Today I’m breaking down three pieces of gear that have very quickly become staples in my closet. Say hello to the helmet that’s converted me to modern lids, a jacket that I’d wear to meetings, and my new favorite jeans.
Let’s dive right in…

Shoei RYD Helmet I’m a dyed-in-the-wool retro helmet guy. Call me a hipster or a slave to fashion, but I really like simple, stylish helmets in classic styles, and I think they suit the bikes we feature here more than modern lids do.
Here’s the problem though: retro helmets are great for cruising around on scramblers or cafe racers. But on faster bikes, or over longer distances, they pretty much suck. They’re noisy, not very aerodynamic, and often don’t vent well. So when I got an invite to tour Eastern Europe on a bagger, I knew none of the old-school helmets in my humble collection were going to cut it. Luckily Shoei Helmets UK came to the rescue, hooking me up with the new Shoei RYD (sold in the US as the RF-SR, with a breath guard).
Let’s get this out the way immediately: I love this helmet, and I’m not ashamed to admit that that’s fifty percent down to its looks. Shoei kept the RYD’s aesthetic subtle and understated, with a lack of excessive contours, and proportions that are vaguely reminiscent of old racing helmets. So it cuts a neutral silhouette that complements my Kawasaki W650 as much as the Ducati Monster 797 I was hooning around on the other ...