Product Review: Flare Isolate Pro Titanium

I have been using the 3M ear plugs for sometime now and while looking for a better earplugs I came across the Flare Isolate. Did a bit more research about it and most of the users are happy with the product. I decided to bite the bullet and asked if anyone else in the group was interested in doing bulk purchase to save on shipping but only one other was interested. After some discussion regarding the final price including shipping I ended up ordering a Isolate Pro Titanium for myself and the Isolate Mini for him.

After waiting for about 8 weeks for delivery, the earplugs finally arrived. It is packaged in a nice resealable plastic bag.

Shoei GT-Air 2 review

Recently had a helmet discussion with a colleague of mine who just started riding. He made the mistake of getting a helmet online without going to the physical shop to personally try on the helmet to get the right sizing. Long story short, he bought two helmets which were in the wrong sizes. Told my friend about the discussion and the next thing I knew she was looking at full face helmets and comparisons online and one name always came up on top: Shoei GT-Air 2. We came across the new Shoei 2020 Graphics and this particular graphics caught our attention.

When I first saw the design it reminded me of Wolverine. Mind you I do not mean the modern Wolverine uniform which we see in the X-Men movies but his uniform from the 1990's:

TCX Roadster 2

Since I had to go to Hot Bikes to try the TCX shoes, my friend decided to tag along. After looking for some with my size, I managed to get the TCX Mood GTX. I love the look of the Roadster 2 but it is a shame that they sold my size a few days ago. Since my friend likes the design of the Roadster 2 and they have it in her size, she tried it on, felt comfortable and now she has finally acquired the last motorcycle protective gear after 5 years of hunting.

The stylish Roadster 2

TCX Mood GTX

Was looking for a motorcycle specific shoes since I started riding. It has been a challenged for me as I have wide feet. I was recommended by a friend to try the Alpinestars Faster 3 as it has wide option but after 5 minutes of wearing I could feel the pain the sides of my feet. Did more research and found out that the TCX has wide options for their shoes and there is one shop on the island which carries the brand.

Went to Hot Bike to take a look at their shoe selection and the salesperson was a very friendly, helpful and chatty lady. She talked about all her trips, experience on the motorcycle and also her motorcycle accident during one of her motorcycle tours. My criteria for the motorcycle shoes is simple. I need it to look formal enough to pass as office wear, able to spend long hours in it comfortably and has all the protection required in an event of a fall.

She had a couple of shoes which met the requirements and after asking me for my size, she proceeded to look for the one with my size in stock. I had my eyes on the TCX Roadster 2 but sadly she does not have it in my size. After trying on the shoes and asking opinions from friends, I ended up with the Mood GTX Black.

Komine JK-142 Adventure Jacket

Had to take another trip down to Megabike due to a tear of the stitching of my motorcycle pants. The plan was to go down to Megabike, send the pants and get a new one while waiting for the old one to be repaired so I can still go for rides but I ended up with a new jacket instead.

Since I was wearing a larger than normal size, Lai Seng had to do a special order for the pants. The good news is I have first choice of the type of pants from the Komine catalogue and pick which one was compatible with the zip on the jacket. The bad news is I do not know how long it would take for the new pants to arrive due to the Covid-19 virus currently happening (at time of writing).

This is the front and back view of the jacket

Information sheets:

The information sheets attached to the jacket

    

Front, back and the inside of the instruction for the use of the CE protector

Shoei Neotec II Splicer TC-2

On one of the previous trip to MegaBike, we 'reserved' a Shoei helmet which we promised to pick up next weekend. The weekend came and made another trip down to get the helmet. While we were there, Lai Seng was kind enough to help install the Amp Go 200 bluetooth which we bought about a month ago.

There is a liner for the ear cutout in the helmet which needs to be removed when installing any type of speakers.

One of the ear piece cut out liner

Box:

Top view of the box. It has the Shoei words printed across the top

Komine GK-191 Motorcycle gloves

Had to make a second trip to MegaBike due to a tear in my riding pants. The owner, Lai Seng, informed he will send the pants back to Komine to get it stitched and will give me a call when it is ready.

During this trip I got myself a new glove. This would my third  pair of gloves after getting the OJ Atmosphere Metropolitane Hit black gloves back in April. Brought the gloves to Lai Seng to ask him if he knows the cause I am having issues with the gloves and he mentioned that the OJ gloves were a size too big and the sewing for the thumb area was restricting the movement hence the feeling of tightness around the fingers while riding.

He introduced the Komine GK-220 to me and also showed me the correct method of putting on the gloves to prevent unnecessary tear and to prolong its lifespan. I spotted a green glove and it has the 2XL size. Tried it on and it feels more comfortable than the GK-220.

   

Information cards about the gloves

Komine GK-220 Motorcycle Gloves

On the first trip to MegaBike Taiping about a month ago we got a few essential motorcycle gears. One of them was a glove for my friend. She has a leather horse riding gloves which she has been using all this while while riding but I felt it unsafe. It doesn't have the necessary armor protection in an event of a crash so was glad she went to look at gloves when we were there. There were other types of gloves available in the shop but after trying them all, she kept coming back to this model: Komine GK-220 Motorcycle gloves.

   

Information booklet 

RS Taichi RSJ310 Drymaster Alpha

It was finally time to change my 4 year old H-D jacket. It has started to show signs of wear and tear and there are physical tears at the both sides at the bottom of the jacket. I got my eyes on the Macna Nighteye and Komine has released the High Reflective (HR) version in their 2019 lineup. The only shop I know which brought in the stock is MegaBike Taiping.

Paid them a visit recently and saw the Komine Parka HR jacket. Tried to find one for my size but it was sold out and the owner recommended me the RS Taichi Drymaster Alpha as my requirement was to get something light, airy and breathable.

OJ World motorcycle gloves

Current Harley-Davidson Winged Skull gloves

Was looking for a new pair of gloves for quite some time now as the right middle finger on the H-D gloves has become uncomfortable when I cover the front brake. I did a temporary solution which was soaking the gloves in warm water, wear the gloves while performing daily activities until they dry in hopes of stretching them a bit. This method did work for awhile then it would require another round of treatment.

Not sure if this is due to leather + humidity which shrinks the gloves or I got the glove a size too small to begin with. When I first tried them on, it fits but after one ride in a slight drizzle the gloves started to be uncomfortable.

Tear at cuffs for both sides of the gloves

There is a tear on the cuffs at both sides of the gloves. This could be my doing as I tend to hold at that spot while putting the gloves on. No choice as the gloves are a snug fit and they did not make a tab for me to pull to put on the gloves.

Was supposed to visit some motorcycle shops around the island window shopping for riding apparels but somehow that was not the case for who knows why. There was also a plan to visit MegaBike Taiping which is a 45 mins drive but when I have the time, they are closed. To me it is either bad timing or not meant to visit them yet.

An opportunity arises when I had to over to the mainland for work and since I was there, I decided to stop by a few shops to have a look. Originally planned to stop by Guan How but remembered about the Benelli @ CK Motoworld along the Juru highway so did a pit stop there.

Product Review: 3M E-A-R Ultrafit corded Earplugs

Recently with the HJC helmet the sound in the helmet is totally different from the ones I am used to with the X-Dot 3/4 helmet. In the X-Dot helmet I have the whistling sound which can mainly  be eliminated when I put the visor down. The sound on the HJC is a different kind of wind noise. I can reduce it with the chin curtain installed but that would fog up the visor instead. This sound is made worse when on the Vulcan because the windshield directs the wind up to the head.

This got me researching on earplugs and end up with so many questions: Which are better for motorcycles, which are easier to fit in, are they reusable, which type is better. If possible I do not want the foam earplugs where you have to roll them up before inserting into your ears. I always have this fear of putting it too deep in and will need a trip to the ER to get it out.

If you are wondering about the benefits or how wind sound can damage your ear, head over RideWell and Motorcycle Paradise for more information.

Givi CRS01.AX Rain Suit

Recently due to the sky developing a habit of opening up just before it is time to get off work which ends up soaking me from head to toe and water accumulating in my shoes which is enough to fill an aquarium.

I have a 3 year old H-D riding jacket which is water resistant. During small showers, I am fine as only the pants will be soaked but still manageable. The heavy downpours are the ones where I am soaked like as though I took a shower with my clothes on.

From then, I was on a mission to look for a rain suit. Went to Mr. DIY to look for a rain suit but the biggest size available is 3XL. I can fit into the shirt no problem but the pants is a bit too small for as a overpants.