These are the products Quinn has been using for years and stands by for training and competition.
I was yet again hunting for boots on online forums, random magazine reviews, product test videos, when I saw an image of a cool leather high-top motorcycle boot. Then I noticed the riding boots were CE rated for abrasion and puncture resistance, transverse rigidity, and were also waterproof.
I will save you the suspense and say that my initial purchase was about a year ago, and since then I’ve worn these boots at every competition, training, clinic, demo, ride day, you name it. I even stopped packing sneakers when I fly, because they are so damn comfortable (and they don’t set off the metal detectors at the airport). Most importantly, the needed dexterity hasn’t come at the price of protection. And speaking of the boot’s ability to protect my feet, I’ve probably dropped my bike around 10 times since I first laced them up, including situations where they’ve been pinned between the crash bar and the pavement while sliding at 30mph +. To date, I can look you in the eye and tell you I’ve experienced precisely zero injuries to my feet (my ego is a different story), and zero structural issues with the boots. That’s something I’ve never been able to say about a riding boot. So yeah, these boots work damn well, and I wanted you to know.
This Brake Free helmet brake light is truly amazing and I love it. Why? It is a great teaching tool. It enables me to have my students see specifically when and where I slow my motorcycle as I head into a turn. Yes, my bikes have brake lights; but they don’t account for the slowing that exists when I sharply roll out of the throttle or encounter engine braking. It’s so sensitive it catches even the most subtle slowing forces. Even more importantly, it is so damn visible that drivers can’t miss me as they approach from behind. I’ve had multiple peopl comment about how easy it was for them to see me on the road.
This helmet brake light provides an ultra-bright LED that requires no apps, wires, batteries, Bluetooth connections, nothing. I just mount it to my helmet and turn it on and it works seamlessly. It’s lightweight, lasts 8-12 hours from a full USB-C charge, doesn’t impact the helmet’s aerodynamics, and is insanely bright on the road. Best part? I just use additional mounts and can easily move the unit from helmet to helmet, rather than having to buy multiple complete systems.
I train to be safer on the road, so why would I not throw something on that contributes to that goal? It’s a no brainer.
There are plenty of motorcycle apparel companies in the world, so why does Belgium-based Richa make sense to partner with? Without making this narrative feel like watching paint dry, here are my main reasons:
-Police motors: Richa has its own division for military and police that currently supplies riding gear to Belgium police, Dutch police, Gendarmerie, military police, and more. When professionals require products to do their jobs, it’s not about price, but about quality and durability. The fact that Richa already lives and thrives within this space tells me all I really need to know about the quality and consistency of this company.
-Richa has been making motorcycle apparel for 70 years. This means they have maintained relevance and demonstrated repeatability within the tricky and tumultuous space of motorcycles, all the while navigating trends, technology, and global economics spanning decades. This alone is huge; they are here today and will be here tomorrow.
-Richa started in motorcycle apparel and continues concentrating within this space. In other words, they don’t “also” make motorcycle gear. I’m a huge fan of companies that specialize, and Richa tics that box.
Let me close with this; It’s great product, plenty of variety, and built by a company solid enough to ensure I get taken care of should I run into any issues down the road. I need nothing else from a riding gear offering.
I’ve never stopped hunting for a helmet that accomplished a few things: I wanted a modular, but I wanted it to be light (not as easy as it sounds). And while I demanded a light helmet, I also wanted it to have good insulation for my ears (again, not very easy to find). Oh, and I run communication equipment, so it needed to accommodate that. All that led me to try a Schuberth C5 Carbon modular. It was comfortable with the lid up (and locks in place), and snug and secure enough that It felt like a solid fitting track helmet when the lid was down. Moreover, it was light, which is huge when you wear a helmet all day every day. And the final box I was demanding? Insulation. Yes, it was quiet inside when the speeds picked up. I was sold after that.
Quick background: As a motor officer, I went through Shark brand helmets, Shoei Neotech 1 & 2, and HJC Carbons. In all cases, they were either loud, heavy, or were of questionable integrity when closed up and moving at speed. This Schuberth feels like a 1pc track helmet when closed, locks down with very positive engagement, and is light enough to wear all day long. Another cool feature is this integrated communication system, which is fantastic to use when I teach other riders. And the build quality is insane. Better than any helmet I’ve ever put on my head.
One last thing I’d like to mention here; Schuberth does not do anything else but design, test, and create top tier helmets. That’s all. All that focused effort moves in one direction, and I love that about them. Master of one.
Bottom line, they are exceedingly skilled at building and fitting helmets, and have the resources to ensure I get what I need when I need it. I can’t ask for more than that!
I’ve been training and competing in Lee Park’s Design gloves for over 14 years and nothing is as durable, as comfortable, or as capable as these gloves! Hand made in the USA, they have exceeded my expectations in every way. Are they inexpensive? No, but they last a long time, and more importantly- my personal safety and performance matter way more than the few bucks I’d save buying less capable gloves.
Watch my video outlining the features and benefits of these amazing gloves, I’m confident you will love them for all the same reasons I do!
Sometimes your bike just doesn’t quite feel right. Maybe it’s the levers, or the bars, or the foot pegs. That’s where these guys come in. They sell just about everything I need both for the rider and for the bike in order to get comfortable and sorted to train and compete.
For my 1250RT-P I am a huge fan of the Vario adjustable clutch and front brake lever, it has a greater front-to-back range of travel, and also allows me to play with the lever’s overall length. This is nice because I use 3-fingers on the clutch and 1-finger on the brake, so I can adjust the leger’s length to dial it just so.
If you ride a BMW like me, you probably already know about these guys, because they make some of the coolest, overbuilt billet parts you can buy for your Beemer. I have used the adjustable rear brake pedal for quite a long time, swapping it around from bike-to-bike as I transition from one fleet vehicle to the next. I literally fly around the world with it in my bag because I won’t train or compete on a bike without it! They make all kinds of cool parts and are very comfortable to talk to and ask questions with. Love ‘em!
