Motorcycle gear protects you in two ways. Tough leather or textile resists scraping in a slide. Armor pads absorb the force of a hit at your shoulders, elbows, back, hips and knees. Gear only works...
Long rides test your gear for hours at a time. Durable touring gear must fit well first, so the armor does not shift and your shoulders do not tire. Next, check the leather, the seams and the armor...
Racing suits do not use the same leather all over. Thicker leather sits at the shoulders, elbows, knees and hips, where a slide hits hardest. Thinner leather covers the torso, sides and underarms so...
A year of MotoSpeeds posts comes down to one idea: protection is a system. Tough leather and strong seams slow damage in a slide. CE armor soaks up impact at the shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and...
There are two main ways to keep rain out of touring gear. A laminated membrane is bonded to the outer fabric, so it stays in place and leaves no gaps. A drop liner is a separate layer that hangs...
Reflective panels bounce car headlights back to the driver, so you stand out at night. They help most on parts that move, like shoulders, arms and legs. Good pockets keep your phone, keys and wallet...
Riding jeans, leather pants and textile pants can all protect your legs. What decides it is a layer that resists scraping, CE armor at the knee and hip, and a fit that keeps the armor in place...
Hot weather can make you tired and slow to react. Vented gear helps. Mesh panels, small holes in the leather and zip vents let air flow through the jacket or suit. The armor sits under the shell, so...
AA is the second highest class for riding clothes under EN 17092. It means the fabric and seams hold up well when you slide on the road. It does not rate impact. Armor for your elbows, shoulders...
Nomex gear needs gentle care. Read the care label first. Take out any armor and empty the pockets. Hand wash in cool to warm water with a mild soap. Do not use bleach or fabric softener. Rinse well...
A motorcycle airbag sits inside a suit, jacket or vest. When it senses a crash, it fills with air in a split second and spreads the hit across your chest, back and shoulders. EN 1621-4 and EN 1621-5...
Thick leather is only part of the story. If a seam splits in a slide, skin meets the road. EN 17092 tests gear for abrasion, tears and seam strength, in classes A, AA and AAA. AAA gear must pass the...
More women ride today than ever before. They commute, tour and ride on track days. Yet many still get asked if the bike is really theirs. Gear was slow to catch up, with big jackets cut for men. Now...
CE armor pads soak up the force of a hit. Level 1 is lighter, thinner and more comfortable, so it suits relaxed street riding. Level 2 is thicker and firmer and lets less force through, so many track...
This review follows a 220 km ride in a western leather jacket for women. It has soft lambskin, a quilted lining and a 1970s cafe racer look. The fit stayed steady on city streets and the highway. It...
