It sure does.
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- Thread starter DaveM
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I do not not wear lace boots/shoes while riding. Back in the 60's I was riding my TR6 and I came to a stop sign. I tried to put my right foot down and my laces caught on the shift lever (right hand shift on the old Triumphs). I was able to shift my weight and get my left foot down without dropping the bike. After much effort I was able to get the laces untangled. That was the last time I ever wore laces while riding.
Carl thats exactly what happened to me, just a different bike and different foot.
That is a helpless feeling, isn't it?
Very well described!
Nice!
Worn & Tested: Vaktare M.G. Pilot Racer Jacket
Several months ago Estefan Duarte from Vaktare Moto Gear got in touch with us about reviewing one of their riding jackets. A bit of back and forth landed us on the Pilot Racer jacket. Estefan then went dark for a bit before notifying us of shipment. His reason for disappearing? The jacket needed to be made first.
Vaktare Moto Gear is a boutique brand based out of Los Angeles that focuses on American-made riding apparel that is also fashion-forward. Almost every component and material used in the Pilot Racer is American-made or American-sourced. Apparel is made in small quantities and with exacting detail. These qualities help Vaktare stand out in a crowded marketplace, but they also mean that Vaktare’s products come at a premium compared to some other brands.
Personally, I’m fine with paying a premium so long as that premium is worth it. I’d rather purchase one more expensive thing vs 2 or 3 less expensive things that need premature replacing.
The Pilot Racer arrived approximately two months ago and I’ve taken every opportunity to wear it, both on the bike and in general.
My experience has been very positive: the Pilot Racer is a near-perfect example of how fashion and function can blend together. It’s not perfect, but it’s close… real close.
Available Directly From Vaktare
Vaktare provided us with this Pilot Racer for the purposes of this review. You can order directly from their website.
VaktareMG.com
Since I was unfamiliar with Vaktare prior to receiving this jacket for review, I wanted to spend some time getting to know them as a brand. Who a brand is and what they’re about is important- these qualities provide a brand with its personality and purpose. I quickly learned that Vaktare is very much a boutique business, with my contact, Estefan, at the helm.
Estefan began designing motorcycle jackets at age 19 after realizing that there wasn’t anything available on the market that satisfied his need to be fashionable with his desire to also be safe.
In their LA studio, Vaktare designs and develops their products. Apparel is handmade. This process has numerous advantages to it:
Founded in 2013, Vaktare is a small crew of just six people. These six people design and manufacture their gear in-house.
There’s is a rare story in today’s competitive apparel landscape. It’s refreshing, too: the more integrated into the powersports industry I get, the more I begin to see trends: outsourced products, rebranded and re-sold domestically. Very few companies produce in America.
This isn’t to take away from the value brands that utilize outsourced manufacturing can bring to the equation. A well-made piece of gear is well-made, regardless of where it comes from. But, in my opinion, something made domestically, and with care, is deserving of a little more consideration.
After receiving the Pilot Racer I emailed a few questions Estefan’s way, specifically surrounding how the jacket is made and the steps that are followed throughout its production. There are a few things that stand out to me:
It is because of these five qualities that the Pilot Racer starts at $849 without armor.
From Vaktare:
The Pilot Racer is a homage to the Pilot style that made its debut via WWI fighter pilot jackets. It’s a blend of traditional style and modern cafe racer influences, and it’s holistically beautiful. This isn’t a case of “all show and no go”, either. No compromise was made with respect to build quality anywhere that I can discern.
Style is subjective, and as a colorblind fella, I tend to shy away from speaking too heavily to aesthetics. To be fair, I’ve been rocking the same “jeans and a t-shirt’ style since I was 14, so you should take my sentiments regarding style with an appropriate amount of salt.
But there’s no salt needed here. The Pilot Racer is one handsome jacket and everybody that’s seen it agrees. It’s the only moto jacket I’ve ever worn that attracts unsolicited compliments. I’m not complaining, either: when wrapped in this cognac-colored beauty, I very much feel as good as I look.
The Shearling wool collar sits securely in place thanks to three snaps: two on either side of the lapel, and one centered at the rear. The snaps keep the collar even and properly aligned, even after many hours of wear.
The wool itself is a tad warm for hot weather riding, but beautifully appropriate once the temperatures drop somewhat. Living in the great frozen nation of Canada, the Pilot Racer proved that it’s more than capable of keeping you warm during autumn riding. More on this down below.
The shoulders are given emphasis thanks to hand-sewn accents in the leather that sits directly above the shoulder armor pocket. The attention to detail here succeeds in making the shoulder area attractive and successfully masks some of the bulk that shoulder armor adds to this area. A similar effect is given to the lower back.
Other hand-sewn details throughout the jacket include accent seams and partitions in the leather – such as at the elbows – that draw the eye and break up the leather without relying on gimmicks, flashy logos/graphics, or over the top embroidery. As a result, the jacket feels polished and looks high-end.
As you can see from the photos, the Pilot Racer is a bomber-style jacket that will fit right the waistline of most people. You may be able to get yours made a bit longer if you request it. Personally, I like the long-leg/short-torso look a bomber jacket gives me. However, I also have some questions with respect to safety. Namely, will the jacket’s short cut expose my lower torso if I decide to do some sliding on the pavement? This concern is emphasized by the lack of adjustability in the torso. More on that below.
For reference, I am 6’2″, 195lbs, and have a V-shaped upper body: broad shoulders and a largeish chest at 45″. I’m wearing a size XL, which I find to be fitted but not snug. I’d describe the fit as “athletic”.
The sleeves are a bit longer than your typical jacket which I’ve found allows them to extend that crucial extra inch you need when you’re in the riding position. However, the sleeves are also wider than you’d expect and this has the unfortunate side effect of letting in a bit of a draft. I’m also worried that they would ride up should I have an unfortunate meeting with the pavement.
Range of motion in the arms is mostly good, though you can feel the tightness of the fit when trying to raise your arms to shoulder level. The jacket comes along, but you’ll feel snug in your upper back and shoulders. Happily, you can give a pretty decent hug while wearing the Pilo Racer.
The Pilot Racer is a comfortable jacket to wear and, for the most part, fits me as good or better than any other jacket I’ve owned. This is awesome because if it didn’t, my options in terms of customizing the fit are limited. Save from having Vaktare bake my measurements into the jacket when manufacturing it, there’s little else you can do if you want to expand or compress fit in some areas.
Wrist-zippers along the forearms allow you to open up the sleeves, but you are unable to tighten them once the zippers are closed. If you’re wearing gauntlet-style gloves this won’t be much of an issue for you, but everyone else will notice the large wrist opening. Then, as I mentioned before, there’s the issue regarding the potential for the sleeves to ride up should you find yourself sliding around on the tarmac.
You have no ability to customize the tightness of the waist, either. It comes as it’s cut, so if you get yours as an exact match, make sure you keep the same measurements.
The lack of adjustability shouldn’t be much of a problem for you if you conform to their size chart (or have your jacket customized to suit). Wearing the XL, at no point did I feel that I needed to bring in the waist at all – I find the fit quite good in this area – but the same is not true of the sleeves. I’d love to be able to compress the cuff to restrict airflow.
At $849, a lot of people are going to be surprised to hear that the Pilot Racer does not come with any integrated armor. However, you do have the ability to place your own armor into the shoulder, elbows, and lower back. Vaktare also sells armor on its website for a reasonable fee, though most armor will work.
Vaktare uses 1.1 – 1.3mm full-grain leather for the PIlot Racer. Most “heavyweight” leather riding gear is 1.1 – 1.4mm, so the Vaktare fits right in line with that. It certainly feels it: the jacket carries a heft that similarly sized textiles and lightweight leather doesn’t come close to.
When it comes to leather goods and safety, the quality of the stitching and supporting hardware is equally as important as the leather itself. Jim thinks I’m a bit of a stich-snob (after my recent review of the Velomacchi Speedway gloves), but I disagree- I just think that something ought to be made well, and seemingly small things can make a big difference. After all, having leather panels rip away while you slide along doesn’t do you any good.
In this area, Vaktare doesn’t disappoint, with excellent and uniform stitching throughout. Major areas are double-stitched. The hardware used for zippers/snaps is also good and well-integrated into the jacket.
However, there are two areas that I think Vaktare could improve on here:
High-level: I love this jacket. I like how it feels when wearing it, I love how it looks when riding with it, and I think that Vaktare’s done a great job making it a very livable jacket.
Note: this is not a waterproof jacket, but it is water resistant. Make sure yours is waxed if you think you’re going to get wet while wearing it.
There is no area on the Pilot Racer that is uncomfortable, even when in a sport/touring riding position. It feels great, thanks largely to the natural qualities full-grain leather possesses. It’s soft, compliant, and warm. The cotton liner is soft and pleasing to the touch; it doesn’t catch or get snagged on your shirt.
The Shearling wool collar feels luxurious against my neck and, happily, didn’t irritate my freshly-shaved skin. I also felt it does a pretty good job insulating your neck from wind- given that I was riding in weather where the temperature dipped slightly below 48F, keeping my neck cool is a major plus. If collars aren’t your thing, though, you can get the Pilot Racer without one. In its place, there is a simple leather strap and two snaps.
But come on, the collar is awesome
Depending on where you live, the Pilot Racer would be a warmish jacket to wear during the hot summer months, but I’d have no issues riding with it in the spring/summer/fall. Then again, I’m a Canadian and everyone knows we were born into – and molded by – the snow.
One thing to note: I found that wind would buffet up the sleeve to about my elbow if I was wearing thin gloves. The wide cuff can let in a lot of air (and water, I suspect, but I didn’t test this).
The Pilot Racer is four zippable pockets on its exterior – two waist-pockets and two breast pockets – and a single unsealed interior pocket at the left breast. All the pockets are huge, easily fitting a smartphone, set of keys, and wallet… with room to spare.
That said, I wish the interior pocket could be sealed somehow. As big and as cavernous as it is, I’d still prefer a way to seal it up.
Call it a quirk of mine, but ever since I got a little throttle-happy over an oversized speedbump and had my phone slide right out of the interior pocket, I’ve been paranoid about it ever since.
Admittedly, I am not a tailor (shocking, I know) and so my assessment of the build quality comes from anecdotal experience vs. professional experience. The long and short of it is that the Pilot Racer appears to be impeccably made.
Throughout the jacket, stitching is even and nearly flawless. Panels are symmetrical and there are no irregularities that I can see. After two months of regular wear, both on and off the bike, the jacket looks almost brand new…
… with the exception of the full-grain leather itself, which attracts markings and imperfections. This is part of what gives leather its charm: the story it tells after years of wear and use. But if you’re someone who likes things to perpetually look “new”, a full-grain leather jacket shouldn’t find its way into your closet. Look for something synthetic or textile, both of which are more resistant to wear marks.
Case and point: while riding down the highway, a passing car spat out a rock that hit me square in the chest. I remember this clearly, both because it felt like getting hit by a hammer at the time and because there’s a mark on the Pilot’s chest to commemorate the experience.
Leather wear aside, after scouring the Pilot Racer looking for any sign of flaws, I found one – and only one – along the inside left breast: marks where the leather had been scratched or torn? I’m unsure as it’s difficult to tell because it is hidden away on the inside of a seam. Considering that the leather comes from a single cowhide, a single flaw is certainly acceptable.
Fellow writer Jim Pruner remarked that the Pilot Racer is a bit too pretty for him. He loves his waterproof and well-insulated textile riding gear. I get it. If safety is 100% your focus, this Vaktare will prove capable but ultimately insufficient.
I’m not saying or (even implying) the Pilot Racer is unsafe – quality leather, room for CE-level 2 armor, and great construction provide plenty of protection – but safety isn’t why you buy the Pilot Racer. You buy the Pilot Racer so you can roll up to a restaurant, hop off your Triumph, and meet your friends on the patio. It’s the perfect “get together” riding jacket because whoever you’re meeting won’t know that it’s a riding jacket.
If you aren’t concerned about being able to ride in the rain or pair up to a full leather riding suit, I think you’ll find plenty of reasons to really appreciate the Pilot Racer. I definitely have.
I think it’s worth supporting products from companies that stand behind their product. Vaktare offers no-charge lifetime servicing and small repairs when you buy a jacket from them. At $849 ($949 kitted out with armor), the Pilot Racer is a pretty serious investment. Considering that the jacket itself is going to last for many years with just basic care, it is good to know that the company that made it will take care of it should something happen to it.
If you’re wanting a high-end leather jacket that is safe, comfortable, and stylish, you may have found your match with the Pilot Racer.
Pros
Specs
Available Directly From Vaktare
Vaktare provided us with this Pilot Racer for the purposes of this review. You can order directly from their website.
VaktareMG.com
The post Worn & Tested: Vaktare M.G. Pilot Racer Jacket appeared first on Web Bike World.
Several months ago Estefan Duarte from Vaktare Moto Gear got in touch with us about reviewing one of their riding jackets. A bit of back and forth landed us on the Pilot Racer jacket. Estefan then went dark for a bit before notifying us of shipment. His reason for disappearing? The jacket needed to be made first.
Vaktare Moto Gear is a boutique brand based out of Los Angeles that focuses on American-made riding apparel that is also fashion-forward. Almost every component and material used in the Pilot Racer is American-made or American-sourced. Apparel is made in small quantities and with exacting detail. These qualities help Vaktare stand out in a crowded marketplace, but they also mean that Vaktare’s products come at a premium compared to some other brands.
Personally, I’m fine with paying a premium so long as that premium is worth it. I’d rather purchase one more expensive thing vs 2 or 3 less expensive things that need premature replacing.
The Pilot Racer arrived approximately two months ago and I’ve taken every opportunity to wear it, both on the bike and in general.
My experience has been very positive: the Pilot Racer is a near-perfect example of how fashion and function can blend together. It’s not perfect, but it’s close… real close.
Available Directly From Vaktare
Vaktare provided us with this Pilot Racer for the purposes of this review. You can order directly from their website.
VaktareMG.com
About Vaktare Moto Gear
Since I was unfamiliar with Vaktare prior to receiving this jacket for review, I wanted to spend some time getting to know them as a brand. Who a brand is and what they’re about is important- these qualities provide a brand with its personality and purpose. I quickly learned that Vaktare is very much a boutique business, with my contact, Estefan, at the helm.
Estefan began designing motorcycle jackets at age 19 after realizing that there wasn’t anything available on the market that satisfied his need to be fashionable with his desire to also be safe.
“I was tired of looking like a stormtrooper in bulky leathers and wanted something that could protect me and look good at the same time. At the time, nothing satisfied me so I decided I would have to create something unique and locally made. That’s how our first wool collection was born.”
In their LA studio, Vaktare designs and develops their products. Apparel is handmade. This process has numerous advantages to it:
- They support local industry by using American-sourced materials (in particular, high-grade leather)
- They employ local artisans and professionals
- They support the local economy
- They have 100% control over the quality of a garment
- They can customize individual orders to suit specific measurements or requests
Founded in 2013, Vaktare is a small crew of just six people. These six people design and manufacture their gear in-house.
“Everything we make comes straight from our Los Angeles workshop, nothing is ever outsourced. This is simply so that quality control can be maintained at the highest level. Its easier to use proven manufacturing techniques or even correct mistakes when the producing is happening right before your eyes. Watching a jacket go from raw materials to a finished motorcycle jacket is rewarding for all of us at the shop. Its a great privilege of knowing someone is going to use our garment over a lifetime, and with the right care, it will last generations.”
There’s is a rare story in today’s competitive apparel landscape. It’s refreshing, too: the more integrated into the powersports industry I get, the more I begin to see trends: outsourced products, rebranded and re-sold domestically. Very few companies produce in America.
This isn’t to take away from the value brands that utilize outsourced manufacturing can bring to the equation. A well-made piece of gear is well-made, regardless of where it comes from. But, in my opinion, something made domestically, and with care, is deserving of a little more consideration.
On Being “Made With Care”
After receiving the Pilot Racer I emailed a few questions Estefan’s way, specifically surrounding how the jacket is made and the steps that are followed throughout its production. There are a few things that stand out to me:
- Nothing is outsourced – All aspects of construction, from design to cutting to sewing to tailoring, are handled in-house. Estefan is a self-proclaimed stickler for quality and looks, so it’s important to him that they are able to oversee every step of manufacturing. Even the zippers are made by an American company (G2 Zippers).
- The typical jacket takes 3 days to be made – Production starts with picking out a full-grain cowhide and hand cutting it. This process is laborious: since each jacket comes from one specific cowhide, only one can be cut at a time). Once the leather is prepared, the materials are then sent to the tailors to put it all together. The jacket is then hand-waxed and laid down to set.
- A bespoke jacket just for you? No problem – One thing about Vaktare that I found interesting is that they can make your jacket to your specific measurements. This is a byproduct of the handmade process, as it empowers them with a certain level of flexibility not possible in a mass-produced environment.
- Only high-end materials are used – From the leather to the hardware, Vaktare only uses high-end materials. This is why they’ve chosen to use full-grain leather for the Pilot Racer, for example, in place of less-expensive varieties.
- Vaktare offers free lifetime servicing of their garments – This includes waxing, re-waxing, or minor repairs. In Estefan’s words, “if it’s repairable… we’ll repair it.” Repairs specified include patches, seam repairs, zippers/snap hardware, and other small problems.
It is because of these five qualities that the Pilot Racer starts at $849 without armor.
Specifications
From Vaktare:
- 1.1 – 1.3mm American sourced Full-Grain Cowhide.
- Sleeve darts for natural arm movement.
- Extra sleeve length for riding position.
- 100% American-Made. Produced in small batches to ensure the highest quality.
- Stretch cotton body lining for move-ability.
- Luxury G2 Zippers made in Los Angeles sourced from UCAN LA Company.
- Adjustable cuff zippers.
- American-made snaps.
- Genuine Shearling wool collar. 3 heavy-duty snaps to keep it in place.
- Stitched with size 96 industrial nylon 6,6 thread. Double-stitched on integral seams.
- Designed, Sourced, Made in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- 4 Zippered pockets.
- Breast pocket.
- Pockets for back, shoulder, and elbow armor.
The Pilot Racer is a Damn Good Looking Jacket
The Pilot Racer is a homage to the Pilot style that made its debut via WWI fighter pilot jackets. It’s a blend of traditional style and modern cafe racer influences, and it’s holistically beautiful. This isn’t a case of “all show and no go”, either. No compromise was made with respect to build quality anywhere that I can discern.
Style is subjective, and as a colorblind fella, I tend to shy away from speaking too heavily to aesthetics. To be fair, I’ve been rocking the same “jeans and a t-shirt’ style since I was 14, so you should take my sentiments regarding style with an appropriate amount of salt.
But there’s no salt needed here. The Pilot Racer is one handsome jacket and everybody that’s seen it agrees. It’s the only moto jacket I’ve ever worn that attracts unsolicited compliments. I’m not complaining, either: when wrapped in this cognac-colored beauty, I very much feel as good as I look.
Poppin’ Collars & Making Dollars
The Shearling wool collar sits securely in place thanks to three snaps: two on either side of the lapel, and one centered at the rear. The snaps keep the collar even and properly aligned, even after many hours of wear.
The wool itself is a tad warm for hot weather riding, but beautifully appropriate once the temperatures drop somewhat. Living in the great frozen nation of Canada, the Pilot Racer proved that it’s more than capable of keeping you warm during autumn riding. More on this down below.
Hand Sewn Details & Texturing
The shoulders are given emphasis thanks to hand-sewn accents in the leather that sits directly above the shoulder armor pocket. The attention to detail here succeeds in making the shoulder area attractive and successfully masks some of the bulk that shoulder armor adds to this area. A similar effect is given to the lower back.
Other hand-sewn details throughout the jacket include accent seams and partitions in the leather – such as at the elbows – that draw the eye and break up the leather without relying on gimmicks, flashy logos/graphics, or over the top embroidery. As a result, the jacket feels polished and looks high-end.
Bomber Style
As you can see from the photos, the Pilot Racer is a bomber-style jacket that will fit right the waistline of most people. You may be able to get yours made a bit longer if you request it. Personally, I like the long-leg/short-torso look a bomber jacket gives me. However, I also have some questions with respect to safety. Namely, will the jacket’s short cut expose my lower torso if I decide to do some sliding on the pavement? This concern is emphasized by the lack of adjustability in the torso. More on that below.
Fit
For reference, I am 6’2″, 195lbs, and have a V-shaped upper body: broad shoulders and a largeish chest at 45″. I’m wearing a size XL, which I find to be fitted but not snug. I’d describe the fit as “athletic”.
The sleeves are a bit longer than your typical jacket which I’ve found allows them to extend that crucial extra inch you need when you’re in the riding position. However, the sleeves are also wider than you’d expect and this has the unfortunate side effect of letting in a bit of a draft. I’m also worried that they would ride up should I have an unfortunate meeting with the pavement.
Range of motion in the arms is mostly good, though you can feel the tightness of the fit when trying to raise your arms to shoulder level. The jacket comes along, but you’ll feel snug in your upper back and shoulders. Happily, you can give a pretty decent hug while wearing the Pilo Racer.
Comfortable, But Not Particularly Adjustable
The Pilot Racer is a comfortable jacket to wear and, for the most part, fits me as good or better than any other jacket I’ve owned. This is awesome because if it didn’t, my options in terms of customizing the fit are limited. Save from having Vaktare bake my measurements into the jacket when manufacturing it, there’s little else you can do if you want to expand or compress fit in some areas.
Wrist-zippers along the forearms allow you to open up the sleeves, but you are unable to tighten them once the zippers are closed. If you’re wearing gauntlet-style gloves this won’t be much of an issue for you, but everyone else will notice the large wrist opening. Then, as I mentioned before, there’s the issue regarding the potential for the sleeves to ride up should you find yourself sliding around on the tarmac.
You have no ability to customize the tightness of the waist, either. It comes as it’s cut, so if you get yours as an exact match, make sure you keep the same measurements.
The lack of adjustability shouldn’t be much of a problem for you if you conform to their size chart (or have your jacket customized to suit). Wearing the XL, at no point did I feel that I needed to bring in the waist at all – I find the fit quite good in this area – but the same is not true of the sleeves. I’d love to be able to compress the cuff to restrict airflow.
Safety
At $849, a lot of people are going to be surprised to hear that the Pilot Racer does not come with any integrated armor. However, you do have the ability to place your own armor into the shoulder, elbows, and lower back. Vaktare also sells armor on its website for a reasonable fee, though most armor will work.
Vaktare uses 1.1 – 1.3mm full-grain leather for the PIlot Racer. Most “heavyweight” leather riding gear is 1.1 – 1.4mm, so the Vaktare fits right in line with that. It certainly feels it: the jacket carries a heft that similarly sized textiles and lightweight leather doesn’t come close to.
When it comes to leather goods and safety, the quality of the stitching and supporting hardware is equally as important as the leather itself. Jim thinks I’m a bit of a stich-snob (after my recent review of the Velomacchi Speedway gloves), but I disagree- I just think that something ought to be made well, and seemingly small things can make a big difference. After all, having leather panels rip away while you slide along doesn’t do you any good.
In this area, Vaktare doesn’t disappoint, with excellent and uniform stitching throughout. Major areas are double-stitched. The hardware used for zippers/snaps is also good and well-integrated into the jacket.
However, there are two areas that I think Vaktare could improve on here:
- Reduce the diameter of the sleeves, or allow the wearer to compress the opening via a strap/zipper/buckle/etc. I recognize that this may detract somewhat from the overall look, but I’d rather a jacket look 3% less cool than have the cuff ride up right when I’m face down staring at the pavement. Road rash sucks.
- Include a belt loop to bind the jacket to your pants. There’s nothing to secure the jacket to your pants, meaning that the bomber-style of the cut may come back to bit you in the butt in the event of a crash. Admittedly, this isn’t super likely… but sewing in a belt loop or two is such a trivial thing that why even have the risk at all?
Comfort, Storage, & Quality of Life
High-level: I love this jacket. I like how it feels when wearing it, I love how it looks when riding with it, and I think that Vaktare’s done a great job making it a very livable jacket.
Note: this is not a waterproof jacket, but it is water resistant. Make sure yours is waxed if you think you’re going to get wet while wearing it.
Overall Comfort
There is no area on the Pilot Racer that is uncomfortable, even when in a sport/touring riding position. It feels great, thanks largely to the natural qualities full-grain leather possesses. It’s soft, compliant, and warm. The cotton liner is soft and pleasing to the touch; it doesn’t catch or get snagged on your shirt.
The Shearling wool collar feels luxurious against my neck and, happily, didn’t irritate my freshly-shaved skin. I also felt it does a pretty good job insulating your neck from wind- given that I was riding in weather where the temperature dipped slightly below 48F, keeping my neck cool is a major plus. If collars aren’t your thing, though, you can get the Pilot Racer without one. In its place, there is a simple leather strap and two snaps.
But come on, the collar is awesome
Depending on where you live, the Pilot Racer would be a warmish jacket to wear during the hot summer months, but I’d have no issues riding with it in the spring/summer/fall. Then again, I’m a Canadian and everyone knows we were born into – and molded by – the snow.
One thing to note: I found that wind would buffet up the sleeve to about my elbow if I was wearing thin gloves. The wide cuff can let in a lot of air (and water, I suspect, but I didn’t test this).
Storage
The Pilot Racer is four zippable pockets on its exterior – two waist-pockets and two breast pockets – and a single unsealed interior pocket at the left breast. All the pockets are huge, easily fitting a smartphone, set of keys, and wallet… with room to spare.
That said, I wish the interior pocket could be sealed somehow. As big and as cavernous as it is, I’d still prefer a way to seal it up.
Call it a quirk of mine, but ever since I got a little throttle-happy over an oversized speedbump and had my phone slide right out of the interior pocket, I’ve been paranoid about it ever since.
Build Quality & Long-Term Durability
Admittedly, I am not a tailor (shocking, I know) and so my assessment of the build quality comes from anecdotal experience vs. professional experience. The long and short of it is that the Pilot Racer appears to be impeccably made.
Throughout the jacket, stitching is even and nearly flawless. Panels are symmetrical and there are no irregularities that I can see. After two months of regular wear, both on and off the bike, the jacket looks almost brand new…
… with the exception of the full-grain leather itself, which attracts markings and imperfections. This is part of what gives leather its charm: the story it tells after years of wear and use. But if you’re someone who likes things to perpetually look “new”, a full-grain leather jacket shouldn’t find its way into your closet. Look for something synthetic or textile, both of which are more resistant to wear marks.
Case and point: while riding down the highway, a passing car spat out a rock that hit me square in the chest. I remember this clearly, both because it felt like getting hit by a hammer at the time and because there’s a mark on the Pilot’s chest to commemorate the experience.
Leather wear aside, after scouring the Pilot Racer looking for any sign of flaws, I found one – and only one – along the inside left breast: marks where the leather had been scratched or torn? I’m unsure as it’s difficult to tell because it is hidden away on the inside of a seam. Considering that the leather comes from a single cowhide, a single flaw is certainly acceptable.
All Said, The Pilot Racer is an Excellent Riding Jacket
Fellow writer Jim Pruner remarked that the Pilot Racer is a bit too pretty for him. He loves his waterproof and well-insulated textile riding gear. I get it. If safety is 100% your focus, this Vaktare will prove capable but ultimately insufficient.
I’m not saying or (even implying) the Pilot Racer is unsafe – quality leather, room for CE-level 2 armor, and great construction provide plenty of protection – but safety isn’t why you buy the Pilot Racer. You buy the Pilot Racer so you can roll up to a restaurant, hop off your Triumph, and meet your friends on the patio. It’s the perfect “get together” riding jacket because whoever you’re meeting won’t know that it’s a riding jacket.
If you aren’t concerned about being able to ride in the rain or pair up to a full leather riding suit, I think you’ll find plenty of reasons to really appreciate the Pilot Racer. I definitely have.
I think it’s worth supporting products from companies that stand behind their product. Vaktare offers no-charge lifetime servicing and small repairs when you buy a jacket from them. At $849 ($949 kitted out with armor), the Pilot Racer is a pretty serious investment. Considering that the jacket itself is going to last for many years with just basic care, it is good to know that the company that made it will take care of it should something happen to it.
If you’re wanting a high-end leather jacket that is safe, comfortable, and stylish, you may have found your match with the Pilot Racer.
Pros
- Awesome looking
- Very well made
- Comfortable
- Huge pockets
- Excellent fit
- Wide sleeves may be problematic
- Now way to connect jacket to pants/belt
- Interior pocket doesn’t seal closed
- Have to buy armor separately
Specs
- Manufacturer: Vaktare
- Price (When Tested): $849
- Available Sizes: S- XXXL
- Made In: America
- Review Date: November 2018
Available Directly From Vaktare
Vaktare provided us with this Pilot Racer for the purposes of this review. You can order directly from their website.
VaktareMG.com
Gallery
The post Worn & Tested: Vaktare M.G. Pilot Racer Jacket appeared first on Web Bike World.
Nice looking jacket, but I would prefer it without the shearling collar for riding. I see it getting dirty and hard to clean.
But I would like it with the collar for casual wear.
It's also probably a bit too pricey for the average guy.
That said, I paid nearly that much for this made-in-Canada WWII flight jacket 18 years ago (modern copy) and I like the colour better - and it still fits!!!!
But I would like it with the collar for casual wear.
It's also probably a bit too pricey for the average guy.
That said, I paid nearly that much for this made-in-Canada WWII flight jacket 18 years ago (modern copy) and I like the colour better - and it still fits!!!!
Rocky, I agree on all counts.Nice looking jacket, but I would prefer it without the shearling collar for riding. I see it getting dirty and hard to clean.
But I would like it with the collar for casual wear.
It's also probably a bit too pricey for the average guy.
That said, I paid nearly that much for this made-in-Canada WWII flight jacket 18 years ago (modern copy) and I like the colour better - and it still fits!!!!
Darn nice jackets, Estafan's and Rocky's.
Gear Tips for the Mature Rider
It is no secret that as we get older, our bodies change. And in most cases, we do not get better with age. That only happens in the movies and with fine wine.
As motorcycle riders, we need to be aware that the changes that we are facing certainly do not mean that we need to give up our passion for riding, but as mature riders, we do need to understand these potential changes and address them in a manner which will keep us safe and on our bikes as long as possible. Taking a few extra precautions and add a few more key pieces of gear is a small price to pay to keep enjoying bikes and the freedom that they offer.
As described in the March 2006 issue of the Harvard Health Letter, your eyes slowly change as you age. To adapt to low light or darkness, your pupils widen to let in more light and improve your ability to see. But that adjustment is made by the tiny muscles in the colored part of your eye, the iris, which surrounds the pupil.
As anyone who is getting up there in years knows, older muscles just don’t respond as quickly or a well as they once did. So as we age, we just need to accept the fact that it can be more difficult to see in low light such as on a ride at dusk or in the early morning before sunrise.
One option is to limit the time of day that you choose to ride, but to me, that seems like giving in to old age and letting it control my ability to enjoy my bike. A better solution is to use an amber visor or shield in your helmet. This helps to intensify the minimal amount of light and provides a crisper, clearer view in low light. If you do not have the capability of dual visors in your helmet, then amber glasses are an option if you do not wear prescription glasses.
According to a study of 3,305 people ages 16 to 44 conducted by PBS for the show NewsHour, the human brain’s reaction time peaks at age 24. After 24 the decline in reaction time is slow but constant.
As mature motorcycle riders, we need to also embrace this bit of information and learn to extend our vision. This larger scope of vision is going to allow that short extra instant that we need to react to something around us. It could mean the difference between dodging a car backing out into traffic and high siding over a trunk and landing on hard asphalt.
And that brings me to the next fact that we, as older riders need to grasp. And that is the fact that we just don’t heal as quickly as we did in our 20’s or even our 40’s. Again, I am not advocating hanging up the helmet and gloves, I am just saying that mature riders need to take advantage of all of the amazing protective gear that is now available.
Not too many years ago, a leather jacket was all the protection that you could get. But today’s jackets offer things like:
And that connection zipper is the perfect segue to the next piece of gear that has made some huge strides in providing protection. Riding pants used to be a very constricting, stiff leather garment that only belonged in MotoGP. But that is no longer the case.
Riders can select from textile, leather or even denim pants that offer almost as many safety options as today’s jackets such as:
But if you are not ready to give up the gear that you already own to invest in a new jacket and pants with extra safety features, consider just adding some armor under your existing gear. There are several reputable companies who are selling back protectors that fit under a jacket or shirt, elbow and knee armor and even base layers with pockets for soft or rigid armor.
As an over 50 rider, I completely understand that many riders my age do not want to feel like they have just suited up in an Ironman costume to go out for a ride. I must confess, I was right there with you thinking that same thing until I tried out a few new pieces of gear thanks to the great folks at webBikeWorld and some awesome manufacturers who offered up some gear.
I had always ridden in jeans, some type of sneaker or gym shoe and a jacket. And in the heat of a Phoenix summer, I was not religious about the jacket on occasion. The only thing that I was a little bit smart about was wearing a helmet, but that was due to the endless supply of rock flying through the air out here.
The jackets are the first piece of gear to really win me over. I have tried a lot of different brands including Joe Rocket, Icon, Motonation, Dainese and Alpinestars. And what I discovered is that as long as I get the correct size, most of the newer style jackets are very comfortable. Again, it will come down to personal preference and fit, but even with all of the added safety features and armor, these jackets are flexible and move with you rather than restricting your motion.
Anyone who had one of the older leather race jackets knows that you felt protected but only because it was like having a nutshell around you. Your movement and flexibility were severely limited. That is no longer the case.
This year I also discovered that motorcycle specific pants are not as bad as I imagined them to be. In fact, they can be more comfortable than the jeans that I spent a lifetime wearing. As I mentioned before, I live in Phoenix and the summers can be pretty unbearable with temps hitting 115 and sometimes higher. So after a ride, my jeans looked like I had just gotten out of the pool and not off of my bike.
I tried out a pair of textile pants that offered some great ventilation and even better armor and padding. While wearing the pants this summer, I had a rather unfortunate incident on a corner with a gravel spill. Fortunately, the hip and knee protection did its job as did the textile. I escaped with no burns or cuts and just a little bruising.
But I would hate to imagine the outcome if my hip had hit the asphalt with nothing but a layer of denim to protect it. I consider myself fortunate to have discovered the importance of good riding gear without getting a ride in an ambulance to go along with my epiphany.
First of all, I hope that you are still with me here and did not see this as all doom and gloom and click away. My point is to provide mature riders, like myself, with some real information that we all need to hear and understand. Getting older is not all bad. I consider myself to be much smarter than the little smart ass I was in my 20’s and I plan to use that added insight to stay safe and stay on my bike for a few more decades.
The fact is that there were more motorcycle accidents in 2016 than there were in 2007 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it is not just because riders were getting older.
There are a lot of other factors that increase the potential for motorcycle accidents today including more vehicles on the road, more road rage incidents and maybe the worst of all is the number of distracted drivers. Cell phones, navigation systems and all of the other gadgets in today’s cars give drivers way too many things that can demand their attention when they need to be watching the road.
As an older and wiser rider, it only makes sense to take advantage of the safety gear that is out there to help avoid an injury that could make riding nothing more than a memory. There are a lot of great manufacturers and types of gear out there. Invest some time to research and even test fitting to find the best gear to give you the added protection you need to be safe and keep riding.
The post Gear Tips for the Mature Rider appeared first on Web Bike World.
It is no secret that as we get older, our bodies change. And in most cases, we do not get better with age. That only happens in the movies and with fine wine.
As motorcycle riders, we need to be aware that the changes that we are facing certainly do not mean that we need to give up our passion for riding, but as mature riders, we do need to understand these potential changes and address them in a manner which will keep us safe and on our bikes as long as possible. Taking a few extra precautions and add a few more key pieces of gear is a small price to pay to keep enjoying bikes and the freedom that they offer.
Low Light & Darkness
As described in the March 2006 issue of the Harvard Health Letter, your eyes slowly change as you age. To adapt to low light or darkness, your pupils widen to let in more light and improve your ability to see. But that adjustment is made by the tiny muscles in the colored part of your eye, the iris, which surrounds the pupil.
As anyone who is getting up there in years knows, older muscles just don’t respond as quickly or a well as they once did. So as we age, we just need to accept the fact that it can be more difficult to see in low light such as on a ride at dusk or in the early morning before sunrise.
Riding Visibility
One option is to limit the time of day that you choose to ride, but to me, that seems like giving in to old age and letting it control my ability to enjoy my bike. A better solution is to use an amber visor or shield in your helmet. This helps to intensify the minimal amount of light and provides a crisper, clearer view in low light. If you do not have the capability of dual visors in your helmet, then amber glasses are an option if you do not wear prescription glasses.
Decreasing Reaction Times & the Consequences
According to a study of 3,305 people ages 16 to 44 conducted by PBS for the show NewsHour, the human brain’s reaction time peaks at age 24. After 24 the decline in reaction time is slow but constant.
As mature motorcycle riders, we need to also embrace this bit of information and learn to extend our vision. This larger scope of vision is going to allow that short extra instant that we need to react to something around us. It could mean the difference between dodging a car backing out into traffic and high siding over a trunk and landing on hard asphalt.
And that brings me to the next fact that we, as older riders need to grasp. And that is the fact that we just don’t heal as quickly as we did in our 20’s or even our 40’s. Again, I am not advocating hanging up the helmet and gloves, I am just saying that mature riders need to take advantage of all of the amazing protective gear that is now available.
Time To Gear Up
Not too many years ago, a leather jacket was all the protection that you could get. But today’s jackets offer things like:
- Integrated PE padding on the chest, torso, and back
- Removable CE protectors in the chest, back, elbows and shoulders
- Exterior friction protectors on the shoulders and elbows
- Kevlar panels for abrasion protection
- Mesh or perforated leather for ventilation and added comfort and safety in warm weather
- Accordion stretch inserts and gussets to allow full range of motion and superior protection
- Optional lumbar protection
- Waist connection zipper to attach to riding pants to eliminate a back full of road rash
And that connection zipper is the perfect segue to the next piece of gear that has made some huge strides in providing protection. Riding pants used to be a very constricting, stiff leather garment that only belonged in MotoGP. But that is no longer the case.
Riders can select from textile, leather or even denim pants that offer almost as many safety options as today’s jackets such as:
- Internal hips pads and knee pads
- External knee pucks if you are really going to push some curves
- Kevlar panels for abrasion protection
- Mesh or perforated leather for ventilation and added comfort and safety in warm weather
- Accordion stretch inserts and gussets to allow full range of motion and superior protection
- Optional lumbar protection
- Waist connection zipper to attach to a jacket to eliminate a back full of road rash
But if you are not ready to give up the gear that you already own to invest in a new jacket and pants with extra safety features, consider just adding some armor under your existing gear. There are several reputable companies who are selling back protectors that fit under a jacket or shirt, elbow and knee armor and even base layers with pockets for soft or rigid armor.
Rider Concerns
As an over 50 rider, I completely understand that many riders my age do not want to feel like they have just suited up in an Ironman costume to go out for a ride. I must confess, I was right there with you thinking that same thing until I tried out a few new pieces of gear thanks to the great folks at webBikeWorld and some awesome manufacturers who offered up some gear.
I had always ridden in jeans, some type of sneaker or gym shoe and a jacket. And in the heat of a Phoenix summer, I was not religious about the jacket on occasion. The only thing that I was a little bit smart about was wearing a helmet, but that was due to the endless supply of rock flying through the air out here.
First the Jacket
The jackets are the first piece of gear to really win me over. I have tried a lot of different brands including Joe Rocket, Icon, Motonation, Dainese and Alpinestars. And what I discovered is that as long as I get the correct size, most of the newer style jackets are very comfortable. Again, it will come down to personal preference and fit, but even with all of the added safety features and armor, these jackets are flexible and move with you rather than restricting your motion.
Anyone who had one of the older leather race jackets knows that you felt protected but only because it was like having a nutshell around you. Your movement and flexibility were severely limited. That is no longer the case.
Then the Pants
This year I also discovered that motorcycle specific pants are not as bad as I imagined them to be. In fact, they can be more comfortable than the jeans that I spent a lifetime wearing. As I mentioned before, I live in Phoenix and the summers can be pretty unbearable with temps hitting 115 and sometimes higher. So after a ride, my jeans looked like I had just gotten out of the pool and not off of my bike.
I tried out a pair of textile pants that offered some great ventilation and even better armor and padding. While wearing the pants this summer, I had a rather unfortunate incident on a corner with a gravel spill. Fortunately, the hip and knee protection did its job as did the textile. I escaped with no burns or cuts and just a little bruising.
But I would hate to imagine the outcome if my hip had hit the asphalt with nothing but a layer of denim to protect it. I consider myself fortunate to have discovered the importance of good riding gear without getting a ride in an ambulance to go along with my epiphany.
A Little Consolation
First of all, I hope that you are still with me here and did not see this as all doom and gloom and click away. My point is to provide mature riders, like myself, with some real information that we all need to hear and understand. Getting older is not all bad. I consider myself to be much smarter than the little smart ass I was in my 20’s and I plan to use that added insight to stay safe and stay on my bike for a few more decades.
The fact is that there were more motorcycle accidents in 2016 than there were in 2007 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it is not just because riders were getting older.
There are a lot of other factors that increase the potential for motorcycle accidents today including more vehicles on the road, more road rage incidents and maybe the worst of all is the number of distracted drivers. Cell phones, navigation systems and all of the other gadgets in today’s cars give drivers way too many things that can demand their attention when they need to be watching the road.
As an older and wiser rider, it only makes sense to take advantage of the safety gear that is out there to help avoid an injury that could make riding nothing more than a memory. There are a lot of great manufacturers and types of gear out there. Invest some time to research and even test fitting to find the best gear to give you the added protection you need to be safe and keep riding.
The post Gear Tips for the Mature Rider appeared first on Web Bike World.
Reading about what's going to happen to me when I get old was depressing 
Some of the old timers who know me will get the joke
Some of the old timers who know me will get the joke
Gear Guide: Best Leather Race Suits
Not every rider is looking for the maximum protection available from head to toe, but if you are that street rider who likes to push the limits on occasion and sail into a curve or corner just a bit faster than ever before, then a leather race suit could be one of the best pieces of riding gear that you ever purchase. Likewise, if you have a true need for speed that can only be satiated on a track, then a full leather race suit is a must not only for body protection but also for meeting the equipment requirements of most tracks.
Leather has been the material of choice for motorcycle riders since the early 1920’s when Irving Schott began creating purpose-built leather biker jackets in his lower East Side Manhattan factory. The material had survived nearly two decades of use as the jacket of choice of the early aviators and the durability appeared to transfer well to meet the needs of motorcycle riders as well.
Not only is a leather race suit going to provide the best abrasion protection but it is also going to allow you to have maximum impact protection and armor. Sliding across pavement can leave some devastating road rash but hitting an object or high siding off of the bike and suffering a hard impact against a vehicle or the ground can also cause life-changing injuries.
But a leather race suit offers the riders the ability to add impact protection and even extra abrasion protection on every part of the body other than your head, hands, and feet which should be protected with other gear. Check out the other “best of” articles on Web Bike World for awesome boots, gloves, and helmets to complete your safety gear package.
Now, back to leather race suits. There are a great number of variables when looking at leather race suits starting with the leather itself. You will want to check out the thickness of the leather as well as the type of leather. A solid piece of natural hide is always more durable than a man-made material or smaller pieces which are stitched together. Gear is only as durable and strong as its weakest segment, and in the case of a leather race suit, that could be the thread used in the stitching.
Next, check out the armor that is provided with the race suit as well as the upgrades or additional armor that can be added to increase your level of protection. Not every manufacturer will include the top of the line armor simply to make the entire race suit more affordable. But a quality suit will allow you to upgrade the armor.
While fit and comfort are not as critical to your safety as the physical durability of the race suit, they are very important. You need to be comfortable and have a full range of motion to get the most out of every ride, your skill, and your bike. The distraction of a suit that is too short waisted and binds in the seat area each time you move your upper body is not a good thing.
Either you will try to reduce your upper body movement or you will wait until the last second to move, knowing that it will cause a “discomfort” in a delicate region. And both of these can be dangerous on the track or even on the road. So find a suit that fits your body size and type. A big factor for comfort on long rides is expansion material and gussets. Quality gear is designed to accommodate your body in motion and still provide great protection.
Be sure to check back regularly with us here at Web Bike World to read about our latest hands-on reviews of leather race suits and other great products for riders.
The two choices that you will have for leather race suits are a one-piece true suit or a two-piece jacket and pants combo that most likely zips together. Each of these has their own benefits and drawbacks and you will need to weigh these points for yourself to determine which is YOUR best choice.
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
Taking all of these criteria into consideration WBW has compiled a list of some great leather racing suits for you to consider when making your next purchase. Not only will this provide you with some great details about these six suits but it will also show you which criteria we felt were critical to the success of the gear so that you can evaluate other suits for your own use. And as always, be sure to check back regularly to read more evaluations and the results of our hands on gear tests.
Shopping Now? We Recommend:
webBikeWorld has worked closely with RevZilla over the years to provide our testers with products to review. In addition to being a great site to shop from, they’re also a great partner.
RevZilla
Free shipping on orders over $40
30-day no-nonsense return policy
Excellent selection of all major brands
Awesome pricing
Buy This Leather Race Suits on RevZilla
Amazon
Free shipping (with Amazon Prime)
30-day return policy
Excellent selection
Competitive pricing
Buy This Leather Race Suits on Amazon
The GP Plus V2 Venom is a true one-piece race suit constructed out of durable 1.3mm bovine leather.
The list of added safety features on this race suit is amazing considering the very reasonable price of just a nickel shy of $1,200.
Included in this price are DSF external, dual-density TPU shoulder and knee sliders, CE certified GP-R protection on shoulders, elbows, and knees, sport knee sliders, reinforced knee construction with grip texture for enhanced contact with the bike and chest pockets with PE padding. The suit is also equipped with a snap system to accommodate an upgrade to the CE Level 2 Nucleon Back Protector which is sold separately.
All of these features, the ability to add even more protection and a great price make the GP Plus V2 Venom from Alpinestars our selection for Best Overall Leather Race Suit.
Shopping Now? We Recommend:
webBikeWorld has worked closely with RevZilla over the years to provide our testers with products to review. In addition to being a great site to shop from, they’re also a great partner.
RevZilla
Free shipping on orders over $40
30-day no-nonsense return policy
Excellent selection of all major brands
Awesome pricing
Buy This Leather Race Suits on RevZilla
Amazon
Free shipping (with Amazon Prime)
30-day return policy
Excellent selection
Competitive pricing
Buy This Leather Race Suits on Amazon
The Cortech Adrenaline RR is a leather one-piece race suit that is ready for a day at the track or on the open road.
For a very cost effective leather race suit, the Adrenaline RR offers some added features that you might only expect to find in a suit with a much higher price tag.
The list of safety features is equally impressive on this economically priced race suit.
A few bonus comfort features include a soft neoprene collar, neoprene stretch panels at the cuffs for a custom fit and a removable and washable mesh liner with a zipper chest pocket.
For a leather race suit with a price tag well under a grand, the Adrenaline RR is a superior option. Hands down the Cortech Adrenaline RR is our choice for Best Value Leather Race Suit.
Shopping Now? We Recommend:
webBikeWorld has worked closely with RevZilla over the years to provide our testers with products to review. In addition to being a great site to shop from, they’re also a great partner.
RevZilla
Free shipping on orders over $40
30-day no-nonsense return policy
Excellent selection of all major brands
Awesome pricing
Buy This Leather Race Suits on RevZilla
Amazon
Free shipping (with Amazon Prime)
30-day return policy
Excellent selection
Competitive pricing
Buy This Leather Race Suits on Amazon
The Dainese D-Air leather race suit takes safety to the next level using the Intelligent Protection System.
This amazing gear combines a wireless airbag system and technology package which includes:
In addition, proprietary software manages this state of the art race suit to instantly evaluate the accident conditions and severity to activate the safety features as quickly as 15 milliseconds for a violent crash or with a slightly longer trigger time for precise protection at a lower speed.
For the aspects of this race suit which have similar peers and can be compared, the D-Skin 2.0 leather is full grain cowhide but with added long fibers to increase the strength and durability of the leather while still remaining soft and supple. Added resin and silicone wax also increase durability without creating any added stiffness.
The D-Air includes all of the comfort features that you would expect from Dainese including:
When it comes to added protection, Dainese makes the standard protection appear mundane in comparison to their technology-laden bells and whistles, but they include only the top of the line all the way around.
If you are looking for the latest technology combined with superior quality solid protection, then the D-Air is the suit for you. Testing demonstrated that this suit reduces the force transferred by traditional armor by an astounding 85%. And at a cost of just under $2,100, that is an amazing feat to offer any rider.
Technological breakthroughs, as well as the Dainese, continued high standards for excellence make the Dainese D-Air our selection for Best Fully Loaded Leather Race Suit.
Shopping Now? We Recommend:
webBikeWorld has worked closely with RevZilla over the years to provide our testers with products to review. In addition to being a great site to shop from, they’re also a great partner.
RevZilla
Free shipping on orders over $40
30-day no-nonsense return policy
Excellent selection of all major brands
Awesome pricing
Buy This Leather Race Suits on RevZilla
The Rev’It Spitfire is a one-piece race suit constructed of Monaco cowhide.
The protection package includes:
Dual composition protectors at the shoulders, elbows, and knees which includes type A knee sliders, Betac CE elbow protection, Betac CE adjustable protection at the shoulders and knees and SeeSmart CE-level 1 type B hip protector inserts. The suit also includes a back protector pocket which can be purchased separately.
The Rev’It Spitfire is a great choice for a one-piece leather race suit offered in a variety of sizes and color patterns. Comfort, flexibility, and safety are all important features that are offered in this race suit.
Shopping Now? We Recommend:
webBikeWorld has worked closely with RevZilla over the years to provide our testers with products to review. In addition to being a great site to shop from, they’re also a great partner.
RevZilla
Free shipping on orders over $40
30-day no-nonsense return policy
Excellent selection of all major brands
Awesome pricing
Buy This Leather Race Suits on RevZilla
Amazon
Free shipping (with Amazon Prime)
30-day return policy
Excellent selection
Competitive pricing
Buy This Leather Race Suits on Amazon
The Alpinestars Atem is a full leather two-piece race suit.
The suit is constructed of 1.3mm full grain leather with inserts and armor for the comfort and protection that you expect from Alpinestars. The two-piece feature works well for riders who want to have the flexibility of wearing a race quality jacket only or a full suit.
The protection begins with external Dynamic Friction Shield at the shoulders, elbow, and knees.
The Alpinestars Atem 2 piece leather race suit is a good option for any rider who is looking for the ability to have a full race suit as well as a track quality jacket and pants which can be worn separately.
Shopping Now? We Recommend:
webBikeWorld has worked closely with RevZilla over the years to provide our testers with products to review. In addition to being a great site to shop from, they’re also a great partner.
RevZilla
Free shipping on orders over $40
30-day no-nonsense return policy
Excellent selection of all major brands
Awesome pricing
Buy This Leather Race Suits on RevZilla
Amazon
Free shipping (with Amazon Prime)
30-day return policy
Excellent selection
Competitive pricing
Buy This Leather Race Suits on Amazon
The Dainese Assen two-piece women’s leather race suit is a great option for the ladies who just can’t find a men’s race suit that fits properly. The Tutu leather, accordion elastic panels, and the bi-elastic fabric inserts provide an ergonomic fit and the flexibility needed to ride comfortably and safely on a track or roadways.
And an added benefit of this platform is that ladies can purchase the race suit complete or the jacket and pants can be purchased separately to accommodate anyone needed varied sizing for upper and lower body. At the time this article was written, buying the pants and jacket separately will actually reduce the above-quoted price to $824.91 before tax and shipping.
For the ladies who are having difficulty finding a men’s leather race suit that fits well and provides adequate protection for the street or the track, the Dainese Assen two piece leather race suit is a great option for extreme comfort and safety as well as the flexibility to fit almost any body size and shape.
The post Gear Guide: Best Leather Race Suits appeared first on Web Bike World.
Not every rider is looking for the maximum protection available from head to toe, but if you are that street rider who likes to push the limits on occasion and sail into a curve or corner just a bit faster than ever before, then a leather race suit could be one of the best pieces of riding gear that you ever purchase. Likewise, if you have a true need for speed that can only be satiated on a track, then a full leather race suit is a must not only for body protection but also for meeting the equipment requirements of most tracks.
Leather has been the material of choice for motorcycle riders since the early 1920’s when Irving Schott began creating purpose-built leather biker jackets in his lower East Side Manhattan factory. The material had survived nearly two decades of use as the jacket of choice of the early aviators and the durability appeared to transfer well to meet the needs of motorcycle riders as well.
Not only is a leather race suit going to provide the best abrasion protection but it is also going to allow you to have maximum impact protection and armor. Sliding across pavement can leave some devastating road rash but hitting an object or high siding off of the bike and suffering a hard impact against a vehicle or the ground can also cause life-changing injuries.
But a leather race suit offers the riders the ability to add impact protection and even extra abrasion protection on every part of the body other than your head, hands, and feet which should be protected with other gear. Check out the other “best of” articles on Web Bike World for awesome boots, gloves, and helmets to complete your safety gear package.
Now, back to leather race suits. There are a great number of variables when looking at leather race suits starting with the leather itself. You will want to check out the thickness of the leather as well as the type of leather. A solid piece of natural hide is always more durable than a man-made material or smaller pieces which are stitched together. Gear is only as durable and strong as its weakest segment, and in the case of a leather race suit, that could be the thread used in the stitching.
Next, check out the armor that is provided with the race suit as well as the upgrades or additional armor that can be added to increase your level of protection. Not every manufacturer will include the top of the line armor simply to make the entire race suit more affordable. But a quality suit will allow you to upgrade the armor.
While fit and comfort are not as critical to your safety as the physical durability of the race suit, they are very important. You need to be comfortable and have a full range of motion to get the most out of every ride, your skill, and your bike. The distraction of a suit that is too short waisted and binds in the seat area each time you move your upper body is not a good thing.
Either you will try to reduce your upper body movement or you will wait until the last second to move, knowing that it will cause a “discomfort” in a delicate region. And both of these can be dangerous on the track or even on the road. So find a suit that fits your body size and type. A big factor for comfort on long rides is expansion material and gussets. Quality gear is designed to accommodate your body in motion and still provide great protection.
Be sure to check back regularly with us here at Web Bike World to read about our latest hands-on reviews of leather race suits and other great products for riders.
Recommendations
- Best overall: Alpinestars GP Plus V2 Venom Race Suit
- Best value: Cortech Adrenaline RR Race Suit
- Fully loaded: Dainese D-Air Race Suit
- Other great options: Rev’It Spitfire Race Suit, Alpinestars Atem 2 Piece Race Suit, Dainese Assen 2 Piece Women’s Race Suit
Leather Race Suit Buyers Guide
The two choices that you will have for leather race suits are a one-piece true suit or a two-piece jacket and pants combo that most likely zips together. Each of these has their own benefits and drawbacks and you will need to weigh these points for yourself to determine which is YOUR best choice.
True One-Piece Suit
Pros
- Solid leather is the best protection against abrasion
- No zipper to fail and separate the jacket and pants
- Leather panels offer more flexibility than a zipper
- One piece suits can cost more
Cons
- Must be worn as a full suit not just pants or a jacket
- Some body types or shapes are difficult to fit in a suit format
- Can feel restrictive until it breaks in or you get used to the new fit
Two Piece Suit
Pros
- Easier to find pants and jacket that fit in some cases
- You can mix sizes if upper or lower body needs extended size
- Pieces can be worn independently or just not zipped into suit format
- Pieces can be purchased separately to be more affordable
Cons
- A zipper could break or be damaged causing a suit failure
- A zipper can be uncomfortable
- Total cost for a two-piece suit could be more than a one piece suit
Taking all of these criteria into consideration WBW has compiled a list of some great leather racing suits for you to consider when making your next purchase. Not only will this provide you with some great details about these six suits but it will also show you which criteria we felt were critical to the success of the gear so that you can evaluate other suits for your own use. And as always, be sure to check back regularly to read more evaluations and the results of our hands on gear tests.
Best Overall: Alpinestars GP Plus V2 Venom Race Suit
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- Price: $1,199.95
The GP Plus V2 Venom is a true one-piece race suit constructed out of durable 1.3mm bovine leather.
- The sleeves and legs are pre-curved for added comfort and mobility.
- Large accordion stretch panels on the lower back and knees provide additional range of motion and comfort in a tuck position.
- Stretch fabric panels in the sleeves, crotch, and chest add to the comfort and fit of the suit.
- Calf expansion gussets allow for unrestricted movement of the legs when launching, tucking or leaning into a curve.
- Ergonomic back hump provides better airflow and performance at high speed.
- Perforations in the leather increase airflow and comfort.
- Aramid fiber inserts in the arms and legs provide reinforcement at the critical seam areas for added abrasion protection.
- Suit offers inner cuff and calf adjustors, a removable mesh liner, an inner wallet pocket, and a 3D textured fabric collar for added comfort and convenience.
The list of added safety features on this race suit is amazing considering the very reasonable price of just a nickel shy of $1,200.
Included in this price are DSF external, dual-density TPU shoulder and knee sliders, CE certified GP-R protection on shoulders, elbows, and knees, sport knee sliders, reinforced knee construction with grip texture for enhanced contact with the bike and chest pockets with PE padding. The suit is also equipped with a snap system to accommodate an upgrade to the CE Level 2 Nucleon Back Protector which is sold separately.
All of these features, the ability to add even more protection and a great price make the GP Plus V2 Venom from Alpinestars our selection for Best Overall Leather Race Suit.
Best Value Leather Race Suit to Buy: Cortech Adrenaline RR
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Excellent selection
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- Price: $799.99
The Cortech Adrenaline RR is a leather one-piece race suit that is ready for a day at the track or on the open road.
- This race suit is constructed of top grade cowhide leather with the thickness varying from 1.2mm to 1.4mm and a combination of perforated and non-perforated panels.
- Rotated sleeves and pre-curved legs add to the comfort as well as the quality of the fit.
- Accordion style expansion panels at the shoulders, elbows, waist, and knees along with stretch panels in the arms, inseam, and calves increase the flexibility and comfort as well.
For a very cost effective leather race suit, the Adrenaline RR offers some added features that you might only expect to find in a suit with a much higher price tag.
- Seamless panels in the bottom and rear thigh area provide added durability for increased abrasion protection.
- Stitching throughout is a high strength bonded nylon thread in a triple stitch pattern, and the cuffs offer spring-loaded zippers to eliminate flapping.
The list of safety features is equally impressive on this economically priced race suit.
- The aerodynamic race profile speed hump offers great protection while the perforated leather and its hollow body provide awesome airflow for added comfort on a hot day.
- Shoulder and elbow protection begins with TPU molded stainless steel external armor and also includes removable level 2 CE protection at the shoulder and level 1 protection at the elbows.
- Level 1 internal protection is also in the knee area while the included knee sliders can also be added for external protection.
A few bonus comfort features include a soft neoprene collar, neoprene stretch panels at the cuffs for a custom fit and a removable and washable mesh liner with a zipper chest pocket.
For a leather race suit with a price tag well under a grand, the Adrenaline RR is a superior option. Hands down the Cortech Adrenaline RR is our choice for Best Value Leather Race Suit.
Best Fully Loaded Leather Race Suit: Dainese D-Air
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Excellent selection
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- Price: $2,079.96
The Dainese D-Air leather race suit takes safety to the next level using the Intelligent Protection System.
This amazing gear combines a wireless airbag system and technology package which includes:
- Three accelerometers
- Three gyroscopes
- GPS
- 4 GIGs if internal memory
- LED user interface mounted on the right forearm.
In addition, proprietary software manages this state of the art race suit to instantly evaluate the accident conditions and severity to activate the safety features as quickly as 15 milliseconds for a violent crash or with a slightly longer trigger time for precise protection at a lower speed.
For the aspects of this race suit which have similar peers and can be compared, the D-Skin 2.0 leather is full grain cowhide but with added long fibers to increase the strength and durability of the leather while still remaining soft and supple. Added resin and silicone wax also increase durability without creating any added stiffness.
The D-Air includes all of the comfort features that you would expect from Dainese including:
- Pre-curved arms and legs
- Double calf zippers
- Suit to boot fastening system
- NanoFeel removable sanitized liner
When it comes to added protection, Dainese makes the standard protection appear mundane in comparison to their technology-laden bells and whistles, but they include only the top of the line all the way around.
- Suit is certified to CE Cat II – 89/686/EEC Directive
- Includes a back protector, composite protectors and Pro Shape soft protectors on the sides.
- Aluminum inserts at the shoulders and titanium inserts at the elbows.
If you are looking for the latest technology combined with superior quality solid protection, then the D-Air is the suit for you. Testing demonstrated that this suit reduces the force transferred by traditional armor by an astounding 85%. And at a cost of just under $2,100, that is an amazing feat to offer any rider.
Technological breakthroughs, as well as the Dainese, continued high standards for excellence make the Dainese D-Air our selection for Best Fully Loaded Leather Race Suit.
Other Great Options
Rev’It Spitfire
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- Price: $1,399.99
The Rev’It Spitfire is a one-piece race suit constructed of Monaco cowhide.
- The arms and legs are pre-curved for comfort and mobility with Kevlar stretch inserted in key areas for flexibility and comfort when tucked without sacrificing superior protection.
- Gussets at the knees, elbows, and back provide excellent flexibility while the sleeves crotch and legs add to the comfort and fit by using the less bulky Kevlar material.
The protection package includes:
Dual composition protectors at the shoulders, elbows, and knees which includes type A knee sliders, Betac CE elbow protection, Betac CE adjustable protection at the shoulders and knees and SeeSmart CE-level 1 type B hip protector inserts. The suit also includes a back protector pocket which can be purchased separately.
The Rev’It Spitfire is a great choice for a one-piece leather race suit offered in a variety of sizes and color patterns. Comfort, flexibility, and safety are all important features that are offered in this race suit.
Alpinestars Atem 2
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- Price: $1,299.95
The Alpinestars Atem is a full leather two-piece race suit.
The suit is constructed of 1.3mm full grain leather with inserts and armor for the comfort and protection that you expect from Alpinestars. The two-piece feature works well for riders who want to have the flexibility of wearing a race quality jacket only or a full suit.
- Added comfort is provided by an array of stretch panels which are located in the torso, arms, crotch, and back of the knee area.
- Accordion stretch panels also provide added range of motion to increase both safety and comfort.
- Perforated leather panels and the full mesh liner provide great ventilation, increase comfort and promote wicking in hot conditions.
The protection begins with external Dynamic Friction Shield at the shoulders, elbow, and knees.
- Added lower body protection is provided by the CE approved GP-R knee/shin protector featuring floating construction for a more customizable fit.
- Upper body gear includes an Aero hump for improved aerodynamic performance and added impact protection.
- Chest pad compartments with PE padding are included and the armor can be upgraded if desired.
- Integrated PE foam padding on chest, hips, tailbone, upper arms and back.
- Multiple snap button systems provide the option to integrate Level 2 CE certified Alpinestars Nucleon protectors, which are sold separately, throughout the suit for added safety.
- A neoprene comfort edge is added around the collar and cuffs to prevents chafing and skin irritation.
The Alpinestars Atem 2 piece leather race suit is a good option for any rider who is looking for the ability to have a full race suit as well as a track quality jacket and pants which can be worn separately.
Dainese Assen Two Piece Women’s Race Suit
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- Price: $949.95
The Dainese Assen two-piece women’s leather race suit is a great option for the ladies who just can’t find a men’s race suit that fits properly. The Tutu leather, accordion elastic panels, and the bi-elastic fabric inserts provide an ergonomic fit and the flexibility needed to ride comfortably and safely on a track or roadways.
And an added benefit of this platform is that ladies can purchase the race suit complete or the jacket and pants can be purchased separately to accommodate anyone needed varied sizing for upper and lower body. At the time this article was written, buying the pants and jacket separately will actually reduce the above-quoted price to $824.91 before tax and shipping.
- Replaceable external aluminum plates on the shoulders
- EN 1621.1 Level 2 standard composite protectors at the elbows, knees, and shoulders
- Pro-Shape certified Standard EN 1621.1 soft protectors are located at the hips.
- The safety features are rounded out by the interchangeable knee sliders and a 10mm jacket-pants connection zipper to provide security and durability in the event of a slide.
For the ladies who are having difficulty finding a men’s leather race suit that fits well and provides adequate protection for the street or the track, the Dainese Assen two piece leather race suit is a great option for extreme comfort and safety as well as the flexibility to fit almost any body size and shape.
The post Gear Guide: Best Leather Race Suits appeared first on Web Bike World.
2019 Harley Davidson FXDR Test Ride
My recent review of the 2018 Harley Davidson Sport Glide (review here) left me unfulfilled searching for a sport touring offering from the “Bar and Shield”.
Despite that disappointment, I didn’t hesitate to swing a leg over the brand new 2019 FXDR while at AimExpo. No one wants to be disappointed twice in a row and I especially don’t want to seem like someone who just piles on undeserved criticism. For the record, I am a fan of every motorcycle brand and Harley does build some nice bikes.
Happily, the FXDR didn’t disappoint me. It made me just as happy as I was with last year’s Fat Bob 114 (review here). I compare the two bikes quite a bit in this review. You may think the V Rod would be a better comparison point, but it’s discontinued and was liquid cooled etc. Certainly, I do admit there are some similarities between the two designs, but why dwell on the past?
The FXDR uses the fuel injected Milwaukee Eight, 114 cubic inch engine coupled to a six-speed transmission. Since it’s the same powertrain setup used in the Fat Bob, the power and performance numbers are basically identical between them.
The look is modern and sleek. Very “un-Harley” from a traditional standpoint. Devoid of chrome and somewhat drag bike-esque with dual staggered exhaust openings housed in one canister. The outside edge of the can is tapered noticeably to prevent dragging in the corners.
The raked out front end with inverted forks for whatever reason reminds me of the Livewire electric prototype. I think it’s the triangular signal lights protruding from each side of the daymaker headlight that is constantly glowing orange while the bike is running. They look similar to the ones on the Livewire and might even be the same ones.
This bike looks like it has a much longer than average wheelbase (68.4 inches). It’s only about 5 inches longer than the somewhat squished looking Fat Bob, in reality.
It stands out markedly in amongst the crowd of other demo units from the 2019 Harley lineup.
My eyes are drawn to the unusual air intake on the right side of the engine. It looks nothing like a Harley Davidson I would dream up and that’s a good thing. Whether or not this will affect performance isn’t known to me, but It’s another indicator HD is moving out of the “Harley box” and their comfort zone. They probably realize that’s where we experience the most growth as people and hope it holds true for a bike builder too.
Other reviewers have noted this intake flows more air than the one on the Fat Bob and so allows for faster acceleration when coupled with the lower weight. For me, it wasn’t noticeable enough on my test ride, but it’s been a year since I rode the Fat Bob to be fair. At best I would say it’s marginally faster off the line than the Fat Bob.
Here’s a link to a terrific review from Matt Laidlaw showing the FXDR vs the Fat Bob worth watching.
The forks and rims are aluminum billet and the fenders are carbon fiber in an attempt to keep the weight down on this muscle bike. Harley was somewhat successful because this FXDR comes in 8 lbs lighter than the Fat Bob when fully fueled.
At 668 lbs it’s certainly portly compared to some other bikes on the market the FXDR would line up against from Japanese and European builders.
The dash is unlike the other Softails in the 2019 lineup.
It’s similar to the Breakout, but not quite. I like the large banner badge below the display proclaiming the FXDR model with the R in red. It suggests this is the Racing model of Harley and they aren’t wrong.
The 2.14-inch viewable area LCD with a dark grey background and lighter colored digits wouldn’t be my choice compared to the vividly bright tones available on full TFT displays currently on the market. I would have preferred Harley go that way with their modern muscle machine instead.
There’s a lot of unused space in the area covered in plastic that easily could have been omitted in favor of a flat TFT.
I found the dash hard to use on the fly because of the small size, but I was much happier having it on top of the handlebars as opposed to a tank mounted dash as it is on the Fat Bob and basically every other Softail.
Having said that subtlety appeals to many people and nearly everything you’d want is available there on the display:
What happened here? What a brutal choice.
This is a sculpted machine of modern making, but Harley decided to dismissively toss on a pair of standard style mirrors that you can find on any other Softail model?
Frankly, it smacks of a case where the designer actually forgot to put mirrors on the bike! Almost like no one noticed until it hit the assembly line where a sharp-eyed veteran assembler pointed it out and quickly saved the day by screwing on a set from the Heritage Softail parts bin.
Even worse than the out of sync mirror styling is the fact they don’t perform. The vibration at anything above 45 mph makes them almost unusable.
Please remedy this next year by putting on some aluminum framed, wind tunnel tested mirrors with integrated turn signals.
The single seat on the FXDR is surprisingly comfortable. I’m not a big guy being 5’7” tall and about 175 lbs with an athletic build so take my opinion with those figures in mind.
I felt like my backside was cradled in a butt-shaped dish for lack of a better description. It’s firm foam but accommodating in a way that I experienced zero discomfort or pressure points during my 45-minute test drive.
There’s no passenger seat as standard, but an optional one is available from Harley for $209.
The style is great and all, but how does this machine do out on a test drive?
As I mentioned I got to ride the FXDR while attending AimExpo in the beautiful October weather Las Vegas is known for. A motorcycle-centric day of 80 degree temps with bright sunshine beaming down and nary a cloud in the sky to be found framing the scene of me being let loose on Harley’s new muscle bike. Left far behind was my Canadian home where my bikes had been winterized and put into storage due to snow and cold arriving early this year even by our standards.
I was in a near dream state of mind as I climbed aboard the pearl white colored, big bruiser cruiser in the parking lot of the Mandalay Bay convention center.
The FXDR fired up and I dropped it into first gear with the familiar “BANG” I associate with all Harley transmissions. To be fair, my Kawasaki Ninja H2SX is just as rough going into first gear.
All other shifts came smoothly and without missing a beat. It makes me wonder how only first gear is noisy.
Rolling out of the parking lot onto Las Vegas Blvd I gave it the opportunity to thrill me by shifting aggressively into second and third gear while whacking open the throttle.
It didn’t disappoint whatsoever. That 119 ft lbs of torque made by the 114 engine are almost enough to make your fingers numb trying to hold on during full out acceleration. Not even my Ninja pulls this hard off the line and that’s saying something being that it’s supercharged and tuned for mid-range gusto.
I like the 114 engine so much more than the 107 that I can’t even be bothered with it anymore. Harley should just shelf the smaller engine and put the bigger one in every bike they have.
This bike loves the road. That’s immediately obvious as I fly down the asphalt and watch the scenery in my peripheral vision blur while the speedo digits ascend. Oh, look there’s the Welcome to Las Vegas sign… and it’s gone as I roar past curious onlookers left in the snarling wake of this road hungry motorcycle. There’s no jiggle, wiggle or shimmy even at higher speeds. Why didn’t they call this the Sport Glide???
The Michelin Scorcher tires stuck like glue to the road and made me happy with their performance. The rear 240mm tire is a real beauty with how wide it is. It gave lots of confidence in the tight corners. I wanted to use every inch of the sidewalls in each turn.
Loads of fun!
The numbers from Harley say the max lean angle is just over 32 degrees on either side meaning it should corner slightly better than the Fat Bob.
I found it easy to turn tight corners without having anything drag, including the heels of my boots (which was a problem with the Sport Glide).
The exhaust was louder on the FXDR I demoed than the Fat Bob even though it was just the stock can and intake. There’s a beautiful tone to it without being obnoxious and it purrs like a tiger at cruising speeds just as I want it to. Well done Harley! Nailed it.
One interesting difference is a high pitched whine coming from the engine I noted. I would guess it’s from the unusual air intake or the throttle body valves constantly adjusting. It’s not annoying, but worthy of note since I don’t remember hearing it on the Fat Bob.
Other than that, there weren’t any clanks, clunks or other annoying sounds to distract from the terrific performance I experienced on the FXDR.
Wow, is all I can say about the 4 piston caliper, twin disc setup on the front end of the FXDR.
I had the “opportunity” to test the brakes in an emergency stop. Many thanks to the woman in the white Kia who decided to brake suddenly well before the red light we were approaching. I may have been going a little too fast at the time I admit, so I’ll take half the ownership of the situation.
For a 668 lb motorcycle, it stopped in nothing short of what I would rate record fast! I actually chirped the tire and felt the back end getting a little light. I didn’t hear the standard ABS feature kick in or notice it if it did in any way.
The front forks didn’t dive much during any braking maneuvers but did their job soaking up faults in the pavement well. The rear was adjusted perfectly for my weight as well and was mainly unremarkable during my ride.
Very impressive work on Harley’s part. I would say
Whenever I stopped at red lights and put down my left leg the hot primary drive cover became a nuisance. My short legs need to stay in close to the bike in order to reach the ground and so my inner calf muscle would touch slightly on the cover. The heat didn’t leave a scar or anything, but it was noticeable.
The planned route for my test ride was to circle McCarran International Airport ending back at the Mandalay Bay.
The people from Harley let me loose for an unguided test ride which I would normally appreciate in a city I’m familiar with. Las Vegas isn’t one of those cities for me, though. I actually asked them to send someone with me to help navigate, but none of them were local to Vegas either, so I was on my own!
My route got pretty convoluted thanks to me enjoying the performance of the FXDR instead of paying attention to where I was going. As a result, I got some extra seat time along with the opportunity to see how the bike performed at almost all speeds. This included heavy traffic, very slow speeds (while trying to read unfamiliar street names) and riding over several speed bumps in the airport parkade I accidentally entered looking for a way back to the hotel.
In the end, I gave up on trying to remember key street and highway names and instead decided to just landmark the tall Mandalay Bay hotel and try riding towards it. That worked, but I ended up circling most of the south end of the city in the process before making it back in one piece much to the relief of the Harley event staff.
The unexpected benefit of getting lost in an unfamiliar city while test riding is that I feel well acquainted with the FXDR now. I really like it a lot. I didn’t want to get off it when I got back. I asked them if I could ride it to California because I was traveling there after AimExpo ended to tour the Motoport USA factory in San Marcos. More on that later.
The FXDR is still going to play second fiddle for me to the Fat Bob, but mostly because the Fat Bob fits my short frame better than the stretched out FXDR. Look at how far I had to reach in the photo above. I find I’m not reaching for the pegs and bars as much on the Fat Bob and as a result, I feel more confident going into the corners on it than the FXDR.
Add to that the MSRP on the FXDR is $26,949 for the fanciest paint scheme while the Fat Bob tops out at $21,499. That’s quite a significant difference. The paint available for the FXDR is undeniably way more impressive and all that aluminum and carbon fiber might add up to $5000 more I suppose.
If I stood 5 inches taller it would be a lot harder not to opt for the newer and marginally faster FXDR if I could find the extra money.
There are many optional accessories available for the FXDR as you would expect from Harley. This is something they are second to none in providing and a huge part of the brand’s appeal.
I would definitely get the windshield and Screamin’ Eagle exhaust for the FXDR and hope for a different dash with a larger TFT display and better mirrors to come available down the road.
As always I’ll gripe there’s no cruise control and especially loud because it would be easy to include as an option on the FXDR and the Fat Bob for that matter.
All in all, Harley has got a great handling and powerful bike that is greased lightning off the line. Other muscle bikes will definitely be faster further down the line, but HD has always been about massive torque numbers more than horsepower ones after all.
The FXDR is a winner.
Pros
Specs
The post 2019 Harley Davidson FXDR Test Ride appeared first on Web Bike World.
A Modern Harley Davidson Is Born
My recent review of the 2018 Harley Davidson Sport Glide (review here) left me unfulfilled searching for a sport touring offering from the “Bar and Shield”.
Despite that disappointment, I didn’t hesitate to swing a leg over the brand new 2019 FXDR while at AimExpo. No one wants to be disappointed twice in a row and I especially don’t want to seem like someone who just piles on undeserved criticism. For the record, I am a fan of every motorcycle brand and Harley does build some nice bikes.
Happily, the FXDR didn’t disappoint me. It made me just as happy as I was with last year’s Fat Bob 114 (review here). I compare the two bikes quite a bit in this review. You may think the V Rod would be a better comparison point, but it’s discontinued and was liquid cooled etc. Certainly, I do admit there are some similarities between the two designs, but why dwell on the past?
The Significant Numbers
The FXDR uses the fuel injected Milwaukee Eight, 114 cubic inch engine coupled to a six-speed transmission. Since it’s the same powertrain setup used in the Fat Bob, the power and performance numbers are basically identical between them.
- 1868cc Air Cooled Oil engine putting out 90 hp and 119-foot lbs of torque @3500 rpm
- Seat Height 28.5 in
- Ground Clearance 5.3 in.
- Steering Rake 34 degrees
- Front Tire 120/70ZR-19 60W, Rear Tire 240/40R-18
- Michelin Scorcher 11 tires
- Fuel Capacity 4.4 gal.
- Weight full of fluids 668 lb.
- Max lean angle 32.8 degrees
- Fuel Economy 46 mpg
- Brakes: 300mm dual disc, 4-piston fixed front and single disc 2-piston floating rear
- Price Vivid Black $21,349 or other premium colors for $26,949
First Impressions
Distinctive & Stretched
The look is modern and sleek. Very “un-Harley” from a traditional standpoint. Devoid of chrome and somewhat drag bike-esque with dual staggered exhaust openings housed in one canister. The outside edge of the can is tapered noticeably to prevent dragging in the corners.
The raked out front end with inverted forks for whatever reason reminds me of the Livewire electric prototype. I think it’s the triangular signal lights protruding from each side of the daymaker headlight that is constantly glowing orange while the bike is running. They look similar to the ones on the Livewire and might even be the same ones.
This bike looks like it has a much longer than average wheelbase (68.4 inches). It’s only about 5 inches longer than the somewhat squished looking Fat Bob, in reality.
It stands out markedly in amongst the crowd of other demo units from the 2019 Harley lineup.
Air Intake
My eyes are drawn to the unusual air intake on the right side of the engine. It looks nothing like a Harley Davidson I would dream up and that’s a good thing. Whether or not this will affect performance isn’t known to me, but It’s another indicator HD is moving out of the “Harley box” and their comfort zone. They probably realize that’s where we experience the most growth as people and hope it holds true for a bike builder too.
Other reviewers have noted this intake flows more air than the one on the Fat Bob and so allows for faster acceleration when coupled with the lower weight. For me, it wasn’t noticeable enough on my test ride, but it’s been a year since I rode the Fat Bob to be fair. At best I would say it’s marginally faster off the line than the Fat Bob.
Here’s a link to a terrific review from Matt Laidlaw showing the FXDR vs the Fat Bob worth watching.
Aluminum & Carbon Fiber
The forks and rims are aluminum billet and the fenders are carbon fiber in an attempt to keep the weight down on this muscle bike. Harley was somewhat successful because this FXDR comes in 8 lbs lighter than the Fat Bob when fully fueled.
At 668 lbs it’s certainly portly compared to some other bikes on the market the FXDR would line up against from Japanese and European builders.
Dash & Display
The dash is unlike the other Softails in the 2019 lineup.
It’s similar to the Breakout, but not quite. I like the large banner badge below the display proclaiming the FXDR model with the R in red. It suggests this is the Racing model of Harley and they aren’t wrong.
The 2.14-inch viewable area LCD with a dark grey background and lighter colored digits wouldn’t be my choice compared to the vividly bright tones available on full TFT displays currently on the market. I would have preferred Harley go that way with their modern muscle machine instead.
There’s a lot of unused space in the area covered in plastic that easily could have been omitted in favor of a flat TFT.
I found the dash hard to use on the fly because of the small size, but I was much happier having it on top of the handlebars as opposed to a tank mounted dash as it is on the Fat Bob and basically every other Softail.
Having said that subtlety appeals to many people and nearly everything you’d want is available there on the display:
- Speedometer and tachometer
- High beam, turn signal indicator, neutral and gear position indicator
- Low oil pressure, engine code diagnostics, ABS warning light, security system indicator
- Low battery voltage warning, low fuel, odometer, fuel level gauge, clock, trip, range remaining
Mirrors
What happened here? What a brutal choice.
This is a sculpted machine of modern making, but Harley decided to dismissively toss on a pair of standard style mirrors that you can find on any other Softail model?
Frankly, it smacks of a case where the designer actually forgot to put mirrors on the bike! Almost like no one noticed until it hit the assembly line where a sharp-eyed veteran assembler pointed it out and quickly saved the day by screwing on a set from the Heritage Softail parts bin.
A Total Miss
Even worse than the out of sync mirror styling is the fact they don’t perform. The vibration at anything above 45 mph makes them almost unusable.
Please remedy this next year by putting on some aluminum framed, wind tunnel tested mirrors with integrated turn signals.
The Seat
The single seat on the FXDR is surprisingly comfortable. I’m not a big guy being 5’7” tall and about 175 lbs with an athletic build so take my opinion with those figures in mind.
I felt like my backside was cradled in a butt-shaped dish for lack of a better description. It’s firm foam but accommodating in a way that I experienced zero discomfort or pressure points during my 45-minute test drive.
There’s no passenger seat as standard, but an optional one is available from Harley for $209.
The Ride
The style is great and all, but how does this machine do out on a test drive?
Viva Las Vegas!
As I mentioned I got to ride the FXDR while attending AimExpo in the beautiful October weather Las Vegas is known for. A motorcycle-centric day of 80 degree temps with bright sunshine beaming down and nary a cloud in the sky to be found framing the scene of me being let loose on Harley’s new muscle bike. Left far behind was my Canadian home where my bikes had been winterized and put into storage due to snow and cold arriving early this year even by our standards.
I was in a near dream state of mind as I climbed aboard the pearl white colored, big bruiser cruiser in the parking lot of the Mandalay Bay convention center.
Typical Transmission Clunk
The FXDR fired up and I dropped it into first gear with the familiar “BANG” I associate with all Harley transmissions. To be fair, my Kawasaki Ninja H2SX is just as rough going into first gear.
All other shifts came smoothly and without missing a beat. It makes me wonder how only first gear is noisy.
Rolling out of the parking lot onto Las Vegas Blvd I gave it the opportunity to thrill me by shifting aggressively into second and third gear while whacking open the throttle.
It didn’t disappoint whatsoever. That 119 ft lbs of torque made by the 114 engine are almost enough to make your fingers numb trying to hold on during full out acceleration. Not even my Ninja pulls this hard off the line and that’s saying something being that it’s supercharged and tuned for mid-range gusto.
I like the 114 engine so much more than the 107 that I can’t even be bothered with it anymore. Harley should just shelf the smaller engine and put the bigger one in every bike they have.
Planted
This bike loves the road. That’s immediately obvious as I fly down the asphalt and watch the scenery in my peripheral vision blur while the speedo digits ascend. Oh, look there’s the Welcome to Las Vegas sign… and it’s gone as I roar past curious onlookers left in the snarling wake of this road hungry motorcycle. There’s no jiggle, wiggle or shimmy even at higher speeds. Why didn’t they call this the Sport Glide???
Tires
The Michelin Scorcher tires stuck like glue to the road and made me happy with their performance. The rear 240mm tire is a real beauty with how wide it is. It gave lots of confidence in the tight corners. I wanted to use every inch of the sidewalls in each turn.
Loads of fun!
Cornering
The numbers from Harley say the max lean angle is just over 32 degrees on either side meaning it should corner slightly better than the Fat Bob.
I found it easy to turn tight corners without having anything drag, including the heels of my boots (which was a problem with the Sport Glide).
The Sounds
The exhaust was louder on the FXDR I demoed than the Fat Bob even though it was just the stock can and intake. There’s a beautiful tone to it without being obnoxious and it purrs like a tiger at cruising speeds just as I want it to. Well done Harley! Nailed it.
One interesting difference is a high pitched whine coming from the engine I noted. I would guess it’s from the unusual air intake or the throttle body valves constantly adjusting. It’s not annoying, but worthy of note since I don’t remember hearing it on the Fat Bob.
Other than that, there weren’t any clanks, clunks or other annoying sounds to distract from the terrific performance I experienced on the FXDR.
Brakes & Suspension
Wow, is all I can say about the 4 piston caliper, twin disc setup on the front end of the FXDR.
I had the “opportunity” to test the brakes in an emergency stop. Many thanks to the woman in the white Kia who decided to brake suddenly well before the red light we were approaching. I may have been going a little too fast at the time I admit, so I’ll take half the ownership of the situation.
For a 668 lb motorcycle, it stopped in nothing short of what I would rate record fast! I actually chirped the tire and felt the back end getting a little light. I didn’t hear the standard ABS feature kick in or notice it if it did in any way.
The front forks didn’t dive much during any braking maneuvers but did their job soaking up faults in the pavement well. The rear was adjusted perfectly for my weight as well and was mainly unremarkable during my ride.
Very impressive work on Harley’s part. I would say
Feel The Burn
Whenever I stopped at red lights and put down my left leg the hot primary drive cover became a nuisance. My short legs need to stay in close to the bike in order to reach the ground and so my inner calf muscle would touch slightly on the cover. The heat didn’t leave a scar or anything, but it was noticeable.
My First Time In Vegas
The planned route for my test ride was to circle McCarran International Airport ending back at the Mandalay Bay.
The people from Harley let me loose for an unguided test ride which I would normally appreciate in a city I’m familiar with. Las Vegas isn’t one of those cities for me, though. I actually asked them to send someone with me to help navigate, but none of them were local to Vegas either, so I was on my own!
Wandering Through The Desert
My route got pretty convoluted thanks to me enjoying the performance of the FXDR instead of paying attention to where I was going. As a result, I got some extra seat time along with the opportunity to see how the bike performed at almost all speeds. This included heavy traffic, very slow speeds (while trying to read unfamiliar street names) and riding over several speed bumps in the airport parkade I accidentally entered looking for a way back to the hotel.
In the end, I gave up on trying to remember key street and highway names and instead decided to just landmark the tall Mandalay Bay hotel and try riding towards it. That worked, but I ended up circling most of the south end of the city in the process before making it back in one piece much to the relief of the Harley event staff.
Final Verdict?
The unexpected benefit of getting lost in an unfamiliar city while test riding is that I feel well acquainted with the FXDR now. I really like it a lot. I didn’t want to get off it when I got back. I asked them if I could ride it to California because I was traveling there after AimExpo ended to tour the Motoport USA factory in San Marcos. More on that later.
Which Would I Buy?
The FXDR is still going to play second fiddle for me to the Fat Bob, but mostly because the Fat Bob fits my short frame better than the stretched out FXDR. Look at how far I had to reach in the photo above. I find I’m not reaching for the pegs and bars as much on the Fat Bob and as a result, I feel more confident going into the corners on it than the FXDR.
Dollars And Cents
Add to that the MSRP on the FXDR is $26,949 for the fanciest paint scheme while the Fat Bob tops out at $21,499. That’s quite a significant difference. The paint available for the FXDR is undeniably way more impressive and all that aluminum and carbon fiber might add up to $5000 more I suppose.
If I stood 5 inches taller it would be a lot harder not to opt for the newer and marginally faster FXDR if I could find the extra money.
Dress It Up
There are many optional accessories available for the FXDR as you would expect from Harley. This is something they are second to none in providing and a huge part of the brand’s appeal.
I would definitely get the windshield and Screamin’ Eagle exhaust for the FXDR and hope for a different dash with a larger TFT display and better mirrors to come available down the road.
As always I’ll gripe there’s no cruise control and especially loud because it would be easy to include as an option on the FXDR and the Fat Bob for that matter.
All in all, Harley has got a great handling and powerful bike that is greased lightning off the line. Other muscle bikes will definitely be faster further down the line, but HD has always been about massive torque numbers more than horsepower ones after all.
The FXDR is a winner.
Pros
- Above average torque
- Comfortable
- Can corner well for a cruiser
- Lighter than other Softails
- Expensive
- Dash is too small
- No passenger seat
- Long reach for short riders and primary cover burns your leg
Specs
- Manufacturer: Harley Davidson Motorcycles
- Price (When Tested): $26,949
- Made In: USA
- Alternative models & colors: six colors
- Sizes: 114 Milwaukee Eight only
- Review Date: October 28, 2108
Harley Davidson FXDR Gallery
The post 2019 Harley Davidson FXDR Test Ride appeared first on Web Bike World.
I'll just say, "No comment."
Fire their stylists. There. I said it!
4SR 96 Stingray Racing Gloves Hands-On Review
While attending AimExpo in October I happened upon a display booth for 4SR products.
4 Street Racing is a Czech manufacturer well known in Europe on the race track and in the everyday riding gear market but is a new arrival to North American shores. After speaking at length with Jerry Nickell Sr and Junior (the father and son team from Texas who are distributing the product line here) I was eager to review some of the gear.
Jerry Sr had recently sacrificed his body in the name of testing one of their race suits when he low-sided at 70 mph. As you can see in the photos the suit held up well in a slide and Jerry was unhurt. The leather used is thick yet supple, the seams are double or triple stitched and the armor is all CE Level 2 in everything 4SR makes.
The 96 Stingray Race Gloves
The Nickels happily presented me with a pair of 96 Stingray gloves to review. These are arguably the best and most expensive ($190) racing gloves in the 4SR lineup.
The knuckle area has hard resin-covered carbon fiber armor along with peanut sized caps over the finger joints of the first and second digits. I love the look of these purely white on black gloves, but adding in the carbon fiber makes good seem even better.
I didn’t bother weighing the 96 Stingray because they’re virtually weightless thanks in part to the carbon fiber goodness.
Holding these gloves and massaging them with my fingers reveals hidden protection covering the entire top half other than where the wrist bends. There’s Viscofoam (memory foam) everywhere underneath the goatskin leather exterior.
It ranges from about a ¼ inch thick padding on top of the thumb nail bed to ½ inch at the thickest area covering the ulna bone.
Goatskin is softer and stronger than cow leather. It’s also water resistant and twice as tough as kangaroo skin from what I’ve read.
In handling these gloves I definitely see how the soft part is accurate. They freely move in my hands and I haven’t even put them on yet!
Pittards leather covers the palms of these gloves. It’s the preferred leather for cricket and baseball batting gloves because it offers unbeaten tactile feedback to the fingers. Pittards stays flexible even after repeated doses of sweat saturation from hands.
4SR refused to compromise on the quality of material used to construct these gloves.
Some of the stitching isn’t uniformly sewn along the sections of leather on these gloves. Specifically stitching on the leather surrounding the finger armor isn’t completely straight. Disappointing to see this, but it does help explain how they keep the price point lower than the competition.
The ring and little fingers come connected together with a leather patch as is commonplace with racing gloves in order to help protect the pinky in a crash situation.
What catches my eye on this leather covering are several fuzzy, yellow hairs hanging off the edges of the leather patch. It looks quite shoddy, to be honest.
Then it occurs to me leather doesn’t produce yellow strands like this, but Kevlar can.
Despite the ugly appearance this turns out to be another pleasant surprise about the 96 Stingray gloves: Kevlar reinforcement running beneath the leather on top of the hand below the foam. The Kevlar lining is also found in the high-stress palm areas under a shiny black covering.
These are some skookum gloves and I haven’t even gotten to the reason behind the Stingray moniker yet.
I flip the gloves over for a look at the palm/scaphoid area to find two large patches of black stingray skin.
I’ve touched the skin of living sharks and rays before (what a thrill!). I would describe it being the consistency of heavy sandpaper with larger lumps of grit embedded in it. The stuff on these gloves is similarly abrasive, yet has a plastic or TPU slippery quality to it all at once. It would be excellent in preventing injury in a crash from what I can tell when combined with the thick Viscofoam padding and Kevlar lining running behind it.
I’m shocked to find it on these gloves at this price point.
I finally pull on the gloves for a try after inspecting them. I’m immediately happy with the fit. It’s evenly snug all around without pinching in any area. I credit the kevlar, goatskin and Pittards leather content for this bliss. It stretches just enough, but not too much.
These are brand new gloves! They’re not broken in at all but almost feel like they are. Typically leather gloves give about 10% after break-in and I wonder if these will go limp after some aggressive test riding with my Ninja.
Time will tell.
My hand measurement is just about 8.5 inches across the widest part and I would class my fingers average in length but slightly thicker than the norm at the knuckles. These size Large/10 glove fingers all fit right to the end of my digits except for the thumb which comes up about a ¼ inch short. The narrow middle section of my thumb doesn’t fit as tightly as the fingers do either.
I guess people in Czechoslovakia have larger thumbs than I do?
Closure One
The first closure is a velcro covered tunnel strap that rides through a steel loop and back on the wrist area to tighten up any small amount of slop there. I again note how nicely the goatskin leather gives ever so slightly when you pull on this strap. It feels slightly elastic.
Closure Two
A large flap of Viscofoam-infused leather used to cover the velcro tunnel strap closure in order to prevent it from being damaged in a slide. It’s a bit awkward to get closed and there are better closure systems on the market in other gloves. After donning and doffing the Stingrays a few times I’ve got the hang of it but I still don’t love it. The Velcro is effective at holding it shut securely.
Closure Three
The final closure is a large flap of leather impregnated with even more Viscofoam that hinges from the outside of the wrist inwards towards the thumb side.
I would have preferred a longer strap that reaches fully across the gauntlet portion of the glove instead of this style which only goes about halfway, but it catches and holds on the velcro solidly and doesn’t give. I feel confident even in a crash there’s no way these gloves would back off one iota and expose my hands to slide injury.
With the gloves on and fully adjusted it’s time to hit the road.
I managed to test these gloves at 85 degrees while in Las Vegas and back home in Canada down to a low of 40 degrees.
In the hot weather testing, my hands did perspire noticeably, but the perforations in the leather around the wrist area and between the fingers allowed cooling to occur fairly well even in traffic.
The thin leather palm side of the gloves has two small holes in each finger to allow easier insertion and removal of fingers to help prevent a vacuum from forming. I figure they aid somewhat with exhausting perspiration too.
I wonder if these small holes will enlarge over time and eventually wear away into larger openings and the gloves wearing out prematurely? Thus far, over the course of 600 miles riding there was little to no change in the size of these vents.
I was very surprised at how well these gloves did in the colder weather testing, but shouldn’t have been. All that Viscofoam definitely acts as an effective layer of insulation to keep my hand temperature comfortable down into the 50s. At those temperatures, I found the heated grips on my bike necessary to stay comfortable, but as far as the wind chill bothering me goes – no problem at all.
The supple leather on these Stingrays allows for easy manipulation of buttons and controls on the handlebars. The extra length on the end of the thumb got in my way a couple of times, but not enough to make me unhappy with them.
There aren’t any touchpad-friendly areas on any of the fingertips to allow a wearer to use their touchscreen phone, but it would surprise me if there was. There’s little doubt these really are racing-specific gloves with that single purpose in mind.
The thinner palm area leather impressed me with the fact I could faintly feel the ridges in my bike’s grips through them, but also makes me wonder about long-term durability despite the fact my research shows goatskin lasts longer than cowhide.
I often have an issue with numbness forming gradually (sometimes quickly) due to stitching in the palm area of gloves being too thick. When I grip the throttle a vein/vessel running close to the base of my index finger becomes easily irritated and limits blood flow to my thumb and finger when squished.
Many gloves fail this test for me, but the Stingray ones did quite well overall. I only noticed minor numbness on two occasions out of the 6 rides I’ve taken wearing these gloves.
The 96 Stingray is above average in every category I can think of especially when factoring in the low purchase price of $190.
If I ever end up crashing on a bike I hope it’s these 4SR gloves that I’m wearing out of all the gloves I own. They would make a bigger difference than my other ones for sure.
Yes, $190 is still a pile of money to spend on gloves, but comparatively, it’s a bargain. Refer to Brandon’s recent review of the Dainese D1 Druid long gloves which retail at $229.99. That’s $40 more without the same level of protection or comfort.
These 4SR gloves should be closer to the $300 mark as evidenced by more similarly outfitted gloves on the market such as the Held Phantom II. Those Phantom II gloves have titanium knuckle protectors, Rayskin and even Superfabric along with more ergonomic closures which do make them the best, but are they really $135 better? Almost twice the price of the 96 Stingrays?
Maybe…
I haven’t tested the Held Phantom gloves myself but they are the best selling race gloves on the market for good reasons. I’m sure a seasoned racer would be able to show exactly why I should drop the extra $135, but I doubt I would deem them worthy of the extra cost in my more limited sphere of use. If you race regularly perhaps the choice is easier.
The Alpinestars GP Plus R gloves are considered a bargain-priced race glove at $199.95 with decent protective qualities. They’re good value, but don’t quite have the level of protection these 96 Stingray ones do from what I can tell.
As I mentioned Jerry Sr and Jr are close to finalizing distribution of these and other 4SR products with sellers in the US like our friends at Revzilla, but at the time of this writing, it’s not yet there, unfortunately.
You can still order the gloves from the Czech HQ from the 4SR website in the meantime.
The Jerrys hope to have us review more products from their lineup moving forward and that feeling is mutual.
Pros
High quality materials used in construction
Excellent price
High protection
Race proven design
Ergonomic curve shape
Surprisingly warm
Decent airflow
Cons
Fuzzy edges on leather and Kevlar
Lacks Hi-Viz or reflective elements
Triple Closure is awkward
New product to North America
Some stitching isn’t straight
Specs
The post 4SR 96 Stingray Racing Gloves Hands-On Review appeared first on Web Bike World.
4SR: The New Kid In Town
While attending AimExpo in October I happened upon a display booth for 4SR products.
4 Street Racing is a Czech manufacturer well known in Europe on the race track and in the everyday riding gear market but is a new arrival to North American shores. After speaking at length with Jerry Nickell Sr and Junior (the father and son team from Texas who are distributing the product line here) I was eager to review some of the gear.
Jerry Sr had recently sacrificed his body in the name of testing one of their race suits when he low-sided at 70 mph. As you can see in the photos the suit held up well in a slide and Jerry was unhurt. The leather used is thick yet supple, the seams are double or triple stitched and the armor is all CE Level 2 in everything 4SR makes.
The 96 Stingray Race Gloves
The Nickels happily presented me with a pair of 96 Stingray gloves to review. These are arguably the best and most expensive ($190) racing gloves in the 4SR lineup.
First Impressions
Carbon Fiber
The knuckle area has hard resin-covered carbon fiber armor along with peanut sized caps over the finger joints of the first and second digits. I love the look of these purely white on black gloves, but adding in the carbon fiber makes good seem even better.
Weightless
I didn’t bother weighing the 96 Stingray because they’re virtually weightless thanks in part to the carbon fiber goodness.
Leather and Viscofoam
Holding these gloves and massaging them with my fingers reveals hidden protection covering the entire top half other than where the wrist bends. There’s Viscofoam (memory foam) everywhere underneath the goatskin leather exterior.
It ranges from about a ¼ inch thick padding on top of the thumb nail bed to ½ inch at the thickest area covering the ulna bone.
Goatskin and Pittards Leather
Goatskin is softer and stronger than cow leather. It’s also water resistant and twice as tough as kangaroo skin from what I’ve read.
In handling these gloves I definitely see how the soft part is accurate. They freely move in my hands and I haven’t even put them on yet!
Pittards leather covers the palms of these gloves. It’s the preferred leather for cricket and baseball batting gloves because it offers unbeaten tactile feedback to the fingers. Pittards stays flexible even after repeated doses of sweat saturation from hands.
4SR refused to compromise on the quality of material used to construct these gloves.
Stitching
Some of the stitching isn’t uniformly sewn along the sections of leather on these gloves. Specifically stitching on the leather surrounding the finger armor isn’t completely straight. Disappointing to see this, but it does help explain how they keep the price point lower than the competition.
The Kevlar Connection
The ring and little fingers come connected together with a leather patch as is commonplace with racing gloves in order to help protect the pinky in a crash situation.
What catches my eye on this leather covering are several fuzzy, yellow hairs hanging off the edges of the leather patch. It looks quite shoddy, to be honest.
Then it occurs to me leather doesn’t produce yellow strands like this, but Kevlar can.
Despite the ugly appearance this turns out to be another pleasant surprise about the 96 Stingray gloves: Kevlar reinforcement running beneath the leather on top of the hand below the foam. The Kevlar lining is also found in the high-stress palm areas under a shiny black covering.
These are some skookum gloves and I haven’t even gotten to the reason behind the Stingray moniker yet.
Palm Area Protection
I flip the gloves over for a look at the palm/scaphoid area to find two large patches of black stingray skin.
Stingray Skin
I’ve touched the skin of living sharks and rays before (what a thrill!). I would describe it being the consistency of heavy sandpaper with larger lumps of grit embedded in it. The stuff on these gloves is similarly abrasive, yet has a plastic or TPU slippery quality to it all at once. It would be excellent in preventing injury in a crash from what I can tell when combined with the thick Viscofoam padding and Kevlar lining running behind it.
I’m shocked to find it on these gloves at this price point.
Fitment
I finally pull on the gloves for a try after inspecting them. I’m immediately happy with the fit. It’s evenly snug all around without pinching in any area. I credit the kevlar, goatskin and Pittards leather content for this bliss. It stretches just enough, but not too much.
These are brand new gloves! They’re not broken in at all but almost feel like they are. Typically leather gloves give about 10% after break-in and I wonder if these will go limp after some aggressive test riding with my Ninja.
Time will tell.
My Size
My hand measurement is just about 8.5 inches across the widest part and I would class my fingers average in length but slightly thicker than the norm at the knuckles. These size Large/10 glove fingers all fit right to the end of my digits except for the thumb which comes up about a ¼ inch short. The narrow middle section of my thumb doesn’t fit as tightly as the fingers do either.
I guess people in Czechoslovakia have larger thumbs than I do?
Triple Closure Feature
Closure One
The first closure is a velcro covered tunnel strap that rides through a steel loop and back on the wrist area to tighten up any small amount of slop there. I again note how nicely the goatskin leather gives ever so slightly when you pull on this strap. It feels slightly elastic.
Closure Two
A large flap of Viscofoam-infused leather used to cover the velcro tunnel strap closure in order to prevent it from being damaged in a slide. It’s a bit awkward to get closed and there are better closure systems on the market in other gloves. After donning and doffing the Stingrays a few times I’ve got the hang of it but I still don’t love it. The Velcro is effective at holding it shut securely.
Closure Three
The final closure is a large flap of leather impregnated with even more Viscofoam that hinges from the outside of the wrist inwards towards the thumb side.
I would have preferred a longer strap that reaches fully across the gauntlet portion of the glove instead of this style which only goes about halfway, but it catches and holds on the velcro solidly and doesn’t give. I feel confident even in a crash there’s no way these gloves would back off one iota and expose my hands to slide injury.
With the gloves on and fully adjusted it’s time to hit the road.
On The Bike Testing
I managed to test these gloves at 85 degrees while in Las Vegas and back home in Canada down to a low of 40 degrees.
Air Flow
In the hot weather testing, my hands did perspire noticeably, but the perforations in the leather around the wrist area and between the fingers allowed cooling to occur fairly well even in traffic.
The thin leather palm side of the gloves has two small holes in each finger to allow easier insertion and removal of fingers to help prevent a vacuum from forming. I figure they aid somewhat with exhausting perspiration too.
I wonder if these small holes will enlarge over time and eventually wear away into larger openings and the gloves wearing out prematurely? Thus far, over the course of 600 miles riding there was little to no change in the size of these vents.
Warmth
I was very surprised at how well these gloves did in the colder weather testing, but shouldn’t have been. All that Viscofoam definitely acts as an effective layer of insulation to keep my hand temperature comfortable down into the 50s. At those temperatures, I found the heated grips on my bike necessary to stay comfortable, but as far as the wind chill bothering me goes – no problem at all.
Touch Sensitivity
The supple leather on these Stingrays allows for easy manipulation of buttons and controls on the handlebars. The extra length on the end of the thumb got in my way a couple of times, but not enough to make me unhappy with them.
There aren’t any touchpad-friendly areas on any of the fingertips to allow a wearer to use their touchscreen phone, but it would surprise me if there was. There’s little doubt these really are racing-specific gloves with that single purpose in mind.
The thinner palm area leather impressed me with the fact I could faintly feel the ridges in my bike’s grips through them, but also makes me wonder about long-term durability despite the fact my research shows goatskin lasts longer than cowhide.
Grip Numbness
I often have an issue with numbness forming gradually (sometimes quickly) due to stitching in the palm area of gloves being too thick. When I grip the throttle a vein/vessel running close to the base of my index finger becomes easily irritated and limits blood flow to my thumb and finger when squished.
Many gloves fail this test for me, but the Stingray ones did quite well overall. I only noticed minor numbness on two occasions out of the 6 rides I’ve taken wearing these gloves.
Final Verdict
The 96 Stingray is above average in every category I can think of especially when factoring in the low purchase price of $190.
If I ever end up crashing on a bike I hope it’s these 4SR gloves that I’m wearing out of all the gloves I own. They would make a bigger difference than my other ones for sure.
Competitors
Yes, $190 is still a pile of money to spend on gloves, but comparatively, it’s a bargain. Refer to Brandon’s recent review of the Dainese D1 Druid long gloves which retail at $229.99. That’s $40 more without the same level of protection or comfort.
These 4SR gloves should be closer to the $300 mark as evidenced by more similarly outfitted gloves on the market such as the Held Phantom II. Those Phantom II gloves have titanium knuckle protectors, Rayskin and even Superfabric along with more ergonomic closures which do make them the best, but are they really $135 better? Almost twice the price of the 96 Stingrays?
Maybe…
I haven’t tested the Held Phantom gloves myself but they are the best selling race gloves on the market for good reasons. I’m sure a seasoned racer would be able to show exactly why I should drop the extra $135, but I doubt I would deem them worthy of the extra cost in my more limited sphere of use. If you race regularly perhaps the choice is easier.
The Alpinestars GP Plus R gloves are considered a bargain-priced race glove at $199.95 with decent protective qualities. They’re good value, but don’t quite have the level of protection these 96 Stingray ones do from what I can tell.
Coming Soon
As I mentioned Jerry Sr and Jr are close to finalizing distribution of these and other 4SR products with sellers in the US like our friends at Revzilla, but at the time of this writing, it’s not yet there, unfortunately.
You can still order the gloves from the Czech HQ from the 4SR website in the meantime.
The Jerrys hope to have us review more products from their lineup moving forward and that feeling is mutual.
Pros
High quality materials used in construction
Excellent price
High protection
Race proven design
Ergonomic curve shape
Surprisingly warm
Decent airflow
Cons
Fuzzy edges on leather and Kevlar
Lacks Hi-Viz or reflective elements
Triple Closure is awkward
New product to North America
Some stitching isn’t straight
Specs
- Manufacturer: 4 Street Racing
- Price (When Tested): $190
- Made In: Pakistan
- Alternative models & colors: Three color schemes
- Sizes: Small to XXL
- Review Date: November 30, 2018
4SR 96 Stingray Gloves Image Gallery
The post 4SR 96 Stingray Racing Gloves Hands-On Review appeared first on Web Bike World.
Will the Suzuki Hayabusa Live On?
After nearly 20 blistering fast years, Suzuki will end production of its GSX-1300R Hayabusa. Why, you ask? It’s certainly not for lack of demand. It’s due to the stringent Euro 4 emissions standards, which to me sounds like a pretty silly reason to say goodbye to this legendary motorcycle.
When the Hayabusa first hit the road in 1999 it was a revelation, a 194 horsepower monster at the peak of the motorcycle speed wars. After it and subsequent efforts by competitors, manufacturers gave themselves a self-imposed top-speed limit of 200 mph.
Since the Hayabusa debuted, it has been a motorcycling icon and one of the most highly sought after superbikes you could buy. The fact that anyone with enough money—not even that much money, really—could go out and buy a motorcycle that would do 194 mph is ludicrous.
With all that said, it doesn’t seem like Suzuki is ready to let it’s high-speed motorcycle go forever. Some information recently surfaced that hint at Suzuki bringing a new model to production fairly soon.
Image from Suzuki
A new Hayabusa, a better Hayabusa, may be yet to come. Suzuki renewed trademarks for the Hayabusa name, according to RideApart. That means it’s worth betting Suzuki will keep the iconic bike going.
The guys at CycleWorld mentioned some information from “Suzuki insiders” that confirm a new Hayabusa is in the works. The publication points to patent applications that show a new frame with a Hayabusa-like engine in and a new exhaust system for that bike.
Undoubtedly, the new Hayabusa would be even quicker and more agile than its predecessor. Suzuki would have to really knock it out of the park to live up to the motorcycle’s name.
Considering the Hayabusa’s current design has a lot of equipment that dates back 20 years or more suggests Suzuki could indeed make a better, faster bike. Good God, can you imagine the mind-warping speed of the next ‘Busa? Cross your fingers.
The post Will the Suzuki Hayabusa Live On? appeared first on Web Bike World.
The King is Dead, Long Live the King—We Hope
After nearly 20 blistering fast years, Suzuki will end production of its GSX-1300R Hayabusa. Why, you ask? It’s certainly not for lack of demand. It’s due to the stringent Euro 4 emissions standards, which to me sounds like a pretty silly reason to say goodbye to this legendary motorcycle.
When the Hayabusa first hit the road in 1999 it was a revelation, a 194 horsepower monster at the peak of the motorcycle speed wars. After it and subsequent efforts by competitors, manufacturers gave themselves a self-imposed top-speed limit of 200 mph.
Since the Hayabusa debuted, it has been a motorcycling icon and one of the most highly sought after superbikes you could buy. The fact that anyone with enough money—not even that much money, really—could go out and buy a motorcycle that would do 194 mph is ludicrous.
With all that said, it doesn’t seem like Suzuki is ready to let it’s high-speed motorcycle go forever. Some information recently surfaced that hint at Suzuki bringing a new model to production fairly soon.
Return of the Mack
Image from Suzuki
A new Hayabusa, a better Hayabusa, may be yet to come. Suzuki renewed trademarks for the Hayabusa name, according to RideApart. That means it’s worth betting Suzuki will keep the iconic bike going.
The guys at CycleWorld mentioned some information from “Suzuki insiders” that confirm a new Hayabusa is in the works. The publication points to patent applications that show a new frame with a Hayabusa-like engine in and a new exhaust system for that bike.
Undoubtedly, the new Hayabusa would be even quicker and more agile than its predecessor. Suzuki would have to really knock it out of the park to live up to the motorcycle’s name.
Considering the Hayabusa’s current design has a lot of equipment that dates back 20 years or more suggests Suzuki could indeed make a better, faster bike. Good God, can you imagine the mind-warping speed of the next ‘Busa? Cross your fingers.
The post Will the Suzuki Hayabusa Live On? appeared first on Web Bike World.
