We’ll start with all the bits that have worn out, mostly because I’m a bad news first kind of guy. The hook and loop (commonly known by the brand name Velcro) of ten years ago could be compared to how sandals from the 1800’s compare to a sneaker from now. Let’s just say that if you have any jacket that’s 10 years old and has hook and loop then it’s most likely toast. The Commander is no exception. The cuffs loop gave out in year one and have been flapping free ever since. I don’t snug my cuff anyway. The liner loop stays closed tolerable after all these years. I had to hand stitch new loop for the storm collar because I continued to use it each year.

The second bit was the waterproof zippers on the chest vents. They are the fancy coated zippers and are laminated to the outer layer of the jacket. Like all good things the lamination has come to an end. I think I got about 8 years in before the zippers started to de-laminate. Again I hand stitched the zippers (very difficult, bytheway) and prolonged my journey.

Zipper pulls take quite a beating. Open close, open close, open close, stuck on the liner . . . dag nabbit! After 6 years I lost a vent pull. 9 years and the main pull on the jacket started to fail. Still attached but it’s only a matter of time. None of the zippers themselves have blown. Not too bad considering I close all the vents in the morning and open them in the afternoon 5 days a week.

And now the good bits. If you inspect my jacket you will notice the shell has taken all impacts without so much as a scratch (minus the two holes I burned into it years ago). I’m impressed every time I hit the ground. Full disclosure, I’ve never had a high speed letoff (don’t intend to), but I’ve been down more than once and this jacket carries on. It’s been comfortable and conforming for all these long years. I’ve always found it to be stylish and functional. The stitching has remained tight and the jacket was always ready for anything I could throw at it. Xtreme Distance Rider was as apt a sentiment as one could place on such a high quality jacket.

Unfortunately I must address the big purple elephant left in the room. Yes a purple elephant. With all the sun, rain, and more sun my once super cool black jacket is now a less cool black jacket with purple accents. I suppose I could hit it with some shoe polish, or two dozen sharpie markers, but instead I decided it was time to put the ole elephant out to pasture. Time to look for a suitable replacement.

Luckily I didn’t have to look for very long because I already knew I wanted the Scorpion Yukon jacket that came out a few years back. As luck would have it I bought one the moment my wife said I could and despite a certain carrier that shall remain unnamed for legal reasons, it arrived and was put to the test right out the gate. Check back in ten years and I’ll post up my Changing of the Guard 2.0 review. We’ll see if the Yukon can outlast the OG XDR Commander.

To tell this story properly I’d need eight root beers, one bag of marshmallows, a greasy drop light, and a full rack of slow smoked pork ribs. I’ll try and make due without any of them, but pork ribs are really good.

Back in 2014 I was cruising home from work as I often did, and still do, on a motor bike. I had just returned from a family reunion in Oregon at the Cus Bay dunes. Having packed my street helmet in the tent trailer where it was unreachable, I grabbed my shiny new bright orange dual sport helmet. If you’ve seen my reviews or read my ride report, it’s become a staple of my riding life. Well this day was the first day I rode the streets with it. It was also they day I got creamed by a pickup truck. Wear your seatbelt kids.

After an ER visit, Physical Therapy, and some emotional distress compensation, I was shopping for a new bike. Adventure was the name of the game. And you can’t play “Adventure” game without an adventure bike.

ATTENTION: This next paragraph contains information about my personal life. If you have heart issues or history of stroke please consult a physician before continuing!

A bit about myself at this point. Each year my wife and I take turns deciding what to do for our anniversary. I like camping and my wife likes traveling. Our 2015 anniversary was upon us and we decided that getting a big adventure bike and riding the California coast to San Diego was the thing to do. She really had to twist my arm though to convince me. Funny side note, we almost didn’t have a bike for the trip. These things take time you know.

Everybody in the whole world knows that BMW makes adventure bikes. So does KTM, but alot of people think that is a Japanese brand for some reason. Anyway, the R1200GS was consistently rated with top marks for balancing street and dirt, and the Adventure model holds nine gallons of fuel. Since I hate filling up on gas this made good sense to me. Also, I could actually afford one at this point and figured I should get one now before something else came up.

After many months of research and searching, I found one locally at the Peninsula Motorcycle in Gorst, WA. As of this writing that wonderful shop has closed it’s doors. A moment of silence in remembrance.

I wheeled and dealed and verbally jousted my way to a succesful purchase. After adding the crash bars back on, a huge top case, and doing some service work, she was a two up riding machine. The rest, as they say, is history.