https://cb1100forum.net/forum/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:02:50 +0000 MyBB https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14824 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 04:03:08 +0000 Gone in 60]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14824
Alpinestars V2 GTX Air boots. I wanted something better than the papier mache Tourmaster Echos that I’ve been wearing. I purchased those on EBay a while ago as emergency backups in case my Nice, leather Tourmaster Epics ever failed. 

One of the Epics is at a shoe repair shop having a broken zipper fixed. I heard the guy is good but that I’ll be lucky to get them back in a few months. (I’m told his work is worth the wait).

On week one, a stone put a divot in the front of the back-up boots, made of whatever Tourmaster uses now instead of leather. Needless to say I’m not counting on them to provide much protection in an emergency.

The Alpinestars fit nice, are vented for summer, and I had a stack of gift cards that the museum found- a few years’ worth of birthday and Christmas cards included- that had apparently fallen behind my boss’s desk.

That lessened the impact of nice, full-price boots. Test rode them on Bike #5 and they feel very comfortable. Had to size up to a 46 from my usual 45 to get the width I need, but dimensionally in length and width the are the same as my Epics, so no “clown shoe” effect.

  IMG_7790.jpeg (Size: 122.34 KB / Downloads: 103) ]]>
Alpinestars V2 GTX Air boots. I wanted something better than the papier mache Tourmaster Echos that I’ve been wearing. I purchased those on EBay a while ago as emergency backups in case my Nice, leather Tourmaster Epics ever failed. 

One of the Epics is at a shoe repair shop having a broken zipper fixed. I heard the guy is good but that I’ll be lucky to get them back in a few months. (I’m told his work is worth the wait).

On week one, a stone put a divot in the front of the back-up boots, made of whatever Tourmaster uses now instead of leather. Needless to say I’m not counting on them to provide much protection in an emergency.

The Alpinestars fit nice, are vented for summer, and I had a stack of gift cards that the museum found- a few years’ worth of birthday and Christmas cards included- that had apparently fallen behind my boss’s desk.

That lessened the impact of nice, full-price boots. Test rode them on Bike #5 and they feel very comfortable. Had to size up to a 46 from my usual 45 to get the width I need, but dimensionally in length and width the are the same as my Epics, so no “clown shoe” effect.

  IMG_7790.jpeg (Size: 122.34 KB / Downloads: 103) ]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14815 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 02:16:20 +0000 JRD]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14815
The Nexx was comfortable and quiet. The pads were easily removable for cleaning. The look was retro and stylish. Safety ratings were good.

Unfortunately the quietness of the helmet came with some tradeoffs: it had no top-of-head venting (only a single chin vent that whistled if you turned your head) and the visor/field of vision was remarkably small. I live in a cool, coastal town, so the lack of venting was mostly fine.

The field of vision was really the thing that motivated me to upgrade. It was okay when you were moving forward, but peripheral vision was impacted and you really felt it when trying to look over at your luggage or examine a tire or back into a parking space. I categorized it as a safety issue to justify the otherwise unnecessary expense of early replacement. 

I was trying to choose between the Shoei Air 3 and the rf-1400. Went with the rf because I didn’t need a drop down visor and already had a cardo. Those two features are about all that distinguish the two helmets while also making the Air heavier and noisier and more expensive.

As we moved the Cardo over, the salesman pointed out that my speakers were literally falling apart, so I dropped another 100 bucks on the JBL speaker replacements. Damn, it sounds nice (But drinks power at about twice the speed). I can actually hear podcasts or audiobooks while at highway speed now and music sounds amazing.

The Shoei fits *tight.* Well, it fits normal: quite comfortable once it’s on. It is tight getting it on and off: feels like I’m going to scrape my ears off. The shell is smaller and cuts a significantly narrower profile and I immediately noticed just how much lighter it was… wait, this can’t be right: google says the Shoei is .5lbs heavier??? That certainly feels wrong. But more than just the raw weight, the Shoei cuts through the air much easier. It has much less buffet and lift at high speeds. Even with the much wider field of view and four extra vents it is slightly quieter than the Nexx. Might even be quieter than the Nexx when in the cracked open position.

Comes with a pinlock. Visor has a study and satisfying action and sits securely in the cracked position. Clicks into place with a satisfying “chunk.”

With the nose and neck cowl installed it catches your breath by your mouth and can be a bit stuffy, even with the chin vent open. Think I will remove the nose piece, moving forward.

All in all, I am VERY happy with the upgrade. Definitely a quality of life improvement that I will feel every day.


  IMG_8856.jpeg (Size: 3.68 MB / Downloads: 47) ]]>
The Nexx was comfortable and quiet. The pads were easily removable for cleaning. The look was retro and stylish. Safety ratings were good.

Unfortunately the quietness of the helmet came with some tradeoffs: it had no top-of-head venting (only a single chin vent that whistled if you turned your head) and the visor/field of vision was remarkably small. I live in a cool, coastal town, so the lack of venting was mostly fine.

The field of vision was really the thing that motivated me to upgrade. It was okay when you were moving forward, but peripheral vision was impacted and you really felt it when trying to look over at your luggage or examine a tire or back into a parking space. I categorized it as a safety issue to justify the otherwise unnecessary expense of early replacement. 

I was trying to choose between the Shoei Air 3 and the rf-1400. Went with the rf because I didn’t need a drop down visor and already had a cardo. Those two features are about all that distinguish the two helmets while also making the Air heavier and noisier and more expensive.

As we moved the Cardo over, the salesman pointed out that my speakers were literally falling apart, so I dropped another 100 bucks on the JBL speaker replacements. Damn, it sounds nice (But drinks power at about twice the speed). I can actually hear podcasts or audiobooks while at highway speed now and music sounds amazing.

The Shoei fits *tight.* Well, it fits normal: quite comfortable once it’s on. It is tight getting it on and off: feels like I’m going to scrape my ears off. The shell is smaller and cuts a significantly narrower profile and I immediately noticed just how much lighter it was… wait, this can’t be right: google says the Shoei is .5lbs heavier??? That certainly feels wrong. But more than just the raw weight, the Shoei cuts through the air much easier. It has much less buffet and lift at high speeds. Even with the much wider field of view and four extra vents it is slightly quieter than the Nexx. Might even be quieter than the Nexx when in the cracked open position.

Comes with a pinlock. Visor has a study and satisfying action and sits securely in the cracked position. Clicks into place with a satisfying “chunk.”

With the nose and neck cowl installed it catches your breath by your mouth and can be a bit stuffy, even with the chin vent open. Think I will remove the nose piece, moving forward.

All in all, I am VERY happy with the upgrade. Definitely a quality of life improvement that I will feel every day.


  IMG_8856.jpeg (Size: 3.68 MB / Downloads: 47) ]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14722 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:20:08 +0000 Gone in 60]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14722
When I started my new job, it came with a uniform, including everything but boots. Mesh pants and jacket, a Helite airbag vest, and a Sena Impulse modular helmet.

I was a little worried about the fit of a helmet brand I've never worn, particularly if I was going to wear the lid all day long. Going by the sizing chart, I showed as a large, but wearing one for a full day, it was too small and I started getting a headache, but the boss ordered me an XL and all is good. The shape is "intermediate oval", and I've found it to be very comfortable, with my longest stint being about eight hours and 340 miles.

Typically I wear a regular helmet with Bluetooth earbuds for music and Waze directions if I need navigation, so the prospect of having built-in speakers was intriguing. The Sena boasts Harmon Kardon audio, and I can say that it is impressive. With normal earplugs to keep the road din out of my ears, I can still hear music, navigation and phone calls easily. The buttons to control the audio are on the side and are easy to find with a gloved hand. When it's turned on, a pleasant voice says "hello", and tells you the battery status - high, medium or low. It supports Siri voice commands, so you can simply tell it "Siri, call xxx" as you would normally for hands-free calling. I've had several conversations while riding, particularly calling Mrs. G to let her know when I'll be home, and she reports that the phone audio is very clear.

I also usually put a Brake-Free light on the back of my regular helmets, but the Sena has a built-in light on the back that can be programmed through the Sena app on the phone that's paired with the helmet. It doesn't go brighter under braking like the Brake-Free, but has a day or night setting that is either bright or dim, plus a pulsating setting where it flashes. The battery life is more than adequate for a full day of music and comms. 

It's been a long time since I've worn a modular, but it's a valuable feature for me here, as it makes it easy to flip up when I'm walking into a facility, and my hands are already full. Plus, it's a blessing in hot weather (we've already experienced summer temps here in California), especially at low speeds. The flip-down sun shade is very convenient too.

If I were going to spend $600 on a new helmet, this would be an easy choice!

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When I started my new job, it came with a uniform, including everything but boots. Mesh pants and jacket, a Helite airbag vest, and a Sena Impulse modular helmet.

I was a little worried about the fit of a helmet brand I've never worn, particularly if I was going to wear the lid all day long. Going by the sizing chart, I showed as a large, but wearing one for a full day, it was too small and I started getting a headache, but the boss ordered me an XL and all is good. The shape is "intermediate oval", and I've found it to be very comfortable, with my longest stint being about eight hours and 340 miles.

Typically I wear a regular helmet with Bluetooth earbuds for music and Waze directions if I need navigation, so the prospect of having built-in speakers was intriguing. The Sena boasts Harmon Kardon audio, and I can say that it is impressive. With normal earplugs to keep the road din out of my ears, I can still hear music, navigation and phone calls easily. The buttons to control the audio are on the side and are easy to find with a gloved hand. When it's turned on, a pleasant voice says "hello", and tells you the battery status - high, medium or low. It supports Siri voice commands, so you can simply tell it "Siri, call xxx" as you would normally for hands-free calling. I've had several conversations while riding, particularly calling Mrs. G to let her know when I'll be home, and she reports that the phone audio is very clear.

I also usually put a Brake-Free light on the back of my regular helmets, but the Sena has a built-in light on the back that can be programmed through the Sena app on the phone that's paired with the helmet. It doesn't go brighter under braking like the Brake-Free, but has a day or night setting that is either bright or dim, plus a pulsating setting where it flashes. The battery life is more than adequate for a full day of music and comms. 

It's been a long time since I've worn a modular, but it's a valuable feature for me here, as it makes it easy to flip up when I'm walking into a facility, and my hands are already full. Plus, it's a blessing in hot weather (we've already experienced summer temps here in California), especially at low speeds. The flip-down sun shade is very convenient too.

If I were going to spend $600 on a new helmet, this would be an easy choice!

  b4a21aa9-ab37-417b-a169-c7431963dfbd.jpg (Size: 80.15 KB / Downloads: 39)

  9f510cf9-a55f-4d22-ab8e-313e8e336363.jpg (Size: 62.69 KB / Downloads: 39)

  d2e8238a-f9d2-48c1-9c8e-57184b3ab651.jpg (Size: 70.57 KB / Downloads: 39)

  43eab581-a834-47aa-bc72-91999472ace5.jpg (Size: 83.29 KB / Downloads: 39) ]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14693 Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:48:16 +0000 rdprdp01]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14693

• A CE AA-rating for the whole garment, not just the protective armour
  
• Kevlar lining for enhanced abrasion protection
  
• Compatibility with the two airbag vests that I own
  
• Zipped vents that enable me to control airflow
  
• A securable belt loop
  
• Double stitching for the main seams
  
• Proper fasteners that will not scratch or damage my motorcycle
  
• A comfortable fit that I can adjust based on layering
  
• Something understated that complements the CB1100 aesthetic
  
• Something that I could wear in a public setting and not look like a Power Ranger
  
• Workmanship that will last longer than me
  

Because comfort and safety are equally important, I also wanted RHEON Armour, which is so flexible and lightweight that I often forget it is there.

Roadskin, a UK-based, family-owned business managed by Ian Wilson and his partner Nancy, proved to be the very best option for me. I own two pairs of Raodskin riding jeans and a hoodie. Roadskin shirts and jackets have the same quality and craftsmanship. It is obvious that Ian and his crew are mature motorcyclists who actually ride. The attention to detail is beyond impressive.

Pictures follow with brief descriptions. I wore the Munro Riding Shirt on my recent trip to the Alameda County Creek. It was truly perfect. As you prepare for Spring, consider Roadskin if you need riding gear. There is different but there is no one better, in my opinion.

Beautifully Packed



Website Links to Products I Purchased

Munro Armoured Shirt, Roadskin Dakota Summer Jacket, RHEON Armour Upgrades & Hip Placement Shorts

Beautiful Stitching and Fasteners



Quality Zippers



Pragmatic Design



Incredible Armour



Proper Vents



Certified Construction



Belt-Loop Connector



Adjustable Cuffs



Great Customer Service



Munro Shirt



Tech Air 3 Airbag Vest



A much cooler, better-looking motorcyclist can be found on the Roadskin website, but I thought you might like to see the actual ensemble I wear for a typical ride.

Fantastic, Safe Ride



Note that I never leave home without (1) AA-Rated Roadskin Riding Gear, (2) Indie Ridge Boots and Gloves, (3) an Alpinestars Airbag, and (4) a Shoeii Helmet. If it is really cold, I also add a Sedici AA Motorcycle jacket.

If you have other suppliers you like and admire, I hope you will share your thoughts in a Post. I like purchasing riding gear almost as much as I like buying tools.

Take care and ride safely. David]]>

• A CE AA-rating for the whole garment, not just the protective armour
  
• Kevlar lining for enhanced abrasion protection
  
• Compatibility with the two airbag vests that I own
  
• Zipped vents that enable me to control airflow
  
• A securable belt loop
  
• Double stitching for the main seams
  
• Proper fasteners that will not scratch or damage my motorcycle
  
• A comfortable fit that I can adjust based on layering
  
• Something understated that complements the CB1100 aesthetic
  
• Something that I could wear in a public setting and not look like a Power Ranger
  
• Workmanship that will last longer than me
  

Because comfort and safety are equally important, I also wanted RHEON Armour, which is so flexible and lightweight that I often forget it is there.

Roadskin, a UK-based, family-owned business managed by Ian Wilson and his partner Nancy, proved to be the very best option for me. I own two pairs of Raodskin riding jeans and a hoodie. Roadskin shirts and jackets have the same quality and craftsmanship. It is obvious that Ian and his crew are mature motorcyclists who actually ride. The attention to detail is beyond impressive.

Pictures follow with brief descriptions. I wore the Munro Riding Shirt on my recent trip to the Alameda County Creek. It was truly perfect. As you prepare for Spring, consider Roadskin if you need riding gear. There is different but there is no one better, in my opinion.

Beautifully Packed



Website Links to Products I Purchased

Munro Armoured Shirt, Roadskin Dakota Summer Jacket, RHEON Armour Upgrades & Hip Placement Shorts

Beautiful Stitching and Fasteners



Quality Zippers



Pragmatic Design



Incredible Armour



Proper Vents



Certified Construction



Belt-Loop Connector



Adjustable Cuffs



Great Customer Service



Munro Shirt



Tech Air 3 Airbag Vest



A much cooler, better-looking motorcyclist can be found on the Roadskin website, but I thought you might like to see the actual ensemble I wear for a typical ride.

Fantastic, Safe Ride



Note that I never leave home without (1) AA-Rated Roadskin Riding Gear, (2) Indie Ridge Boots and Gloves, (3) an Alpinestars Airbag, and (4) a Shoeii Helmet. If it is really cold, I also add a Sedici AA Motorcycle jacket.

If you have other suppliers you like and admire, I hope you will share your thoughts in a Post. I like purchasing riding gear almost as much as I like buying tools.

Take care and ride safely. David]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14650 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:57:14 +0000 rdprdp01]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14650

“Just remember: Camping is supposed to be fun. Camp the way you want to camp.”]]>

“Just remember: Camping is supposed to be fun. Camp the way you want to camp.”]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14570 Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:43:29 +0000 pdedse]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14570
So rainy days become, hmmm, what to do days.  

I bought a pair of Thorogood 6" boots about 12 years ago.  They've been resoled once but are great for cool to warm weather riding and I like them because they are decent for hiking, which I like to combine with mc riding when I can.  Cleaning, aquaseal and polish bring them back to life and make them decently water resistent.  The dark brown will lighten up over a few days.



]]>
So rainy days become, hmmm, what to do days.  

I bought a pair of Thorogood 6" boots about 12 years ago.  They've been resoled once but are great for cool to warm weather riding and I like them because they are decent for hiking, which I like to combine with mc riding when I can.  Cleaning, aquaseal and polish bring them back to life and make them decently water resistent.  The dark brown will lighten up over a few days.



]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14531 Sun, 14 Sep 2025 04:52:04 +0000 rdprdp01]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14531
Steve, the owner and operator of Indie Ridge, helped me a year ago find the right boot. During our first call, I shared with Steve that I had never owned a true motorcycle boot and was having some trouble separating truth from marketing pablum. I also told Steve that my wide foot has posed challenges all my life, and I tend to have to pay more for a good shoe because of odd genetic traits. He laughed and assured me that I would get a great price and a fantastic boot from Indie Ridge.

Although I did not schedule a time with Steve, the man stopped whatever he was doing to share his knowledge about motorcycle boots and helped me dial in the right choice. A week after I received my boots, he had sent me a thank you email which included his cell number and a request that I contact him if I ever had a problem with the boots I recently purchased from him. He wanted to make sure those boots "lasted a lifetime" and asked that I call him directly if I ever had a problem. Please click on the following embedded hyperlink to learn more about Indie Ridge.

Indie Ridge Motorcycle Boots, Gloves, and Apparel

I reached out to Steve again last week. He remembered who I was and my incredible "red Honda." I am certain the man has sold thousands and thousands of boots since our last conversation and I assure you I am infinitely forgettable, but Steve remembered me, my motorcycle, and my unique situation. I asked him about ventilated boots and what safety tradeoff I should know about. Once again, Steve stopped what he was doing, relocated to a place where I could hear him more clearly, and focused on our conversation.

After he answered all of my questions, which most people would have found tedious, he told me to call anytime and thanked me for reaching out to him. He told me the last thing he wanted was for me to regret a purchase at Indie Ridge. He also thanked me for remembering him and sent me a coupon for a free set of gloves "that you can use when you make your final choice."

I ultimately decided to purchase the Apache Motorcycle Boots, a couple of pair of full gauntlet gloves, and a few seven year t-shirts which appear to be worthy of the bold claim. Please click on the embedded hyperlinks for each product listed above to learn more.

All items shipped within 24 hours, were beautifully packed, and exceeded all representations made by Steve and those on the website. I have posted a few pictures for your consideration. When you look for motorcycle apparel in the future, I strongly recommend that you check out Indie Ridge. I am not special, but Steve definitely is. He has manage to combine the convenience of the Internet with a personal connection that has earned my loyalty.





















]]>
Steve, the owner and operator of Indie Ridge, helped me a year ago find the right boot. During our first call, I shared with Steve that I had never owned a true motorcycle boot and was having some trouble separating truth from marketing pablum. I also told Steve that my wide foot has posed challenges all my life, and I tend to have to pay more for a good shoe because of odd genetic traits. He laughed and assured me that I would get a great price and a fantastic boot from Indie Ridge.

Although I did not schedule a time with Steve, the man stopped whatever he was doing to share his knowledge about motorcycle boots and helped me dial in the right choice. A week after I received my boots, he had sent me a thank you email which included his cell number and a request that I contact him if I ever had a problem with the boots I recently purchased from him. He wanted to make sure those boots "lasted a lifetime" and asked that I call him directly if I ever had a problem. Please click on the following embedded hyperlink to learn more about Indie Ridge.

Indie Ridge Motorcycle Boots, Gloves, and Apparel

I reached out to Steve again last week. He remembered who I was and my incredible "red Honda." I am certain the man has sold thousands and thousands of boots since our last conversation and I assure you I am infinitely forgettable, but Steve remembered me, my motorcycle, and my unique situation. I asked him about ventilated boots and what safety tradeoff I should know about. Once again, Steve stopped what he was doing, relocated to a place where I could hear him more clearly, and focused on our conversation.

After he answered all of my questions, which most people would have found tedious, he told me to call anytime and thanked me for reaching out to him. He told me the last thing he wanted was for me to regret a purchase at Indie Ridge. He also thanked me for remembering him and sent me a coupon for a free set of gloves "that you can use when you make your final choice."

I ultimately decided to purchase the Apache Motorcycle Boots, a couple of pair of full gauntlet gloves, and a few seven year t-shirts which appear to be worthy of the bold claim. Please click on the embedded hyperlinks for each product listed above to learn more.

All items shipped within 24 hours, were beautifully packed, and exceeded all representations made by Steve and those on the website. I have posted a few pictures for your consideration. When you look for motorcycle apparel in the future, I strongly recommend that you check out Indie Ridge. I am not special, but Steve definitely is. He has manage to combine the convenience of the Internet with a personal connection that has earned my loyalty.





















]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14458 Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:13:28 +0000 Nachodaddy]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=14458
I just learned that "Naked Running," means running without GPS, earphones, cellphone or other music or electronic gear. 
Wish I'd have known that an hour ago.]]>
I just learned that "Naked Running," means running without GPS, earphones, cellphone or other music or electronic gear. 
Wish I'd have known that an hour ago.]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=11616 Sat, 03 May 2025 03:41:57 +0000 rdprdp01]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=11616  
Well, the Forum Members have helped me to consider the possibilities and even act on them. I remain a strong advocate for everyone wearing an Airbag Vest. I make no apologies for asserting it is arguably the single greatest advance in gear safety since the helmet.
 
I have written a review of the Tech-Air 5 that is best suited for colder temperatures:
 
https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=20
 
Today, I add to the Forum’s Airbag Catalog with an equally strong endorsement for the Tech-Air 3 and Roadskin Hoodie for warmer temperatures.
 

 
https://www.alpinestars.com/products/tec...vas-system



https://roadskin.co.uk/collections/motor...syrider-ii
 
My Tech-Air 3 fits nicely over my Roadskin Hoodie. The combination is far more Pub or Coffee-Shop friendly. Compared to the competition, the combination is much more stylish, although I doubt we will see either on Vogue or Cosmo anytime soon.
 
The Tech-Air 3 protects my neck, chest, and back.
 

 

 
The Roadskin Hoodie protects my shoulders, elbows, and skin.
 
Both are extremely comfortable and easy to wear.
 
The safety rating is very strong: Both are Category AA Certified.
 
For the Roadskin Hoodie, I upgraded the back, shoulder, and elbow armor to the magical, flexible SMURF body armor I like so much:
 

 
https://roadskin.co.uk/collections/motor...ack-armour
 
Also, the Tech-Air software is great for managing both of my Airbag Vests. And as an added bonus, I can charge the Tech-Ar 3 vest with a USB C cable.
 

 
I hope you will find your summer ensemble. I have found mine.
 

 


]]>  
Well, the Forum Members have helped me to consider the possibilities and even act on them. I remain a strong advocate for everyone wearing an Airbag Vest. I make no apologies for asserting it is arguably the single greatest advance in gear safety since the helmet.
 
I have written a review of the Tech-Air 5 that is best suited for colder temperatures:
 
https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=20
 
Today, I add to the Forum’s Airbag Catalog with an equally strong endorsement for the Tech-Air 3 and Roadskin Hoodie for warmer temperatures.
 

 
https://www.alpinestars.com/products/tec...vas-system



https://roadskin.co.uk/collections/motor...syrider-ii
 
My Tech-Air 3 fits nicely over my Roadskin Hoodie. The combination is far more Pub or Coffee-Shop friendly. Compared to the competition, the combination is much more stylish, although I doubt we will see either on Vogue or Cosmo anytime soon.
 
The Tech-Air 3 protects my neck, chest, and back.
 

 

 
The Roadskin Hoodie protects my shoulders, elbows, and skin.
 
Both are extremely comfortable and easy to wear.
 
The safety rating is very strong: Both are Category AA Certified.
 
For the Roadskin Hoodie, I upgraded the back, shoulder, and elbow armor to the magical, flexible SMURF body armor I like so much:
 

 
https://roadskin.co.uk/collections/motor...ack-armour
 
Also, the Tech-Air software is great for managing both of my Airbag Vests. And as an added bonus, I can charge the Tech-Ar 3 vest with a USB C cable.
 

 
I hope you will find your summer ensemble. I have found mine.
 

 


]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=82 Fri, 18 Apr 2025 05:44:38 +0000 rdprdp01]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=82 Clearly anyone who rides a CB1100 or reads this Forum enjoys the finer things in life. I love riding motorcycles. And I also love great coffee. It is wonderful to set a proper coffee shop as a destination, but there are some moments when I want to leave the city to take in the great beauty of the world. With recent advances in technology, it is now possible to create a perfect espresso or an Caffe Americano anywhere I park my motorcycle. For fellow coffee lovers on the Forum, here is one way to get it done.

The Outin Nano is a battery-powered, affordable, portable espresso maker which easily fits in a bag or a hardened case. It is small, compact, and incredibly well made. You can use coffee pods or ground coffee, although the pods are much easier to manage because there is no clean up. For those of you who tour, I can think of no better device to add to your equipment. For day trippers like me, the Outin Nano will easily fit in a small travel bag or backpack. 







See this link if you want the technical details and some lovely glamour shots:

https://outin.com/pages/outin-nano?gad_s...tjkF-rLjDV

I had a difficult week and decided to ride to a beautiful park in the hills of Northern California and eat a light breakfast. The sun was bright, no wind, a perfect 60 degrees for a wonderful ride. When I arrived, I become my favorite barista. In less then 5 minutes, I made the perfect espresso to pair with the almond poppy seed muffin I brought along to remind me that there is more to this world than stressful work. Here are a few pictures: 









If a “cup” of coffee is more to your liking, you could dilute the espresso with more hot water in a larger cup. Milk and/or flavorings can also be added to the coffee, if you have room to bring them. 

This is as good as it gets for me. 



We will see if anyone else considers the Outin Nano a motorcycle accessory! Have a great weekend. David]]> Clearly anyone who rides a CB1100 or reads this Forum enjoys the finer things in life. I love riding motorcycles. And I also love great coffee. It is wonderful to set a proper coffee shop as a destination, but there are some moments when I want to leave the city to take in the great beauty of the world. With recent advances in technology, it is now possible to create a perfect espresso or an Caffe Americano anywhere I park my motorcycle. For fellow coffee lovers on the Forum, here is one way to get it done.

The Outin Nano is a battery-powered, affordable, portable espresso maker which easily fits in a bag or a hardened case. It is small, compact, and incredibly well made. You can use coffee pods or ground coffee, although the pods are much easier to manage because there is no clean up. For those of you who tour, I can think of no better device to add to your equipment. For day trippers like me, the Outin Nano will easily fit in a small travel bag or backpack. 







See this link if you want the technical details and some lovely glamour shots:

https://outin.com/pages/outin-nano?gad_s...tjkF-rLjDV

I had a difficult week and decided to ride to a beautiful park in the hills of Northern California and eat a light breakfast. The sun was bright, no wind, a perfect 60 degrees for a wonderful ride. When I arrived, I become my favorite barista. In less then 5 minutes, I made the perfect espresso to pair with the almond poppy seed muffin I brought along to remind me that there is more to this world than stressful work. Here are a few pictures: 









If a “cup” of coffee is more to your liking, you could dilute the espresso with more hot water in a larger cup. Milk and/or flavorings can also be added to the coffee, if you have room to bring them. 

This is as good as it gets for me. 



We will see if anyone else considers the Outin Nano a motorcycle accessory! Have a great weekend. David]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=38 Sat, 12 Apr 2025 15:15:07 +0000 rdprdp01]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=38 1Good afternoon, everyone. I hope this Sunday has been kind, pleasant, and beautiful for you. I remembered all of the Members of the Forum in my prayers today, even those among us which may not share my Faith. For those skeptics, think of it as a call to Karma that you, friends, family, and your motorcycle will have a great week. 

II have been trying to get a better understanding of the impacts of motorcycle riding on hearing. Most of the men in my family end up completely deaf. Although some of that may be attributed to genetic code, the vast majority is attributed to bad behavior and poor choices for me and my forefathers. We are often boys grown old who like guns, race cars, rock concerts, motorcycles, and anything else which goes boom. At 61, I have managed to retain my hearing and hope to break the family trend.

My research yielded some surprising results and at least three pragmatic solutions I share in this thread. I welcome any other suggestions you may have to help reduce hearing loss or correct mistakes in my thread.

My surprise was to learn that wind noise is a far greater contributor to hearing loss for motorcyclists than engine or exhaust noise. That conclusion was reached by so many credible sources that I believe it can be considered a fact and not an opinion. Here is one of the 40 sources I reviewed. I will spare you the balance of the research!

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7561464/

A few passages I copied in my notes follows. They are so widely quoted I cannot with confident attribute them to the proper author but the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders is mot likely:

• “When we are exposed to harmful noise—sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time—sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged, causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). These sensitive structures, called hair cells, are small sensory cells that convert sound energy into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged, our hair cells cannot grow back. In other words, if you overuse it, you lose it.”

• “The risk of hearing damage can be measured in two ways - how loud and how long. Just one loud BOOM above 120 dB can cause immediate harm to your ears, and continuous exposure to noise at 85 dB can be harmful over time.”

• “An increase of only a few decibels has a dramatic effect on the danger to hearing. Each increase of 3 Decibels (dB) represents a doubling of noise energy/sound pressure, and halves the safe exposure time you should listen for.”

So I went about the business of finding out just how loud my 2017 CB1100 EX is with stock exhaust in various riding scenarios. I wanted a baseline from which I could determine what wind noise contributes and how to best offset it.

Here is my beautiful motorcycle idling outside, yesterday morning. There was no wind present. To ear only the motor and exhaust, I believe you can double click on the video and unmute the sound in Imgur:



I used an application on my iPhone to measure the DB Readings while idling and for other scenarios:

Idling in Driveway (63 dBa)



Urban Driving (92 dBA)



Highway Driving (97 dBA Cruising / 127 dBA Passing and On Ramping)




Without question, I place my hearing at rick while riding my CB110. The response to offset the risk was far less clear. The experts believe that prolonged exposure over time to specific frequencies ultimately causes many motorcyclists to incur permanent hearing. My three responses follow:

Response 1: Install a fairing: Some fairings, but not all, can help redirect wind away from our head and ears. I installed a Road Comet 2 and found it to be very helpful with reducing fatigue and some wind noise. 

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=19304

Response 2: Wear a tight fitting helmet with good aerodynamics and wind noise-reduction capability. I wear a Shoeii GT-Air 2 helmet which has a good wind noise reduction rating (I have recently ordered the Shorii Gt-Air 3 which has even better noise suppression). The experts assert that if properly fitted it can reduce the noise which reaches my ears by 5-7 dBA.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-kit/...ii-review/

Response 3: Start wearing ear plugs while riding. Sadly, I have never, ever worn any ear plugs while riding a motorcycle. That addition is impactful, because they are the last line of defense between your ear drums and the droning sounds which threaten to deafen all of us. The options were plentiful, but I ultimately selected The Moto Pro Ear Plugs from Earpeace. 

https://www.earpeace.com/products/moto-pro

The cost was $40 USD not including a carrying case and the nerdy cord I ordered to connect them so they could “hang” around my neck in those moment when I want to remove them but not return them to a case. 

Among my many defects, I have freakishly small ear canals. The folks at Earpeace factored that into their design and provide ear tip options. I found the process of swapping out the ear tips and installing the connecting cord to be tedious. I had to use all of the curse words I know in English and French to complete both tasks, but I did succeed. 

The Moto Pro Ear Plugs are comfortable, nearly undetectable when inserted, stay in place while wearing my helmet, and most importantly, reduce the wind noise by another 19 dBA. I could still hear my Apple Maps playing through the Sena Air 2 sound system installed in my helmet. More importantly to me, I could still hear the lovely exhaust note of the motorcycle, engine, and traffic noise too.

Audio through the Sena Air 2 was clear and easily understandable at idle or highway speed. I do not listen to music while riding, but I am certain it would also be great. Through some magic I do not completely understand, the Mot Pro Ear Plugs block the frequency associated with wind noise but allow everything else to pass through.

If you have managed to get to the end of this thread, I applaud your stamina and interest. I hope you found it useful and more importantly helpful to retaining your hearing. I hope someday to meet a member of the Forum in Northern California. It would be lovely if we did not end up screaming at one another at our first meeting. 

Have a great week and be safe on your motorcycle. Picture follow. David 

---

2017 Honda CB1100 EX
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.]]> 1Good afternoon, everyone. I hope this Sunday has been kind, pleasant, and beautiful for you. I remembered all of the Members of the Forum in my prayers today, even those among us which may not share my Faith. For those skeptics, think of it as a call to Karma that you, friends, family, and your motorcycle will have a great week. 

II have been trying to get a better understanding of the impacts of motorcycle riding on hearing. Most of the men in my family end up completely deaf. Although some of that may be attributed to genetic code, the vast majority is attributed to bad behavior and poor choices for me and my forefathers. We are often boys grown old who like guns, race cars, rock concerts, motorcycles, and anything else which goes boom. At 61, I have managed to retain my hearing and hope to break the family trend.

My research yielded some surprising results and at least three pragmatic solutions I share in this thread. I welcome any other suggestions you may have to help reduce hearing loss or correct mistakes in my thread.

My surprise was to learn that wind noise is a far greater contributor to hearing loss for motorcyclists than engine or exhaust noise. That conclusion was reached by so many credible sources that I believe it can be considered a fact and not an opinion. Here is one of the 40 sources I reviewed. I will spare you the balance of the research!

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7561464/

A few passages I copied in my notes follows. They are so widely quoted I cannot with confident attribute them to the proper author but the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders is mot likely:

• “When we are exposed to harmful noise—sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time—sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged, causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). These sensitive structures, called hair cells, are small sensory cells that convert sound energy into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged, our hair cells cannot grow back. In other words, if you overuse it, you lose it.”

• “The risk of hearing damage can be measured in two ways - how loud and how long. Just one loud BOOM above 120 dB can cause immediate harm to your ears, and continuous exposure to noise at 85 dB can be harmful over time.”

• “An increase of only a few decibels has a dramatic effect on the danger to hearing. Each increase of 3 Decibels (dB) represents a doubling of noise energy/sound pressure, and halves the safe exposure time you should listen for.”

So I went about the business of finding out just how loud my 2017 CB1100 EX is with stock exhaust in various riding scenarios. I wanted a baseline from which I could determine what wind noise contributes and how to best offset it.

Here is my beautiful motorcycle idling outside, yesterday morning. There was no wind present. To ear only the motor and exhaust, I believe you can double click on the video and unmute the sound in Imgur:



I used an application on my iPhone to measure the DB Readings while idling and for other scenarios:

Idling in Driveway (63 dBa)



Urban Driving (92 dBA)



Highway Driving (97 dBA Cruising / 127 dBA Passing and On Ramping)




Without question, I place my hearing at rick while riding my CB110. The response to offset the risk was far less clear. The experts believe that prolonged exposure over time to specific frequencies ultimately causes many motorcyclists to incur permanent hearing. My three responses follow:

Response 1: Install a fairing: Some fairings, but not all, can help redirect wind away from our head and ears. I installed a Road Comet 2 and found it to be very helpful with reducing fatigue and some wind noise. 

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=19304

Response 2: Wear a tight fitting helmet with good aerodynamics and wind noise-reduction capability. I wear a Shoeii GT-Air 2 helmet which has a good wind noise reduction rating (I have recently ordered the Shorii Gt-Air 3 which has even better noise suppression). The experts assert that if properly fitted it can reduce the noise which reaches my ears by 5-7 dBA.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-kit/...ii-review/

Response 3: Start wearing ear plugs while riding. Sadly, I have never, ever worn any ear plugs while riding a motorcycle. That addition is impactful, because they are the last line of defense between your ear drums and the droning sounds which threaten to deafen all of us. The options were plentiful, but I ultimately selected The Moto Pro Ear Plugs from Earpeace. 

https://www.earpeace.com/products/moto-pro

The cost was $40 USD not including a carrying case and the nerdy cord I ordered to connect them so they could “hang” around my neck in those moment when I want to remove them but not return them to a case. 

Among my many defects, I have freakishly small ear canals. The folks at Earpeace factored that into their design and provide ear tip options. I found the process of swapping out the ear tips and installing the connecting cord to be tedious. I had to use all of the curse words I know in English and French to complete both tasks, but I did succeed. 

The Moto Pro Ear Plugs are comfortable, nearly undetectable when inserted, stay in place while wearing my helmet, and most importantly, reduce the wind noise by another 19 dBA. I could still hear my Apple Maps playing through the Sena Air 2 sound system installed in my helmet. More importantly to me, I could still hear the lovely exhaust note of the motorcycle, engine, and traffic noise too.

Audio through the Sena Air 2 was clear and easily understandable at idle or highway speed. I do not listen to music while riding, but I am certain it would also be great. Through some magic I do not completely understand, the Mot Pro Ear Plugs block the frequency associated with wind noise but allow everything else to pass through.

If you have managed to get to the end of this thread, I applaud your stamina and interest. I hope you found it useful and more importantly helpful to retaining your hearing. I hope someday to meet a member of the Forum in Northern California. It would be lovely if we did not end up screaming at one another at our first meeting. 

Have a great week and be safe on your motorcycle. Picture follow. David 

---

2017 Honda CB1100 EX
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=37 Sat, 12 Apr 2025 15:05:09 +0000 rdprdp01]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=37 1All my life, I have worn Levi 501, button-fly jeans. They fit me in all ways, including a silly delight I have buttoning them up as opposed to using a zipper like a grown man should. 

For all their virtues, abrasion protection during a motorcycle accident is minimal with Levi’s. The challenge for me was to find a pair of motorcycle jeans that were equally comfortable, gave me the same quirky delight when I put them on, allowed me to be comfortable entering a coffee house wearing them, and would protect me from nasty road rash. If I could also score some impact protection for my hips and knees, that would be great bonus. Finally, I did not want to be turned into a walking billboard because of excessive branding.

Roadskin was the answer for me. From their website:

“A UK family ran company, selling CE approved single layer and fully lined amoured motorcycle jeans with Kevlar. Our award-winning, classic biker gear is comfortable enough to be worn throughout the day but engineered to save your skin.”

https://roadskin.co.uk/

I purchased a pair of Taranis jeans:

https://roadskin.co.uk/products/taranis-...s-in-black

They are everything I had hoped for and more. The woven material has the feel of a traditional jean but has the strength and protection of Kevlar. The SATRA Technology Centre rated them AAA, which to the best of my knowledge is the highest rating.

They have a mesh lining which helps with ventilation as well as providing a buffer so that skin does not tear when a slide begins. There are sizing instructions on the website which are easy to follow. In my case, my Levi 501 jean size is also the size for my Taranis Motorcycle jeans.

I have tremendous respect for family owned businesses and often find they take a great deal of pride in what they do. Roadskin definitely reflects that commitment. Because I am a motorcycle-jean-knucklehead, I had a lot of questions. They were patient and even seemed delighted I was interested in the details. Customer service was outstanding when I managed to screw up my first order, too. 

Their packaging created a moment, harkening back to the early days of cruisers:



In my entire life, I have held only two garments which had Kevlar. Both were stiff and rough. The Taranis Jean is soft. The stitching is outstanding. The weight is “right.”





The weave contains

* 48% Cotton
* 26.8% Kevlar
* 19.4% PE
* 3.2% Cordura
* 2.6% Lycra

The lining is equally well done:



The jeans ship with Level 2 hip and knee armour. It is traditional armour which is a little stiff However, I upgraded to RHEON armour which is equally strong but much more flexible. When I rode to work, it was easy to get on and off the CB1100. Very comfortable. I wore the jeans in the office for the day. I completely forgot about the armour. It moves and bends with you but can be counted on to protect when something strikes you. Here are a few pictures with both armour types:





I have not researched the materials and manufacturing process for the “Smurf” inspired armour yet, but I did find this test impressive:

https://youtu.be/5hAxqSsE72U?si=ZyloAIaWVeVWG2oH

The jeans “work” with the rest of my gear:





I hope these jeans will be pristine for the next 20-30 years and never, ever touch the asphalt. Time will tell.

I have tremendous respect for everyone who has joined the CB1100 Forum and shared their riding experiences. It has inspired me to ride more. My recent purchases give me the comfort I need to feel like I have managed the risks well.

As always, I welcome your feedback and insights. Thanks for sharing. 

May 2025 be good for you and those you love. Be safe.

---

2017 Honda CB1100 EX
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.]]> 1All my life, I have worn Levi 501, button-fly jeans. They fit me in all ways, including a silly delight I have buttoning them up as opposed to using a zipper like a grown man should. 

For all their virtues, abrasion protection during a motorcycle accident is minimal with Levi’s. The challenge for me was to find a pair of motorcycle jeans that were equally comfortable, gave me the same quirky delight when I put them on, allowed me to be comfortable entering a coffee house wearing them, and would protect me from nasty road rash. If I could also score some impact protection for my hips and knees, that would be great bonus. Finally, I did not want to be turned into a walking billboard because of excessive branding.

Roadskin was the answer for me. From their website:

“A UK family ran company, selling CE approved single layer and fully lined amoured motorcycle jeans with Kevlar. Our award-winning, classic biker gear is comfortable enough to be worn throughout the day but engineered to save your skin.”

https://roadskin.co.uk/

I purchased a pair of Taranis jeans:

https://roadskin.co.uk/products/taranis-...s-in-black

They are everything I had hoped for and more. The woven material has the feel of a traditional jean but has the strength and protection of Kevlar. The SATRA Technology Centre rated them AAA, which to the best of my knowledge is the highest rating.

They have a mesh lining which helps with ventilation as well as providing a buffer so that skin does not tear when a slide begins. There are sizing instructions on the website which are easy to follow. In my case, my Levi 501 jean size is also the size for my Taranis Motorcycle jeans.

I have tremendous respect for family owned businesses and often find they take a great deal of pride in what they do. Roadskin definitely reflects that commitment. Because I am a motorcycle-jean-knucklehead, I had a lot of questions. They were patient and even seemed delighted I was interested in the details. Customer service was outstanding when I managed to screw up my first order, too. 

Their packaging created a moment, harkening back to the early days of cruisers:



In my entire life, I have held only two garments which had Kevlar. Both were stiff and rough. The Taranis Jean is soft. The stitching is outstanding. The weight is “right.”





The weave contains

* 48% Cotton
* 26.8% Kevlar
* 19.4% PE
* 3.2% Cordura
* 2.6% Lycra

The lining is equally well done:



The jeans ship with Level 2 hip and knee armour. It is traditional armour which is a little stiff However, I upgraded to RHEON armour which is equally strong but much more flexible. When I rode to work, it was easy to get on and off the CB1100. Very comfortable. I wore the jeans in the office for the day. I completely forgot about the armour. It moves and bends with you but can be counted on to protect when something strikes you. Here are a few pictures with both armour types:





I have not researched the materials and manufacturing process for the “Smurf” inspired armour yet, but I did find this test impressive:

https://youtu.be/5hAxqSsE72U?si=ZyloAIaWVeVWG2oH

The jeans “work” with the rest of my gear:





I hope these jeans will be pristine for the next 20-30 years and never, ever touch the asphalt. Time will tell.

I have tremendous respect for everyone who has joined the CB1100 Forum and shared their riding experiences. It has inspired me to ride more. My recent purchases give me the comfort I need to feel like I have managed the risks well.

As always, I welcome your feedback and insights. Thanks for sharing. 

May 2025 be good for you and those you love. Be safe.

---

2017 Honda CB1100 EX
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=20 Fri, 11 Apr 2025 02:07:25 +0000 rdprdp01]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=20 In hopes of riding for another 45 years, I am in the process of upgrading all my motorcycle gear to take advantage of technology advances. I have purchased an airbag vest, riding jeans, boots, gloves, and helmet.

Tonight, I am sharing what I have learned about my new airbag vest. There are some who claim it can be as impactful as wearing a DOT certified helmet. I am inclined to agree.

I picked the Alpinestars Air-Tech 5 Airbag System because it protects my shoulders, chest, ribs and back. I have always worn a great jacket with AA rated body armor, but the airbag vest offers far superior coverage. In some instances, 18 times more protection.



I also picked the Alpinestars Air-Tech 5 because I can pair it with my existing motorcycle jackets. I find most motorcycle jackets to be either too loud stylistically or ill fitting. I already have a sizeable investment in abrasion protection and jackets. I wanted to augment that with state-of-the-art airbag capability. 

I put the vest on first:



Then my jacket:



Alpinestars has been developing the technology and deployment algorithms for over 20 years. Here is a product link:

https://www.alpinestars.com/products/tec...z3PdUYyjcw

I took advantage of the Black Friday sale to purchase my Air-Tech 5 for $650.

Here are a few pictures out of the box:





The Air-Tech 5 uses 3 gyroscopes and 3 accelerometers to monitor my position relative to the motorcycle and the road. A crash algorithm leverages that data and some AI to accurately monitor when to deploy the airbag when a crash begins. It deploys the airbag in 20 milliseconds. Scenarios include being rear-ended by a car, sliding on the motorcycle, striking something while riding, being struck by a car at an intersection, lane change mishaps, etc. In essence, if my position changes in a bad way on the motorcycle or I separate from the motorcycle, the airbag will deploy. I can set the algorithm to Street or Race:



Firmware can also be updated using the App and the Internet Connectivity from your cell phone:



I charge the unit using a micro-USB cable. Once fully charged, I have 30 hours of riding time:





The vest is activated when I (1) put it on and (2) zip it up. The vest will not activate unless it is fully zipped and charged. Display lights on the vest illuminate when it is booting up and when it is ready for me to ride. 



I can also use my phone to connect to the vest via Bluetooth and monitor status and disarm the vest:



When I unzip my vest, the vest is disarmed.



Today, I went for an 18-mile ride and wore the vest for the first time. I took the armor out of my favorite jacket except for the elbow armor. 



The vest is light, and the combination of the vest and my jacket are similar in weight to my jacket with good armor. It felt “different” because the back plate is more substantial, but it was not uncomfortable. Just different. I suspect I will become accustomed to it in time.

On my ride, I tested the following real-world scenarios to see if I could cause the vest to “misfire:”

* Quick acceleration onto an on-ramp
* Quick acceleration on the highway
* Quick stop on the side of the road
* Abrupt stop on a city street
* Twisty turn with significant lean
* Urban motorcycle driving basics (modest acceleration, stop light, etc.)

I am pleased to report that at no time did the airbag deploy and turn me into the Michelin man.

I hope my first experience with an airbag vest held your interest and may lead you to consider possibilities. 

I wish you all the very best and hope we can all find ways to stay safe on our CB1100s without losing the joy of riding a motorcycle. Take care, David

---

2017 Honda CB1100 EX
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.]]> In hopes of riding for another 45 years, I am in the process of upgrading all my motorcycle gear to take advantage of technology advances. I have purchased an airbag vest, riding jeans, boots, gloves, and helmet.

Tonight, I am sharing what I have learned about my new airbag vest. There are some who claim it can be as impactful as wearing a DOT certified helmet. I am inclined to agree.

I picked the Alpinestars Air-Tech 5 Airbag System because it protects my shoulders, chest, ribs and back. I have always worn a great jacket with AA rated body armor, but the airbag vest offers far superior coverage. In some instances, 18 times more protection.



I also picked the Alpinestars Air-Tech 5 because I can pair it with my existing motorcycle jackets. I find most motorcycle jackets to be either too loud stylistically or ill fitting. I already have a sizeable investment in abrasion protection and jackets. I wanted to augment that with state-of-the-art airbag capability. 

I put the vest on first:



Then my jacket:



Alpinestars has been developing the technology and deployment algorithms for over 20 years. Here is a product link:

https://www.alpinestars.com/products/tec...z3PdUYyjcw

I took advantage of the Black Friday sale to purchase my Air-Tech 5 for $650.

Here are a few pictures out of the box:





The Air-Tech 5 uses 3 gyroscopes and 3 accelerometers to monitor my position relative to the motorcycle and the road. A crash algorithm leverages that data and some AI to accurately monitor when to deploy the airbag when a crash begins. It deploys the airbag in 20 milliseconds. Scenarios include being rear-ended by a car, sliding on the motorcycle, striking something while riding, being struck by a car at an intersection, lane change mishaps, etc. In essence, if my position changes in a bad way on the motorcycle or I separate from the motorcycle, the airbag will deploy. I can set the algorithm to Street or Race:



Firmware can also be updated using the App and the Internet Connectivity from your cell phone:



I charge the unit using a micro-USB cable. Once fully charged, I have 30 hours of riding time:





The vest is activated when I (1) put it on and (2) zip it up. The vest will not activate unless it is fully zipped and charged. Display lights on the vest illuminate when it is booting up and when it is ready for me to ride. 



I can also use my phone to connect to the vest via Bluetooth and monitor status and disarm the vest:



When I unzip my vest, the vest is disarmed.



Today, I went for an 18-mile ride and wore the vest for the first time. I took the armor out of my favorite jacket except for the elbow armor. 



The vest is light, and the combination of the vest and my jacket are similar in weight to my jacket with good armor. It felt “different” because the back plate is more substantial, but it was not uncomfortable. Just different. I suspect I will become accustomed to it in time.

On my ride, I tested the following real-world scenarios to see if I could cause the vest to “misfire:”

* Quick acceleration onto an on-ramp
* Quick acceleration on the highway
* Quick stop on the side of the road
* Abrupt stop on a city street
* Twisty turn with significant lean
* Urban motorcycle driving basics (modest acceleration, stop light, etc.)

I am pleased to report that at no time did the airbag deploy and turn me into the Michelin man.

I hope my first experience with an airbag vest held your interest and may lead you to consider possibilities. 

I wish you all the very best and hope we can all find ways to stay safe on our CB1100s without losing the joy of riding a motorcycle. Take care, David

---

2017 Honda CB1100 EX
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=19 Fri, 11 Apr 2025 01:51:31 +0000 rdprdp01]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=19 As I mentioned in a previous thread, I have become more sensitive to safety while riding my CB1100. Although I have been fortunate and lucky to have remained upright during my 45 years on a motorcycle, stuff happens. 

Old nerd that I am, I reviewed reports from government agencies, equipment manufacturers, insurance companies, and crusading law firms to make a more informed decision where to start. The consensus was there: the most common injury sustained by motorcyclists are to the lower extremities. As I reviewed my protective gear, I clearly had two deficits: I did not own proper motorcycle boots or jeans. 

So with great enthusiasm, I went on a quest to purchase both. However, I did have some boundaries. Because I already purchased a fantastic set of crash bars (http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=19305) and had no desire to look like an elderly power ranger, I focused on finding “low” boots that (1) had an overall Level 2 safety rating, (2) were comfortable to wear, (3) would last a lifetime with proper care, and (4) could be worn with motorcycle jeans at a coffee shop and not make me look like a movie extra from a Mad Max movie.

All roads led to Steve at Indie Ridge, based in San Bernardino, CA. Although I have not met the man, his work and post-sale support have earned the respect of motorcyclists throughout North America and possibly across the pond. He works tirelessly to create great boots, gloves, and riding gear for motorcyclists. You can learn a little bit about Steve and a lot more about Indie Ridge products on his refreshingly focused website:

https://www.indieridgeusa.com.

I purchased a pair of “The Crow” boots so named because they are black (https://www.indieridgeusa.com/collection...the-crow).

They were properly shipped in a double-box setup:



They were properly packed and had a wonderful registration twist:




They look, feel, and believe it or not smell fantastic:


Steve must own a motorcycle because the design, function, and materials scream let’s ride.
Here is the inside of the boot. Note the custom stitching and molded padding:


The best way to illustrate the ergonomics is to compare them to a non-motorcycle boot. I love my Timberlands for carpentry and gardening, but there is no comparison as a motorcycle boot:


The soles are not an afterthought. A tread design was created to help address the challenges we face stopping, starting, and walking in motorcycle boots:


When I received the boots, I put them on. I heard a swish as I inserted my foot. It is a snug but not too tight fit. I wore the boots for two days to break them in. No blisters; no discomfort. They loosened up with each step.



They fit nicely on a stock setup for a CB1100. 


I rode with them for the first time today. It was perfect. Shifting gears was easy and my new motorcycle jeans fit over them nicely. 


The materials and craftsmanship earned the safety rating:
If you are looking for a lifelong boot, I recommend you give Indie Ridge serious consideration.
I know this thread is too long but I felt I owed it to Indie Ridge to give a proper accounting. Forgive me if I let my enthusiasm get the better of me. I will create another thread for the motorcycle jeans I equally like. Good night.

---

2017 Honda CB1100 EX
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.]]> As I mentioned in a previous thread, I have become more sensitive to safety while riding my CB1100. Although I have been fortunate and lucky to have remained upright during my 45 years on a motorcycle, stuff happens. 

Old nerd that I am, I reviewed reports from government agencies, equipment manufacturers, insurance companies, and crusading law firms to make a more informed decision where to start. The consensus was there: the most common injury sustained by motorcyclists are to the lower extremities. As I reviewed my protective gear, I clearly had two deficits: I did not own proper motorcycle boots or jeans. 

So with great enthusiasm, I went on a quest to purchase both. However, I did have some boundaries. Because I already purchased a fantastic set of crash bars (http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=19305) and had no desire to look like an elderly power ranger, I focused on finding “low” boots that (1) had an overall Level 2 safety rating, (2) were comfortable to wear, (3) would last a lifetime with proper care, and (4) could be worn with motorcycle jeans at a coffee shop and not make me look like a movie extra from a Mad Max movie.

All roads led to Steve at Indie Ridge, based in San Bernardino, CA. Although I have not met the man, his work and post-sale support have earned the respect of motorcyclists throughout North America and possibly across the pond. He works tirelessly to create great boots, gloves, and riding gear for motorcyclists. You can learn a little bit about Steve and a lot more about Indie Ridge products on his refreshingly focused website:

https://www.indieridgeusa.com.

I purchased a pair of “The Crow” boots so named because they are black (https://www.indieridgeusa.com/collection...the-crow).

They were properly shipped in a double-box setup:



They were properly packed and had a wonderful registration twist:




They look, feel, and believe it or not smell fantastic:


Steve must own a motorcycle because the design, function, and materials scream let’s ride.
Here is the inside of the boot. Note the custom stitching and molded padding:


The best way to illustrate the ergonomics is to compare them to a non-motorcycle boot. I love my Timberlands for carpentry and gardening, but there is no comparison as a motorcycle boot:


The soles are not an afterthought. A tread design was created to help address the challenges we face stopping, starting, and walking in motorcycle boots:


When I received the boots, I put them on. I heard a swish as I inserted my foot. It is a snug but not too tight fit. I wore the boots for two days to break them in. No blisters; no discomfort. They loosened up with each step.



They fit nicely on a stock setup for a CB1100. 


I rode with them for the first time today. It was perfect. Shifting gears was easy and my new motorcycle jeans fit over them nicely. 


The materials and craftsmanship earned the safety rating:
If you are looking for a lifelong boot, I recommend you give Indie Ridge serious consideration.
I know this thread is too long but I felt I owed it to Indie Ridge to give a proper accounting. Forgive me if I let my enthusiasm get the better of me. I will create another thread for the motorcycle jeans I equally like. Good night.

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2017 Honda CB1100 EX
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=13981 Sun, 23 Mar 2025 13:42:00 +0000 suhawk305]]> https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=13981 https://www.dainese.com/us/en/stelvio-d-...35B78.html

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