to take photos, refuel or grab a quick snack or drink, you can't beat the
convenience of a flip-up or modular helmet. Raising the chinbar exposes
your face, which makes it easy to talk to friends, to the nice lady at the
tollbooth or to the old timer who's giving you roundabout directions. Dab
on sunblock (#15 on our list), drink water (#16), eat an energy bar or
blow your nose without having to remove your helmet. Just remember,
most flip-up helmets are not designed to have the chin bar raised
when riding. One of our favorite flip-up helmets is the HJC RPHA Max,
which is light, quiet, comfortable and has a drop-down sunshield.
Read our review of the HJC RPHA Max Modular Helmet
14. Bike- or Helmet-
Mounted Video Camera
Capturing photos and video of your trip can be a great way to share
the experience with family and friends, and to relive the experience
months or years later. Over the past few years the market for bike-
and helmet-mounted action cameras has exploded, with small,
lightweight cameras capable of taking high-resolution photos and
high-definition video. Sena's Prism Action Cam can be paired with a
Sena (or other) Bluetooth communicator (#3 on our list) for recording
live intercom audio with the built-in mic while capturing video. It
comes with many mounting options and is available with a handlebar
remote that controls all camera functions with a jog wheel.
Read our review of the Sena Prism Action Cam and Handlebar Remote
15. Sunblock
If you're like us and adhere to ATTGATT (All The Gear, All The Time),
not much of your skin will be exposed to sun and wind during a ride.
The most common exposed area is the neck, which can become
sunburned easily during a long ride. But when you stop to take breaks
and remove your helmet and jacket, especially at a high-elevation
overlook where you'll want to stretch out and relax, your face and
arms can get crispy in no time. Slather on a layer of sunblock in the
morning before your ride and reapply as necessary. Dermatologists
recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks
97 percent of the sun's rays. And it's a good idea to use sunscreen
that is water- and sweat-resistant. We like Neutrogena Beach Defense
because it has a pleasant smell and won't sting if it gets into your eyes.
Learn more about Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen
16. Face Shield/Visor Cleaner
Bugs. Bird poop. Dust. Mud. Salt spray. When you cover long distances
on a motorcycle, all kinds of stuff ends up on your face shield or visor,
which can obscure your vision and create distractions. And if you ride
at night, a dirty face shield can be downright dangerous. Whenever you
stop, get in the habit of giving your face shield a quick polish. Paper
towels can scratch them, and definitely don't use that skanky squeegee
at the truck stop, which is embedded with all manner of grit and grime.
Keep the Clear Shot Lens Cleaning Kit in your tank bag or saddlebag.
It comes in a rugged, two-part container, with a small spray bottle of
glass/lens cleaner in one side and two microfiber cloths in the other.
Read our review of the Clear Shot Lens Cleaning Kit
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TOURING TIPS
20 Most Essential Things You Need on a Motorcycle Tour
www.FavoriteRidesAndDestinations.com | ridermagazine.com
PAGE 77
SPRING 2016 ISSUE 01 / VOL. 01
