Currently Using – Outdoor

Another Corner in Life

Here’s a summary page about some of the outdoor gear I’ve accumulated over the years.  Generally I have a ‘one in, one out‘ policy, so I don’t have much ‘stuff‘ at any given time. I really don’t have the space for it.  The goal is to buy good, value for money kit and even better if it lasts for a long time.

Motorcycling Hardware

I’ve been a keen motorcyclist for quite a few years now and currently have two machines.

Yamaha MT-09 Tracer

  • A 2016 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (aka Tracer 900). It’s an 847cc sports touring bike which is great for getting out and about in Japan, seeing stuff and meeting people.
  • Added an ETC unit.
  • For tyres, I have the excellent Michelin Road 5s. They have great handling, and are really confidence inspiring in corners, especially in wet conditions.
  • When the chain came due for a change, I went for a DID 525-VX3 with some ISA sprockets.
  • I added a RAM mount, Quick Grip and Tough Claw for holding a smartphone as a navigation aid on to the handlebars, and use the 12V socket and a USB adapter for charging.
  • In June 2020, I bolted a solid Givi TRK46N top-box on for the first time for me on a bike, which I’ve come to really appreciate, even if it looks like an organ donor transportation box (apparently).

Lake Saiko with the motorcycle in front of some boats
Lake Saiko. Lake Sai (?)

Honda CT 125

  • A 2024 Honda Hunter Cub CT-125 for running errands and getting around town, and minor off-roading.
  • It’s a 123cc single cylinder machine, with a 5.3l tank which takes ‘regular’ petrol.
  • Added a USB charging socket from Kitaco.
  • Turmeric yellow!
CT-125

Motorcycle Clothing

In the Summer I use an RS Taichi Explorer Air mesh jacket (May 2022) with an additional Forcefield back protector, some K7 AAA Jeans from Hood Jeans (Sept. 2023) and a pair of RS Taichi Raptor gloves (RST-442 – September 2018), which I even reviewed.  For footwear, I have a pair of TCX Mood 2 riding shoes which are light and also waterproof (February 2024).

For Winter, I have some more RS Taichi gloves, this time the RST626 Sonics (October 2018) and some RST639s which are part of their heated ‘e-Heat’ range (December 2020), a FirstGear Kathmandu jacket and 37.5 Kilimanjaro trousers (January 2018). Finally, a pair of Forma ADV Tourer boots – nice and warm, and again, waterproof (February 2020).

I added a ForceField CE2 Isolator back protector to the already impressive Kathmandu jacket – it comes with CE1 D30 on shoulders and elbows on the elbows but nothing on the back. I also bought a separate ForceField Elite CE1 chest protector. I find the ForceField kit to be really well made.

In May 2018 in invested in a pair of Cardo Freecom4 Bluetooth intercoms to talk to my passenger, get some navigation reminders and such. I managed to lose one in March 2021, so in early 2022 I invested in a Freecom4X which is backwards compatible and allegedly more compatible with Sena units.

Cycling

In December 2022 I picked up a Trek Dual Sports bike, which I love to get out on.

In December 2014, got some Ortleib waterproof rear panniers which have been so useful when out with family, doing some shopping, all of that.  I also have the backpack adapter so I can use these same panniers as a backpack when I’m out on my motorbike or just out hiking in the rain, which is more often than I plan.

The bike is easily enough for the kind of places I get to which is mainly asphalt, but with the odd track and beach path. Those panniers are rugged and versatile.

Snow

I have a 2015/16 Flow Blackout all-mountain style snowboard and some 2015/16  Union Contact Pro bindings for the days on the mountain. I also have some Burton Concord boots I got cheap in a sale in late 2016 as they were last year’s model (shock, horror). For many years I ran on a Nitro Atlas board and Flow bindings, both of which were great. The board is now mounted on my living room wall as a bit of a memento, and looks quite cool actually.

After many years I also replaced my jacket and trousers for the 2022/23 season, going for a Burton Swash jacket and Reserve bib trousers. I get a bit of off mountain mileage out of the jacket, and tend to prefer looser ones.

I sometimes ski on some cheap Head Cube 10 ski boots I picked up in a sale years back, and usually rented skis. It’s very much a second place to snowboarding for me, but still fun.

We often drive up to the mountains in our 1.5 litre family car, so I should mention we use Carmate Biathlon Quick Easy rubber ‘chains’. I’ve never really needed an SUV or 4 wheel drive car to get to most places we go.

Powder I suspect
Powder I suspect

Camping / Hiking

I have an assortment of cheap camping gear, mainly sized to fit in the car (or on the back of a motorbike) for family camps, and we sometimes rent gear depending on location. I am careful to buy backpacker friendly camping gear when I can – like my tiny stove – because it doubles up as earthquake/natural disaster emergency kit.

Cameras

Including these here since I mainly use them outside! I cannot count the number of ‘scenic view + motorcycle’ photos I have, for it is many.

Currently I have a FujiFilm X-T200 (April 2020) with the kit 15-45mm lens, a 23mm prime, and a 16-80mm f4 weather sealed travel lens which is my main lens these days. I also have a manual focus 7Artisans 60mm macro lens too.

After over 11 years with GoPro action cameras from the 2, 5 and 7, in Autumn 2023 I switched to the DJI Osmo Action 4. I like action cams for what they do, and still get a lot of value out of them.

Shonan 2013 – July (GoPro HERO 2)