When the shoe fits, the foot is forgotten. –Chuang Tzu, Taoist Sage
A big thank you! to the companies listed here who have provided me with gear and accessories. What’s better than gear that protects and lets you forget you’re wearing it so you can concentrate on the adventure? Priceless! Read on for reviews.
Mosko Moto Luggage
Just got the Reckless 40L System to try out.
Giant Loop Moto
The Great Basin Saddlebag fits on every bike I’ve ridden in the past several years, including my Kawasaki KLR650 (it looks custom fit to this bike), my Moto Guzzi California 1100 cruiser, a KTM 350 EXC dual-sport, a KTM 950 SuperMoto, a BMW R100GS Bumblebee and a 2015 Indian Chieftain. It looked particularly cool on the Bumblebee because of the matching color of the GL drybag. But when I have it on the KLR, people ask me where I got my “custom” bag. 
I am constantly amazed that this bag fits on so many different bikes (see their site). I carry it everywhere because when it’s not in the way when empty and compressed. The heavy stuff (tools, for example) slide into the bottom bag, the part that hangs below the seat, keeping the weight low and the bike more stable. The rubbery material is durable and waterproof, too. I’ve had mine for a couple of years now and over 10,000 miles on the road and in dirt, through water crossings and sandstorms, and it still looks brand new. 
I also have a matching Diablo Tank Bag, which is smaller than their Fandango Tank Bag, which those who prefer a larger bag will like.
Schuberth Modular C3 Helmet
Schuberth Helmets
My last helmet squeezed my jawbone, giving me a headache after about an hour. The previous one pressed on my left temple. Another rattled, another fell forward over my eyebrows, and yet another let a constant stream of air up the back of my neck. Helmets have made me itchy and sweaty, the visors have popped off, and the air flow controls have never quite worked properly. I’ve worn half-helmets, full helmets, modular helmets, dual-sport helmets, other people’s helmets, cheap helmets, medium-priced helmets, and expensive helmets. But in Spring of 2012 I started wearing a Schuberth C3, and since then I have stopped to look at a view, to ask directions, to fill up my gas tank, to buy snacks at a convenience store, to make phone calls and to take photos, all with my helmet still strapped on. Enjoy the rest of my review of the Schuberth C3, One Year and 10,000 Miles Later.
Olympia Moto Sports
I first reviewed Olympia MotoSports gear for Women Riders Now in 2005 for my Around the Adriatic journey (Italy, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro). Then, in 2010, I reviewed the Airglide pants and jacket for Women Riders Now after I wore them on my Alps to the Atlas (Austria to Morocco) journey. Now I’m looking forward to wearing the new Airglide 4 Mesh Tech Jacket and Airglide 3 Mesh Overpant for my hot-weather rides here in sunny San Diego and Baja. One of the reasons I like this brand is for the comfortable mesh, the other major reason I love it is because it’s highly adjustable, creating a perfect fit. Oh yeah, it’s not bad-looking, either!
Motorcycle Tools & Accessories
Motorcycle House
Thanks for Motorcycle House for providing a Hyperkewl cooling vest and the super-awesome Rig 710 Hydration Pack for my summer travels. Reviews coming up on my blog soon!
Adventuress Skin Products
Adventuress Skin Care
When I started touring really long-distances by motorcycle it quickly became obvious that if I didn’t pay more attention to skin care, I was going to look terrible and age ungracefully, to put it mildly. The combination of head-in-helmet, wind, outdoor camping, occasional bad food choices, dehydration, and other side-effects of adventure travel was manifesting in breakouts, sunburns, and wrinkles. Coming from Northern European stock, my lily white skin was in danger, and it didn’t seem that even the most high-priced products were helping. I met Michele Carter at the International Women & Motorcycle Rally in 2012, and started using her products until June of 2013 when I moved from San Francisco to San Diego and every sunscreen product failed. She came back onto my radar and, voila! The sunscreen really works, staying on when I’m kayaking and paddleboarding in the harbor. And motorcycling. And bicycling. The moisturizer absorbs quickly, and doesn’t stick to my helmet liner. It’s great stuff in travel-friendly packaging, too. Try it.
And find out more about Michele, her adventures, and the creation of the Adventuress skin care line in the July 2013 episode of Sidestand Up Motorcycle Radio. (We’re on about an hour and 15 minutes into the show – to be exact it’s at 1:16:25.) Listen here.
