Product Review – Ramblings of a Singapore Biker Boy

Great News for Existing SENA Intercom Users

I’ve been using Sena’s bluetooth intercom products for some years now. In fact, I currently have both the Sena 20S and the Sena 30K. While the 20S had served me for a good number of years, I love the Mesh Intercom – and especially the Mesh Intercom v2.0 – of the 30K. While Sena has released the spanking brand new 50R and 50S models earlier this year, I’m so glad that Sena hasn’t forgotten about the existing users.

First, the functionality of the 30K was bumped up to Mesh 2.0 with a firmware update. Sena promises greater Mesh communication robustness and reliability with their 2nd iteration of Mesh with up to 80% more data being communicated between the units. While I’ve not had the chance to test it in a longer tour due to the Covid travel restrictions, I’ve tried Mesh 2.0 with a couple of riding buddies on a mix of 30K’s and 50S’s. And I’m happy to report that it worked GREAT! Mesh 2.0 does appear to be more stable – especially when riders drop out and re-join the mesh network due to range.

Great job, Sena!

Today, Sena announced some more good news for existing users!

SW-Motech Crash Bars on the BMW G650GS Sertao

I was resisting installing a set of crash bars on my Sertao. Reason being, the R1200GS used to be my primary bike, and the Sertao – my “dirt bike”. And I wanted to keep the weight low on the Sertao.

Now that I no longer own the R1200GS, the BMW G650GS Sertao is now my “primary bike”. For dirt fun? I have my DR(e)Z! (More on that another time…)

The SW-Motech crash bars installed on my BMW G650GS Sertao. Now I’m ready to tour!

I loved the looks of the SW-Motech crash bars! I’ve looked at AltRider’s, looked at Touratech’s, considered the cheap Chinese-made “Touratech lookalikes” sold on AliExpress, and even bought the Givi ones some time back (sold them away later). I think there’s something real beautiful about the SW-Motech’s design.

The 60cents DIY BMW G650GS Oil Fill Cap Removal Tool

The BMW G650GS has a dry oil sump design and has its oil reservoir situated where the fuel tank typically resides. And in typical BMW fashion, it requires a speciality tool to remove the oil cap. Yes, the bike’s accompanying tool kit does contain a multi-use wrench that would also open the oil fill cap. But accessing the tool pouch was an inconvenient 4-step process – top box removal, panel removal (using key), seat removal, then tool pouch removal (which is a pain due to the really tight space the tool pouch is situated).

So, for garage maintenance, and to encourage periodic checking of engine oil levels, I’d prefer to have a tool readily available.

The ones on eBay cost easily over $20. Just for a dumb piece of plastic – $20?!! So in true DIY fashion, after some measuring, I realised that any 22-23mm hexagonal tool should do the job. I dumped the idea of 3D-printing it – as it’ll likely cost as much as the $20 eBay tool for such a low-volume production.

Pledge – The Amazing Helmet Polish and Cleaner?

I’ve been using Meguair’s Quik Wax on my vehicles and motorcycle helmets with excellent results. Easy on, easy off application. Smells great too! However, I do find Quik Wax to be a little on the pricey side.

So since I had a can of Lemon Pledge laying around my house (I use it regularly to clean and polish home furniture), thought I’d give it a go on my motorcycle helmet.

Lemon Pledge works excellent as a CLEANER wax!

Giving my Scorpion ADX-1 a Pledge snow-wash treatment.

I realised that one major ability that Pledge had that Quik Wax and most of the other waxes I previously used did not have was a very deep cleaning ability. Areas on my all-white helmet that started showing black’ish stains were easily removed using Pledge.

Inexpensive, effective, and so readily available – Pledge is now my newfound favourite helmet cleaner and polish!

Received my accident replacement Klim gears

Hurrah! I received my Klim Induction jacket and Klim gore-tex waterproof pants accident replacements back! And guess what – they weren’t just “repaired”, they gave me a BRAND NEW set!

The brand new Klim Induction Bomber Mesh jacket.

Now, I’ve always been skeptical about “Lifetime Warranty” claims. But Regina Specialities – where I purchased the gear from – were extremely helpful in assisting with my accident warranty claim. As some of you may have known, I’ve had a recent high speed get-off on the NSHW on my BMW R1200GS. So bad was it that the bike is now a write-off. I am absolutely certain that having quality gear on me saved my life!

Postmortem of the crash helmet – Scorpion ADX-1 modular

A motorcycle helmet has a super-important role – to protect the skull in the event of a crash. It’s constructed with a hard shell – usually made of polycarbonate fiberglass, and an internal expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam.

The RIGHT side of the helmet took most of the brunt.

While the hard shell provides structural protection and is designed to NOT break in the event of a crash, the EPS is actually, surprising to some, intentionally designed to break in the event of a crash. The EPS / polystyrene foam absorbs the majority of the shock, preventing the crash forces from being transmitted to the head.

Osram Night Breaker Unlimited Review

I was searching for a replacement lightbulb for the G650GS. Now that I’ve been spoilt by the superb LED headlamps of my R1200GS, the stock bulb that came with the bike was a little too dim for my liking. And so I went on to do some research for some replacement lightbulb.

Unboxing the Osram Night Breaker Unlimited.

The G650GS use a single H4 55/60W bulb for both dipped and high beams. I wanted something brighter, and I wanted something street legal. And so I immediately dismissed all the high-powered “off-road only” bulbs. And since the road regulations in Singapore are pretty strict with headlamp modifications, I dismissed the HID and LED conversion units too.

I have previously used a set of Ring Automotive’s Xenon Ultima in one of my car which I have since sold. Ring Automotive promises a whopping 120% more light. I recalled that while it was appreciably brighter than the stock headlamp bulb, the longevity of the bulb wasn’t great. It blew way faster than I expected it to.

Early Christmas Present – Scorpion Exo ADX-1 Adventure Modular

Woo hoo! I love Christmas time! 2 years ago, I celebrated Christmas early by getting myself a new helmet – the Kabuto Ibuki modular. This year, I got myself a spanking new Scorpion Exo ADX-1 Adventure Modular helmet!

You see, the Ibuki has been with me for 2 years. And it’s also been the helmet I use daily. It’s beginning to display signs of wear – the cheek pad’s torn, the face shield is scratched up, and the sun visor won’t stay in place. While I loved the Ibuki, it’s time to move on…

Picking up the Scorpion Exo ADX-1 from Regina Specialities!

Regina Specialities was having a sale, and so I took advantage of it. At $308 for the Scorpion Exo ADX-1 Adventure Modular helmet – it’s a bargain! Continue reading “Early Christmas Present – Scorpion Exo ADX-1 Adventure Modular”

Pirelli Scorpion Trail II – Review at 16,152km (10,036mi)

And so I swapped out my set of 16,000km or 10,000 miles Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2’s from my BMW R1200GS LC for a new set of…. Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2’s! Yes, I liked the tires enough to want to buy it again! It has exceeded all my expectations on the tires.

In fact, if it weren’t for the fact that my rear tires recently got TWO punctures, and that I’m planning for a major trip soon, I’d probably feel comfortable running the tires for another 4,000km at least. Yes, it IS a heck of a long lasting adventure / sport touring tires!

Brand new set of Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2 waiting to go onto my R1200GS LC.

…and week 11 of 2018 – pretty fresh tires!

Continue reading “Pirelli Scorpion Trail II – Review at 16,152km (10,036mi)”

Alpinestars Fastback 2 Drystar Boots

I went shopping at one of my favorite shops – Racing World Singapore! Picked up a pair of Alpinestars Fastback v2 Drystar boots as a replacement to my 2.5yr old Sidi Mythos Goretex low-cut boots. My old pair of Sidi’s had seen some better days, and the sole is beginning to exhibit some wear. In fact, on wet days, I sometimes experience some slipping whenever I put my foot down at stationary stops – not cool!

Transporting the boots home – RokStraps!

Unboxing the Alpinestars Fastback v2 Drystar Boots.

Continue reading “Alpinestars Fastback 2 Drystar Boots”