You might want to check out the TouraTech gear. Just bought their Destino boots boy are they good. I am now looking to buy their Adeventuro Carbon 2 helmet which is similar to the Arai. Oddly for an ADV helmet they also do a flip up one. best of all for a German company they have an outlet here in Swansea, Walers. Dropped you a sub as well.
So I’m 55 and just coming out of dirt bike world and ordered and 23 890. I had a partial knee replacement 2 months ago. I’ve never worn knee braces but all the guys I’ve ridden with for years all wear them and those guys are crazy good at single track steeps. Once you lose something you realize how precious your joints are. I’ll never get on a bike again without braces, even if my mobility is slightly limited. I get the may avoid crashes but your still gonna crash sometimes no matter what. I can replace KTM parts. I can’t always replace knee parts. By the way, I’m a 30 years just retired fireman/paramedic. I’m amazed I even get on a bike considering all the helmets I’ve pulled off dead guys. Spend the money, buy the most expensive personal protective equipment you can.
Tank grip. Peace of rubber to stick on a gas tank. Prevents you slipping. Try it. I literally can't have a bike without it anymore, without it it feels like it's greasy
I understand Ryan’s point with knee brace. But I think that only applies to motox since it’s a “controlled”environment. For off-road where you can easily misjudge a piece of terrain and end up crashing no matter how perfect your technique is I say knee brace is a must. Specially if your riding alone. First time seeing your videos. Subscribed
Yeah, it was an absolutely awful advise. Just don't crash, lol. I have destroyed my knee twice, the first time with some cheap knee guards and the second time with high end braces. First time did not walk for more than a month. And both accidents were out of the blue when you expect them the least, zero connection to skill. Soft knee guards have zero protection against the twisting of the knee, plus top braces don't have that side to side locking issue he is talking about. The worst advise I ever have heard.
@@the_g371 yes. But when your putting everything on the line like the pros do the knees might not be their main concern in a crash. So if having no knee guards offers any advantage on the bike then I can see why they would ride without. But for us dirt bike muppets, if we could be wrapped in bubble wrap and ride that would be ideal 😆
On some things there is a conversation to be had, knee braces could be one (the pioneer of these has stated for example that without attaching them to the boots there is no point), but for example neck braces simply wear it, period. There is now hard statistical data proving it's much safer to use it. Ryan has put out similar arguments on the neck brace which makes me not trust his judgement on safety.
For adventure riding with a laden bike. Knee braces are a must, if you put your leg down to prevent a fall and you hyper extend your knee, you’re in a lot of trouble.
If you are over 40, then a neck brace is an essential piece of kit to avoid central cord syndrome. (Think whiplash) This is an issue that I and a mate have experienced after crashes (face plant in sand and a high side) I got off lightly with only slight altered sensation, but my mate spent months in hospital until the paralysis abated, but not fully. To be honest neck braces take getting used to, but after I crashed again where landed on my head after a wallaby strike, I am so thankful to have been wearing the neck brace. I had no further neck issues after that crash, pity I cannot say the same about my broken ribs and collapsed lung. That really hurt!
Adjustable footpegs. My right leg is shorter than the left due to an old break. My lower back and glutes on my right side would get sore after a day of off-road riding due to being in the standing riding position. Adjusting the footpegs to compensate for shorter leg and moving both rearward made a big difference in my comfort and control of the bike! This is now the first modification I do on every bike I purchase.
Completely disagree with the knee brace part. Knees are expensive and will never be the same after recovery, and you only need one simple crash for them to get fucked. I'd rather be a little bit uncomfortable on the bike or have to adapt the body position than to not be able to walk right. Really think you should reconsider that part.
I’m not saying it is for everyone but for me it works a lot better. Also, many professional motocross athletes don’t wear braces anymore for this exact reason, also braces only protect you in certain types of crashes. Sometimes it is better to have the flexibility in hand. Again not for everyone, but after hearing lots of professionals switching, I tried it for ADV riding and I really really like it, I like the comfort, the range of motion, grip feeling on the bike and having more flexibility.
People have a choice to wear whatever protection they want and I agree that some protection is too restrictive. However Your context of knee braces is incorrect. Ryan Hughes (a professional MX racer) is stating that knee braces do not allow the correct body position for the 1% of riders at the very top of their game. Whilst Racing. With all due respect you’re not a good enough rider to get any performance gains from wearing knee pads. Please don’t mix up MX racing/enduro and adventure riding. For those who need to work on a Monday (and ride enduro/mx) knee braces are a must have. However having 200kg fall laterally on a leg with just soft pads on also wouldn’t be great advise.
I prefer the comfort, flexibility and range of motion I have in pads. I also prefer the feeling of gripping the bike with pads. I don’t believe braces work in every crash scenario and sometimes it is better to be unbraced providing you have strong knees and good flexibility - which I do. It’s all personal choice, this is the choice I made and it has been so much better for me. Don’t worry, I’m not forcing to swap too.
I have to agree with the Arai XD4. I've been riding for well over thirty years and recently bought this helmet. Every time I ride with it on - street or dirt - I am astonished by how awesome it is.
I have most of the things you mention, including those grips. I was hesitant, because I thought something so cheap couldn't be good. I do disagree with you on the knee braces. If I hadn't been wearing them a few months ago, I wouldn't be walking today, and it wasn't due to something easily avoidable by wearing pads instead. MX riders ride on a soft track, and at different speeds for short lengths of time. Very different to adventure riding. I was riding solo, 1,000km from the nearest hospital. It was the difference between walking away and continuing my ride, or a long, expensive medivac flight, and a painful recovery. I definitely wouldn't risk it. I wore my knee braces for 3 weeks straight, in 40C heat, and the only time I noticed them was getting on and off the bike. When riding, it made no difference, and they actually get better airflow and are cooler than my knee pads.
@@TheMotoBarista I agree. But I just did a 6 day group ride, and 3 guys had to be carted away with broken legs or busted knees, all who would have been fine if they were wearing them. It was hard to see these guys in such pain. 2 won't be able to work anytime soon. Now, that was out of 40 people, and about half of the 40 were wearing knee braces. It's all about risk tolerance. Age can also be a factor. People don't ride or crash the same in their 40's like they did in their 20's. My knees were shot by the time I was 25 by not looking after them. It's hard to come back from those injuries 100%
Pivot Pegz. Came with a bike I bought and I can't go back now. They were super disconcerting when I first tried them, then after a week or to I was sold.
I often watch these types of videos as a time filler and dont really expect to be told anything I don't already know. However, the soft body armour is something I'd never considered, particularly in cooler weather when I want something that will fit under my adv jacket and it feels like I'm compromising on protection. So, thankyou for leading me to look into this option.
Just like the protection of the Arai helmet is justified by its performance, I'd argue heavy-duty boots like Gaerne SG-12s or Sidi Crossfires fall into that category as well. Foot/lower leg injuries are very common, and softer "Adventure" boots won't be enough in many situations.
Can you tell which clutch and break levers are you using? It seems they can “bend” if you fall, without braking. I just came back from a session where I fell and broke my clutch and had to go back stuck in second gear… those would have been so useful !!!
I got the Grip Puppies and those help quite a bit with road vibration. Also, I got cheaper riding gear at first, but now have a Shoei helmet and some Rev'It gear. Should have purchased that first but had to start on a budget. Buy the best protective gear you can afford up front. Best advice.
Totally agree on grips. I have xd4 Arai helmet and must say I hate it for my offroad riding - it's heavy, plastic airflow covers are easy to brake, cheeks are not holding well on places. It is also quiet a job to disassemble to get it washed.
How would the soft armour go in an on road slide? Im constantly looking for light weight, highly breathable but I don't want to sacrifice safety on road as that is my main riding environment.
Just bought the Klim Krios Pro and boy is it light, lighter than my outgoing Bell MX lid by a mile. The Transition visor is very good, the Cardo fits well. Go stick one on 👍
Same as general hard plastic armour suits, but the flexibility of it helps to keep comfortable. I believe there is a similar armour technology that is out or coming out soon that uses a honeycomb pattern with similar materials so will provide better airflow.
Exclusively to the 890, the tech pack.... you're missing way to much of the bike without it. In general, the fastway evo 4 footpegs & powerparts rally seat. Way more room in the cockpit for better grip & mobility on the bike.
Does the Arai XD4 have MIPS or similar brain damage reduction like the better dirtbike helmets and some street helmets? Does those old style foamy grips get gushy and water soaked in the rain?
The Arai doesn’t have mips or similar - personally I really like what 6D are doing with their mx helmets in this technology race. Instead Arai believe that the shell shape (curve angle) and smoothness is optimised for rotational force mitigation, the idea that their shells glance off and slide rather than angular edges digging in and adding rotational force. This isn’t me arguing for or against by the way. The grips actually aren’t foam, they are a rubber compound and actually retain grip and feel really well in the wet or covered in mud.
@@davetribear damper adds 25mm and clamps add 5mm. My dads bike has both, I just have the damper. We both swapped our bars out for something with less height to compensate.
Thanks for the hint with the steering damper. But my 790 R comes as standard with a damper, it is a bit hidden further down the handlebars. Does the steering damper you recommend ist better than the stock part. Or are Australian Spec bikes without a stock damper? Thanks for the reply…
Hey mate, all 790/890s come with the stock steering damper as you mentioned. But they have no adjustability and they don’t really do anything off-road. They primarily help with some highway stability. In comparison upgrading to a proper damper like my MSC Moto, it allows way more variability in steering stiffness and damping and in turn provides a dramatically different feel when riding off-road. More stability, less twitch on the front end, reduced deflections and improved chassis handling.
Hey mate I wear the Leatt AirFlex or AirFit body armour. I wear Leatt 3DF knee guards and Hip Pants. Other brands out there that use similar tech so shop around.
Just wondered your thoughts on Rekluse gears for older bikes that do not have quick shifters etc. Have you had any experience or thoughts ?. First thing I bought for my WR450 was a big ass safari tank, then risers, then saddle bags for camping.
I've been using an Arai XD-4 for years now and I absolutely love it. Worth every penny. That said, it would be nice to see an update for it. I'd love a drop-down sun visor, but I also understand why it doesn't have one. All in all I'll probably buy another when it's time to replace it.
I don’t think Arai would ever add a sun visor 🤣 but an update would be nice, I’m interested to see if they adopt any of the new safety technology like 6D, Fly or Leatt.
@@TheMotoBarista I think the sun-visor issue is it wont pass SNELL with one. I'd like to see MIPS and other improvements though, maybe a drop in weight. Over all it's a top-notch helmet.
I’m on a Tiger800XCX and loving gravel roads here in NZ. I’m not really feeling any lack of confidence in the frontend, but understand the WP suspension on these bikes isn’t as good as on the KTM and the rake is short- which makes it great on twisty paved roads, the majority of what I get around where I live. I’m curious if a steering damper will help in gravel? Deep is obviously horrible.
It is all bike dependent and of course is affected by speed too. I find on gravel roads at least on my bike the steering damper reduces any front end twitchiness, removed ‘wandering’ sensation, helps front wheel stability under hard braking and off course helps if you accidentally hit a pot hole. If you aren’t having these issues though - maybe you don’t need one!
Wandering maybe in deep stuff, but that’s to be expected and manageable. I guess as you say- if you’re not feeling these problems, you don’t have a problem to solve. Appreciate the reply.
I fitted a steering damper to my 800Xcx. I think it helped in deeper sand roads, but it is subjective. If you fit anything in the sand ( stump/ logs) then it works well. It might be a confidence thing. I never found the Tiger twitchy, but then again, I used to ride XR Hondas in sand ( really twitchy)
Great educational and enjoyable videos. I’ve got Progrip 786 and would like to know how and what did you use to install it? Hairspray, glue, nothing? Also, which model handle bars you have have? Keep the good content! Cheers!
Hey, how are the Doubletake Enduros? I’ve had the Rottweiler with bar end Arrow mirrors attached to barkbusters - they look good, but the pivot balls wear out and mirrors become loose.
DoubleTake mirrors are great, no issues with them - that’s why they are so popular I guess. Solid, easy to use, fold away great and don’t wear out. I like the chunky utility look too 🤣
Hey buddy. Just pick up a norden this week to replace my dr650. My first proper adventure bike. What's your thoughts on the standard steering stabiliser vs an aftermarket steering dampener? Thanks.
Awesome mate, beautiful bike, congrats! The stock stabiliser is fine for road and gravel roads but for anything more technical I highly recommend an aftermarket one, like I mention in the video the advantages present themselves in many areas. Before you buy, have a test first and see how you go, I think the wheelbase and/or take on the Norden are different to the 890 in order to provide more stability - so depending on your kind of riding it may or may not be a priority.
I’d pass on all that stuff and get some of those sick Fox gloves and a couple jerseys. Maybe the Arai, too. Use the rest for gas and bison for adventures.
Too dusty in Australia, plus my eyes always water from the air getting underneath glasses. I’ve worn goggles for so long now that I feel naked without them 🤣
Thanks mate. The orange bar clamps are Apex Mounts from MSC Moto, they are a anti-vibration bar clamp not a riser though. The levers are just a cheap set off Ali Express, bought them as a trial before spending money on a nicer pair but actually have worked great and don’t feel the need to swap!
@@davidestroppa3759 I believe they do, I like levers further away though, so I have mine on setting 5 out of 6. If I had setting 1 or 2, the reach would be very small.
Agree with the soft protection. Steering dampener ... I only needed one on my KTM cause it was so unstable. But ... got rid of the KTM and no more problems whatsoever.
It’s the Fox Legion Packable Jacket. Lots of stores stock it so should be an easy find on Google! I really dig it, I wear it all year round, can layer up underneath when it gets cold and packs easily when it warms up.
bash guard,hand guard first for me. Then tank bags with enough space for co2, plug kit and water bladder. I tried XD4 and didn't fall in love with it. Went for Kyros Pro& Hornet ADV instead, both goggle compatible.
With the grips - I watched this and ordered some. Then I wondered if they were the type you push over the existing grip or do you remove the old grips? Cheers
You remove the old grips. They say they are foam grip but in reality it is a some sort of rubber material. Easy to fit in the bars and I think you’ll dig them.
LOL, that Ryan Hughes. He was a good racer, and he has some good ideas. Problem is, he has some really bad ideas as well. You mentioned his opinion on knee braces. That is quite frankly, ridiculous. A properly fitted set of hinged knee braces absolutely will not restrict any normal range of motion of the knee joint. It will ad structural stability to to the joint and as such definitely will help prevent knee injury, particularly to lateral loads that occur quite often and result in medial collateral (MCL) or Anterior Cruciate (ACL) tears. I wear gear, both in the D30 config, and in hard armor. D30 is for comfort, my AStars A10 upper body gear, and my hinged knee braces are for max protection. I use both whenever practical, but a little D30 puck on my kneecap is hardly the same amount of impact protection as a suspended piece of hard armor, and there is zero structural support happening from the D30 pads. Whereas there is significant structural support with hinged knee braces.
I wish I'd bought MX jerseys. So damn hot in Oz and riding ADV in a full suit is just stupid. Since I discovered MX jerseys I'm cool as, I wear a Scotts D30 underneath. No more boiling like a potato as my mates do in their all black 'look at me' Klim ADV jackets.
How do you find the view out of the Arai XD4? I used to use one but went back to a Mx helmet because it has better neck articulation, which allows me to see out of the top of the visor hole when I’m standing on the pegs in the snotty stuff. I find the XD4 ok for highway stuff but too restrictive in the bush.
I have had no issues with XD4 in this regard at all. Movement and articulation in it present no issues for me. The only time I have noticed restriction is with certain backpacks that sit too high up - but that isn’t a helmet issue.
I’ve been noticing at freeway speeds that my adventure bike feels a bit wobbly in the wind. Would the steering dampener be effective in this application as well? Or is it mostly for the slow speed off road stuff?
It can definitely help on the freeway, you can turn up and have very stiff steering. However before you do that it is always best to check tyres, pressures, steering stem etc to make sure you aren’t covering up a real problem!
@@TheMotoBarista sorry is it D30 (thirty) or D3O ("O")? How is it different from say bionic jacket (eg Alpine stars)? And if possible to leave links for a good soft armour please, that would be awesome
So to keep warm it is all about layers. I wear a merino wool base layer, then I wear my armour, then a fleece, then a insulated jacket and then I wear a light weight hardshell (rain and wind shell) as my outer layer. Gloves I wear thick merino wool liners and then Fox windproof mx gloves. Finally a balaclava. Perhaps I should make a video before summer arrives here in Australia!
@@IamthePMofAustralia hahaha yep. Just got back from a ride today, already warming up out there, maybe only 4-6 weeks of riding left before summer heat rolls through 😬
Stick to the 23 mod KTM 890 it looks alot better with the fixed fairing.i ride the desert X an awsome bike but the maintenance on air filter is a biggy.Aprillia 650 toureg is a surprise package for me awsome handling on road and off road,under powered compared to what your used to but sometimes less is more,good luck and thanks for great channel.regards Mark
@@TheMotoBarista I agree with riding light,will b getting some soft armour for sure,always ride better light.My mates used to say to me when we would go for a ride (Dr 400 at time) where U going to the club,I used to ride with safety boots ,jeans and a flannelette shirt ,of course a helmet,never had a bad off,then I got armour and proper boots,then accident after accident.. unbelievable right
Man this video really brought out the bridge trolls. I enjoyed it, definitely agree on the steering damper; picked up a tenere 700 as my first “big” bike and am not the biggest fan of how squirrely it feels at lower speeds.
Hahah thanks mate! Yeh I agree, same with the KTM. I think the steep take to make the big bikes more agile means a damper goes a long way to increase stability. Thanks for watching!
Man, I got those cheap levers that you got on your bike. What a bunch of junk. They are so poorly milled the tolerances allow them to move up and down almost an inch. Horrible.
I use my mountain bike shorts under my Fox MX pants. The shammy leather soaks up the squitties when it gets tough.. lol.. Just kidding.. They give me an extra level of arse protection. I ride a WR450 and I replace my fillings after every ride.
Well the goal this way is to not let my knees get buggered. My dad who I ride with has horrific knees including a replacement in one and onset arthritis in the other - he made the switch from braces too and prefers it. Again not for everyone but always worth trying new things.
@@TheMotoBarista mate totally agree. However I prefer the security that braces provide. I had two crashes on my last ride where the brace locked out and stopped my knee from the snapping the other way when the bikes bars got stuck in my boots.
@@TheMotoBarista did not say you did ... i just try it ... thats a mud visor/flap for RACING ... having it handy is one thing ... having a neck work out in the spring is entirely another ... i dont know your highway speed limits ... but 80MPH without parachute on my helmet is worth the minute or two to put it on around wet mud trails
@@TheMotoBarista i use an HJC DS-X1 no peak ... kinda nice for city riding as well when the tarmac is 120°F or better and traffic is under 35mph but you do you mate
Ryno has hit his head one too many times, his knee brace recommendations is the biggest load of trash ive ever heard. Without braces i would have had to hang it up long ago.
Let me know the gear you wish you had bought sooner in the comments below! 👇
You might want to check out the TouraTech gear. Just bought their Destino boots boy are they good. I am now looking to buy their Adeventuro Carbon 2 helmet which is similar to the Arai. Oddly for an ADV helmet they also do a flip up one. best of all for a German company they have an outlet here in Swansea, Walers. Dropped you a sub as well.
@@RevsIT didn’t know TouraTech were getting into riding gear, I’ll check it out! Thanks for the sub!
@@TheMotoBarista The guy who runs the Swansea shop is a Pari Dakar veteran. Nick Plumb. There is a short vid of his bike which is there on my channel.
@@RevsIT will check it out!
I'm looking for an automatic chian oil drip.
So I’m 55 and just coming out of dirt bike world and ordered and 23 890. I had a partial knee replacement 2 months ago. I’ve never worn knee braces but all the guys I’ve ridden with for years all wear them and those guys are crazy good at single track steeps.
Once you lose something you realize how precious your joints are. I’ll never get on a bike again without braces, even if my mobility is slightly limited.
I get the may avoid crashes but your still gonna crash sometimes no matter what. I can replace KTM parts. I can’t always replace knee parts.
By the way, I’m a 30 years just retired fireman/paramedic.
I’m amazed I even get on a bike considering all the helmets I’ve pulled off dead guys.
Spend the money, buy the most expensive personal protective equipment you can.
Tank grip. Peace of rubber to stick on a gas tank. Prevents you slipping. Try it. I literally can't have a bike without it anymore, without it it feels like it's greasy
Definitely agree on some bikes, my KTM has its fuel tank down by my shins though! 🤣
And some glove glu on the motorcycle seat, it's meant for soccer gloves but it keeps your crotch from sliding into the tank.
I understand Ryan’s point with knee brace. But I think that only applies to motox since it’s a “controlled”environment.
For off-road where you can easily misjudge a piece of terrain and end up crashing no matter how perfect your technique is I say knee brace is a must. Specially if your riding alone.
First time seeing your videos. Subscribed
Appreciate the subscription and the civil debate 🤘⚡️
Yeah, it was an absolutely awful advise. Just don't crash, lol. I have destroyed my knee twice, the first time with some cheap knee guards and the second time with high end braces. First time did not walk for more than a month. And both accidents were out of the blue when you expect them the least, zero connection to skill. Soft knee guards have zero protection against the twisting of the knee, plus top braces don't have that side to side locking issue he is talking about. The worst advise I ever have heard.
@@the_g371 yes. But when your putting everything on the line like the pros do the knees might not be their main concern in a crash. So if having no knee guards offers any advantage on the bike then I can see why they would ride without. But for us dirt bike muppets, if we could be wrapped in bubble wrap and ride that would be ideal 😆
@@the_g371 advice? Definitely wasn’t given advice. Just letting you know what works for me 🤷♂️
On some things there is a conversation to be had, knee braces could be one (the pioneer of these has stated for example that without attaching them to the boots there is no point), but for example neck braces simply wear it, period. There is now hard statistical data proving it's much safer to use it. Ryan has put out similar arguments on the neck brace which makes me not trust his judgement on safety.
For adventure riding with a laden bike. Knee braces are a must, if you put your leg down to prevent a fall and you hyper extend your knee, you’re in a lot of trouble.
If you are over 40, then a neck brace is an essential piece of kit to avoid central cord syndrome. (Think whiplash) This is an issue that I and a mate have experienced after crashes (face plant in sand and a high side) I got off lightly with only slight altered sensation, but my mate spent months in hospital until the paralysis abated, but not fully. To be honest neck braces take getting used to, but after I crashed again where landed on my head after a wallaby strike, I am so thankful to have been wearing the neck brace. I had no further neck issues after that crash, pity I cannot say the same about my broken ribs and collapsed lung. That really hurt!
Ouch, that is a rough go mate!
Would you recommend a neck brace or knee braces first? Both are not cheap.
Adjustable footpegs. My right leg is shorter than the left due to an old break. My lower back and glutes on my right side would get sore after a day of off-road riding due to being in the standing riding position. Adjusting the footpegs to compensate for shorter leg and moving both rearward made a big difference in my comfort and control of the bike! This is now the first modification I do on every bike I purchase.
Wow, that’s a unique one. Well done for figuring out a solution and continuing to chase after what you love to do 💪
Completely disagree with the knee brace part. Knees are expensive and will never be the same after recovery, and you only need one simple crash for them to get fucked. I'd rather be a little bit uncomfortable on the bike or have to adapt the body position than to not be able to walk right. Really think you should reconsider that part.
I’m not saying it is for everyone but for me it works a lot better. Also, many professional motocross athletes don’t wear braces anymore for this exact reason, also braces only protect you in certain types of crashes. Sometimes it is better to have the flexibility in hand. Again not for everyone, but after hearing lots of professionals switching, I tried it for ADV riding and I really really like it, I like the comfort, the range of motion, grip feeling on the bike and having more flexibility.
Steering dampener is a must , get use to it an you'll never ride without one again,wide adjustable pegs, well thought out tool bag is a must also
Quick Strap for goggles. It makes taking off the goggles super easy and they stay attached to the helmet when not in use.
People have a choice to wear whatever protection they want and I agree that some protection is too restrictive. However Your context of knee braces is incorrect. Ryan Hughes (a professional MX racer) is stating that knee braces do not allow the correct body position for the 1% of riders at the very top of their game. Whilst Racing. With all due respect you’re not a good enough rider to get any performance gains from wearing knee pads. Please don’t mix up MX racing/enduro and adventure riding. For those who need to work on a Monday (and ride enduro/mx) knee braces are a must have. However having 200kg fall laterally on a leg with just soft pads on also wouldn’t be great advise.
I prefer the comfort, flexibility and range of motion I have in pads. I also prefer the feeling of gripping the bike with pads. I don’t believe braces work in every crash scenario and sometimes it is better to be unbraced providing you have strong knees and good flexibility - which I do. It’s all personal choice, this is the choice I made and it has been so much better for me. Don’t worry, I’m not forcing to swap too.
I have to agree with the Arai XD4. I've been riding for well over thirty years and recently bought this helmet. Every time I ride with it on - street or dirt - I am astonished by how awesome it is.
💪💪💪
I have most of the things you mention, including those grips. I was hesitant, because I thought something so cheap couldn't be good. I do disagree with you on the knee braces. If I hadn't been wearing them a few months ago, I wouldn't be walking today, and it wasn't due to something easily avoidable by wearing pads instead. MX riders ride on a soft track, and at different speeds for short lengths of time. Very different to adventure riding. I was riding solo, 1,000km from the nearest hospital. It was the difference between walking away and continuing my ride, or a long, expensive medivac flight, and a painful recovery. I definitely wouldn't risk it. I wore my knee braces for 3 weeks straight, in 40C heat, and the only time I noticed them was getting on and off the bike. When riding, it made no difference, and they actually get better airflow and are cooler than my knee pads.
It’s definitely not for everyone.
@@TheMotoBarista I agree. But I just did a 6 day group ride, and 3 guys had to be carted away with broken legs or busted knees, all who would have been fine if they were wearing them. It was hard to see these guys in such pain. 2 won't be able to work anytime soon. Now, that was out of 40 people, and about half of the 40 were wearing knee braces. It's all about risk tolerance. Age can also be a factor. People don't ride or crash the same in their 40's like they did in their 20's. My knees were shot by the time I was 25 by not looking after them. It's hard to come back from those injuries 100%
What brand of side mirrors are those
Earmould ear plugs. Same as most things that become invaluable, not cheap but can’t ride with out them. Heated jacket was also a game changer for me
Yeh those are two good ones, I hear the earmould plugs are fantastic.
Pivot Pegz. Came with a bike I bought and I can't go back now. They were super disconcerting when I first tried them, then after a week or to I was sold.
And what kind of abrasion protection you have when you’re going on tarmac? I have a revit cayenne suit.
Totally agree with the Arai and the Leatt protection. Love them. Steering dampener looks like my new project ;)
Nice one! Yeh, the steering damper was a big one. I was sceptical as I hadn’t used one and the cost of them - but wow, big difference!
steg pegz and pivot pegs work a treat
I have heard good things. Even seen some riders in the 250 Star Yamaha team having been using them.
I often watch these types of videos as a time filler and dont really expect to be told anything I don't already know.
However, the soft body armour is something I'd never considered, particularly in cooler weather when I want something that will fit under my adv jacket and it feels like I'm compromising on protection. So, thankyou for leading me to look into this option.
Just like the protection of the Arai helmet is justified by its performance, I'd argue heavy-duty boots like Gaerne SG-12s or Sidi Crossfires fall into that category as well. Foot/lower leg injuries are very common, and softer "Adventure" boots won't be enough in many situations.
100% agree! I’m an Alpinestars guy myself, love my Tech 7 Enduros. I have seen a few broken feet and ankles from riders not wearing proper boots.
Totally agree - am getting a pair of gaerne sg12 enduros or the fastback as soon as I recover from ankle injury!
Man I totally agree with the gaernes. Sure wish they were waterproof though for adventure riding
@@sanjosejeff am thinking I’ll get a pair of sealskin Goretex socks
Was about to comment the same thing those Gaernes saved my ankles !
Can you tell which clutch and break levers are you using? It seems they can “bend” if you fall, without braking. I just came back from a session where I fell and broke my clutch and had to go back stuck in second gear… those would have been so useful !!!
I got the Grip Puppies and those help quite a bit with road vibration. Also, I got cheaper riding gear at first, but now have a Shoei helmet and some Rev'It gear. Should have purchased that first but had to start on a budget. Buy the best protective gear you can afford up front. Best advice.
Yeh, totally agree. I had the same experience with my Arai helmet - amazing.
@@TheMotoBarista it was a toss up with Arai and Shoei for me!
Totally agree on grips. I have xd4 Arai helmet and must say I hate it for my offroad riding - it's heavy, plastic airflow covers are easy to brake, cheeks are not holding well on places. It is also quiet a job to disassemble to get it washed.
I also really like the airoh commander 2….
Nice video thx!
Great video mate! What goggles are you rocking there?
How would the soft armour go in an on road slide? Im constantly looking for light weight, highly breathable but I don't want to sacrifice safety on road as that is my main riding environment.
It will still slide, it is soft and flexible when wearing it and on impact the molecules in the materials used interlock and go rigid.
Hi, can some of you recommend knee brace please
Just bought the Klim Krios Pro and boy is it light, lighter than my outgoing Bell MX lid by a mile. The Transition visor is very good, the Cardo fits well. Go stick one on 👍
Mmmm those carbon Krios Pro helmets do look beautiful 🤯 no stock here in Australia when I bought my Arai but definitely want to try it one day!
@@TheMotoBarista the Striking Orange is a thing of beauty, stay safe👍
Do you have a link for the soft armor you’re using please? Thx
I don’t have a link but search Leatt AirFlex Body Armour 🤙
How is the d30 armor in the heat?
Same as general hard plastic armour suits, but the flexibility of it helps to keep comfortable. I believe there is a similar armour technology that is out or coming out soon that uses a honeycomb pattern with similar materials so will provide better airflow.
My 1967 Ducati Scrambler had a steering dampener.
Exclusively to the 890, the tech pack.... you're missing way to much of the bike without it.
In general, the fastway evo 4 footpegs & powerparts rally seat. Way more room in the cockpit for better grip & mobility on the bike.
Cruise control on the 790 - brilliant, especially when you're out in the Outback.
I’m never having a bike without it - you can’t make me! 🤣
@@TheMotoBarista Yep me too. I thought it was a bit steep for the control cluster and the software, but after using it - worth every penny.
Does the Arai XD4 have MIPS or similar brain damage reduction like the better dirtbike helmets and some street helmets?
Does those old style foamy grips get gushy and water soaked in the rain?
The Arai doesn’t have mips or similar - personally I really like what 6D are doing with their mx helmets in this technology race. Instead Arai believe that the shell shape (curve angle) and smoothness is optimised for rotational force mitigation, the idea that their shells glance off and slide rather than angular edges digging in and adding rotational force. This isn’t me arguing for or against by the way. The grips actually aren’t foam, they are a rubber compound and actually retain grip and feel really well in the wet or covered in mud.
Hi. Whats the name of the knee protectors your using? Is it just d30? Cant fint them.
Mine are from Troy Lee Designs. But other companies make them too. Other good ones are the Leatt AirFlex 3DF or the EVS TP199.
What bar clamps do you have on the steering damper?
Orange
Hey mate, they are the Apex Bar Mounts (Anti-Vibration) from MSC Moto who are an awesome Aussie owned company 💪💪
Found it! APEX Vibration bar mount
@@davetribear yep! That’s the one! Great quality products, really well made.
@@TheMotoBarista After installing the damper and clamps does it raise the bars a bit? Thanks again.
@@davetribear damper adds 25mm and clamps add 5mm. My dads bike has both, I just have the damper. We both swapped our bars out for something with less height to compensate.
Thanks for the hint with the steering damper. But my 790 R comes as standard with a damper, it is a bit hidden further down the handlebars. Does the steering damper you recommend ist better than the stock part. Or are Australian Spec bikes without a stock damper? Thanks for the reply…
Hey mate, all 790/890s come with the stock steering damper as you mentioned. But they have no adjustability and they don’t really do anything off-road. They primarily help with some highway stability.
In comparison upgrading to a proper damper like my MSC Moto, it allows way more variability in steering stiffness and damping and in turn provides a dramatically different feel when riding off-road. More stability, less twitch on the front end, reduced deflections and improved chassis handling.
Thanks a lot for the quick response and qualitative answer ✌️
Where did you get those mirrors. Also, I can't find those grips anywhere in the US... that's interesting.
Mirrors are DoubleTake Mirrors, excellent. Odd you couldn’t find the grips in the US, maybe some smaller rally focused stores sell them?
What is the brand and model of the armor you wear? Is it jacket-pants? Thank you very much.
Hey mate I wear the Leatt AirFlex or AirFit body armour. I wear Leatt 3DF knee guards and Hip Pants. Other brands out there that use similar tech so shop around.
Great thoughts….what is the black shirt you are wearing that you put the D3O armor into?
It is the Leatt AirFlex Body Armour. It comes with the D30 armour built into it.
@@TheMotoBarista dude thank you for that and for the content, loving it!!
Just wondered your thoughts on Rekluse gears for older bikes that do not have quick shifters etc. Have you had any experience or thoughts ?. First thing I bought for my WR450 was a big ass safari tank, then risers, then saddle bags for camping.
Do you mean the Rekluse Auto Clutch? If so I don’t have any experience with them. To be honest though I don’t use my quickshifter all that much.
I've been using an Arai XD-4 for years now and I absolutely love it. Worth every penny. That said, it would be nice to see an update for it. I'd love a drop-down sun visor, but I also understand why it doesn't have one. All in all I'll probably buy another when it's time to replace it.
I don’t think Arai would ever add a sun visor 🤣 but an update would be nice, I’m interested to see if they adopt any of the new safety technology like 6D, Fly or Leatt.
@@TheMotoBarista I think the sun-visor issue is it wont pass SNELL with one. I'd like to see MIPS and other improvements though, maybe a drop in weight. Over all it's a top-notch helmet.
I’m on a Tiger800XCX and loving gravel roads here in NZ. I’m not really feeling any lack of confidence in the frontend, but understand the WP suspension on these bikes isn’t as good as on the KTM and the rake is short- which makes it great on twisty paved roads, the majority of what I get around where I live. I’m curious if a steering damper will help in gravel? Deep is obviously horrible.
It is all bike dependent and of course is affected by speed too. I find on gravel roads at least on my bike the steering damper reduces any front end twitchiness, removed ‘wandering’ sensation, helps front wheel stability under hard braking and off course helps if you accidentally hit a pot hole. If you aren’t having these issues though - maybe you don’t need one!
Wandering maybe in deep stuff, but that’s to be expected and manageable. I guess as you say- if you’re not feeling these problems, you don’t have a problem to solve. Appreciate the reply.
I fitted a steering damper to my 800Xcx. I think it helped in deeper sand roads, but it is subjective. If you fit anything in the sand ( stump/ logs) then it works well. It might be a confidence thing. I never found the Tiger twitchy, but then again, I used to ride XR Hondas in sand ( really twitchy)
Great educational and enjoyable videos. I’ve got Progrip 786 and would like to know how and what did you use to install it? Hairspray, glue, nothing? Also, which model handle bars you have have? Keep the good content! Cheers!
Hey, how are the Doubletake Enduros? I’ve had the Rottweiler with bar end Arrow mirrors attached to barkbusters - they look good, but the pivot balls wear out and mirrors become loose.
DoubleTake mirrors are great, no issues with them - that’s why they are so popular I guess. Solid, easy to use, fold away great and don’t wear out. I like the chunky utility look too 🤣
Which goggles are you using in the XD4? I'm having trouble finding any that fit in the opening.
Oakley Frontline. No issues with figment, just have to remove the nose piece.
Do you use the google also underneath th screen or is that some fancy Pinlock insert shining through?
@@stef.r7941 the screen doesn’t fit over the goggles as the strap stops it. There is a pin lock insert on the face shield though.
Hey buddy. Just pick up a norden this week to replace my dr650. My first proper adventure bike. What's your thoughts on the standard steering stabiliser vs an aftermarket steering dampener? Thanks.
Awesome mate, beautiful bike, congrats! The stock stabiliser is fine for road and gravel roads but for anything more technical I highly recommend an aftermarket one, like I mention in the video the advantages present themselves in many areas. Before you buy, have a test first and see how you go, I think the wheelbase and/or take on the Norden are different to the 890 in order to provide more stability - so depending on your kind of riding it may or may not be a priority.
I have the same helmet as yours. What’s the brand,model and size (if there are sizes) of your motocross goggles?
Oakley Frontline 💪💪💪💪
I’d pass on all that stuff and get some of those sick Fox gloves and a couple jerseys. Maybe the Arai, too. Use the rest for gas and bison for adventures.
Accident prevention info so necessary...well described!
Yep, would much rather avoid the crash than be protected for it!
If it's not too dusty try safety glasses you get a better field of view and lots of air
Too dusty in Australia, plus my eyes always water from the air getting underneath glasses. I’ve worn goggles for so long now that I feel naked without them 🤣
Nice video. Can you provide details about raisers and levers after market I see in your bike? Thanks
Thanks mate. The orange bar clamps are Apex Mounts from MSC Moto, they are a anti-vibration bar clamp not a riser though. The levers are just a cheap set off Ali Express, bought them as a trial before spending money on a nicer pair but actually have worked great and don’t feel the need to swap!
@@TheMotoBarista thanks. I have quote small hands and I would like adjustable levers with more range: have the ones you got a good range?
@@davidestroppa3759 I believe they do, I like levers further away though, so I have mine on setting 5 out of 6. If I had setting 1 or 2, the reach would be very small.
Agree with the soft protection. Steering dampener ... I only needed one on my KTM cause it was so unstable. But ... got rid of the KTM and no more problems whatsoever.
Quickshifter
Tank pads
Heated grips
Rally footpegs
Crashbars
Hi, can someone recommend a shop that sells gear and accessories in Perth WA? Thanks
Check out Savage Motorcycles, Cully’s Yamaha/Triumph and the new AMX Store that just opened up 🤘
Great video, have a link to that fox jacket?
It’s the Fox Legion Packable Jacket. Lots of stores stock it so should be an easy find on Google! I really dig it, I wear it all year round, can layer up underneath when it gets cold and packs easily when it warms up.
@@TheMotoBarista thanks for the quick reply! This was the first video I came across and just finished the motocamping one. New subscriber here now!
@@bmxkelowna thanks so much for subscribing, really appreciate it 💪
bash guard,hand guard first for me. Then tank bags with enough space for co2, plug kit and water bladder.
I tried XD4 and didn't fall in love with it. Went for Kyros Pro& Hornet ADV instead, both goggle compatible.
Yeh I agree with all that, those are often first on the bike. Helmets are definitely a personal choice and the Klim and Shoei are great options too!
With the grips - I watched this and ordered some. Then I wondered if they were the type you push over the existing grip or do you remove the old grips? Cheers
You remove the old grips. They say they are foam grip but in reality it is a some sort of rubber material. Easy to fit in the bars and I think you’ll dig them.
@@TheMotoBarista Are they similar to Grip Puppies in terms of thickness, comfort and the material? Thanks.
@@generationwolves not sure mate, never used grip puppies before!
@@TheMotoBarista No issues. Thanks for the response.
Nice guide! On an unhappy note, the pro grip rally's have apparently been discontinued according to our wholesalers.
What!!?? Noooooo 😫
LOL, that Ryan Hughes.
He was a good racer, and he has some good ideas. Problem is, he has some really bad ideas as well.
You mentioned his opinion on knee braces. That is quite frankly, ridiculous.
A properly fitted set of hinged knee braces absolutely will not restrict any normal range of motion of the knee joint.
It will ad structural stability to to the joint and as such definitely will help prevent knee injury, particularly to lateral loads that occur quite often and result in medial collateral (MCL) or Anterior Cruciate (ACL) tears.
I wear gear, both in the D30 config, and in hard armor.
D30 is for comfort, my AStars A10 upper body gear, and my hinged knee braces are for max protection.
I use both whenever practical, but a little D30 puck on my kneecap is hardly the same amount of impact protection as a suspended piece of hard armor, and there is zero structural support happening from the D30 pads. Whereas there is significant structural support with hinged knee braces.
Agree or disagree with Ryno, you gotta love the character 🤣
It is not about avoiding crashes it’s about when will they happen. Having the most valuable protected which is your body. Good luck
I wish I'd bought MX jerseys. So damn hot in Oz and riding ADV in a full suit is just stupid. Since I discovered MX jerseys I'm cool as, I wear a Scotts D30 underneath. No more boiling like a potato as my mates do in their all black 'look at me' Klim ADV jackets.
Hahahaha 100% agree, layering is so much better than the big heavy stuff!
Just a quick heads up, your Leatt armour is called 3DF. D3O is another brand. I may be biased but that Leatt armour is the absolute BOY.
Great video!
How do you find the view out of the Arai XD4? I used to use one but went back to a Mx helmet because it has better neck articulation, which allows me to see out of the top of the visor hole when I’m standing on the pegs in the snotty stuff. I find the XD4 ok for highway stuff but too restrictive in the bush.
I have had no issues with XD4 in this regard at all. Movement and articulation in it present no issues for me. The only time I have noticed restriction is with certain backpacks that sit too high up - but that isn’t a helmet issue.
I’ve been noticing at freeway speeds that my adventure bike feels a bit wobbly in the wind. Would the steering dampener be effective in this application as well? Or is it mostly for the slow speed off road stuff?
It can definitely help on the freeway, you can turn up and have very stiff steering. However before you do that it is always best to check tyres, pressures, steering stem etc to make sure you aren’t covering up a real problem!
Noted thanks for all the info, ride safe out there!
What model steering dampener is that?
MSC Moto, amazing quality and built here in Australia 💪 They have distributors around the world too 👌
@@TheMotoBarista cool thanks. I will look them up. I am thinking of putting it on my Himalayan and our VSTAR that has a sidecar.
So helpful! Thanks man
Thanks for watching mate 💪💪
@@TheMotoBarista sorry is it D30 (thirty) or D3O ("O")? How is it different from say bionic jacket (eg Alpine stars)?
And if possible to leave links for a good soft armour please, that would be awesome
@@MotoM0nk yeh same thing, I said it wrong. I’m not familiar with the Alpinestars Bionic but my armour is the Leatt AirFlex.
Great video. I'm a subscriber now. Do you have any recommendations for D3O armor for the knees? Thanks
Thanks for subscribing! The best is the EVS TP199 Knee Pads. Excellent.
I have that exact helmet, absolutely love it, worth every penny (wanted an arai lid for about 20 years 😅)
Good video sir. What are you wearing at 0-5 degrees celsius or 32-40 degrees fahrenheit? This old man needs warmth. Blessings
So to keep warm it is all about layers. I wear a merino wool base layer, then I wear my armour, then a fleece, then a insulated jacket and then I wear a light weight hardshell (rain and wind shell) as my outer layer. Gloves I wear thick merino wool liners and then Fox windproof mx gloves. Finally a balaclava. Perhaps I should make a video before summer arrives here in Australia!
My favourite gear for those kind of temperatures is ugg boots, a woolly jumper and trakky dacks inside on the lounge, bike in the shed. :)
@@IamthePMofAustralia hahaha yep. Just got back from a ride today, already warming up out there, maybe only 4-6 weeks of riding left before summer heat rolls through 😬
Stick to the 23 mod KTM 890 it looks alot better with the fixed fairing.i ride the desert X an awsome bike but the maintenance on air filter is a biggy.Aprillia 650 toureg is a surprise package for me awsome handling on road and off road,under powered compared to what your used to but sometimes less is more,good luck and thanks for great channel.regards Mark
Thanks for watching and the comment Mark, appreciate it 💪💪💪
@@TheMotoBarista I agree with riding light,will b getting some soft armour for sure,always ride better light.My mates used to say to me when we would go for a ride (Dr 400 at time) where U going to the club,I used to ride with safety boots ,jeans and a flannelette shirt ,of course a helmet,never had a bad off,then I got armour and proper boots,then accident after accident.. unbelievable right
@@markrussell3322 haha at least you had the gear in time! I have ridden with guys a lot less fortunate 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Well I wish I hadn’t bought MY18 1200GSA cause it led to swop for MY19 1250 GSA and MY20 F850 and MY21KTM 1290SAR…. so it’s gotta stop!!
Hahahaha 🤣🤣🤣 it’s a slippery slip indeed. But life is short, if you can ride them all, do it! 💪💪💪
Damper, not dampener…pretty sure it doesn’t make the steering wet…
Hahaha yeh I know, I always mix that one up 🤣
Hahaha. I didn’t even pick that up.
Bro, I got something I want you to review.... are you from sydney?
Perth mate 🤙🤙🤙
I feel that way about my impact wrench.
Yeah, you don't need steering dampeners for Adv riding.
Great video.. thanks for the info
Thanks for watching!
Great job. Well done
Thanks :)
Bar risers!
Hello great movie very nice filmed ;)
Thanks for watching 💪💪
3:34 eh just like a regula suspension valve, nothing high tech here
Thank you!
I bought all kinds of armor for my motorcycle, but I fell off my horse!
Ahaha yeh, it happens! 🤣
VERY GOOD INFO CHAP
Cheers mate for watching!
that leatt armour costs 200 not 79...
I wrote $70+, meaning D30 armour starts around that price like knee pads or impact shorts, but yes the armour is more expensive.
D three Oh.. Not D Thirty. It's the letter o 😅
Oh really? I had no idea if that’s the case! 🤣
Man this video really brought out the bridge trolls.
I enjoyed it, definitely agree on the steering damper; picked up a tenere 700 as my first “big” bike and am not the biggest fan of how squirrely it feels at lower speeds.
Hahah thanks mate! Yeh I agree, same with the KTM. I think the steep take to make the big bikes more agile means a damper goes a long way to increase stability. Thanks for watching!
Man, I got those cheap levers that you got on your bike. What a bunch of junk. They are so poorly milled the tolerances allow them to move up and down almost an inch. Horrible.
Yeh, I bought the cheap set just to see if I liked the sizing before buying a nice set.
Gore-tex boots
I wish I had my buttpad from the get go. Would have saved my a$$ alot of pain
Haha yeh, a good seat matters!
I use my mountain bike shorts under my Fox MX pants. The shammy leather soaks up the squitties when it gets tough.. lol.. Just kidding.. They give me an extra level of arse protection. I ride a WR450 and I replace my fillings after every ride.
@@kevrenshaw6177 🤣🤣🤣
@@kevrenshaw6177 I’ve been Thinking of wearing my mtn bike whammies for longer rides.
“Did your butt get numb from the ride?”
“Nope, over the years my ass has taken a pounding!”
-Charlie Bailygates from me, myself, and Irene
I wish I bought a motorcycle sooner 🤣🥴🤧😭 B4 the Dollar jumped coz of the war
Hahaha yeh, definitely a good one! 🤣
When your knees are buggered, I would suggest braces.
Well the goal this way is to not let my knees get buggered. My dad who I ride with has horrific knees including a replacement in one and onset arthritis in the other - he made the switch from braces too and prefers it. Again not for everyone but always worth trying new things.
@@TheMotoBarista mate totally agree. However I prefer the security that braces provide. I had two crashes on my last ride where the brace locked out and stopped my knee from the snapping the other way when the bikes bars got stuck in my boots.
@@MyRandomLife247 oooft. Rough go. Sounds like a good time to be wearing braces 🤣
do your self a flavor mate... lose the mud visor especially at speed... unless its wet muddy
I have no issues with it at all. Even on long highway days.
@@TheMotoBarista did not say you did ... i just try it ...
thats a mud visor/flap for RACING ... having it handy is one thing ... having a neck work out in the spring is entirely another ... i dont know your highway speed limits ... but 80MPH without parachute on my helmet is worth the minute or two to put it on around wet mud trails
@@monokheros5373 the peak on an ADV helmet is a lot shorter than a motocross helmet. It doesn’t catch in the wind nearly as much.
@@TheMotoBarista understood ... seems you dont ... come out to Sevier Lake in Utah some time ... nvm that ADV isnt fast enough to keep up ... cheers
@@TheMotoBarista i use an HJC DS-X1 no peak ... kinda nice for city riding as well when the tarmac is 120°F or better and traffic is under 35mph
but you do you mate
Ryno has hit his head one too many times, his knee brace recommendations is the biggest load of trash ive ever heard. Without braces i would have had to hang it up long ago.
Mate, it's D3O, not D30...
I learnt that, never knew 🤷♂️
#RyanHuges THE G.O.A.T. 🇺🇸
Watching his and AJ Catazanro’s channels have massively helped my riding hey. Awesome dudes.
sounds like an ad
Well it’s a video about gear i love that has helped me and I think could help others. I need to be quite convincing or people might not believe me 🤣
A bike