The open road warriors

Let’s face it: changing tires on a motorcycle can often feel like an uphill battle. With most shops fully booked and waiting lists stretching two to three days, it can be a real hassle. To make matters worse, many places require you to remove your wheels, haul them to the shop, and then return days later to pick them up. Frustrated by this routine, my friend and I decided to take matters into our own hands and change our motorcycle tires ourselves. That’s when my search for the perfect motorcycle jack began. I spent quite a bit of time researching options. I discovered that many jacks had issues such as screw mechanisms that wore out too quickly, insufficient height, or lacked the sturdiness necessary to confidently support a bike. Not to mention the fear of the bike tipping over—a nightmare scenario for any rider! After extensive research, I decided to take a chance on the **Orion Moto Tech Lift**. Rated to support a whopping 1,800 pounds, I knew this jack could easily handle our bike...

I was searching for a pair of adventure motorcycle boots, and as a new rider, I didn't want to spend a lot of money on really expensive gear. I decided to go with a pair of economy boots, and the price point for Noru boots was very appealing. While they weren't exactly the height of boot I was looking for, they seemed like a good starter boot for the price. I can say that these boots are very comfortable for walking around in and are true to size. I’m very impressed with their durability; they are well-made, and both the latches and hardware seem to be of decent quality. After wearing them for a few weeks, I rubbed them down with oil, and they looked really good. I was initially concerned that the material would become blotchy, but the leather stayed true to its color. Living in the Pacific Northwest, my feet have stayed dry in wet weather. I would recommend these boots for both new riders and experienced ones. Overall, I’m very happy with my purchase!

At the beginning of summer, I bought a set of Tusk adventure tires for my KLR 650, as the tires that were on it were mismatched—the factory front tire and a random rear tire. When it came time for fresh rubber, I conducted quite a bit of research and price comparisons. I looked at the tire’s top speed rating; these tires have an "R" rating, meaning they can handle speeds between 106 and 170 miles per hour, which surprised me! The thought of reaching 106 mph on a set of knobby tires sounded frightening. The tread pattern is an aggressive, off-road knobby style, which is exactly what I was looking for as an adventure rider who travels on a lot of gravel roads and off-road trails. My only concern was the daily commute to work. For the best results on the highway, I found it beneficial to keep the tires inflated to the maximum psi—running 28 psi in the front and 38 psi in the rear. This adjustment provided a much better ride with minimal wobbles. My max speed with these tires is ...