Winterveil's stats
- Review count6
- Helpfulness votes3
- First reviewJuly 6, 2012
- Last reviewAugust 6, 2012
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Reviews comments
- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count1
- Helpfulness votes0
- First answerJuly 12, 2012
- Last answerJuly 12, 2012
- Featured answers0
- Best answers0
Winterveil's Reviews
Kuryakyn Grand Throw Over Saddlebags Add convenience with these saddlebags that install in seconds without any bulky accessory mounts being added to your motorcycle. These universal saddlebags are true throw-over saddlebags. Simply adjust the mounting belt and throw them over or under the passenger seat. Use the included universal straps to finish off the mounting and minutes later you are off on your next ride! Gran-ThrowOver Saddlebags feature dual zip-out drink holders, internal and external accessory pockets, and expandable main compartments these saddlebags were designed to cover all your needs. Uncompromising Kuryakyn design adds weatherproof construction of 1200 denier material and comes with a full rain cover for that severe inclement weather. The semi-rigid design with leather accents allows you to ride with them empty or full-and they still keep their shape and style. The heat-resistant material on the bottom portion of the bag avoids those potential issues with hot pipes and wears like iron. Coordinate these saddlebags with any other Kuryakyn motorcycle luggage and ride on fully loaded with all the storage room you need. Includes 1 Pair of Saddlebags, Rain Covers and Adjustable Universal Straps Dimensions (each) 24 tip to tail slanted saddlebags, 12 tall and 8.5 wide (one end expandable to 11 wide).
Overall rating
Great saddlebags - may still need supports
PostedAugust 6, 2012
Bang for the Buck
5
/
5
Ease of Install
5
/
5
Performance
4
/
5
Finish
5
/
5
Durability
4
/
5
These saddlebags are actually pretty fantastic. They hold a considerable amount, look pretty sharp, and have a ton of features for the price.
Installation is a cinch - though there are no visual aids to securing the bags with the included straps, just follow the general guidelines and you'll be fine. I used two of the buckle snaps to secure the rear attachment rings around my passenger back-rest, and the two velcro straps to secure the top front rings to the passenger foot-pegs. Bags stayed put and my passenger wasn't uncomfortable riding with them. Balance was good and detaching/reattaching the bags was quick and easy.
There are no carrying handles on these guys, so the best way to carry them while off the bike is to throw them over a shoulder and haul them around like a pack horse.
There are no carrying handles on these guys, so the best way to carry them while off the bike is to throw them over a shoulder and haul them around like a pack horse.
Now the cons:
(Keep in mind that I have a Suzuki Savage, which is a light cruiser - sized kind of along the lines of a Harley Sportster.)
(Keep in mind that I have a Suzuki Savage, which is a light cruiser - sized kind of along the lines of a Harley Sportster.)
Depending on the size of your bike, you'll likely need to re-locate your rear turn signals if they're currently mounted on the fender. Make sure you get a relocation kit that's appropriate for your ride. Some are better for American bikes while others are better for metric.
Kuryakyn claims that these bags do not need additional support because they're so rigid. However, I've found that they need to be set VERY high on the seat to prevent contact with the rear tire. If I had mounted the bags under the passenger seat, there's no way they'd have kept off the tire. This may be because my rear fender is so slight, but it's the case none the less.
I'd definitely recommend these bags, but caution the owner to tripple check tire clearance before riding with them.
Yes, I recommend this product.
Share:
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Bell Vortex Helmet Nothing beats a solid color to highlight the stylish design of a helmet. The Bell Vortex is available in a choice of gloss black, matte black, white or silver four classic color choices in the riding spectrum. Developed in Bells state-of-the-art Santa Cruz, California design center, the Vortex borrows heavily from its big brother the Star. With a solid compliment of features the Bell Vortex is a great choice as a primary helmet for everyday use that can also transition to the occasional track day. A killer price rounds out the package and gives you a big bang for your buck. Features Velocity Flow Ventilation system with FlowAdjust for maximum stability and temperature control with minimal noise and buffeting Lightweight composite polycarbonate alloy shell Contour cheek pads (by means of stacked foam, not hand cut) Removable and washable, antibacterial/antimicrobial interior comfort liner Padded Wind collar to drastically reduce wind/road noise Integrated speaker pockets for audio speakers ClickRelease for the fastest, easiest, tool-free shield swaps ever Clear NutraFog II superior anti-fog, anti-scratch and UV protected shield. Dark tint and other shields available for purchase separately Padded chin strap with D-ring closure and strap keeper Five-year warranty Weight 1600g Certification Snell M2010, DOT Please Note Helmet ships with clear faceshield only. RevZilla's Opinion of the The Bell Vortex Helmet The Bell Vortex Helmet has grown to be one of the top selling and more ubiquitous 200 sport helmets in the RevZilla family. The light weight, Snell Rating and ability to use the Bell Photochromic shield allow the Bell Vortex Helmet to cover a lot of the bases the typical sport or track day rider is looking for in a reasonably priced helmet. Many times we see this type of functionality only available in helmets over the 300 mark. In the 3/4 or tuck position the Bell Vortex Helmet will provide a great solution in just about any spirited or sport riding scenario. If you find a graphic or color that suits your taste and you have an intermediate oval head shape, the Bell Vortex is a great option.
Overall rating
Best helmet you can buy for under $200
PostedJuly 24, 2012
Bang for the Buck
5
/
5
Style
4
/
5
Comfort
4
/
5
Protection & Durability
5
/
5
Air Flow
5
/
5
Features
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
Loud
Shape
Narrow
Round
Vision
Narrow
Wide
When I rolled up to my friend's bbq in my new Vortex lid, the first comment I got was "Wow, cool helmet man! I didn't even know Bell made motorcycle helmets!". Well they do, and they do it well!
The RevZilla crew seemed to be really excited about and impressed with the Bell Vortex, so of course I was curious. After owning one for a month, I definitely understand why. Now, I will say that this is the first full face helmet I've owned, however I have tried on a few HJCs and AGVs and worn them for about 15min each and have found the Vortex to be a better fit and more comfortable than either of the other brands.
The lining and neck roll of the Vortex seem very comfortable to me, as does the chin strap even though it's not padded down the entire length of the strap. Visibility is very good, decent periphery, the shield has a nice tight seal when closed, and the de-fogging position is plenty solid to prevent movement when riding. The pre-cut hollows for speakers are a really nice touch as is the magnetic strap holder.
The multiple vents provide plenty of airflow and despite sweating when stuck in standing traffic on a hot day, anything above 10mph gives a nice breeze.
Some people are saying that this helmet is disproportionately loud. I don't really have anything to compare it to, but I will say this: while I definitely know that there's wind blowing past my head/ears, it's not loud enough to distract or irritate and I've had no trouble hearing sounds from the environment around me while riding - vehicles approaching, horns, sirens, music from other vehicles, people yelling "hey, nice bike!", etc.
My one and only complaint is that the seams and stitching on the liner are inward facing (toward your head) rather than toward the lid. This is problematic if you're bald (which I am) as there's a nice big seam that sits right at the crown of your head. After riding for an extended period of time, I end up with a dent in my melon that lasts for nearly a full 24 hours. Slapping on a bandana resolves the issue (and helps keep the helmet lining a bit cleaner by absorbing some sweat), but it's just a bit of a pain to have to worry about that. Now, I may have gotten my helmet too small, but I did use the size chart and was a small in HJC and AGV...
Since the Star liner has no front seam, one option may be to get that replacement liner and swap it out - I'll be calling the RevZilla CS guys tomorrow to confirm the fit and attachments are the same.
Since the Star liner has no front seam, one option may be to get that replacement liner and swap it out - I'll be calling the RevZilla CS guys tomorrow to confirm the fit and attachments are the same.
For the protection, the comfort, the quality and the features, I haven't seen a better (or really even a comparable) helmet at this price, and believe me I've looked.
I would definitely recommend the Vortex to anyone looking for a high-quality helmet on a budget - especially if they plan to run any track days. I mean, a Snell rating for $170?? Pretty outstanding.
Rides: 2000 Suzuki LS650 Savage
Yes, I recommend this product.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Alpinestars Balaclava Skull Cap Beanie Alpinestars Skull Cap Beanie will wick away moisture and help keep your lid fresh. It can be used in any season, to keep you cool and comfortable. Features Breathable and quick dry materials Mesh panels for ventilation. Open face design with ergonomic fit. Flat lock seams for unobtrusive fit and feel. Ergonomic fit from top of head to ear, to ensure a good fit.
Overall rating
Doesn't seem worth the price
PostedJuly 23, 2012
Bang for the Buck
2
/
5
Style
2
/
5
Comfort
2
/
5
Protection & Durability
4
/
5
Air Flow
5
/
5
Features
2
/
5
At $18 I'm really not sure that this skull cap is worth purchasing.
The Good: the construction seems durable and this thing definitely provides good airflow
The Bad: the internal seams are *thick*, so thick in fact that this thing leaves creases on my forehead that last for hours after a short ride. The material is so thin that I really don't think it does much of anything in the way of keeping sweat out of your lid liner.
I purchased this item to alleviate a problem that I'm having with my helmet - there's an internal seam/ stitching in the top liner that presses directly on the crown of my head and leaves a wicked dent in my head for almost a day after an extended ride.
Unfortunately, this skull cap has a seam right across the forehead which is thicker than the seam in my lid that's giving me issues.
Personally I think a bandana would do a better job of absorbing sweat and keep you almost as cool as this skull cap
Rides: 2000 Suzuki LS650 Savage
No, I do not recommend this product.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Icon One Thousand Elsinore Boots The Icon 1000 Elsinore's five-strap, alloy-buckle chassis, stamped metal heel plate, and internal steel shank combine for a serious dose of moto-x homage. The traditional Goodyear welt construction mates the Icon street-specific sole to the magnificent leather upper. A medial entry zipper, allocated from Paratrooper jump boots, is the only luxury the Elsinore will allow itself. A modern relic from an era when men were iron and tanks were steel. The Elsinore, old-school MX reinterpreted for the urban sprawl. Features 12 top grain leather upper Goodyear welt construction Icon cast metal buckles Icon stamped metal heel plate Heat pressed leather shifter panel Heat pressed molded leather shin plate Internal ankle protection Axialmetric steel shank YKK Zippers
Overall rating
Great looking and very solidly built boots
PostedJuly 23, 2012
Bang for the Buck
5
/
5
Style
5
/
5
Comfort
5
/
5
Protection & Durability
5
/
5
Air Flow
3
/
5
Features
4
/
5
Fit
Small
Large
In my search for a pair of motorcycle boots that provided great protection and also looked good on and off the bike, I stumbled upon the Elsinores. I know some people are down on Icon based on the idea that they go for style over protection or quality, but I don't see that here.
I've had these boots for about three weeks now and I'm not sure that I could be happier with them. These guys are solid, sturdy, and stiff enough to provide good support without being uncomfortable. In fact I find them to be very comfortable. I've worn these for hours at time both on and off the bike and haven't had any issues at all. The airflow may not be the greatest, but it seems comparable to other boots I've worn (workboots/harness boots/ ropers).
The style of the boot is a little chunky, a little rugged and a little... well, metal. If you wear them over your pants you'd look right at home riding a cruiser, off-road bike or off the bike at a rock show. With pants over boots, they're stylish enough to wear on the street or even into a restaurant, bar, or lounge/club without looking out of place.
I would definitely recommend these boots to anyone else and am confident I'll be wearing them for years to come.
Rides: 2000 Suzuki LS650 Savage
Yes, I recommend this product.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
AGV Sport Solare Jacket A 100 polyester textile and mesh jacket for durability and comfort Full mesh lining CE approved shoulder and elbow protectors 8mm thick memory foam back pad Full mesh chest, belly, back and front of arms for maximum cooling on hot days Moisture wicking material is used in the collar for maximum rider comfort Reflective piping is used on the front and rear of the jacket for safety Heavy duty seam construction for maximum tear resistance World famous YKK zippers Extra long zipper pulls are used on all zippers Sleeve gather straps are used on each arm for maximum comfort Two front hand warmer pockets Inside horizontal and vertical pockets one of which is designed to be a media pocket Adjustable Velcro waist tabs Two position cuff snaps
Overall rating
Solare Jacket - Silver (SM) - July '12
PostedJuly 12, 2012
Bang for the Buck
4
/
5
Style
2
/
5
Comfort
4
/
5
Protection & Durability
2
/
5
Air Flow
4
/
5
Features
3
/
5
Living in Boston, there are some days when a beefy textile or leather jacket just won't do - I picked up the Solare for days like that when the temp gets up toward 90+. I've had it for about three days now, and I have to say I'm impressed by the amount of air that flows through the jacket. It's tough in New England because unless you're moving, the humidity is going to get to you even if you are wearing mesh, but the Solare has kept me infinitely cooler than my Joe Rocket textile gear. The zippers all feel pretty solid, the collar is comfortable, the cuffs hold tight when secured and don't flap very much when open.
I'm 5'6"/140 lbs and the small fits well in the arms, shoulder and chest.
My gripes with this jacket are three-fold:
1. The armor (while CE rated) just feels wimpy when compared to the CE armor in other jackets I've worn. I'm sure it'll help in a spill, but I'd be more confident with some thicker armor. The spine protector is kind of a joke.
2. There are no belt-loops to help secure the jacket when wearing jeans, so nothing to keep it riding up except for the velcro at the waist used for sizing - does not inspire confidence.
3. This one's minor, but the cut is pretty boxy. May just be me, but you may find that when zipped up and cinched at the waist, the midsection puffs out all the way round, making you look somewhat like the michelin man.
For $99, I'd say it's a pretty good deal - however I found it priced at $109 and for that, there are better jackets out there for about $10-20 more, which if I'd thought about, I may have taken a closer look at.
Rides: 2000 Suzuki LS650 Savage
Yes, I recommend this product.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 Jacket Rock Tex 600 outer shell 100 waterproof C.E. rated protectors in shoulders and elbows Removable Spine Pad with pocket for optional C.E. Spine Protector Variable Flow ventilation system with waterproof zippers Cross Linked Ventilation with Wind Tunnel Cooling patent pending Sure Fit adjustable waistband Elastic sleeve adjusters Snap loops for attaching jacket to belt Removable insulated full sleeve liner Reflective stripe
Overall rating
Great jacket for the price
PostedJuly 6, 2012
Bang for the Buck
4
/
5
Style
4
/
5
Comfort
4
/
5
Protection & Durability
4
/
5
Air Flow
3
/
5
Features
3
/
5
I've had this jacket for about a week now and so far am pretty happy with the purchase. It seems like it would be a great spring/early summer/fall jacket, but it's a bit much for hot weather (talking 90ªF+). I live in New England and it's been high 80s to 90s and slightly humid the last few days and I've been dying. I'm sure it would be fine at highway speeds, but at high temps around town and at traffic lights it's a sweat box, even with the zip-vents open.
My only other gripe is that this jacket doesn't have the nifty shield pocket that Joe Rocket usually puts in their jackets.
Otherwise, this jacket is a win.
Rides: 2000 Suzuki LS650 Savage
Yes, I recommend this product.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Winterveil's Review Comments
Winterveil has not submitted comments on any reviews.
Winterveil's Questions
Winterveil has not submitted any questions.
Winterveil's Answers
AGV Sport Solare Jacket A 100 polyester textile and mesh jacket for durability and comfort Full mesh lining CE approved shoulder and elbow protectors 8mm thick memory foam back pad Full mesh chest, belly, back and front of arms for maximum cooling on hot days Moisture wicking material is used in the collar for maximum rider comfort Reflective piping is used on the front and rear of the jacket for safety Heavy duty seam construction for maximum tear resistance World famous YKK zippers Extra long zipper pulls are used on all zippers Sleeve gather straps are used on each arm for maximum comfort Two front hand warmer pockets Inside horizontal and vertical pockets one of which is designed to be a media pocket Adjustable Velcro waist tabs Two position cuff snaps
Is the abdomen section of this jacket larger/smaller/ or the same size as the chest?
I am just wondering how boxy this jacket is to get an idea of the fit.
I'd say the mid-section is a bit bigger than the chest; I'm a pretty slender dude so I picked up a small, but it still feels kind of boxy around the core. Take a closer look at the guy modeling the jacket - it makes him look kinda chunky around the mid-section, but compare the cut to other jackets he's modeled in and you'll see that this one is just a bit oddly cut, or maybe made with "bigger-boned" folks in mind.
11 months ago
