Mike's Tenere & Motorcycle Blog

  LEATT ADV-X-Flow 7.5 Gloves Time for new warm weather gloves to replace my aging circa 2015 Five RFX AirFlow gloves. LEATT has been on a roll recently with newly designed riding gear specifically developed for adventure riding, in part, from real world use & feedback from moto journalist Llel Pavey of Brake Magazine fame, who has become a brand ambassador for them.   The ADV X-Flow 7.5 look to be a quality functional adventure vs road/track/enduro design with emphasis on ventilation, protection (CE level 1 knuckles), feel + wet & dry grip available in standard & short lengths. The adventure line of 7.5 gloves comes in 3 models (X-Flow, Subzero & Hydradri) in 3 colours (stealth - the blue ones pictured here that I got + steel & desert - both camo inspired designs).  There are several local Greater Vancouver & Fraser Valley LEATT retailers, including GA Checkpoint Yamaha with Kimpex being the Canadian distributor, who had a display of most of ...

  JT Sprockets JTR1591.15RB 15 tooth Front & JTR1876.44 44 tooth Rear Sprockets At 28,852 km the oem chain is stretched close to the maximum tolerance & ready to retire & wanted to tweak the gearing slightly shorter from the 16/46 = 2.875 ratio or 6.64% taller than the oem 15/46 = 3.066 that I have been running since 6,900 km or 4,287 miles, which, imho, better compliments the T7 CP2 powerband for average pavement/adventure/FSR non-technical use than the relatively short 3.066 oem gearing, which tends to encourage short shifting in everyday riding & elevates rpm higher than optimal during hwy speeds.  I'm changing to 15/44 = 2.933 which is 4.53% taller than the oem 15/46 = 3.066 gearing or the equivalent of a 1 tooth change from the 16/46 = 2.875 currently used & 2 teeth from the oem 15/46 providing the following benefits:  2.01% increase in torque vs 16/46 = 2.875 gearing the smaller front & rear sprockets vs the 16/46 combo will position the rear...

  Gears Gen-X4 Knuckle Armor Heated Gloves I opted for the Gears knuckle armor heated gloves because they heat both sides of the hand & fingers vs just the back & fingers as most heated gloves do + run directly off the bikes 12v battery & connect via the same 2.5 mm DC coax connectors as my Gerbing heated jacket, pants & dual temp controller  (as well as FirstGear, Warm & Safe & Venture Heat) but can also utilize 5,200 or 8,000 mAh lithium-ion battery packs bought separately. High temp causes my hands to sweat slightly when tested in the gagrage, but never uncomfortably hot like the Gears heated glove liners I previously used. The size large fit true to size & benefit from some breaking in for a relaxed grip due to the knuckle armor, despite advertising pre-curved ergonomic fit. Info & Pics from Gears Website Specs • Max Heat: 135°F @ 13W Each • Power: 12V DC 1.1 Amp Each • Premium cowhide leather construction. • ZEPTO heating fibres run throug...

  LoneRider Overlander 30 Litre Dry Duffel Bag & 3 Litre Hydration Bladder The LoneRider Overlander series (30 & 48 litre) dry duffel bags (see video & pics below) are high quality, innovative, feature laden, flexible use, 3 layer waterproof roll top bags made from durable Hypalon fabric featuring: reversible beavertail with molle strap system & internal pocket that accommodates a 3 litre hydration bladder with quick release insulated hose & angled bite valve easing use with full face helmets (sold separately) + large touch screen sensitive detachable map/tablet pocket 4 quick detach bag mounting straps, each with an additional buckle to  connect the straps in an opposing or criss-cross pattern to either stow them on the bike or secure items to the bike when the bag is not used 4 molle straps w/buckle to customize bag mounting strap location or provide quick release molle attachment points elsewhere on the bag 2 long extension straps with looped & ...

  Tenere 700 Fuel Pump  Replacement  Tea Bag Filter  Yamaha does not list any service interval for the fuel pump & related filter, but it is worth ensuring that the entire fuel delivery system performs as per spec & with proper pressure. At 35k km or 22k miles the tea bag filter on my 2014 Super Tenere 1200 ES was dirty resulting in pressure drop that affected performance & fuel economy...the change is subtle & progressive so difficult to ascertain without a pressure test or physical inspection via removing the fuel pump. As with the Super Tenere 1200 & other Yamaha models they do not sell just the fuel pump tea bag filter, instead requiring buying the entire pump assembly (#BW3-13907-00-00), BUT Suzuki, who uses the same Mitsubishi UC-T35 fuel pump on their V-Strom 650 & other models does sell it, part #15420-44G00, which can be sourced on AliExpress. AliExpress Sourced Bike Model Compatibility Chart AliExpress 3 pack order w/free shipping $1...