GEAR: Ruste Protective Tailoring

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Protective Tailoring

$150.00 - $260.00 USD


Looks good. Works good. Costs good. You can only choose 2. 
This has seemingly been the motorcycle gear motto since I started riding. As someone who is admittedly very particular when it comes to aesthetics, I have chosen something I visually agree with over something safer or less expensive on many occasions. For me, something as small as a zipper detail, a stitch pattern or even a logo could prevent me from buying it. So when I got an e-mail from the guys at Ruste about their protective tailoring services I was completely on board.
The short of it is, you send them a pair of pants or a jacket you're fond of and they reconstruct it with an expansive kevlar lining and pockets for D30 armor. I had been on the hunt for a pair of riding jeans this season and was having a hell of a time finding something I liked the design of that also fit like my Levis. So, I sent Ruste a new pair of Levis in the size and cut I've been buying for the past 5 years and they sent me back a pair of kevlar lined and D30 armored Levis riding jeans. Including the price of the Levis, door to door DHL service (organized by Ruste), D30 knee and hip armor and tailoring runs about $300.00 USD total. All in all you get a pair of custom tailored riding jeans (or jacket) that fit and look exactly the way you wanted them to for roughly the same price as other riding jeans on the market. 


Ruste deconstructed the already existing stitchwork in these Levis so that none of the alterations are visible from the outside. They even unstitched and reattaching the leather hip tag with the exact same color thread. It's nearly impossible to figure out what was and wasn't touched in the original garment. No visible stitch lines in the hips or knees from the added armor pockets. From the outside they just...look like Levis. 




Kevlar goes all the way to the ankle and the armor pockets are a simple 2 flap design so you don't have to mess with velcro or zippers when you want to pull the padding. 




A note to Levis wearers who like a slimmer cut, I'd recommend getting a pair with 2% elastane (stretch) for more comfort. The material percentages are on the inner tag (above). The kevlar lining also has some stretch to match so you won't have any pulling of the materials. And if you're curious about their abrasion resistance properties ...this should answer that question.

DIRT TALES: Daniel Peter's Custom Honda XR650 Hits The Trails

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DIRT TALES
Trail riding along Lake Michigan on a custom Honda XR650
Written by Daniel Peter


It’s been exactly 4 years since my first moto trip around Lake Michigan. In 2011, I set off on a fully prepped DR650, accompanied by a group of friends, and spent 5 days riding forest roads and trails trough Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. It was the best Midwestern riding I had experienced at the time, and I've been itching to get back out there ever since. A few weeks back, seeing I had a few days off, I charged up my GPS, and went for it again. 
It was much easier to prep for the trip this time, since I already knew what was waiting for me. I still have a 650 in my stable, though the current bike is a very stripped down XR650, with lowered suspension and a small 2.2-gallon tank. The fuel range was the only thing I was a little nervous about, so I mounted a 1-gallon Rotopax fuel cell to my rack. This would give me about 130 miles between fill-ups. 


(Tool wrap by Black Sage Supply)

My gear list was pretty minimal - a tool kit, 2 spare tubes, tire spoons, an air pump, a super light camping setup, some spare clothes, toiletries, and a few granola bars. The only luxury I allowed myself was a tiny stove and a percolator, for my morning coffee ritual. I also wired up a USB charger to my battery, to supply juice for my GPS and phone. 
You can absolutely make this trip using a regular printed map, but after having toured a big chunk of the US off-road, I definitely recommend having a GPS. The main reason is the fact that there are many interesting routes others have already taken and recorded. This will save you a lot of time making wrong turns and coming to dead ends. Not to mention some of the trails are not even on the map. I plan most of my trips ahead of time, so I can just hit a button on the departure day, and braap all day, every day. Almost all of the US states now have some kind of an adventure trail, that allows you to cross most, if not all, of the state off-road, avoiding main roads and highways. For Michigan and Wisconsin, I can definitely recommend checking out some of he tracks that Cannonshot has laid down. You can find more info on the ADV Rider forum here. Be prepared for lots of fun rural roads, forest logging roads, some ATV trails, and sand. Lots of sand. 




I had to convince my riding partner Jason to order proper MX boots prior to our departure, and after a few times dropping his bike in the sand, he agreed it was a wise decision. On 90% of my trips, I wear Sidi MX boots, padded pants and a jacket with zip-in rain layers, and a full face DS helmet. Better be safe than sorry.
After riding 2 days at a fairly leisurely pace (this was Jason's first big off-road adventure), we decided we wouldn't make the full Lake Michigan round trip, and just ride trails south of the Mackinac Bridge. He had work to do in Chicago, and I planned on surprising my girlfriend for her birthday in Milwaukee. We cruised around the Leelanau Peninsula, hiked the Sleeping Bear Dunes (beautiful place - highly recommended!), and made our way down to Muskegon. The next morning, Jason took off for Chicago, and I boarded the high-speed ferry to Milwaukee. The ferry is not cheap, at $150 for a one-way ticket for a rider and a bike. Although, it's definitely a great experience worth trying at least once. You roll in, strap your bike down, and then you can enjoy the brisk 2.5hr. sail, either from the top deck, or the comfortable cabin, with an Oberon in hand. 





If you decide to make a similar trip yourself, you should know that there are plenty of camp sites along the way. Some are busier, with showers and other amenities, and some are very remote, with only a drop box for your night's stay payment and possibly a beautiful lake. Finding gas stations is also pretty easy. I ended up not even using my Rotopax tank a single time. 
Go out there and have fun!

- You can see more of Daniel's custom Honda XR650 here. -

GEAR: From Tanks To Leathers - Laura of HILO Project

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From Tanks to Leathers
Laura of HILO Project

As a rider for almost 3 years, I know comfort is key to both enjoyment and safety. I must admit I never really took that too seriously. A tank top and heeled boots is what I considered my “gear” for summer riding days.
When packing for a ride across Vietnam with the HILO Project crew, appropriate gear was never on the front burner. You’d think it would be a priority after seeing pictures of the most insane traffic in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, but I found more important things to pack. I wanted to make sure I looked good on the bike and there just wasn’t much more to consider.
When REV’IT was kind enough to outfit me for the ride, I was ecstatic. From day one on the road, my view on gear and riding in general had changed. With that being said, I didn’t just keep up with the boys in Vietnam, I held my own-much due in part to the gear. Let’s start with the Women’s Gear 2 Leather Pants. They did wonders. I wore them for nearly 14 days straight and every single morning they fit like a glove. Comfortable in every climate from 55F to 105F and they always seemed to breathe. The removable waterproof liner came in handy when dealing with the short, and sometimes 100+ miles long, stints of rain while heading North. They constantly kept me dry and feeling confident on mostly sketchy roads.
Having never been a fan of armor prior to this trip, I came to understand the importance as I had the urge to drag a knee every now and then. The ProLife ladies CE protection at the knees was amazing, with a little bit of foam protection at the hips as well.  Again, this allowed me to take some of the steepest and sharpest curves with confidence and, not to mention, enjoy the hell out of them.
It’s probably hard to imagine that these pants actually look good. They do. The combination of Monaco Performance cowhide, Dynax mesh, and suede leather are beautiful and, in my opinion, a bit sexy.  The adjustable straps at the waist and perfect leg width for a nice boot makes these pants hard to pass up.
When paired with the Roamer Leather Jacket and Rodeo Boots, the Gear 2 Leather Pants gave me style, comfort, and safety. A trio I will now look for in all future purchases.
Decked in REV’IT from head to toe, I had the confidence to thoroughly enjoy the unbelievable landscape surrounding me throughout our ride. It allowed me to push my limits and believe in the bike, which was fun because we had a fleet of Ducatis at our disposal.  
Big lesson learned: gear is sexy.  






MERCH: Black Sage Supply - Rugged Vegan Workwear

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Rugged Vegan Workwear
Owner and maker, Mandi, started her brand because of an attraction to the look and craftsmanship of heavy duty, hand-crafted, utilitarian goods. As a person who lives a vegan lifestyle she found few quality products that achieve that aesthetic without using leather or wool, so she started making her own.
Most of her items are constructed of American made waxed canvas, cotton straps, brass grommets, and copper rivets.  
You can purchase tool wraps, aprons, bags and more made in America by her two hands at the link above, or reach out to place a custom order.









Mandi herself, in one of her Rugged Cross Back work aprons. Later models have layered front pockets for more storage. Most Black Sage products come in black and forest green as well.
You can follow Black Sage Supply on Instagram here: Black Sage Supply

FOR SALE: 1972 Yamaha CS5 - All The Purple

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Been holding onto this girl for a couple years now and it's time to let her go.

1972 Yamaha CS5 (Predecessor to the RD200)
200cc 2-Stroke

$2,500.

- FULL engine rebuild 4/2012. $2,200 spent with detailed receipt. 

- Carburetor clean, rebuild and tune (today 6/25/15).
- New fuel lines and filters.
- New F&R brakes (stops VERY well).
- New Yuasa battery and +/- cables
- Unmodified and fully functional wiring.
- Fork seals done in 2010.
- Tires have lots of tread.
- All original paint.
- Chrome in great shape. 

If you're looking for a vintage bike with modern reliability, this is it. Starts right up with the push of a button. All electrical works. Bike is fast for it's size. Will hit 85mph with a 200lbs rider. Golf ball size dent in tank (photo). It's Purple! Comes with receipts for everything above and new repair manual.  

Located in Chicago.











SHORT FILM: Prism Supply Co.

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What was previously Prism Motorcycles is making the transition into Prism Supply Co. These are a bunch of super talented guys who started out making some top notch bike parts. I've got a set of their LED tails on the dream and really dig them. I have no doubt their new lineup of gear and products will be of the same caliber. Here's a bit about the transition and a film they put together to kick it all off. Godspeed dudes!
"Prism Motorcycles began by designing and manufacturing high-quality custom motorcycles and parts. We realized that there was a lack of quality made clothing and motorcycle accessories so we wanted to expand the company to encompass all things motorcycle/ outdoor related.  We wanted to create something designed by the rider, for the rider. Something that matters. Something that sticks around for generations.  Something made in the USA. Our aim is to create and sell supplies necessary for the motorcycle and outdoor lifestyle while continuing to design and create high quality motorcycles and parts. Prism is measured by more than than the motorcycles we create or the accessories we design. It’s about the good times and the relationships we build. Its what makes us who we are. This is our way of life. We are Prism Supply Co."