advertiser. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author and may not reflect the views and opinions of the editor, staff or advertisers of Upshift Online Inc. Advertisers assume full responsibility for the entire content and subject matter of their advertisements. Now go and find some adventure.
SUMMER IN IDAHO 2018 KLIM GEAR LAUNCH AND RIDE
THAT TIME OF THE YEAR INSIDER: DALE SPANGLER With the dog days of summer over, the days getting shorter and temperatures beginning to drop, fall is the perfect time of the year to get out and explore on an adventure motorcycle. With winter looming, the senses are heightened and the high color of fall foliage produces postcard-level scenery around every bend on the back roads and two-tracks of the northern hemisphere. For those in the higher latitudes, fall means it’s time to get out and get those last rides in and enjoy the cool, crisp mornings with friends before the snow begins to fly and it’s time to break out the heated clothing or park the bike for the winter. It’s fun to see the amazing photographs that appear online and in social media this time of the year because of the blazing fall colors and shorter days that produce unique light conditions. Of course in the southern hemisphere, it’s just the opposite: places like Australia and South America are coming out of winter and headed into their spring, the circle of the riding season in its never-ending loop. No matter what the time of the year, at any given moment there is a rider out there exploring on a motorcycle, seeing what’s around that next corner, because there’s no other feeling quite like it. After years of riding dirt bikes on the motocross track, personally it’s refreshing to eliminate the competitive element and ride for pure enjoyment. Of course, drifting a large displacement ADV motorcycle around a loose gravel corner at speed is pretty darn exhilarating too! So no matter what season you are in, get out and enjoy all that the ADV lifestyle has to offer. There’s no better way to discover the many amazing corners of this diverse planet of ours than on two wheels. Dale is the founder and editor at www.dirtbuzz.com.
EXPLORE. ENJOY.
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The mission is simple, if you want to share your adventures on “insta-adv” you’d better start following us! @upshift_online and use the hash tag #upshift_online on your photos
Upshift, October
1. Alpinestars Tech-Air Street Airbag System Upshift was recently invited to preview the Alpinestars Tech-Air™ street air-bag system. This system is the world’s first self-contained street airbag that independently functions without the need for sensors to be installed on the bike and the subsequent need to link a specific motorcycle to the airbag system used by the rider. This means that Tech-Air™ offers the freedom to ride any bike on any surface at any time. When fully inflated, the system’s airbag offers critical protection to the back, kidneys, chest and shoulders. The system is primarily designed for street and track but we were told that the vest is suitable for adventure-touring and a fully off-road version is in the making. MSRP: $1149.45. Sizes S-2XL www.alpinestars.com
2. FLY Street Releases Two New Pant Models Two new pant models have been added to the FLY Street apparel line with the introduction of the Terra Trek designed for ADV, Dual Sports and Sport Touring; as well as the Women’s specific Butane Overpant. Both are available now at authorized FLY dealers nationwide and are distributed exclusively by WPS. The Women’s Butane Overpant is available in sizes: XS–2X. MSRP: $139.95. The Terra Trek Pant is available in sizes: 30–40; 32–40 Tall. MSRP: $219.95 www.flystreetgear.com
Upshift, October
3. Nuviz Head-Up Display System We recently attended the US product launch for Nuviz’s new Head Up Display (HUD) device. Head Up Display (HUD) devices have long been rumored for motorcycle riding applications with some false starts and no-shows already logged by other HUD startups, so it’s nice to see HUD technology for motorcycles finally delivered to the marketplace. So what exactly is a Nuviz? Well, think of it as your motorcycle’s dashboard, GPS, communication/entertainment system and GoPro all rolled into one device. MSRP: $699.00 See the full review at www.upshiftonline.com or check it out at www.ridenuviz.com
4. ROTOPAX™ Mounts and Fuel Container Upshift just added these to our Honda Africa Twin build project to mount onto Kriega OS-Platforms The ROTOPAX fuel containers are rotationally molded for superior strength and a leak-proof design that puts traditional blow-molded carriers to shame. MSRP: $78.95 ROTOPAX Pack Mounts are milled from solid aluminum then anodized black and finally engraved. They use a 5/16” steel all-thread with a steel threaded insert (Helicoil) in the base. These are not cheap injection molded plastic parts that will fail when you are 25 miles down the trail! MSRP: $69.95 www.kriega.us.com
The all-new 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000. Destination: everywhere. For high-mile adventure touring, you need a high-tech adventure bike. One with advanced 3-mode traction control that lets you adjust to any riding surface, from tarmac to rough terrain. A first-in-its-class three-axis, five-direction Inertia Measurement Unit that feeds data to the new Motion Track ABS and Combined Braking System for predictable, optimal braking, even while cornering. And a powerful, fuel-injected 1000cc 90-degree V-Twin engine perfect for crossing a stream or the country. The V-Strom 1000: the comfortable-yet-capable ride you need to tackle anything. And experience everything.
Traction Control cannot prevent loss of traction due to excessive speed when the rider enters a turn and/or applies the brakes. Neither can it prevent the front wheel from losing grip. ABS is not designed to shorten the braking distance. Please always ride at a safe speed for road and weather conditions, including while cornering. Suzuki, the “S” logo, and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki Trademarks or ®. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Four V-Strom models. Infinite journeys. See the full lineup at SuzukiCycles.com
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V-Strom = V-Strong
2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000XT It’s no secret we live in an age of information overload which means first impressions are more important than ever. Everyday we make judgments based on our initial response to a given stimulus; those important first few seconds where we formulate an opinion based on a first reaction. We rely on this more so today than at any other time, almost by necessity. First impressions save us time and, if we are any good at all, we are usually pretty much on target in the end. The only problem with first impressions is that over time companies evolve, people change, products develop and yet we stick to our first impression along with the built in biases that come along with them. Take the 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000XT, for example: I formed my first impression about Suzuki’s V-Strom line long ago. To sum it up I viewed the V-Strom as an “econo-adventure” or “adventure-light” motorcycle. A motorcycle styled as an adventure but in reality just another street bike with an upright seating position and a high front fender, a decent motorcycle for the money but not a serious adventure motorcycle. WORDS: SCOT HARDEN
PHOTOGRAPHY: SIMON CUDBY
Had I not had the opportunity to spend time on one with Greg and Simon recently I probably would have gone on thinking just that. And that would have been a shame because at the end of the day the V-Strom line was never what I thought it was. More importantly it has evolved. The new 1000XT is a lot more than just some pretender in the ever-growing adventure motorcycle marketplace. It’s a legitimate adventure motorcycle capable of handling a wide range of on and off-road duties competently and confidently. My experience with the bike over the course of the past month has been nothing short of revelatory. I really like this motorcycle and found it more than capable for the application it is designed for, exceeding my expectations every step of the way. What changed my first impression? Let’s break it down.
SUZUKI V-STROM 1000XT
Power plant: Suzuki’s tried and true DOHC 1035cc V-twin 90 degree four-stroke power plant is a proven commodity. Originally developed for racing, it produces broad, linear power (claimed 92hp and 69 ft lb torque) over a very wide 8300 RPM range. It launches effortlessly from corner to corner and comes equipped with Traction Control that includes a low sensitivity primary setting for everyday use, a high sensitivity rain or cold road setting and, last but not least, an “off“ setting for hard core off-road applications. Our test bikes came equipped with Yoshimura aftermarket slip-ons, which not only saved a substantial amount of weight and looked cool but also seemed to improve fuel mileage. Best of all they are CARB certified. The power is smooth, abundant and vibration free.
SUZUKI V-STROM 1000XT
Chassis/Suspension: The twin spar chassis is a dream to ride, changing direction with minimal rider input due to its relatively light 511 pound overall weight (without panniers or any other accessories). 43mm KYB inverted forks handle the suspension requirements up front while the rear shock has a hand crank for easy pre-load adjustment. Stock suspension settings are very compliant for on road use and will work for 80% of the riders off road, while more aggressive compression damping will be required for more extreme off road riding situations. The overall handling is very neutral with both a comfortable seated and stand-up riding position. Wheels/Brakes: The XT comes with 17”/19” wire wheel combinations and for purposes of our test, we outfitted the bike with more aggressive Shinko Adventure Trail tires so we could test in real off road settings. The Shinkos are amongst the best big adventure dual sport tires I have ever tested. Great on/off road performance and they seem to wear like iron. Highly recommended. ABS is augmented by Suzuki’s new IMU “lean sensitive” braking system that automatically adjusts for available traction between the front and rear wheel depending on lean angle and weight bias front or rear. The only negative is that the ABS system cannot be turned off (without some aftermarket manipulation) for hard-core off road use. The 310mmm floating dual discs and Tokico four-piston monoblock calipers up front provide serious stopping power while Nissin two-piston calipers and single disc take care of the braking needs out back.
SUZUKI V-STROM 1000XT
SUZUKI V-STROM 1000XT
SUZUKI V-STROM 1000XT
Miscellaneous: All the plastic was subtly reworked for 2018 with refined styling and a new slightly taller and wider adjustable windscreen with three different angle positions adjustable “on the fly” as well as (with a tool) height adjustment. The new shape provides adequate wind resistance and comfort on road and because you can quickly move it forward it’s less obtrusive for off road when standing. The seat is comfortable with a 32.9-inch height that makes this machine approachable for most riders. The dash is a mixture of digital and analog. While very functional and easy to navigate via a switch on the left handlebar, it’s starting to look a little outdated compared to some of the new higher end adventure m/c offerings.
The more time I spent on Suzuki’s 1000XT the more I realized how much things are changing, especially in the adventure motorcycle market and how much my original impression missed the mark when it came to thinking about this particular motorcycle. On our ride through the eastern Sierras, we took plenty of off road options and I never felt out of control or lacking for dirt performance. The torque and light weight made the bike plenty ridable even in nasty conditions. Only by logging tens of thousands of miles could I report on how well the bike holds up over time, but for the time I was on it, the 1000XT seemed very well put together. I never experienced any odd sensations or feedback that I was over-riding the bike beyond its design capabilities. I’ve developed a pretty good sense for when I’m abusing the machine and I never felt that way when riding the big Zook.
SUZUKI V-STROM 1000XT
It’s no secret that adventure motorcycling is receiving a lot of attention these days. Every OEM is upgrading its product offering. After all, it’s the only growth market in the U.S. motorcycle industry today so everyone is really paying attention. No longer solely the dominion of the Europeans, the Japanese have struck back in their own way with varying degrees of success, from the much anticipated and highly regarded new Honda Africa Twin to Yamaha’s sleek Tenere. Now Suzuki has thrown its hat back in the ring (although in its typically understated way) with an updated version of its V-Strom line. Maybe because it has launched so many new models in such a short period of time or maybe because it simply doesn’t know just how good a motorcycle it has on its hands, Suzuki should be banging the drum very loudly over the new 1000XT as well as for the entire V-Strom range and for good reason: Value and performance!
SUZUKI V-STROM 1000XT
SUZUKI V-STROM 1000XT
Just look at the huge social media following V-Stroms draw on sites like ADVrider.com and StromTroopers. com. There is no question it has found a fairly sizable niche with a certain rider and market demographic. Typically referred to by motorcycle industry marketing wonks like myself as “no frills” adventure enthusiasts or maybe perhaps the “cost-conscious” adventure crowd, maybe even “adventure-dabblers” the typical V-Strom owner has long since been defined as the entry level adventure rider, the beginner adventurer. I’m not so sure anymore. These guys and gals may just be the smartest bunch of the whole group. Instead of paying $15,000 to $20,000 to support their adventure motorcycle habit, they have realized you can have almost the exact same experience on a machine that offers similar performance, excitement and pride of ownership as anything else in the category and for thousands of dollars less. MSRP: $13,299. This brings me back to my original topic about first impressions and biases. Do I still trust my gut reaction? Sure I do, more than ever. I just remember now to give every first impression a second thought. For more information go to www.suzukicycles.com.
“You should come ride with us!” When we got the call from the Desert Assassins’ Cameron Steele to join him on the annual Baja Beach Bash, we were instantly onboard. Not only is this ride a bucket-list event, it’s also a huge fund-raiser for the Rancho Santa Marta School and Orphanage located about an hour south of Ensenada. This year the Beach Bash event raised $120,000 to help Rancho Santa Marta.
Riding with Baja legends like Johnny Campbell and Cameron Steele was a great opportunity in and of itself, but this year’s roster of riders included: Ricky Brabec, Timmy Weigand, Josh Strang, Thad Duvall, and David Kamo. But this was no “Pro’s only” fastest-to-the-checkers ride, as enthusiasts from all over had descended on the Rancho Santa Marta School and Orphanage to gear up and hit the trails.
WORDS AND PHOTOS: SIMON CUDBY
Over 50 riders participated in this year’s event and there was plenty to talk about as the first day’s ride ended at Coyote Cal’s on the Pacific coast of Baja. In the few hours from Santa Marta over to the coast we had hit fast fire roads and slow technical single-track through cactus brush. This was a preview of the next few days of riding. The highlight of this trip for many of the riders was being able to rip down the deserted shoreline as we headed south towards San Quintin. We stopped along the way to get drinks and snacks from one of the four 4x4 support vehicles. Although this ride is about helping the kids and having a blast riding, safety is the number one goal for all of the participants. Cameron and his team put on a first-class display of preparedness for all eventualities. The hotel for the second night was a bit more high-end than the Cal’s bunk set-up, and the karaoke pros were out in full force at the lobby bar. The only rule: No filming allowed! As we headed back up to Rancho Santa Marta for our departure, I reflected on this trip, and how this group of dirt bikers is making a big difference in the lives of these young children. A big thanks from Upshift to Johnny and Cameron, and all the Baja Beach Bash team for inviting us along this year to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. Sign up for the 10th Annual Baja Beach Bash soon at www.bajabeachbash.com
Johnny Campbell’s son Preston launches off the rocks at a tricky beach section for the iPhones.
The Beach Bash features sand, and then more sand!
We rode everything from hard-packed wet beaches to deep loose sand singletrack.
Husqvarna factory wrench Josh Schaecher blowing up a dune at the end of Day 2.
The beers always taste best after a long hot day on the bike!
SEE AND BE SEEN! Performance Lighting Solutions For Every Adventure Ride www.cyclopsadventuresports.com
Upshift Online Explores The Icelandic Wilds
Photos and Words: Simon Cudby
Sitting in the waiting area at the airport heading back to LAX, I was already planning a return trip to Iceland next spring. My UK friend, Chris Modell, and I met five days earlier at the baggage claim at Keflavik International Airport outside the capital city of Reykjavik. A few months prior we had connected with Gunnlauger “Gulli� Karlsson on Facebook and arranged a visit to ride dual-sports on this island known for its lava fields, volcanic mountains, and glaciers. Gulli is an ex-moto racer and former Icelandic MX champion, and was on the Motocross of Nations team in 2009. He now runs a successful graphics and printing company and still races, occasionally.
On our first day of riding we were to meet the guys from the tour company Ride With Locals in the small town of Selfoss, about an hour from Reykjavik. We met up with Gisli and Gudjon, and headed north to the trailhead. Over our Cardo intercoms, Chris and I re-named our trail bosses G1 and G2 as we were struggling with their names initially. The bike of choice on the Ride With Locals tour is the Husqvarna 701 Enduro. The big Husky Enduro turned out to be the perfect bike for the day’s trails, as we had some 20km sections of asphalt, and fast two track and “F” roads. The “F” designation basically means you need a 4x4 to traverse the roads, as they are completely made up of gravel, volcanic sand, dirt, and rocks.
Trying to concentrate on the trails was pretty tough as every hill we crested opened up to another unreal vista. And then it happened: our first legit Iceland water crossing. The river was about 75 feet wide and running pretty fast. My first attempt was a big success (meaning I didn’t dunk myself or the bike) and when I reached the other side, I broke out the camera to get some shots of Chris and G1 crossing. After Chris completed his perfect crossing, he suggested, “Let me get some shots of you now.� I crossed back over and on the way back across for my photo shoot, I put my foot down into the 2 foot deep icy water and managed to slip over and drop the 701 on its side. I slipped again trying to pick up the big Husky, but by now G1 and G2 were running in to help get the bike up and keep the air filter dry. We were lucky this time that no water got through the filter into the motor, but as I re-started the bike a full stream of river water blasted out of the silencer. A few seconds later, we were on the trail again heading to the next challenge.
The next crossing was much wider and the water was not running fast at all, so no problems on this one. The highlight of the day, apart from the great scenery and trails, was the Landmanna-laugar hot springs. The parking area was quite busy, and luckily we had packed bathing suits with us. Well, some of us did. I was running board shorts, Chris had the standard UK Speedo, and Gisli just went full commando into the river. Quite a few ladies in the area are now ruined as Gisli is straight out of one of those Netflix Viking shows.
We pushed our fuel range to the absolute limit on our 701s and our fuel lights came on about 30km from our parking spot. I was drafting Chris on the pavement back to the trucks and we all made it with drops of fuel to spare. By now darkness was falling and the rain and fog rolled in for our long drive back to Reykjavik. Our timing for the trip was unlucky as the weather for the weekend looked pretty bad. We spent our second day exploring the town in our Klim rain jackets and crossed our fingers for better weather the next day. “It’s looking good!” said Karl, Gulli’s father, who owns a KTM and Husqvarna dealership next door to Gulli’s print shop. We loaded up the bikes in Karl’s big KTM Sprinter and drove back out to the wilderness for another day of breathtaking scenery. Although it was not raining, the threat was there, and Karl is an expert at reading the weather systems in this area. We parked at the trailhead for Hekla volcano and unloaded our four bikes. Chris and I were on Husqvarna 450 bikes, and both Karl and Gulli were on KTM 250 2-strokes. We knew these guys were going to be good, but wow! They both were ripping giant wheelies as Chris and I watched and captured the fun on our GoPros. Shooting images on this trip was proving to be difficult for me as I felt the immense landscape laid out before us could not be accurately captured on a small camera chip. Moving through the hills and valleys we were once again in awe of this huge expanse.
River crossings and huge moss-covered lava fields kept us busy for hours shooting photos and riding in the largely deserted area. We only saw a few 4x4s and no other motos all day. “It is forecast to rain at 5pm,” Karl announced. As we arrived back at our starting point at a few minutes to 5, the rain clouds rolled in on cue and it started to drizzle. We were happy to load up as we were in visual stimulation overload from the day’s riding.
On our last day, Gulli took us on some rocky trails behind the local motocross track. This area can be described in one word: Rocks. Everywhere. Both Chris and I struggled on this surface as it was much more technical than the previous day’s relatively smooth “F” 4x4 roads. Rain stopped play again and we rinsed the bikes off at the track and made the journey back to town. Our trip to Iceland was just incredible and we barely scratched the surface of what there is to see and ride. There are several ADV tour companies on the island, but they stick mainly to the asphalt. For the real deal off-road experience, the Ride With Locals set-up is the way to go on their fleet of Husqvarna 701 bikes. These big Enduro bikes are fully capable of handling Iceland’s “F” roads at a good pace, and with the team of Gisli and Gudjon guiding the way there are limitless places to explore.
SCOTT Prospect GogglE By Seiji Ishii
Goggles get very little fanfare. Compared to helmets and other gear it seems goggles get the least consideration and the last bit of the budget, even though the consequences of failure are high. Compromised vision or catastrophic eye or face injury begs equal attention, and SCOTT USA has over 40 years of experience protecting these valuables. The SCOTT Prospect Goggle is the newest top of the line model from one of the most recognized brands in the industry and is made entirely in the United States. Over two years of development delivers a completely new design. The Prospect brings a wider field of vision, a new SCOTT Lens Lock System, SCOTT TruView lenses, pivoting outrigger system, NoSweat 3.2 foam, and a wider strap for better retention. The first thing noticed on the SCOTT Prospect Goggle was the sheer size; it was one of the widest goggles I have tested and was the deepest top to bottom. This massive coverage area created an amazing field of vision, both peripherally and
ESTED
vertically and protected not only the eyes but also the area of the face that wasn’t shielded by the helmet. In most situations, there was no area of the face exposed. It was hard to go back to narrower goggles after becoming accustomed to using the wide angle of vision. The depth of the goggles was evident initially in regards to fit as the goggle sat lower on the face and nose, but after a day, I never noticed that again. The associated larger vertical field of vision was perceptible, but the helmet chin bar limited its use. This expanded coverage area had one drawback: the larger frame took more care in fitting into the helmet eye port, particularly the nose guard. I chose to remove mine as it was continually getting hung up on the helmet chin bar, both when donning and removing, and I found that it was redundant coverage.
SCOTT Prospect GogglE
The SCOTT Lens Lock System never failed in keeping the lens intact with the frame, and no dust ever leaked between the lens and the frame. Four locking pins that go through the lens secured it on the front while the usual frame grooves retained each side. The locking pin system was hard to open and close, but was still much faster than inserting the entire lens in the usual continuous groove with tabs. SCOTT touted the Lens Lock System as a safety feature, ensuring the lens remained secure, so the quick lens change was a side benefit. The lens was 1.0mm thick polycarbonate, substantially thicker than the .8mm that was common. It was also quite resistant to scratches compared to other lenses and the permanent No Fog Anti-fog treatment proved effective, even during cold and damp conditions while traversing mountains in Oregon. Although not usually a concern for the dual sport or ADV rider, the TruView lenses used four tear-off posts instead of two, which made removing a tear-off more difficult, but the long tail of the tear-offs was easier to find and grab. The pivoting outrigger system worked well across a variety of helmet brands and always produced the correct pressure against my face, inspiring confidence that debris and dust would remain on the outside. The even face pressure, combined with the 2� wide strap with double silicone beads, consistently held the goggles in the desired position regardless of terrain or riding aggressiveness. The two layers of foam and one layer of fleece provided a comfortable seal and proved capable of absorbing enough sweat, even in the summer heat of Texas. The foam was also not overly thick, keeping the goggles relatively close to the face, enhancing the field of vision. The foam has also been durable through a few machine wash cycles, nothing delaminating or tearing. The SCOTT Prospect Goggles massive field of vision and improved protective features are the main functional advantages, but this goggle also does everything else right. Premier goggle prices have risen in the last few years; some suggested retail prices are north of $150.00. The SCOTT Prospect MSRP is $89.95 with both tinted chrome and clear lenses, which may be the biggest selling point of all. MSRP: $89.95. www.scott-sports.com Enduro Version (double vented lens system) and 50mm Works Film System roll off versions also available.
Fly Racing Revel Off-road CE Roost Guard By Seiji Ishii
Fly Racing implanted several advancements in
The Fly Racing Revel Off-road CE was worn both
their Revel Off-road CE Roost Guard, bringing
over and under the jersey. I preferred to wear it un-
much-needed safety innovations to a piece of gear
der most of the time, the low profile stature blend-
that has stagnated in development.
ed well with the even tighter fitting kit. Both chest
The standout safety feature of the Revel Off-road
and back panels were curved in the horizontal and
CE is the innovative system used to attach the im-
vertical dimensions and comfortably followed the
pact absorbing foam layers to the plastic roost de-
curvatures of the body. I found the inner bio foam
flector. The foam layers have soft plastic and TPR
nonirritating no matter the conditions and even late
rubber protrusions that mate with matching holes
into 10-hour days. The front and rear deflectors’
in the hard plastic roost deflector. These extensions
vertical positions were easily adjusted via hook and
are shaped much like mushroom caps; they can
loop straps as were the shoulder deflectors (which
be compressed to fit through their corresponding
were removable). Standard ladder lock buckles ad-
holes in the roost deflector, but cannot back out
justed the elastic waist strap. I experienced no inter-
unless purposely compressed to do so. This novel way of securing the foam prevents any possible sharp or hard objects like rivets from penetrating or impacting the body and allows tool-free removal for washing.
ference between my Leatt neck brace and the roost guard with both front and rear neck brace panels removed. I felt the rear deflector coverage excellent in all dimensions but wished the front deflector extended further around the sides. Ventilation was
The foam used in the Revel Off-road CE is a com-
also just adequate. Increasing ventilation would re-
posite; a softer bio foam layer contacts the body,
quire more/larger openings in the plastic deflector,
while a higher density memory foam resides under
increasing the likelihood of roost and other objects
the plastic roost deflector. All of these layers can
penetrating this layer of protection, so the compro-
slide against each other, providing another avenue
mise was understandable and accepted.
of energy absorption upon impact.
Roost guards are an underrated component of
The Revel Off-road CE is also neck brace compati-
protective gear, not only shielding from high-speed
ble. High chest and back panels are removable and
roost but also defending against impact and pene-
replaceable by hand to accommodate different
tration by boulders, trees, and bikes. The relatively
brands of neck braces. Similar to the rivet-free at-
simple design of roost guards limits the potential
tachment system for the foam, potentially injurious
avenues of innovation, but with the Revel Off-road
hardware isn’t used to secure these panels. Front,
CE, Fly Racing channeled advancements into the
rear, and shoulder deflectors are all held together
primary function of safety. The absence of any riv-
without the use of rivets or similar hardware. The
ets or other potentially harmful hardware adds to
waist strap buckles are integrated into the front de-
the already protective and CE approved piece of
flector and are extremely low profile. These buck-
armor, making the Revel Off-road CE a top choice
les, along with any molded vents, foam attachment
in roost guards. Available in black and white.
points, or strap slots are all devoid of acute angles
MSRP: $149.95 www.flyracing.com
to minimize catching during slides.
ESTED
Tested Vemar Taku Helmet
By Simon Cudby
The latest off-road helmet from Vemar is engineered and made in Italy. It comes with some really great features at an affordable price. We rode in this helmet for four days in Baja, Mexico and had zero issues with the fit and function of the Taku. The styling is based on a mid-oval design and we liked the looks of the lid with its moto graphics and contemporary design as soon as we took it out of the box. The 2018 Taku has four new colorways.
The lightweight ABS construction meets the ECE22.05 and the USA DOT standards. Also a big plus of the design is the base shape that works well if you wear a neck brace for enhanced safety. The Taku comes in six different sizes that are based on two outer shell sizes, and the venting worked well in the Baja heat. Speaking of heat, if you ride for four days in Baja, you are undoubtedly going to do some sweating no matter how good the vents are. For this reason the Vemar removable inner liner and cheek pads are made of a technical fiber that is designed to provide treatment against odor, fungus and bacteria. No more smelly helmet three days into your ride. Each helmet comes with a helmet bag, visor removal tool, and a detailed user guide. The pricing of the Taku is $129 for the graphic version, although we feel that this helmet quality is on par with competitors’ offerings in the $250 price range. For more info www.motonation.com or call 619-401-4100.
The marketeers at Klim came up with a novel concept for their 2018 gear intro: Inviting a group of their top Instagram followers to Idaho for a factory tour and a two-day ride in the hills around the town of Mackay, Idaho. Upshift got the call to join with the Instagram crew and document the trip. Landing into Idaho Falls airport, I was picked up by Kilm’s media guy Stephen Clark for a visit to the Klim HQ, which has had a recent big add-on. The HQ now houses a storefront that welcomes passing travelers with all the new gear displayed. After we were given the full building tour, we headed upstairs to the big conference room where all the new 2018 gear was displayed. Christmas had come early when giant bags full of new gear were waiting on the table for each of us. Presented by
SUMMER IN IDAHO
Photos and Words: Simon Cudby
The technical presentation on the new gear lasted several hours because, let’s face it, Klim has built their great reputation on providing the best quality gear using the best materials and components. We got to yank on different threads to prove that the Nylon 66 fiber that goes into the Klim gear is just plain stronger than their competitor’s threads. Klim follows through with all of their materials in this way; it just has to be the best and most durable components. Sure, it can cost more, but the quality and durability makes it worth it if you want your gear to last. After the presentation we loaded all of our gear into the big Klim trailer and headed west into the hills to get ready for the next day’s ride.
We kitted ourselves out in the 2018 Mojave gear and headed into the hills. The riding around Mackay, Idaho is just incredible. We experienced everything from tight single-track to wide-open fire roads. I wanted to stop to shoot photos, but we pressed on as we had a decent amount of miles to cover if we wanted to get back before dark. It turned out to be somewhat toasty in some of the lower areas and I was happy I had all the ventilation of the Mojave gear. Tip: If you haven’t tried the Klim Arsenal vest, it’s a game-changer for off-road enduro riding. No more waist packs full of tools pulling your riding pants down. As we headed to dinner all of the Instagram crew were buzzing about the day’s ride. All of the IG riders were aboard the Honda CRF250L and Rally bikes, and let’s just say these bikes were pushed to the limit on some of the “more technical” trails.
The second day’s riding proved to be even better than Day 1 with amazing scenery and trails around every corner. As the sun set on Day 2, we sat down with Klim motorcycle marketing manager Mark Kincart to get the low down on his Instagram influencers: @rodeo.cowboy, @thegeardude690, @dual_sport_adv, @astroscrambler, @california_dual_sport_riders, @dirthammers, and @pnwdualsport. Upshift: So these guys that you chose to bring out, why did you choose them? Are they already Klim ambassadors? MK: These are guys that we’ve been working with now since last October. The quality of their content and the quality of the imagery was what really made them stand out. Also their number of followers, I guess, is one thing, but just their willingness to cooperate and provide content and feedback. Upshift: So what we noticed on this trip is that all the guys really had a good time and everyone got along. There didn’t seem to be the sort of negative competitive thing going on that you see with magazines when editors go to the launches. They’re all sort of trying to beat the other guy. These guys almost seem like they were in it together. MK: Well, it’s because they’re not competing for readership [laughter]. So you’re absolutely right, there’s no competition there. They are young guys and they’re having a good time doing what they’re passionate about. Whereas the magazines, I think they compete for ad pieces because that is how they get paid. Upshift: What are these Instagrammers going to be doing in five years? Do you think they are going to have a bigger following on Instagram and somehow monetize it or do you think they will continue doing it for fun because they are passionate about it and they still have their day job? MK: The Instagram crowd is no different than any other product. Everything has a life cycle. So I’m sure some of these guys will move on, and some will be forced to move on. Maybe for financial reasons or maybe they’ll just get tired of it and move on to something new and exciting. There will always be a cycle of new people. Much like myself, I saw myself 20 years ago having a great time and now I’ve moved on to different things and different riding styles. I’m not sure I really am still in to getting all filthy dirty- I’ve kind of been there, done that. Now I’ve moved on to other hobbies. Upshift: Is this something you think Klim would do again in the future for the same guys or another group of new Instagrammers? MK: I’m going to be doing a different group of Instagrammers for a different segment next year. It will be a very similar deal, but we’re definitely going to be continuing to do it because I think it was a success. These guys will leave with a new understanding and I guess that’s really the big thing. We know that getting people to Klim, seeing that process and seeing what and why we do what we do, is the reason that we are continuing to grow the business. Once they’re out there they become Klim fans, and they become even bigger ambassadors than they were in the beginning. They are the reason why we build what we build and do what we do.
Dakar is the epitome of hard-core off-road. With manageable ventilation, bomber materials and construction, the range of comfortable temperatures and conditions its suitable for has never been greater. From Baja heaters to early spring thaw runs; Dakar is the gear you grab when you don’t know what’s coming at you.
REDESIGNED DA K A R J E R S E Y & I T B PA N T
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