Dual Sport Riding Gear for Montana

The Honda XR650L is the most red-blooded American motorcycle Japan ever built. "If you're not first, you're last."

Riding Season

Motorcycle season in northwestern Montana lasts about half the year (April-October). Snow typically lingers into April and returns in November.

Motorcycle

Honda XR650L with Acerbis 5.8 gallon tank, better foot pegs, 2" bar risers, DoubleTake mirrors, Grip Puppies, UNI foam air filter, and Kuba lowering link. I've lowered the front forks in the triple clamps by 1-1/8" and set the bike's resting seat height to ~36". I've tweaked the rear shock preload screw so the seat sits 1" lower than standard. Rear clicker is at the middle setting. Air valves on forks are equilibrated to atmosphere. I really like the short windshield, a $60 model off Ebay (Xitomer brand) - no buffeting. Bike does 75 mph no problem, but gets buzzy at speeds above 60 mph. The XRL lacks the modern geometry of the CRF450RL, but its punchy, the seat is comfy, its not too heavy (< 375 lbs), its stable on the road, has darn good suspension, and can carry luggage if needed. Its faster offroad then you've got balls to ride, but prefers not to lead the pack. In short, its a big, comfortable farm bike with plenty of torque made for athletic guys over 30.

Carburetor & Jetting

Stock Keihin. Jets = 158/58. Mixing screw 2-1/2 turns out. One washer on the OEM needle. FMF Q4 exhaust. Snorkel removed. Smog pump deleted. I live at 3000 feet elevation. I run regular gasoline (87 octane). Choke to start. The bike rips.

Previous Motorcycle

2009 Suzuki VStrom DL650ABS and 2022 Honda CB500X. The VStrom was great on long rides, but too heavy for everyday use. The CB was super smooth, but pokey off the line.

Next Motorcycle

Husqvarna 701 Enduro? Honda Transalp? Aprillia Tuareg? When I go round the world, it'll be on a Suzuki DR650.

Typical Ride

I commute to work 20 miles on a two-lane highway in fast traffic. For fun, I take a 2-hour roundtrip loop from my house on a combination of farm roads, fire roads, canal roads, and two-track trails. This is farm and ranch country.

My Size

I am 5'9" (175cm), 165 lbs (75 kg), and average build. In Levis and Carhartts a 33 waist x 32 inseam, right between Medium and Large.

Boots

Alpinestars Corozal size 10.5. Warm, comfortable, reasonably protective boots that I enjoy wearing. Some flex in the sole. Fine for short walks, but not good for hiking. Buy Tech 7s if you want stiffness.

Knee Guards

Leatt Dual Axis in L/XL. Great fit, very comfortable, a little heavy, a little warm, more than adequate protection. Good for day trips, but I would opt for something more compact and more flexible for a BDR ride. See what Mosko offers or what Fox sells as heavy mountain biking knee protection.

Pants

Mosko Moto Woodsman Enduro Over the Boot 32" in obsidian. Really, really nice pants. They fit great and look good. Highly recommended. Legs are plenty long. Size to your waist. Upgraded from Aerostich Darien 34R (3-layer Goretex Cordura), which were plenty protective and hard-wearing, but lacked stretch and are starting to lose their waterproofing.

Gloves

Klim Adventure short cuff. A bit clumsy, but well made. There are better gloves out there. I also carry Black Diamond Waterproof Overmitts if its cold or rainy.

Helmet

Shoei GT Air II medium. Light, comfortable, quiet, dorky. I prioritize light weight and a comfy fit. Shoei fits my head. May add something with a visor - an Arai XD-5 or Shoei Hornet - just so I don't get beat up at the playground.

Base Layer

Depending on the temperature, a Nike Dri-FIT t-shirt (warm temps) or Helly Hansen LIFA Merino midweight hoodie (cold temps). Insulated snowmobiling/hockey shorts eliminate cold crotch.

Mid Layer

Either a puffy synthetic-fill vest or a fleece jacket. Do whatever you can to eliminate neck zippers that chafe your chin.

Jacket

Rev'it Eclipse Medium mesh w/ D30 armor in shoulders, elbow, and back. I don't love this jacket. Its good in hot weather, but a little short and snug, especially with an insulating layer underneath. Looking to replace with another simple, armored mesh jacket.

Wind Jacket

Aerostich Innershell pullover.

Rain Jacket

Rev'it Cyclone 3 H2O large yellow.

Jersey

I like what Mosko and Troy Lee Designs make.

Balaclava

Either a merino wool one from Smartwool or a thin, stretchy, fishing-style neck gaiter from Cabela's.

Armor

Three options: the built-in armor (Eclipse jacket), a stretchy armored shirt, or an MX-type zip-up thing from Amazon (Gohinsstaar brand). Adventure Spec Super Shirt and Rev'it Protector Nucleus are better options.

Luggage

Chase Harper Aeropac 4000 carries my tools, spare parts, stretch net, and has room for a rain jacket, moonshine, or the mail. Sits atop Nomadic Enduro rear rack. Considering adding the Mosko Reckless 40.

Humans are not worthy of the mighty XR.