WBW Motorcycle Preview: 2019 KTM 790 Adventure R
KTM’s New ADV Class Game Changer I spent the last two days at the Calgary Motorcycle Show gawking longingly at what is slated to be my next motorcycle. I put a deposit down on one back in November without even knowing the price or having seen it in person. Am I completely nuts? Crazy like …
4SR 96 Stingray Racing Gloves Hands-On Review
4SR: The New Kid In Town While attending AimExpo in October I happened upon a display booth for 4SR products. 4 Street Racing is a Czech manufacturer well known in Europe on the race track and in the everyday riding gear market but is a new arrival to North American shores. After speaking at length …
2019 Harley Davidson FXDR Test Ride
A Modern Harley Davidson Is Born My recent review of the 2018 Harley Davidson Sport Glide (review here) left me unfulfilled searching for a sport touring offering from the “Bar and Shield”. Despite that disappointment, I didn’t hesitate to swing a leg over the brand new 2019 FXDR while at AimExpo. No one wants to …
Velomacchi 40L Speedway Backpack Hands-On Review
The Speedway & I Are Becoming Fast Friends Wearing a backpack while riding a motorcycle is a huge killjoy for me. It throws off balance, restricts movement and makes me sweat where normally I wouldn’t. I hate it and avoid it at all costs. That is until I met the Velomacchi Speedway. First Impressions When …
2018 Harley Davidson Sport Glide Test Ride
The Not So Sport Glide Have you ever really wanted to like a motorcycle and had it disappoint you? That’s what happened to me with Harley’s new Sport Glide. It’s not awful or anything like that, but it’s not what it could have been with some better execution on the part of Harley’s designers. With …
Simpson Mod Bandit Helmet Review
The Mod Bandit Stole and Broke My Heart I stopped by the Simpson booth at AimExpo last week to see what they had in store with their unmistakably stylish line of helmets. I was surprised to be presented with the announcement of their first modular helmet design called the Mod Bandit. I knew right away …
Forcefield Armour Sport Tube and Tech 2 Base Layer Hands-On Review
I Feel Superhuman Today is quite literally the hottest day of the year in 2018. Beads of sweat are running freely down my back despite the fact I’m indoors and only wearing shorts and a light t-shirt. I know for you readers living in Arizona this may sound a bit pathetic, but for us Canadian …
2019 Honda CRF450L Test Ride Review
I Love It! I admit freely to generally liking all Honda motorcycles. Not that I won’t criticize shortcomings on them, but overall I just like the cut of their jib. They build bikes that make the rider feel more confident in their ability. They focus on imbuing their bikes with user friendly torque curves and power …
2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2SX SE Long-Term Review
The 2018 Motorcycle of The Year This review made possible through the help of Blackfoot Motosports in Calgary, Alberta and Kawasaki Canada. After 7500 miles of asphalt with some gravel and dirt thrown in how did the new for 2018 Kawasaki H2SX SE Sport Tourer perform? In a word, flawlessly. No, that’s insufficient praise for …
Ride To Tuktoyaktuk, Canada: Part Two
Post Navigation Day One / Day Two / Day Three / Day Four / The Fallout / Homeward Bound This is the last half of the story to finish the one I wrote about riding my 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2SX SE from my home in Alberta, Canada to Dawson City, Yukon. That part can …
Michelin Road 5 Tires Hands-On Review: Super Sticky & Long Lasting
My Bike Needs New Sneakers My 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2SX SE eats its own feet, so to speak. Worn out Bridgestone Battlax rear tire These 200 horsepower and supercharged Ninjas are renowned for wearing out rear tires in less than 2500 miles regularly. By keeping my bike in medium power mode I was able to …
GoFast Innovations JIS Screwdriver Set Hands-On Review
The Right Tool For the Job Tool Snobbery Speaking as a licensed Heavy Duty Mechanic I admit to being a bit of a “tool snob”. That doesn’t mean I must always use premium brand tools like Snap-On or Mac, but more that if there’s a tool available specifically for a task I want it in …
AGV Sportmodular Carbon Helmet Hands-On Review: So Very Good
About AGV I’m a little embarrassed to admit how unfamiliar I am with AGV so I did a little research on them. Hopefully, I’m not the only one who will benefit from a brief intro to this Italian manufacturer. AGV or Amisano Gino Valenza has been around since 1946 making cutting-edge products for the world …
Ride to Tuktoyaktuk, Canada: Part One
Post Navigation Day One / Day Two / Day Three / Day Four / Day Five / Day Six / Day Seven It’s Done. Whew! I’m standing in the water of the Beaufort Sea in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada. The Arctic Ocean! Photo Matt de Bourcier The water is so cold I start to feel …
Joe Rocket Canada Atomic Textile Gloves: Tuk Tested!
Tuk Tested What Does Tuk Tested Mean? These gloves have been tested more thoroughly than any other piece of gear in WBW history to date (that I’m aware of). I just returned from a 5600-mile adventure ride while using the Atomic gloves mostly on the way home because the weather turned very hot in that …
Joe Rocket Canada Alter Ego 13 Pants: Tuk Tested!
Tuk Tested What Does Tuk Tested Mean? These pants have been tested more thoroughly than any other piece of gear in WBW history to date (that I’m aware of). I just returned from a 5600-mile adventure ride while using the Alter Ego 13 pants the whole way. Beginning from my home in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada …
Joe Rocket Canada RKT-25 TransCanada Helmet: Tuk Tested!
Tuk Tested What does Tuk Tested mean? This helmet has been tested more thoroughly than any other piece of gear in WBW history to date (that I’m aware of). I just returned from a 5600-mile adventure ride while using the RKT-25 helmet. Beginning from my home in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada it ranged all the way …
Joe Rocket Canada Ballistic 14 Jacket: Tuk Tested!
Tuk Tested What exactly does “Tuk Tested” entail, you might ask? This jacket has been tested more thoroughly than any other piece of gear in WBW history to date (that I’m aware of). I just returned from a 5600-mile adventure ride while using the Ballistic 14 jacket. Beginning from my home in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada …
Trilobite Probut X-Factor Cordura Denim Men’s Jeans Hands On Review
Jeans With A Twist What the…?? When I first saw the photos of the Trilobite Probut X-Factor motorcycling jeans in the MotoNation catalog I was beyond intrigued. I’ve noticed the rising popularity of motorcycle jeans and wondered whether they’re all some people make them out to be. I jumped at the chance to test these …
Clymer Repair Manual: 2014 to 2017 Harley Davidson XL Sportster
Wrenching Made Easy First Impressions I’ve been using Clymer motorcycle repair manuals on my own bikes for several years and know how good they are. Clear and concise with decent, black and white photos that have helped me keep my ride in tip-top shape. I used to buy the much more expensive factory repair manuals …
Vemar Kona Graphic Helmet Hands On Review
Love At First Sight I appreciate the finer things in life, but I love a good bargain more. I especially love one that really gives back what I demand in the way of features and performance at a low price point. The Vemar Kona is right in my wheelhouse for that reason. That penchant might …
Fieldsheer Hydro Heat Textile Jacket Hands On Review: Sheer Joy In The Field
Built For Northern Motorcyclists As a born and raised Canadian whose day job consists of pulling wrenches at a diamond mine up in the sub-Arctic half the year, it’s safe to say that I’m an expert on the subject of cold weather and how to deal with it. This Fieldsheer Hydro Heat Textile jacket is …
Rukka Virium Gore-Tex X-Trafit Gloves Hands On Review
Worth The Money? Rukka’s Virium Gore-Tex X-Trafit gloves are premium quality, adjustable, lightweight and appear to be built to last. They have a very effective layer of waterproof Gore-Tex meshed with nylon textile, polyester, suede and elastic materials sewn together with double stitching where it counts. Armor built into the suede fingertips, knuckle and scaphoid/palm …
Rukka ROR Pants: Perfect Anywhere
First Impressions “So unbelievably lightweight and soft to the touch. How can these be riding pants, suitable for on and off-road protection?” Stylish and clean looking design with obviously waterproof pockets that zip shut and/or have a velcro flap over them for added security of the contents. They FIT ME!! I’ve worn and reviewed several …
Rukka ROR Jacket Hands On Review
Something Better, Something Different Rukka has rolled out this jacket (and matching pants) for the adventure rider that rides in multi-season, hotter weather doing serious off-road work. That much is immediately clear when you look at how thin, really lightweight and breathable it is designed to be. First Impressions “Is this a windbreaker or really …
SnapJack Variable V2 and Tirox Chain Cleaner Hands On Review
Redemption! No one likes only getting one chance to prove themselves, including the maker of the SnapJack. Not much is more satisfying than dusting yourself off and coming back strong with a winning performance. That’s what Basil Paul Andrews the President of Tirox/SnapJack was after when he provided us the newest version of the SnapJack …
MCCruise TBW Aftermarket Cruise Control Hands On Review
***My Pick of the Year So Far*** Interested in picking one up? Use coupon code ‘webbikeworld’ at checkout (no ‘) to save an additional 8%! Video Review The Rationale When I discuss which products to review with our content manager I push for: Ones I hear other people recommend strongly in forums or in person. …
Siima Sibirsky Super Adventure Riding Jacket: Hands On Review
A Pleasant Surprise A couple of months ago I noticed a posting on a Facebook group for Adventure riders that was offering a discount on Siima riding gear in exchange for “an honest review”. It was posted by an account with the name Giorgos Siima. Intrigued, I contacted him by private message about the offer …
Siima Sibirsky Super Adventure Pants: Hands On Review
Good Value Riding Pants Siima MotoWear is a motorcycle riding gear company, owned and operated by a passionate designer named Giorgos Evripidou in Nicosia, Cyprus. If you’ve never heard of them before don’t worry, you’re not alone. I only encountered Siima for the first time myself a couple of months ago. I “met” Giorgos online …
Husqvarna Pilen Helmet Hands-On Review
The Shark In Swedish Clothing: The Black and White Arrow Bikes The Husqvarna Pilen Helmet isn’t available in North America yet, but it’s coming soon. I figured I should let the cat out of the bag right away before you rush off looking to buy it straight away. I first learned of it about a month …
What’s Coming Up: Aftermarket Cruise, Gear Reviews, & More
Call This a Teaser Of Things To Come It’s still winter here in Alberta, Canada and it’s been a longer and colder one this year with more snow in March than usual. For us northern motorcyclists impatiently anticipating the arrival of our short riding season, it’s pure agony. The sensible thing to do while your …
Riding Canada’s Arctic: an Adventure Ride from Dawson to Tuktoyaktuk
On June 11th this year I will set out from Dawson City, Yukon on a 1000 mile motorcycle adventure. There is so much to look forward to seeing and experiencing on this trip. I’ve been meticulously planning it for months now and travelling in this part of the world at this particular time is going …
Motorcycle Maintenance Items for Fuel-Injected Bikes
Get your Hands Dirty Most everyone has one or two friends that are total gearheads. They can fix nearly anything and even better they can take something that runs well and make it run better for longer. I’ve always admired people with that skill set. My Grandfather was a multi-talented tradesman. A tinsmith, machinist and …
How-To: Brake Checks & Maintenance You Can Do At Home
I used to fear working on the brake systems of my vehicles because of how vital they are in avoiding becoming one with other cars on the road. If you don’t have knowledge on your side along with some mechanical aptitude and proper tooling, that fear is justified. It’s not hard to arm yourself with …
Helmet Preview: The New Shoei Neotec II
Choosing not to rest on their laurels, Shoei has taken an already excellent modular helmet design in the popular Neotec (see our review) and made it even more worth our hard earned dollars in the new Neotec II. Features and Benefits Multi-Purpose Utility The Neotec II is touted as the premier, multi purpose helmet by …
Dual Clutch vs. Manual Transmission: Which Should Be in Your Next Motorcycle?
I’ve begun noticing that there’s nothing more controversial in the world of new motorcycles right now than the growing number of different “automatic” transmissions being rolled out to consumers by manufacturers. If you’re in the dark about what I’m referring to as an automatic, let me clarify. Motorcycle automatic transmissions are different than the ones …
2018 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Bob 114 Review
2018 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Bob 114 Review It’s a very brisk 35 degree Fahrenheit September morning here in Calgary, Alberta but I’m on my way to meet a very hot date. Ripping down the highway on my ZX-6 Kawasaki Ninja all I can think about is the even hotter little rocket waiting for me down …