Review

Polaris RZR Storage Bags: Kemimoto Door Bags Review

Looking for more storage in your Polaris RZR? The Kemimoto RZR storage bags are an excellent option that fits in any budget. These Polaris storage bags are one of the most important accessories I’ve purchased for my RZR. They are roomy, sturdy, waterproof and provide padding for my knee! We all need a secure place to store your phone, keys, wallet or other personal belongings. Polaris does a lot of great things with the RZR but storage isn’t one of them.

After purchasing a RZR 1000 XP I was quickly overwhelmed by the amount of 3^rd party accessories. I researched options by asking questions in Facebook groups and looking online. Quickly, the Kemimoto bags became the recommended accessory because of their durability and price. You could buy the Polaris storage door bags but why pay double the price for a less functional bag? These door bags are available for around $66 for the pair and I couldn’t be happier. For manufacturer notes and specifications check out Kemimoto.

Covered in this Kemimoto product review:

Polaris RZR Storage: Why Kemimoto RZR Door Bags?

Efficient & Functional Storage

Once you own an RZR you will quickly realize the need for more functional storage. Adding door storage bags to your RZR will give you easy and secure access for items such as your handheld GPS, smartphone or car & truck keys. Prior to owning these bags, I was always reaching in the glove box or the center dash storage box. It doesn’t matter if you own an RZR S 900, 1000 XP, 1000 XP Turbo or even an XP 4 you’ll always want more storage. The Kemimoto bags provide you with a deep pocket sealed by a waterproof zipper. On the outside of the bag you’ll find mesh pockets to give you quick access to your phone.

Durable, Quality Construction

The Polaris RZR storage bags are made from high quality, very sturdy nylon fabric. The zipper used creates a bit of a seal that helps prevent dust and water from getting into the bag. The foam they used for the door pad really feels sturdy but also provides a good protection. I’m not tall by any means but my knee rides close to the pad at all times and I’m really impressed by the design.

How Easy Are Kemimoto RZR Storage Bags to Install?

Easy Installation

3^rd party RZR accessory manufacturers have a lot of options when designing products. In the case of the Kemimoto RZR storage door bags there are two installation options, using the existing door bolts or the provided Velcro strips.

I decided to use the door bolts to attach my door bags. The metal hole rings line up perfectly with the bolts that hold the door on the frame. You simply unscrew the bolts in the door with a star bit or tool and then align the bag on the door and screw the bolts back in. My bags were a tight fit from end to end so I started tightening the bolts on either end first and then tightening the bolts in the middle of the bags.

The bags also come with Velcro straps already attached to the bags. If you want to use the Velcro instead you unpeel the backing to reveal a sticky strip that can be affixed to the door.

In Arizona we do a fair amount of rocky trail riding so that’s why I decided to screw the bags onto the door. The bags are also waterproof, so I don’t have any concerns when washing my RZR. When cleaning, I’m careful to not soak the bags or pad.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

I really like the quality construction of these bags and I’m confident that we’ll enjoy them for years to come. I gave the bags 4.5 stars is because I felt like the fitament was tight. I’m also concerned the bags could come off or the rings could rip out depending on wear and tear. If anything breaks down with the bags, we’ll have gotten our money’s worth – and so will you! Solve your RZR storage problem with these side door bags.

Where can you buy the Kemimoto Polaris RZR storage bags:

Beachbody Insanity Review: No Equipment Needed!

To start I’d like to give you a little background on why I wanted to do the Beach Body: Insanity workout. When I started the workout I weighed 190 lbs and stood 5’9″. I am 34 years old and have been going the gym off and on for the last year or so with mixed results. Overall I felt better and had more energy but it was starting to drain me mentally because I wasn’t seeing much weight loss and was spending a lot of time at the gym. My routine needed to change because I was literally and figuratively stuck on a treadmill.

Why choose the Beachbody Insanity Workout?

Why did I choose Insanity over P90X or Crossfit? There is no equipment needed. All you need is yourself, shoes, a towel and some water. I also chose the Beachbody Insanity workout because it’s made by the same company who produced P90X, which I have heard great things about but most people said the sessions were a little too long. The Insanity workouts are between 30 – 40 minutes. You have to be committed to really crush it. Some of the best advice I read about the program was to “just press the play button”. There will be days where you don’t feel like working out, “just press play” and get it over with. When you see the results at the end you’ll be glad you did just press play. Some people have asked, which is better P90X or the Insanity workout? My answer is you will have to decide for yourself because for me, Insanity worked better because of the shorter workouts and also the fact that I didn’t need any equipment.

Here’s a video that explains what you’re about to get into:

One thing I really like about the videos in this workout is they are pretty well produced and Shaun T isn’t some cheesy host who doesn’t do the exercises. Some of the people participating int he workouts have bodies that are attainable. That’s my beef with some of these workout videos, the people have absolutely ripped bodies.

What are the Beachbody Insanity workouts and how long are they?

Dig Deeper & Fit Test: Shaun w Till put your body to the test and see what you’re made of. (30 min)
Plyometric Cardio Circuit: Burn fat with intervals of intense lower-body plyometrics and killer cardio. (40 min)
Cardio Power & Resistance: Build lean muscle and upper-body definition with strength-training and power moves. (40 min)
Cardio Recovery & Max Recovery: Shaun goes easier on you once a week so you’ll be ready for the next round. (28 & 40 min)
Pure Cardio & Abs: Nonstop, extreme cardio workout. (40 min)
Cardio Abs: Do explosive intervals of cardio and core moves for rock-hard abs. (20 min)
Core Cardio & Balance: This workout lets you take a break after month 1 and gear up for month 2. (40 min)
Max Interval Circuit: With MAX Interval Training, this circuit is more intense than anything you’ve ever done before. (60 min)
Max Interval Plyo: Push your legs ‘til they beg for mercy with power and plyometrics, all at your MAX. (55 min)
Max Cardio Conditioning & Abs: Get pushed to your limit with this extreme cardio workout. (50 min)

Beachbody Insanity Extra Features

Elite Nutrition Plan: A meal plan specifically designed to fuel your body for these intense workouts. Totally optional but it will help you get your best results.
Fitness Guide: It’s short and to the point, with just the information you need. Agree, that this is very important!
Insanity Calendar: Allows you to track your progress through month 1 and month 2, set workout goals, and stay motivated the whole time. Plus, the Fit Test Tracker tracks your results as you transform your body.
Free Online Support Tools: Stay inspired with round-the-clock access to fitness experts and peer support.

Pros and Cons of the Insanity Workout

As far as Pros, after 3 weeks, I’ve lost a total of 8 lbs, and most of all I feel better physically and mentally. If you feel like your in a rut, don’t spend money on a shrink or someone to talk to, start doing some of Shaun T’s Insanity workout for a couple of weeks and you’ll feel much better, I guarantee it! Another pro for the program is that there isn’t much time to relax, you workout 6 days a week so its a fairly rigid workout.

In terms of Cons for the Insanity workout, the biggest one for me is the repetitive nature of some of the workouts. I realize that this is part of the program and most people will realize they just need to suck it up and keep going (re: my comment earlier about “just press play”). Cario Power & Resistance was my most hated workout. If you don’t like the workouts then it makes it harder to ‘just press play’ since you get the major workouts twice a week. The other Con, is the nature of the program, 6 days a week. If you miss a day for any reason, its hard to get back on the saddle.

If you have any questions about my program, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments.

Disclosure: If there is a product that I like and it has an affiliate program, then I might link to that product using an affiliate link. By using an affiliate link it means that I might earn a commission on a product if you buy something through that link. This doesn’t cost you anything but I just wanted you to be aware.

Smokenator 1000: Review of Smoker Adapter for Charcoal Grill

Do you have a Weber Grill and wish you had a Smoker? My wife and I were married recently and got a gas grill as a gift. We already had a Weber kettle grill, and my wife put the kibosh on a smoker, so it was on her to find a suitable replacement 🙂 Boy did she find a great product in the Smokenator. The Smokenator is perfect for someone who wants to learn the basics of ‘low and slow’ smoking. Also, you’ll learn how to take care and monitor your smoking because you do need to get good at temperature management with the Smokenator. There are a few essential items you’ll need, Weber grill, Smokenator, thermometer, and I highly recommend Franklin Barbeque: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto, it’s full of recipes and techniques for cooking and smoking award winning BBQ. I have other books, but there isn’t one that is equal to what this book provides in terms of techniques, the rub recipes are A+ as well. Trust me; if you buy a Smokenator 1000, you won’t be disappointed. My system for rubs is to make different batches of rub and store them in re-used spice bottles that have holes in the top for easy application. I also keep Bad Byron’s Butt Rub Barbecue Seasoning on hand because this is hands down, the best rub on the market today. I’ve used it on ribs, whole chickens, chicken wings, catfish, vegetables, you name it! If you are serious about grilling and smoking, grab your self a bottle today, and you will thank me later!

Smokenator: Two Grills in One!

In Arizona, our house has space limitations, and for our wedding, we received a large gas grill as a present, and I already had a Weber charcoal grill which we used for BBQ on the weekends when we had more time to prepare our food. I wanted a Weber Smokey Mountain smoker, but my wife came up with a better idea, Bam! She decided to buy a Smokenator 1000. It has been a great substitute, and hopefully a stepping stool to a full-fledged smoker. One weekend I fired up the Weber and smoked some fantastic ribs with the Smokenator. I recommend starting with some ribs as they seem to be the easiest meat to smoke and to be honest, if things don’t go as planned, you can always throw the ribs on the gas grill or in the oven. A whole chicken is a little more cumbersome to deal with only half-cooked. So I recommend going down to your local meat market and grab a rack of ribs. Ribs aren’t the only meat that you can smoke with the Smokenator. Over the last few years using the Smokenator and my Weber Grill, I’ve successfully smoked Chicken Quarters, a Whole Chicken, Pork Shoulder, Beef Brisket, a Whole Ham, and many, many racks of ribs.

Setting up the Smokenator: How to Guide

The basics of how to guide for the Smokenator is to practice and do dry runs until you master the temperature levels. Always be consistent with the tools you use (thermometer, charcoal, etc.) and always make sure to record the steps you take so you can easily replicate for the next time. The key to getting the right smoke and taste is to use lump charcoal, make sure you get lump instead of Kingsford if you can help it. I live in the Phoenix area, and I was able to buy a 20 lb bag of lump charcoal for $6 at my local Fry’s grocery store. The lump charcoal gives you a longer more consistent burn and a little bit different taste too. I’ve also found that if you live in a city with an Amazon warehouse (like Phoenix), you can typically get a good deal on charcoal with Amazon and it arrives quickly and in pretty good shape. Too many travel days will cause the charcoal to get broken up or pulverized.

My recommended rubs:

The key to the whole system is temperature, make sure you get a smoker thermometer, instead of the recommended meat thermometer and a clip. The smoker thermometer is slightly larger than the hole in the Weber lid. It does fit nicely at an angle or using the locking nut to hold it in place. This is one of those exercises where you DO need to read the Smokenator Manual fully before starting. Make sure you understand the process of controlling the temperature.

I’ve used the Smokenator twice now, and I like it as an alternative or temporary solution to having a smoker. The main thing I need to work on is controlling temperature. I think the area for improvement is in keeping the coals consistently hot and keeping a good flow through the entire 4-hour smoke. Another item you might want if you’re cooking multiple racks of ribs is the Hovergrill for the Smokenator.

If you follow the directions that were provided in the manual, then you’ll have no problem. The biggest thing is to make sure you know your Weber grill through and through. It’ll be very hard to maintain the minimum temperature if you’ve got a leaky kettle. The Smokenator 1000 will only be as good as your kettle grill, and of course, the leading brand is Weber. As I mentioned before, I highly recommend getting Franklin Barbeque: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto book, lots of great BBQ instruction and tips as well as recipes for rubs and sauces and looking for more advanced smoking techniques? Learn how to cold smoke cheese on a smoker. You’ll never want regular cheese again! I also cover topics like how long it takes to smoke cheese, best cheese for smoking and my favorite wood for smoking cheese.

Video of the Smokenator in Action:

Here’s a great YouTube Video about the dry run which is very important, you need to do the test run, I cannot stress it enough!! I did two dry runs before smoking anything. Every Grill has areas that may be imperfect, and it’s possible it will leak because of a poor seal between the top and the bottom pieces of the grill. It’s just important to understand how your grill heats up and also holds the heat as well.

Here is a video of the late Smokenator creator, Don Thompson (RIP) explaining the features of the Smokenator and also Cooking Low and Slow with the Smokenator: