Unlike other suits which feature only CE certified armor, the entire Atem suit passes three rigorous tests designed to mimic conditions found during a crash. The first test measures the abrasion resistance of the 1.3mm cowhide used throughout the suit.

A material sample is weighted and dropped from five centimeters onto a rotating belt that has a rough texture similar to 60-grit sandpaper. In order to pass Level 1 CE certification, the sample must not wear through after four seconds. The Atem withstands the tougher Level 2 standard of seven seconds. This test is also done several times in different directions.

Next, the impact cut test takes a sample of the leather and mounts it over a block containing a rectangular hole. A striker of fixed mass with a sharp blade fitted is then dropped from one meter with an impact speed of 2.8 meters per second, directly above the rectangular hole. Then the maximum penetration of the blade through the material is measured. For Level 1 certification, the maximum allowable penetration is 25mm. The Atem actually passes the Level 2 standard of just 15mm.

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Popular among Euro riders for years, modular helmets are making inroads among U.S. riders and we here at MO welcome their influx into the American helmet market. Chief editor, Kevin Duke, recently reviewed Shoei's Neotec modular helmet, saying "Overall, I'm thrilled with my Neotec. I love it for its incredible versatility, plush coziness and its classy appearance. It's pulled on my head more often than anything else currently in my collection, and that's about the highest endorsement I can give."

The Neotec, however, retails between $649 and $663 whereas HJC's RPHA Max begins at $460 for solid colors and $465 for matte black and metallic colors. The two share many similarities such as internal sun visors, Pinlock fog-resistant shield systems, ear pockets for internal speakers and five-year warranties.

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Excited about TCX's claimed personalized fitment from its Precise Air Fit System (PAFS) I stuffed my socked foot and blue jeans bottoms inside the R-S2, zippered and velcroed the boot's enclosures and began adding air into the bladder via the boot's pump. To my dismay the effect was minimal, leading me to wonder if the PAFS was nothing more than a gimmick.

At the track soon thereafter, with my riding socks, undersuit and leathers tucked into the R-S2 boots I again pumped air into the bladder. As air entered the chamber the boot began conforming to my shin/foot area creating a snug yet comfortably compliant fit. The obvious difference in fit being the additional thickness of appropriate riding gear. Too much air? No problem, the adjacent release valve quickly expels air for either customizing the pressure or releasing all pressure for easier removal.

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To stay at the top of its game, A-stars boasts continual updates and additions to its lines via extensive R&D operations. "Product development - It's our heart and soul," notes Alpinestars' Jeremy Appleton, who was in SoCal this week to present the company's wide-ranging new products. More than 20 items have been introduced or updated, and all will be available just a couple of weeks from now. Here are the highlights.

Atem Leather Suit

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Well, that's getting closer to reality, as our experience with Shoei's new Neotec helmet proved.

I've sampled a few modular helmets previously, based on the allure of open-face-style eating, drinking and talking, plus the adaptability of full-coverage protection when required. Cheaper modular lids are noisy and feel only modestly protective while lacking the comfort of premium helmets. Costlier modulars, like the Schuberth C3, enjoy much better build quality, but they have an interior shape that doesn't fit long-oval heads well.

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For example, in the spring and fall I can find myself riding in morning temperatures ranging as low as 32 degrees with afternoon temperatures occasionally climbing upwards of 75 degrees. Add rain to the mix, and you'd better have the right gear or you're in for one miserable ride.

So when it came time to shop for a versatile jacket, I found the Jaunt in the Firstgear catalog. It seemed to hit the marks on functionality, protection, adaptability and price, with an MSRP of just $219.95. And its three-quarter-length package is low-key enough to prevent comments like, "These aren't the Droids you're looking for."

The Jaunt comes in dark gray and silver, but I went with the pure black option. Reflective panels keep it visible at night. I'm 6'2 and 200 lbs with long arms so I followed the sizing chart on the Firstgear website and went with a Large Tall. Perfect fit.

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Despite Shoei's X12 and VFX-W having such a strong presence in road racing and motocross, respectively, the RF-1100 is the Japanese company's "best-selling helmet by far," according to Don Bailey, Shoei's Technical Advisor for North America.

To examine what makes this helmet so popular, we're taking another look at the RF-1100 since Pete reviewed it a couple of years ago. In his RF-1100 review, Pete covers all the details of what makes the lid an improvement over the RF-1000, which he also owned and adored.

After speaking with Bret Milan, Shoei's Marketing Manager, we were surprised to learn the Matte Black version is most in demand, with solid colors outselling graphics. Bailey predicts its largest demographic of buyers are in their mid-to-late 40s.

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The Italian company makes another first in 2012, becoming the first manufacturer to offer airbag protection in an off-the-rack (or custom) leather racing suit in America, the D-air Racing, which it showed to the media earlier this week.

Building a functional airbag suit isn't very difficult if a simple tether is used. Like a tethered kill switch on a snowmobile or PWC, an airbag can easily be triggered when a rider is detached from a motorcycle. But a tether has many disadvantages, not least of which is a rider simply dismounting his ride without switching off the airbag trigger. So Dainese (and Alpinestars, which is developing its own airbag suit) has come up with a complex set of sensors and electronics that can tell when a rider is in the midst of a crash.

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KBC, the California-based and Korean-owned helmet company with manufacturing facilities in both China and Indonesia, has a long-standing history in the U.S. market for producing both higher-end and budget helmets. Its newest lid - the V Zero - is aimed directly at the rider looking to pinch pennies. The most attractive feature about the V Zero is its price. Starting at just $104 for a solid color, it's one of the most affordable full-face helmets we would actually feel comfortable wearing. An asymmetrical red, blue, or gray graphic version only costs $10 more. While appearance is a subjective matter, we think they look pretty good.

Shell material on the KBC V Zero is a lightweight ABS plastic composite combined with aramid epoxy resins (similar to that seen on hard-shell luggage), while a dual-layer EPS liner absorbs the bulk of the impact should you take a fall. Integrated into the EPS are ventilation channels that run along the two upper vents and the single, large chin vent. Inside, the V Zero features what KBC calls a "Duralux" fully removable and washable liner and cheek pads.

Long-oval heads will appreciate the fit of the V Zero, as it's definitely longer front to back than my intermediate-oval head. E-i-C Duke also confirmed its extra length. Side-to-side fitment is comfortable for my noggin, as is the felt-like liner, but Duke wished the ear pockets were a little larger. KBC says the padding will break-in over time, forming to the rider's head, which should alleviate some of this discomfort. Or, if you can't wait, different padding of varying thickness is available for a custom fit. As with any motorcycle helmet, try it on yourself to confirm a proper fit.

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Hardcore Arai fans will remember the Signet line of helmet. Its shape was a hit among the long-oval crowd whose heads were longer front to back than side to side. It was replaced in 2008 by the Profile, which didn't quite see the same success. "I don't personally feel we went long enough with the Profile," is the reason Brian Weston, Arai's Director of Operations for the U.S., cites for the Profile's demise.

Wanting to capitalize on the popularity of the Signet name, and bring back its faithful followers, the name is back in an all-new line from Arai - the Signet-Q. Similar in outward appearances to the RX-Q introduced last year, the Signet-Q differs in one major way: internally, it's about five millimeters more elongated than the RX-Q front to back. Arai believes this simple elongation makes a considerable difference. According to Weston, between the RX-Q and Signet-Q, "they will fit 95% of the market."

The elongated interior isn't just a benefit for long-oval head shapes, though. Even those with a less-pronounced forehead may find the Signet a better fit for them. In fact, after journalists went through the Arai presentation and got fitted, 14 of 19 went down a whole size. Indeed, I also went down a size, and as you'll see in the accompanying video, even our own Pete Brissette bumped down to a small Signet-Q after years of wearing mediums in everything else. It's important to pay attention to the video, as Bruce Porter, Arai's Director of Motorsports for North America, imparts some very important advice on what to look for in a properly fitting helmet and how it should line up on your head.

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And that's why we're proud to bring you a review of these made-in-the-USA boots. CruiserWorks formerly produced its boots in the Dominican Republic, but the company was recently purchased and production shifted to Wisconsin-based Weinbrenner USA and its 100-plus years of footwear manufacturing.

"Their manufacturing process is detailed and complex," Skip Wood, CruiserWorks' new CEO, told us. "There are over 60 individual pieces that go into making a Tour boot and over 100 unique processes that have to take place. We have a very close relationship with our boot manufacturer, who is ISO 9001 certified and was selected because of their high quality standards. They pass quality standards of the Department of Defense and professional firefighters' associations, ensuring the safety of products used in their fields."

CruiserWorks currently has two styles of boots in its lineup. The Classic boot tested here is identical to the Tour boot except for the addition of the midfoot buckle and another at the cuff area. It's an engineer-style boot that looks well-suited to any cruiser or touring bike. Another variation is the Defender, available late this year, which adds a zipper on the sides for easier entry.

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While Alpinestars is proud of its racing and fashion lines, lately the company has been making a push to develop groundbreaking touring gear. Motorcycle.com attended the unveiling of Alpinestars' Fall 2011 product line, where it was clear that the main focus this season was on pushing its latest touring products. All told, however, there are 41 new items across the entire product range. Below, are just the standouts.

Long Range 2 Drystar Jacket and Pants ($499.95/$389.95)

For the BMW GS owners out there, the Long Range 2 Drystar Jacket and Pants has your name written all over it. Built for year-round riding, the 4-in-1 configuration system is perfect for tailoring the jacket for the environment. As the name would suggest, that system is comprised of four layers, an outer shell, thermal layer, and a Drystar waterproof and breathable layer which can pull double duty as its own separate jacket.

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For 2011 Suomy is introducing the Apex. With MSRPs starting at $285, the Apex is Suomy's low- to mid-tier lid, priced far below Suomy's top-line Spec 1R ($573) and Spec 1R Extreme ($720). All Suomys are both D.O.T. and ECE 22.05 compliant and come with a 5-year warranty.

The Apex weighs a claimed 2.95 pounds and its shell (available in three sizes: M, L, XL) is constructed of a combination of Aramid and carbon-composite fabric that is thermo-reinforced with resins. At the rear of the helmet is a new polycarbonate spoiler meant to decrease aerodynamic turbulence and reduce head buffeting. In our testing, its stability at high speeds was good, not feeling any less stable than other helmets I've worn.

Suomy helmets run small. I normally wear a medium with other helmet brands, but the size Large Apex fit me best. Although there were no extreme pressure points, the way in which the Apex sits on the crown of my head felt as if it was made more for rounded skulls than oval ones.

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Then somewhere in the middle you have companies like KBC, the Korean company who is establishing itself as one of the leading names in affordable helmets with an eye towards safety and functionality. Its newest model, the VR4R, is the latest example. Available in both a carbon fiber and a tri-composite shell, we were sent the former in this patriotic U.S. Olympic Replica color scheme. In case you don't know, the American (and Canadian) Bobsled and Skeleton teams are sponsored by KBC and, in the case of the Americans, sport this exact same lid during competition.

Graphics aside, the most noticeable feature of the VR4R is its light weight. Coming in at approximately 2.85 pounds for a medium, according to KBC, it's one of the lightest helmets I've ever put on my head. It's important to note that the VR4R is ECE approved and meets D.O.T. standards, but was not put through Snell certification tests. Whether or not the European standard is sufficient is a personal choice, but if it's good enough for Olympians, it's good enough for me. In the case of the tri-composite shell that features carbon fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass construction, a medium version of it weighs in at about 3.15 pounds, which is still impressive.

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The event at the D-Store Orange County has become an annual one for Dainese, which was founded in Italy by Lino Dainese in 1972.

In 2007 Dainese acquired helmet maker AGV - which itself was founded in 1947. From their inception, the two now-united concerns have equipped some of the greatest riders of all time.

"Racing is in our DNA," said a Dainese/AGV representative to a crowd of journalists in the closed-door meeting. "Racing is for us the only field where we can test at the maximum level and stress at the maximum level and be ready for the consumer in the mass market."

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From what we can ascertain, this is true; they're impressively put together, incorporate substantial armor, and work well. At least they do the job for my average-width size 11s, I should say, as everyone's foot is different, and I happen to be one of the (many) riders who fit the boot, and appreciate what it can do.

The Tech 8 had been the pinnacle of A-Stars line-up until the even more space-age Tech 10s showed up. Since I wanted a more traditional, but still protective design, I opted for the 8s.

Technology in Brief

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U.S. consumers should see it for sale stateside by 2012.

While those following D-Air's development have speculated Dainese might pin an astronomical price to the fruit of its multi-million dollar project, the company says it will charge 2700 euros, which works out to around $3,700.

Although this is still about three times more than many off-the-rack suits, D-Air suits will be custom-tailored to buyers' measurements and include data-acquisition capabilities, such as lap times, speeds and mapping capabilities. It will therefore offer the same degree of fit, safety and technology that Valentino Rossi and other top racers get.

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The Japanese helmet maker says it is the product of wind-tunnel testing, and was sculpted to be stable, balanced, and up to 2.2 decibels quieter than its previous touring helmet, the TZ-R.

In our testing, it seems to succeed on all counts, and to be sure, this is one quiet helmet.

An RF-1100-style neck roll and removable wind curtain under the chin bar helps muffle noise to the point that I've opted to forego earplugs on several rides recently, something I normally never do with other helmets I own.

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Schuberth, which is based in Magdeburg, Germany, has long been known for its highly-engineered and pricey helmets designed for a laundry list of industries and sports, including auto racing and motorcycling.

Citing lost consumer confidence after distributor Fairchild Sports ceased Schuberth importation, then went out of business altogether, Schuberth World Wide's CEO Marcel Lejeune, was on hand from Germany to personally usher in Schuberth's renewed commitment.

"We have many customers here, more than 30,000 and many were unhappy because they couldn't get the service any more they wanted." Lejeune said, "We didn't want to do this again, and we have decided to bypass importers and create our own company called Schuberth North America and import ourself, take our destiny in our own hands and work here directly in the market."

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Having no universally recognized standards for motorcycle safety, the U.S. is famous as a tough nut to crack when it comes to getting riders to gear up. In a recent survey, nine out of ten nannies agreed: a lot of American riders are as reluctant to put on their safety gear as a soccer mom is to stop using her cell phone while driving.

While we're no one's nannies, being the insightful free-thinking Americans we are - except for that Canadian, Kevin Duke, who's in favor of mandatory helmet laws, and tiered licensing - we agree it is your right to ride naked in the streets if you want to. It may be your right, but what's smart is another issue on which we all definitely agree: dressing head to toe when facing off against cars, trucks, and more is much less likely to win you a Darwin Award.

This is all the more true considering that ventilated gear - such as several items recently sampled from Dainese - can be quite comfortable, while actually giving you more control over your bike.

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Motorcycle riding gear and apparel manufacturer Alpinestars has made good use of such a formula, becoming one of the most recognizable names in motorcycling today.

The riding gear giant unveiled its fall lineup for 2010 to the press this week, announcing a few key products among an array of 36 new items for riders in a variety of disciplines. From the hardcore track riding/racing junkie to the casual street rider to the adventure/sport-tourer, as well as the MXer, Alpinestars has a selection of gear ready to fit the needs of two-wheel enthusiasts in all those categories.

We'll first go over a number of the textile products, along with non-racetrack oriented boots and gloves in the beginning, while saving key leather products and gear designed for the track 'til the end.

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I guess I have one of those pointy foreheads (trouble along the birth canal?), so a lot of lids I've worn and sampled often leave me with an annoying hotspot on the upper part of my forehead. The RF was one of the first helmets to break the cruel cycle.

For the first time since the RF1000's 2003 inception, Shoei has updated the helmet to the RF1100 for 2010.

The new RF not only improves on desirable features in the 1000, but also incorporates new technology establishing it as an all-new helmet set apart from the previous model.

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This is an expensive helmet, but a lofty entry fee guarantees high levels of satisfaction. Arai was awarded the best scores in the recent JD Power helmet survey - for the 12th consecutive year. (See our news story here.)

The Corsair V (that's Roman for "5") replaces the well-loved RX-7 Corsair, being thoroughly massaged with improved features while remaining visually very similar.

"The job of a motorcycle helmet has not changed," comments Michio Arai, the current president and son of the family-owned company's founder. "So if a design does not help make a helmet better at doing this job, protecting the rider and giving the rider better fit and comfort, we do not do it. Arai is in the helmet business, not the fad or fashion business."

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As the Icon line has expanded and evolved, the company has delved into higher-end products, and this new-for-2010 carbon-fiber Airframe exemplifies this push toward the premium end of the market.

Icon's standard Airframe shells are made from a mix of fiberglass, Dyneema and carbon fiber that supposedly scale in between 1700 and 1750 grams depending on which of its three shells is used to encompass its range from XXS to 3XL. Prices range from $265 to $360.

But now comes a new Airframe with a carbon-fiber shell that is Icon's lightest helmet ever. In its medium shell size, the Carbon Lifeform Airframe seen here is claimed to weigh just 1450 grams, more than half a pound lighter than the standard Airframe.

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In January, Dainese announced details of its new D-Air suit replete with airbags in the shoulder areas to mitigate common injuries from motorcycle roadracing crashes.

Now Alpinestars, a fellow Italian gear producer, reveals its similar solution for racers: the A-stars Electronic Airbag Technology.

It was a decade ago when Alpinestars began working on an airbag solution for motorcyclists, and these early examples were exterior inflatable vests that envelope riders when activated. Something similar may come from A-stars in the future, but the first consumer implementation of airbags will be for roadracing use.

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Anyone fitting the above descriptions, you may be interested in Icon's new for fall '09 "Operator" line of motorcycle gear. Icon's plan was simple. Take its Alliance SSR helmet, Hooligan jacket and Sub gloves and add a variant of the military's new Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP), a combination of green, tan and grey in a digitally pixilated pattern, designed to work in multiple environments. The result is gear with an attitude unlike most anything else on the market. Don't think Icon's trying to do things differently? Check out its guerilla marketing campaign some time.

By the way, this camouflage doesn't work. When wearing the full outfit, don't expect to slip by the cop running radar undetected. Don't think you can pull a sick wheelie in traffic and not have the cagers calling 911. Icon's Operator gear draws attention; so much that after a while you'll get embarrassed explaining to people that, although urban riding sometimes feels like combat, you're not active military. Ironically this camo may raise your visibility more than gear in pee yellow with reflective tape. So the effect works. But like hood scoops on an import tuner, any gear dressed in camo has to have the function to back up the posturing. In this article we'll go over the specifics on all three pieces.

Sub Operator gloves

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The closed-door gathering was held for members of the motorcycle press and featured a number of upgrades across the company's vast line of moto safety apparel, as demonstrated on svelte male and female models.

Highlights were innovative materials technologies, including a new kangaroo hide option, silver-ion impregnated anti-bacterial linings, "localized perforation" available in some suits, and more use of titanium and/or carbon fiber in gloves, protective patches on leather suits, and boots.

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I'll wait...

Ha! Didn't think so! Good call, Brother.

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Belstaff Mercury Jacket

The red Mercury Jacket offers high tenacity nylon with a Teflon coating for resistance to weather and dirt accumulation from the road. The Microskin membrane is not only waterproof, but is breathable so that you won't be dripping with sweat the moment the sun starts shining.

I stayed warm and dry thanks to the Thermolite quilted liner, which is also detachable for riding in more favorable conditions. The front zipper is reinforced with the addition of a double storm flap consisting of buttons and Velcro to ensure that the rain stays out. Not only does the Mercury Jacket keep the rider warm and dry, but it also provides additional safety through the Knox CE approved shoulder and elbow armour.

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Unfortunately, asphalt doesn't give a flying fork what season it is. If you want to be assured of returning from your ride with all of your fingerprints, you just gotta suck it up and put on the mitts. About as necessary and evil as necessary evils get.

So as I returned from this year's Dealer Expo, having tried on more leather goods than Max Mosley, there was one garment at the top of my list of "shwag to score". The prototype demo of Held's new Air Stream summer gloves had reignited my hope for a fusion of protection and permeability that would defeat the heat of Southern California. When I put them over my digits, I could swear I heard angels singing in the background as Held's helmsman, Tommy Kincaid, explicated the features and benefits.

All of the usual safety components are present and accounted for. Hardened plastic knuckle guards are vented by half-moon slits. Key impact/skid areas, like the ball of the palm, pinkie finger, and outer blade of the hand are padded and covered with Superfabric, an engineered material impregnated with tiny guard plates. This purpose-built fabric provides many times the cut, abrasion, and puncture resistance of even heavyweight ballistic aramids.

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The comfort and ease of using a flip-up modular helmet is an obvious one; how else can you stuff a burger in your maw while cruising the boulevard and then safely land on your face in the case of an accident and walk away unscathed? Without the benefits of a flip-up style helmet, that answer is no how.

In the market to replace my aging yet favorite workhorse helmet, the Icon Alliance, we ordered up the reasonably priced Fulmer M1 Modus for testing. It's flashy but not gauche, with what seems to be a solid latching closure.

And it's not too expensive, as is typical from Fulmer Helmets. The company's philosophy for the past 40 years has been to provide "value for riders and service to dealers." With an MSRP starting at $149 for solid colors ($179 for the Trident model shown), Fulmer lives up to its motto by providing a modular helmet at a bargain price.

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When the weather gets hot, safety and comfort become dreaded arch enemies, and your pliable grey matter is their battleground of choice. That favorite leather jacket is suddenly an object of dread, and the thought of tugging on overpants makes your hands tremble. Yet you're equally unkewl with the thought of being found by EMTs, buck-ass naked whimpering in a ditch with your blue jeans belt-sanded into confetti across three zip codes.

Not to worry, Cap'n, the bright minds at Fieldsheer are on the case. Their Four Season mesh pants are constructed with two overlapping layers of a highly abrasion resistant FieldSheer Polytitanium Max Mesh to allow ventilation without exposing skin through the pinholes. The mesh pants are reinforced with 1000 denier DuPont Teflon coated Maxtena for added asphalt armor in critical regions such as the seat, knees, and er... loins. Common high impact areas are protected by SP memory foam hip pads, with removable CE-approved Ribb armor in the knees. A series of Velcro strips within the kneepad pouches allow you to locate and secure the positioning of the armor for optimal ergonomics.

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Fair reader, I think not!

So at this point you're probably saying to yourself, "Well then tell me, Mr. More-Hardcore-Than-Thou Survivor-man, why am I reading, what I assumed until now, was your test and review of a Jett heated vest?!" Amigo, that is a 100 percent valid question, and of course, I have a 100 percent dumb-ass answer for you. Ever since I was a kid I was always obsessed by those completely-off-the"cool-o-meter" rocket powered "jet vests" that military flyboys would use to magically float down onto the 50-yard line of the Super Bowl.

You can imagine my stunned disappointment at tearing into the suspiciously under-sized package that arrived at my doorstep, to find that the "jet vest" that I thought I had ordered, turned out to be a lowly heated vest made by a company called "Jett." Now I have to confess, I found that this self-contained space heater dealio is a heckuva well thought-out piece of kit. That is, for any folks out there who are, into that sort of thing. The heating element itself runs along your spine and shoots far infrared (FIR) energy into your back meat. Jett's website claims that this not only feels good (which I'll vouch for), but that it's good for you as well (which I won't). Turning on the vest feels almost as nice as wiping your face with one of those hot moist towelettes they give you at fancy sushi bars to help you mellow out before you chow down , except it isn't moist, and it's on your back, and nobody shows up to bring you food afterwards. Pity.

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The market for motorcycle helmets has drastically changed over the last few years. A much bigger variety of helmets at a very competitive price range is available to us. Scorpion EXO, which started producing quality helmets at a reasonable price in 2002, has been ably serving this market.

Now, the question is, are those lower-priced helmets really as good as expensive lids?

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Comfort is king, and this textile apparel is simple to self-tailor to one's personalized dimensions. Velcro straps and zippered expansion gussets permit adjustment to the hip and waist area. A progressive set of three snaps apiece at both the bicep and forearm allows you to adapt the sleeves' tightness to your preference, also securing the elbow armor properly in place. Mrs. EBass especially liked the 2-way zipper on the front of the jacket. "It's a nice touch. I can unzip the bottom one a little to avoid the material bunching up when I'm in a tuck."

True to its name, the Adventure jacket offers a James Bond-ian array of hidden compartments. I eventually sleuthed out two deep chest pockets, two shallow "hand warmer" pockets, and a large stealthy "fanny pack" pocket integrated into the lower back. And that was just on the exterior. More groping and fondling revealed another pocket and a cell-phone holder on the inside and an eighth pocket hidden between the storm flap and the main zipper. They also duplicated the interior jacket pockets in the liners, so you don't sacrifice anything in the way of storage capacity when they're zipped in. Talk about secret stash-ability. Anthony Gobert would love this thing!

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Same is coming true of motorcycle helmets. While there are still plenty of pricey, top-shelf lids from companies such as Arai, Shoei or AGV, there's been a proliferation of low to mid-priced helmets in the past three to five years. These newer, or new-to-the-U.S.-market, helmet companies had to overcome the stigma of being made in countries other than Japan, Italy or the U.S, but they listened, learned and adapted, so today the choices of quality helmets available in the sub-$300 category seems greater than ever.

In the interest of fairness, and after years of being a scoffer, I decided to give HJC a try. In short, I'm impressed. The hat I gave a go is the company's full-face FS-15 model. The shell is made from a fiberglass composite with the help of CAD.

The shield is a "3D design" that claims to provide 95 percent UV protection along with an anti-scratch coating and is ready to accept HJC's anti-fog insert called, Pinlock. The shield uses a proprietary tool-less removal system; it comes on and off with no more or less effort than most other tool-less systems I've used, including those on pricier helmets. I prefer shield ratchet systems that have multiple opening positions. The FS-15 only has two: half way or full open. It can be popped open just a skosh from closed for increased venting. One other shield feature is the locking tab on the left side that prevents it from blowing open when you're screaming down the road. Thus far I've not used the lock, but neither has the shield been sucked open by the wind.

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Protection is achieved by a body and outer sleeve sections of leather with thermoformed outer shoulders and removable elbows and shoulder protection that is CE approved. I have yet to notice the reflective inserts on each sleeve and along the back intended to provide additional safety since I have only worn it riding during the day, but its good to know they are there, I suppose.

A fixed lining guarantees durability while a removable thermal micro-down insert allows this jacket to be used year-round. Although it will seem blasphemous to some, I donned this Ducati attire during my testing of the Buell 1125CR which had my six foot frame bent over in a pretty aggressive stance. Aside from being on the snug side, which could easily be rectified by purchasing a larger size, the jacket is comfortable. It started off a bit stiff but quickly softened as it became worked in and conformed to my body. The jacket offers great fit and protection without looking like I'm wearing football equipment underneath, as is the case with some.

Elastic inserts on the shoulder blades and armholes give the rider flexible movement while still maintaining a safe, snug fit. The jacket also features adjustable waist buckles, two front outer pockets and a button collar with the collar itself having a padded trim for comfort. The cuffs fit securely with zippers and buttons which I find to be too constrictive, but some riders may prefer it.

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Now if you ride a cruiser, it's fairly easy to find one of the several dozens of companies that make saddlebags, tank bags or sissy bar bags. And since most cruisers have the same basic layout, it's also fairly easy to find fitment brackets for a wide range of models, and many even have a quick release feature. But if you ride a sport bike, or "standard", there are far fewer luggage options. Since sport bikes have a wide variety of tail sections and exhaust system placements, it makes it even more difficult to find bags that work. There is one company however, that has a wide range of products designed for sport bikes, standards, and even scooters.

Givi (pronounced gee-vee) is an Italian company that has been making high quality luggage for motorcycles and scooters for over 30 years. Perhaps they are best known for their hard luggage cases which have been fitted as original equipment on many different brands of sport-touring motorcycles such as Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Moto-Guzzi, Honda, Triumph and Yamaha as well as for such scooters as Aprilia, Piaggio, and Vespa. In addition to their hard cases, they also make several different styles of soft bags to fit most sportbikes as well.

When I purchased my Kawasaki Ninja 650R in 2006, I knew that it would be a comfortable and versatile bike to use for a lot of things, including sport touring. I placed a call to Paul Collins, Givi's US distributor to see if they had soft bags for it. Even though the bike was a brand new model, to my delight, Paul told me that they just came out with a new flagship line of soft saddlebags and tail packs, called the Gold Line.

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KBC's top off-road model, the Super-X, was designed to be stylish while also being functional. The aerodynamic ridges and contours blend with anodized alloy hardware with a variety of designs available to cater to the taste of each rider. The tester I had was the white and gold version, that wouldn't necessarily be my first choice but it certainly did stand out. It is simply a personal choice. I don't mind doing shots of Goldshlager, but having little golden flakes emblazoned upon my helmet is a little too flashy for my liking.

The shell has been constructed using an advanced alloy resin, resulting in a high energy absorption helmet that either meets or exceeds SNELL/DOT standards. The helmet offers a fully adjustable visor with anodized hardware and a tinted visor extension, which I found didn't really do much and just looked plain silly when pulled out into the extended position. When removed, however, the adjustable visor looked good and worked well at blocking the sunlight from my eyes.

The dual-intake ventilation system was designed to efficiently draw, circulate, vent and control airflow providing ultimate comfort and seemed to do so without issue. The removable, washable Duralux liner offers customizable padding which assists with proper fitment. Also, a wide range of sizes are available from XXS to XXL so finding one that fits properly shouldn't be a problem. Slower, more technical riding would be the ideal use for this helmet as higher speeds made the wind catch hold of the visor and tilt the head backwards. The fit and finish doesn't necessarily compare with many helmets available on the market today, but then again, neither does the $189.95 price tag.

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Despite Alpinestars marketing the Ice leather jacket as being "influenced by the urban theme", I couldn't think of jacket that better strikes a balance between subdued, classic styling and general badassness. In its black-gray color scheme, the Ice can be worn in just about any bike scene. From choppers to Vespas, the Ice fits the bill. Alpinestars has managed to make a real looker without going the route of the pretentious faux urban-jungle warrior so prevalent in today's gear offerings.

Made from 1.2-1.4mm full-grain leather, the Ice's protection gauntlet is further enhanced by removable CE-certified armor in the elbow and shoulder areas. A simple removable foam backpad makes a suitable placeholder for an available accessory back protector.

Though the leather is thick enough to provide an average level of crash protection for a basic street jacket, it isn't especially heavy and was supple right out of the box. Additionally, the heat typically associated with a leather riding jacket is somewhat abated by narrow perforated panels starting in the underarm area and running to the hem of the jacket.

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You might think the Haley Pants and Nikki Jacket are part of a two-piece design, because they fit so well together. But, surprise, they are not. Scorpion has designed its women's line to be interchangeable, so you can mix and match every piece to create different outfits depending on your preference or even mood.

Besides the obvious clue of different names that pants and jacket aren't a suit, the Haley Pants don't have a center belt loop to attach to the jacket, which is actually a real bummer. Attaching the pants to the jacket would prevent the jacket from rising up and it would enable both pieces to stay together in case of a crash - heaven forbid. Not only is road rash painful, but it never goes well with a cocktail dress.

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They make an extensive women's line, too! Unfortunately, as a woman it can be difficult to find proper gear. I'm not talking about chaps and vests with fringes. Yes, that's out there... and plentiful. I am talking about protective gear that will hold up in an accident, God forbid. Keep in mind we wear motorcycle gear mainly to be protected in the case of a fall. But, ladies, we all know it has to look cute as well, right?

Since I started wearing the Scorpion Nikki leather jacket, women and men have been asking about it. Women want to have it, and men want to have it for their better halves.

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Joe Rocket, touted as America's leading motorcycle apparel brand, operates in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and makes motorcycling gear that even the champions wear. Their motto being "Champions Ride Rocket" shows their dedication to superior build quality and strong branding efforts. Sponsoring riders like Miguel Duhamel and Kane "Insane" Friesen, and co-branding riding and casual apparel for nearly every major OEM - at least the Big 4. Joe Rocket has a glove, jacket, pant, backpack or helmet for everyone, even you.

Surely you've noticed us wearing some new gear in the past few stories on Motorcycle.com, and after just a few weeks of testing, we can tell you that the Joe Rocket Blaster 4.0 jacket you'd seen in the latest Can-AM Spyder review is their new options in perforated leather jackets. It's a good piece of riding kit that's comfy and has style. And it smells like leather, yum!

Cut to fit the sportbike scene, both literally and figuratively, this ventilated jacket suits well for both the street as well as the track, complete with two pant-joining zippers and full armor. The 8-inch zipper for pant attachment is designed to keep the draft off your back and the jacket in place in the event of a tumble in the street. The second, 360-degree zipper is designed for mating to matching leather pants for more aggressive riding, making for a track-safe two-piece suit. The longer zipper is only available on the perforated model of the Blaster 4.0 by the way.

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From the first time you step into the shoe, you'll feel right at home. With a combination split grain and synthetic leather chassis, there's no break in necessary. Flexibility and comfort are built right in. Synthetic leather is used in areas needing more bend; the real leather is used for parts of the shoe that might come in contact with the road in event of a crash. Further protection is provided to keep the old anklebone from shattering, if not just grinding away from road rash, by medial and lateral plastic inserts embedded into the layered leather construction.

'These new kicks from Shift offer good quality construction and comfort with a degree of safety.'

With your foot firmly planted inside the shoe getting them strapped on (literally) is a piece of cake with what Shift calls a speed-lace system. The eyelets thru which the lace runs are made from nylon loops sewn inside the shoe's chassis and hidden beneath the protective leather sheathing. The covered lace bends are a smart idea in the event of a crash (think about sliding along the rough asphalt), helping to keep the laces tied and the shoe on your foot. It only takes one long pull to cinch up the laces with this system - smooth work. A Velcro strap crosses over to both keep your rabbit-ear loops from getting caught on your bike (or getting stepped on), as well as providing some extra stability to your own weak-ass ankle.

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The Bomber jacket from Fox Creek Leather addresses these concerns. It not only looks good when you're on a bike, it's also quite dapper off of it. And when the weather gets too hot for typical black leather jackets, the Fox Creek Bomber has a number of tricks up its sleeve (literally) so you can be cool while looking cool.

Fox Creek is a family-run operation based in southwestern Virginia and builds a variety of jackets, pants, chaps and accessories. It's spendier than the boatloads of leather from China and Pakistan, but you'll find it difficult to match its quality of materials anywhere.

Fox Creek's jackets are constructed from wonderfully supple full-grain "naked" cowhide (in which the grain of the leather is unaltered from its natural state) that is said to be the softest leather available. In addition, the leather is drum-dyed (in which the leather is immersed in a drum of dye and tumbled) so the color fully penetrates the material for a long-lasting finish.

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Textiles abound; some have even said that leather's days are numbered. We're not sure about that, as no protective bike clothing manufacturer has won over masses of riders with a suit made from synthetic fibers that has all the properties offered in, say, leather suits - we know Aerostich is a great product but you don't see race paddocks filled with them. As protective as textile gear is, it can't match the abrasion resistance of animal hides. What we do know is that textiles are here to stay.

Of particular interest to us is a product that can be worn in more than one setting while still being comfy and functional. Shift, a relatively new company to street gear, has readily embraced synthetics. We've taken a liking to Shift's XC Jacket, a lightweight textile unit from the company's off-road product line. It's what I'd call adventure riding gear as it's not a dedicated street piece, nor does it look like you're at the gate ready for the next moto.

Constructed from 600 denier polyester with 1680 denier 100% nylon "ballistic" reinforcements in the elbow and shoulder area, the XC looks and feels like it's ready to take a beating. Yet, main body material weave is small and tight, so it doesn't look like you're wearing bomb-squad gear. The light, airy polyester mesh liner is permanent, and has a pocket for a back pad if you choose to install one.

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Scorpion, or more correctly Scorpion Sports, hasn't been on the lid scene very long relative to helmet giants like Arai, Shoei, AGV or the re-surging Bell, but in a short time Scorpion has come on strong. So strong that they've now expanded beyond just helmets, adding a line of riding gear to further bolster the brand. But however big Scorpion grows, it all goes back to the company's success with helmets that offer a lot quality at a very reasonable price point, and it seems the lid maker hasn't forgotten its roots. Enter the Scorpion EXO-1000.

Introduced over a year ago, the latest brain bucket to join the EXO (pronounced ex-oh, like exoskeleton) full-face street line, the EXO-1000 is the slickest and trickest yet from the young American-led company. It employs all of the best features available on the other models, like KwikWick water/perspiration-absorbing and wicking material that makes up the removable liner; EverClear anti-fogging faceshield; and SpeedShift, Scorpion's tool-less faceshield removal system. Along with those very useful items that we already enjoyed on other EXO models, the 1000 ups the ante and incorporates new technology like SpeedView, the in-helmet retractable sunvisor lens, and -this is the big one!- inflatable air bladders situated behind the cheek pads called HelmetPump. The idea with HelmetPump is to allow a wearer to "customize" helmet fit.

I initially was skeptical of a motorcycle helmet - something specifically engineered to prevent head injuries - that uses '80s Reebok-style shoe-pump technology. Even though it seems a little gimmicky, HelmetPump does work as advertised. Once you've pulled the helmet over your melon and secured it via a typical strap and D-ring, simply poke a finger inside to the lower part of the chinbar and start pressing on the little red inflater. Within the first pump you'll hear the bladders start to fill with air, and depending on how the helmet fits before inflating, by the third or fourth pump you really start to feel the cheek pads move in, snugging up against your face. For my face to get a good squeeze while still being comfortable took somewhere between 17 to 20 pumps.

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I also have a collection of motorcycle helmets which I don't keep in the bathroom. I have the leather flying cap once worn either by Baron von Richtofen or Snoopy depending on who you believe on eBay. I have an aluminum colander pasta strainer as worn by one of the bad guy bikers in the original Mad Max movie. (No wonder my ex-girl friend complained my fettuccine tasted like boot leather.) I have one of those scary French-made Roof Boxer helmets that give your head the look of a mutant Praying Mantis.

And then I have my MiG 21 helmet. Maybe MiG 16. I get my Chinese fighter planes mixed up ever since I started wearing the Red Star-emblazoned, refrigerator-white, oh-so-cool helmet. Probably because the helmet was air freighted from somewhere in the People's Republic encased in a sold mass of compacted mothballs. My mind gets mushy...

In any case, the helmet cost $19.95, which seemed a bargain when viewed on eBay's section on vintage motorcycle parts. Yes, I'm a Cosmic Market Consumer. Where else can you buy everything from the entire inventory of new Ducatis to the KGB's collection of Lenin's extra eyeballs? So $20 for a brand new, cool-looking fighter-pilot helmet seemed a bargain. But there had to be a catch. Reading the small print, it stated $60 for shipping costs. So it came to $80 total. Still not that bad. A signed Manfred Spitz helmet can set you back $800. But then came the waiting. Was it an eBay scam or flim flam?

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Coming to the rescue is an excellent pair of digit insulators from one of the best-known names in motorcycle clothing.

Roadgear Ultra Glove

With lots of high-tech features that work well, the Roadgear Ultra Gloves are built for a nasty Chicago winter. The outer surface is cowhide while Thinsulate insulation is used throughout. Moisture-defeating work is the job of a Hipora breathable waterproof insert; not only do those pinkies stay warm and dry from outside H2O assaults, the Hipora liner allows moisture from your skin to escape, keeping you dry on both sides.

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We all seem to be brought into the next generation of technology kicking and screaming and unwilling to let go of 'the good old days.' Those good old days of cold and wet weather riding meant wearing a sweatshirt under your leather jacket, but the leather jacket had more leaks than the Titanic. Hey, you still looked cool, right?

Unfortunately, it got a little too cool when the temperature dropped or the rain fell.

Harley-Davidson FXRG Nylon Jacket

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A recurring comment of interest was the tight sizing of the Caliber pants and the need to upsize in order to comfortably fit over blue jeans. To clarify, these are not designed to be overpants, Tour Master has a pair of those aptly named "Overpants." The Caliber pants are meant to fit with nothing more than briefs, shorts or at most long johns. Have I occasionally worn blue jeans beneath the Caliber pants? Yes, when my destination dictates a quick change to casual clothing, but I don't complain about the inappropriate sizing, knowing that doing so is incongruent with the pants' intended design.

The men's 32"-34" waist I ordered fits comfortably snug thanks to an elastic waistband that is adjustable to personal preference by way of dual Velcro belts. Tour Master provides an even more personalized fit by offering the Caliber pants in standard, short and tall sizing depending on an individual's leg length. Going even further, the CE-approved knee armor can be positioned in three different locations providing about an inch of vertical adjustment. Both the knee armor and soft hip armor are removable.

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Talking to a muffler manufacturer isn't something we typically do, but Stainless Ride makes a unique product. All its mufflers are handcrafted and all are built out of stainless steel, instead of chrome. We talked to Hassan about his company and its products.

Motorcycle.com: How long has Stainless Ride been around?

Shareef Hassan: Stainless Ride has been around for three years by itself, but it acquired another company called EPCO which has been around for 30 years?

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Cars are so easy, aren't they?

Open the trunk, toss in your gear, shut the trunk. Cupholders. Satellite radio. Air conditioning. Too bad driving a car is a soul-crushing, mind-numbing experience. No wonder drinking and driving is such a widespread phenomenon.

So we're stuck with a motorcycle when we travel, but how do we carry our stuff? Locking hard luggage is nice, sure, but most motorcycles either don't come with it installed or look like Professor Wiggly's Fantastic Fun Machine when you install aftermarket hard cases on them. Hard luggage is also expensive, heavy, and here in Lotus Land, reduces your lane-splitting ability. What we like is the flexibility, low cost and slick looks of soft luggage.

Like most textile goods in our post-post-industrial world, soft luggage tends to be made in certain Asian countries where hourly labor is cheaper than metered parking. The resulting fat profit margins are great for manufacturers and retailers, but often the consumer gets stuck with products that don't last as long and don't work as well out on the open road.

Richard and Kathy Battles are a couple of San Francisco Bay Area motorcyclists who back in the '80s decided to use Kathy's expertise in sewing and fabrics (she had a business making jockey "silks") to design and sell motorcycle luggage and other accessories. Twenty years later, while they haven't exactly achieved total world domination, they are still in business, with wide name recognition and a reputation for making solid, well-designed and useable products.

We've always admired RKA gear, and that's where we headed when we needed some sport-touring gear for our sport-touring test. Not only did Richard turn out to be a fan of Motorcycle.com, he also was a proud survivor of me singing the national anthem before an AFM roadrace at Infineon Raceway shortly after 9/11. So he was happy to help out, sending us a nice sampling of his products to try out.

8.5-liter 3 Point "MiniX" Expandable Tankbag $80

How much stuff do you really need in your tankbag? We here at MO have different views on tank baggage. There's Pete, who has an Army Ranger "travel light and freeze at night" ethos about motorcycle luggage and usually doesn't use a tankbag, wearing nothing but jeans and a vented jacket, with nothing but a cell phone and his young, nubile body to sustain him in emergencies. Yours truly will usually have a mid-sized tankbag with him, to hold sunglasses, water, wallet, depilatory cream and other odds and ends. And then there's Fonzie, who will have an immense piece of gear the size of Gary Coleman in front of him so he always knows where his sizeable investments in camera gear, video equipment and petroleum-based snack foods are.

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The Falstaff is the basic Darien design, which is a looser-fitting, lighter-weight version of the Roadcrafter, with many of the same features, like 1,214 pockets, TF-2 foam armor in the elbows and shoulders, and reflective material front and back. Instead of using 500-denier Cordura nylon for the outer shell, the Falstaff uses heavy-duty waxed cotton that Aerostich claims offers crash protection that is "better than you'd think." It's also blessed with an ultrasuede collar lining, a soft cotton inner liner and adjustable tabs at the waist. Unlike the Darien, you have to pay extra for either the standard fleece or electric liner.

I ordered a medium, and the baggy size felt odd compared to the tighter fit of the Roadcrafter, which is designed more for high-speed touring and commuting. There's plenty of room for fleece, sweaters, electric vests or gaining a few extra pounds going to press introductions. The sleeves were just long enough, and I have short arms; I get a 33-inch sleeve when I shop for dress shirts. Someday I will buy a dress shirt.

The baggy fit flaps in the wind and keeps my speeds down much more effectively than the CHP does. They should issue this jacket to speeding motorcyclists. However, it's also very wind- and rain-resistant, keeping out the worst of the drafts at even very high speeds and keeping me dry on a 60-minute test loop in the rain. However, you will want to wear something underneath this to stay warm; the cotton shell and flannel liner are poor insulators. They don't breathe very well either. Unless you live in Edinburgh, you will want a better-vented riding garment for the hot times of year. The underarm vents are Okay but have their limits. Even a 70-degree day with low humidity will have you sweating unless you're going pretty fast.

But that's the price of fashion, and outside of Billy Idol's leather jacket, this is one of the hippest garments I've worn, as long as the motorcyclists I'm with are over 55 years old. Then I feel like Kanye West at a Bot Mitzvah, with the old codgers checking out my jacket, reaching out and touching the sleeve to feel the fabric. Anyone who remembers the '60s or '70s (clearly) will love the look, feel and smell of this retro-garment.

It requires a bit of maintenance, like any garment worth keeping. You're advised to roll it up rather than hang it (so the waterproofing doesn't migrate from the shoulders), and you might have to re-wax it after a washing or a few days in a tropical storm. But I love it; it's a cool casual jacket, and it has an aura of well-made dependableness that all the Aerostich products share.

AD-1 Pants $297

I have a pair of old Darien trousers, and they're pretty nice; soft like an old pair of jeans and very waterproof. However, everything can use improvement, so Andy sharpened up his pencil and made some, creating the "Advanced Darien" AD-1 trousers.

The basic design is still mostly the same. It's a jean-cut trouser with full-length zippers on both legs for easy doffing and donning. But the AD-1 also gets hook-and-loop secured front and rear pockets, an additional cargo pocket on the right leg, and a gusseted crotch for greater freedom of movement and comfort. The knees are also constructed for more range of motion, and there are other little touches. Construction is of 600-denier Cordura with Gore-tex waterproofing.

I'm about a 33 or 34-inch waist with a 30-inch inseam. I ordered the AD-1s with a 32-inch waist and the regular inseam, as I use my Dariens as regular pants, not overpants. This resulted in a perfect (if slightly snug) fit, but if you want to wear these as overpants, make sure you follow the sizing recommendations. However, if you have a short inseam, you might have a hard time finding either Dariens or AD-1s that will fit you; there is a regular and long inseam, but no short.

In use, they fit well, although they are very stiff and will probably take several months of regular wear to soften up. They block the wind as well as unlined Cordura can (better than jeans, not as well as leather), and are very waterproof. Aerostich's TF-2 foam armor is soft and holds the fabric of the pants away from your legs for maximum airflow and comfort.

So there you go. The AD-1 is an expensive pair of riding pants, but one look at them will tell you that they're worth it. They're functional, well-made and will probably last longer than you want them to.

Fleece Jackets $87-$127 [#1658]

Aerostich knows that every rider needs a good insulating layer between his t-shirt or other base layer and his wind-blocking outer garment. Years ago wool would have been the best thing, but for the same reasons Cordura and other synthetics are in some ways better than leather - consistency, washability, ease of manufacture - fleece is a big improvement. But not all fleece is the same. Rider WearHouse offers you three different kinds, so I got what my father used to call the Russian dessert: "Oneovitch," three garments all with different insulating capabilities.

Aerostich's fleeces were all redesigned last year, and I couldn't wait to get the new ones. They're designed for use with the Roadcrafter suits, but they work well with any kind of loose-fitting motorcycle jacket. If you wear an ordinary fleece under your jacket, you probably notice the collar sticking up and whipping against your throat, and a lot of bunching from the cuffs or sleeves. These fleeces are designed for riding, with forward-rotated sleeves and low collars that match the Mandarin collar on your Roadcrafter suit.

The sleeves use a Lycra binding to avoid having a cuff stick out from under your jacket's sleeve to absorb water in the rain, with a similar hem at the bottom of the jacket to keep bunching to a minimum. Other nice touches are the mesh inner pockets for your sundries and the zippered external pockets.

Which one do you get? Well, the grey wind-resist is $87 and is thinner than the others, with less-warm fleece that has light wind-blocking properties. This jacket is good for wear under a lighter riding jacket and also good as a windbreaker worn alone in milder weather. The $97 blue (it looks more like purple to me, but some folks dig that; purple is the color of royalty, after all) windblock is the thickest, warmest fleece; it's very warm under a proper wind-blocking layer, isn't very bulky, and shouldn't "pill" (developing those annoying little dingleberries like cheap fleece) too badly. My favorite is the black wind pro that's covered in a wind-cheating nylon insulation layer. It's warm enough to wear as an outer garment, so that when you get to where you're going, you can shed your Aerostich and look like a normal - if sporty-looking - dude.

The fit is a little loose (and long-sleeved) for a medium, and the material of all three is stiff and bulkier than I expected. They are too thick to wear under a close-fitting leather jacket, but perfect under a looser textile jacket. The warmth of all three are superlative, and my only real complaint is there are no women's sizes, (although they will do custom sleeve lengths for you) so The Wife is always poaching the warmest one to wear on her ride over the chilly San Francisco Bay home from work. They're pricey but they're my new favorite items of gear that you'll love too.

TLTec1, TLTec2 and Windblock Fleece Pants $77-$97 [#630/1634]

It's time-consuming - not to mention chilly - to change into long underwear, so Aerostich provides these three different fleece pantalones to wear between your riding pants and your street pants underneath. They're made of warm, warmer, warmest TLTec1, TLTec2 and Windblock fleece material and sport side zippers to make them easy to put on and remove, and a front zipper to make it easy to... you know.
They're pricey but they're my new favorite items of gear that you'll love too.
Our Executive Editor Al "Al" Palaima has been using a pair of TLTec Fleece Pants [#630], and the man won't take them off. It's a little disturbing, as he walks around wearing them over jeans in the Motorcycle.com offices, and that front zipper looks like...well, we don't need to say what it looks like. But he loves the softness and warmth, finding them great for camping or just knocking around the palatial swing-pad that is the Casa de Fonzie.

Aerostich Arborwear Pants $57-$77 [#2814]

If you think the motorcycle world is segmented into a lot of little niches, you should check out the world of pants. There are special pants for climbing trees, of all things, and the folks at the Rider WearHouse think they make ideal casual riding pants, too.

They sent Fonzie a pair of their Arborwear Gusseted Pants to see what he thought of them. Aerostich orders Arborwear's standard tree-climbing pants and then adds a hook-and-loop compartment to hold their specially-sized TF-2 armor in the knees. The pants are made of heavyweight cotton duck canvas and available in many sizes and inseams. The well-placed and comfortable armor adds both a wind buffer to fend off chilled air in the evening as well as bumps and bruises caused by getting down on your knees... you know, off the bike.

Al says "they're jeans that can stand by themselves when you first get them. In time they break-in just like a pair of Carhart overalls. The velcro pockets for the kneepads are a snap to install and remove the pads, even while wearing the jeans. I wonder about the thigh-side pencil pocket however, it is designed with an opening that would dump out its contents when you get on a motorcycle, or up in a tree".

There you have it; some new developments from the boys and girls in Duluth. It's all practical and stylish stuff that you will keep, use and wear for a long, long time. Order by web at http://www.aerostich.com/ or have them send you one of their incredibly entertaining catalogs by dialing (800) 222-1994.

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Founded in 1995, the company combines high-tech materials with low-cost Asian labor and high-style European design to produce some innovative and very fashionable riding gear. They also have a wide selection of clothing for the ladies, including larger sizes that many European brands don't carry. We called them up and asked for some stuff to test; here's what we found out after spending some time riding around in this stuff.

"This stuff is designed to handle a cold, damp climate."

We get a lot of gear to test here at MO, and after a while, items like textile riding gear all mash together into a big blur of brightly-colored swag. However, the Rev'it clothing seemed different; better-constructed, with more innovative designs and features. It's also festooned with the Rev'it logos in every possible place, but it doesn't seem garish or overdone. Another thing that's apparent from the waterproofing, high collars and thick, fluffy insulation is that this stuff is designed to handle a cold, damp climate.

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This dim-witted development joins the usual suspects: scolding moms, nail-filers, lunch-munchers, cell-phone blabbers, GPS watchers, iPod twiddlers, note-scribblers, CD-changers, U-turning cabbies, and loose change-off-the-floor picker-uppers. We'll save java-wired commuters, stoners and cerveza-guzzlers for another rant.

Collectively, these dangers are enough to have you screaming, "Whoa tiger!" These external calamities-in-waiting aside, one should also take stock of the ol' riding gear. I did, and concluded a bit of up-armoring was needed. Hand protection is a good place to start. I mean, when suddenly faced with Moronus Americanus, if your digits are half-frozen in your dad's old ski mittens, your reaction time will be sloooow. The results are sure to hurt more than tumbling over that mogul. Hence these kewl "icebreakers" from Held.

The `Breakers covered some wide climatological turf. Credit the bizarre winter of '07. Here in the Northeast, temps swayed dizzily from single wind-chill digits to the 70s and back again. Often within a couple of weeks. Global warming one day, permafrost conditions the next. How did these hi-zoot gauntlets do? Calm down. Fitment first. So detailed are these impressive mitts, it's like you're preparing for a space flight. So much to look at! So hard to... get into. The put-on was, frankly, a trial. The gloves wanted to relocate my thumbs palm-ward, and breathing room seemed nil (even winter gloves need an air gap). Grrr.

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I'm not doing so well. (I blame society.) You see, like many of you out there, I have to rent my domicile, and there's not much room for a trailer in the ol' back 40, as there is no back 40. There isn't even an "out-front five". In fact, we had to go to Ikea to buy a thing to store our cutlery in. It's that bad.

So how am I supposed to get my racebike to the track? My small, ant-like car can pull a 1,000-pound trailer, but where do I put the freakin' trailer when I'm not using it?

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But the folks at Dowco have reinvented motorcycle luggage with their revolutionary Iron Rider Motorcycle Luggage System, which allows you to configure five different size bags to suit every travel need, whether it's for a day trip, office commute, weekend, or weeks-long tour. Each bag is made from heavy duty 1680 polyester, and has rigid sides to hold its shape even when not filled to capacity. The bottoms of each bag have a rugged rubberized diamond-plate non-skid base, and each bag comes with a full rain cover. All the bags are quality pieces, with sturdy dual zippers that can accommodate a luggage lock, and even the zipper pulls are rugged. All bags can be mounted individually to the sissy bar and luggage rack, by using the two exterior hook & loop straps.

You can also turn it around so the bags are resting on the passenger portion of the seat if you prefer, which creates a decent back rest. On the larger Main Bag and Overnighter Bag, additional straps and buckles are deployed from hidden compartments on the bottom of each side, so you can secure the bags around turn signal stalks or other mounting points on the bike. For stacking, all bags come with additional adjustable straps to lash each bag to another with easy to use plastic clips that hook to the D-rings fitted to all of the luggage pieces.

You can start with the Main Bag which anchors the system. It measures 23"x11.5"x11.5", and holds 1.75 cu. ft. of storage. The large front/top opening makes it easy to pack. Extra side storage compartments are expandable and make for easy access to smaller items. The Overnighter Bag is a bit smaller, measuring 14"x10.5"x9" and has .75 cu. Ft. of storage. It also has zippered side storage compartments, but those are not expandable. You can top off the system with the Roll Bag, which measures 14"x10.5'x6.5" and that holds .50 cu. ft. of storage. Naturally any of these bags can also be used on the luggage rack of a Harley Electra-Glide or on a Honda Gold Wing trunk.

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..All the Who girls and boys
Would wake up bright and early. They'd rush for their toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!
- Theodor Seuss Geisel, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss
New York: Random House, 1957.

The grinches at the National Institute of Health identify motorcycles, firearms and firecrackers as all sources of loud noise. Leave it to the NIH to write the prescription for fun. Perhaps as a motorcyclist you consider a hazard to your hearing trivial compared to the dangers presented by crack addled road clowns. Still, you can actually do something about this risk. I am sure you have been afflicted by the sneering self-righteous who examine your motorcycle and inquire: "So...do you wear a helmet?" I just soak up their venom, duct tape them to a chair and state: "Thank you for your concern. I wear a helmet. I also wear earplugs. Let me explain..."

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Shift sent us a selection of jackets, gloves, pants and a backpack, and the first thing we noticed was the high-end styling.

There is a consistency to the design that appears in every product we received; Shift claims to have hired "personnel from some of the leading Italian street apparel brands" as well as work with street riders and even Doug Chandler to develop their gear.

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I've always been a "high protection" kind of rider when it comes to gear I wear.

In winter I always wear my faded but trusty Aerostitch Suit, and in Summer I've always suffered through the heat in my Black perforated leathers. I typically commute about four days a week on my 2002 Triumph Speed Triple or my 2006 Triumph Daytona 675. My commute is near the coast in Southern California, so the temperatures are usually quite mild by Southern California standards. On the other hand, this summer has been quite hot and humid, with traffic seeming to get worse every day. I'm happy to say that the Integra Jacket and Explorer 2 gloves totally fit the bill for summer riding. I've spent all of my commute time this summer wearing this new gear from Triumph and I'm quite happy for it!

The fully perforated panels of the Integra Jacket and the comfortable construction of the Explorer 2 gloves has made them cool and comfortable, even when the temperature has gone over 100 degrees. I've never used gloves as light as the Explorer 2 gloves, but again, like the Integra Jacket, they totally fit the bill for summer riding and commuting. Even though the Explorer 2 gloves feel much lighter than my "full race" gloves that I wear on the track, I trust that if I were to take a slide on them, the leather palm and finger sections in combination with the Keprotec abrasive panels would do quite a good job in protecting my hands from any road rash.

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Here's the problem: you have two large and very fast motorcycles and need to go very fast to somewhere far away, and you don't know quite where it is. You will need plenty of complex, specialized and expensive equipment, and you'll want to buy it from somebody with good customer service who can get you what you need in record time.

That was just the situation we faced a few months ago when we tested the Kawasaki ZX-14 and the Suzuki Hayabusa in a two-day high-speed hijink. We thought it sounded like a job for Aerostich, so we contacted our friends at the Rider WearHouse, selected some stuff based on our own bulging, greedy eyeballs and their careful recommendations, and the following plethora of items is what we got. We hope you enjoy reading about this gear as much as we enjoyed using it, even though that probably isn't going to happen. But we can hope.

Ortlieb Dry Saddlebags Aerostich.com Direct Retail price: $167.00

If you think the Germans know a thing or two about building motorcycles, wait until you see what they can do with motorcycle luggage. Okay, maybe that statement will generate too much anticipatory excitement; but if you're in the market for waterproof soft luggage you'll still be happy to know that Ortlieb Outdoor Equipment makes a product worthy of consideration. Simple in design and use, Ortlieb's waterproof saddlebags make it easy to keep whatever you stuff in them high and dry. Lacking zippers, snaps or any conventional closure system, the opening of the bags fold or roll down onto themselves (several times depending how full they are) and use a strap and clip to complete the closure to create an impenetrable seal against weather. Helping keep the worst of the weather out is the waterproof material that the bags are constructed from. With little details in the packaging or Ortlieb's website, our best guess is that the entirety of the interior and about two thirds of the exterior is covered in some type of vinyl coating.

Just as simple as the strap and clip closure system is the mounting system. Consisting of nothing other than more straps, clips and two large and robust Velcro pieces, the saddlebags can be attached to most bikes in a heartbeat. But before you set out to conquer the worst that the weather can dish out, you might opt to install the two "polypropylene stiffener panels" to give some shape to the bags. Installation requires a Phillips screwdriver (which you'll supply) and the funny little grabber thingy (included from Ortlieb) to secure the panels. It only took us about 15 minutes. The surface of each bag that faces the precious finish of your bike's bodywork is covered by a durable foam pad. With dimensions of 15"x10"x8", the bags provided plenty of room for a two day trip for one person. As a final touch two, unobtrusive reflective pieces of tape reside on each end of the bag for safety.

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When BMW launched the new GT and GS Adventure models in Sedona, Arizona, last month, their Apparel Manager, Joan Horst, used the opportunity to show off some new items in their extensive line of riding gear. One of these particularly caught my interest - the new Streetguard 2 riding suit.

Now, I'm no novice to press intros, and am probably more cynical than most when it comes to digesting the marketing hype attached to new products and then regurgitating it to my readers without some pretty solid, real-world evidence that the product can actually live up to the claims made by any manufacturer's representative. However, I have also learned through the years that the folks in charge of BMW's product line are real innovators, and are often a couple of years ahead of everyone else when it comes to incorporating radical new technology into their products. Because of that, I probably paid a lot closer attention to what Joan was saying than most of the other journalists in the room, who had their attention riveted on the new bikes.

I had ridden and tested the original Streetguard suit, and though I found it to be a well-built piece of gear, it really had nothing to recommend it over many other, similar suits, made by folks like Aerostich, FirstGear and Motoport. It was a good suit, but nothing special. And, at first glance, the new Streetguard 2 didn't appear much different. But then Joan went into her spiel.

The first thing that caught my attention was the fact that BMW was using the very new, Gore-Tex "XCR" material for breathable waterproofing. We all know how great Gore-Tex is, and how it has virtually revolutionized riding gear as we know it, but few people know that the patent on the process recently ran out, and there are now dozens of companies copying the original formula and making

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Yet, the old-style boot was what I wanted; they just looked right. When I got to my infantry unit after my training, I bought a pair of them and they were my favorites. Ten years later I reluctantly ("When are you going to get rid of those old things?") threw them in the trash after literally wearing them to pieces.

We all have a favorite item of clothing or motorcycle gear similar to my beloved McNamara boots. It's simple, works well, and is hard to wear out. Maybe it's a backpack, tank bag or even a pair of socks. I have a pair of old motocross boots a friend gave to me; they're ancient, but comfortable, durable and satisfying to wear.

Andy Goldfine, creator of the Aerostich Roadcrafter suit and president of Aero manufacturing also has a weak spot for old, well-built stuff. It is rumored he rides a 20 year-old thumper hundreds of miles a week in an Aerostich suit he originally made for the Sultan of Brunei in 1947. On his feet, rain or shine, he wears a pair of his Combat Tour Boots.

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For about the price of what Hollyweird is asking for any number of steaming piles of dog poo they're pumping out these days, you can pick up a nifty little gadget that may make your motojourneys a little easier. MO staffers routinely subject themselves to the rigors of product testing so that you, the faithful reader, can make informed purchasing decisions based upon our less than scientifically viable conclusions. The aftermarket is becoming littered with trinkets aimed at improving your riding experience or just adding a convenience factor. What follows are a few that we felt required further investigation.

The Echo Safety Helmet Chin Strap™

What this is in fact is a quick release buckle adapter for your helmet chinstrap. It serves to replace but not remove the D rings found on many helmets for securing your strap. Using two interlocking metal pieces-one shrouded in the plastic 'quick release' body, it clicks into place in the blink of an eye and presto, your strap is secured. Echo touts the release as meeting both DOT 218 and Z90.1 from 1992 that is supposed to be the same standards as Snell (M2000).

This doo-dad is purely a convenience item but it works like a dream! As a courier I wish I had come across this device years ago as I often had need to take my helmet on and off countless times in a day.

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Some of us are blessed enough to ride a big scooter or Sport Touring bike with large storage compartments. These sensible riders arrive at their destinations and can lock up their helmets, riding attire and take out a briefcase or gym bag containing their daily necessities. Maybe they even stashed some nice shoes in there, so they can change out their riding boots and look like a normal person at school, work or other activity.

And then there are the rest of us who choose a more minimal existence. We want high performance and a light feeling that a big commuting scooter can't provide, and saddlebags and a big, heavy sport-tourer cramp our style when we are lanesplitting or performing the other worthy activities that make outsiders question our transportation choices. How do we carry around our stuff?

Luckily for motorcyclists, we don't have to re-invent the wheel. Over 20 years ago, there was a revolution in bicycle messenger bag design. New York City messengers had been using a bag made by the De Martini company since the 1970's, according to the history resource page at the International Federation of Bike Messenger Associations website. In 1980, an enterprising company called Manhattan Portage tried building a bag out of a newly available fabric, Cordura plus. They added some touches, like plastic quick-release buckles to replace the old-school double d-rings the De Martinis had and a one-handed buckle for the main strap so the bag would stay close to the rider's body. The hard-wearing, waterproof bags sold like blast walls in Baghdad, and within five years, many other companies were making similar bags all over the world, with regional variations and improvements. By the early 90's, companies like Roach, Chrome and Bailey Works had carved out regional niches - you could tell where a bike messenger was from just by looking at his bag. More recently, messenger bags have become the new icon of the Urban Hipster, and cheaper versions are available from Gap, Eddie Bower and other fashion-oriented retailers.

Over 20 years ago, there was a revolution in bicycle messenger bag design.

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The chinbar retention systems and general structural integrity of this type of helmet construction just wasn't stout enough, in my opinion, to provide the proper level of protection, despite DOT approval. I even gave seminars around the country where I would demonstrate their weakness on stage by breaking the chinbars loose with my bare hands.

But both design and materials technology have come a long way in the ensuing years, and now there are more than a few modulars on the market that I feel I cannot only recommend, but wear almost everyday myself. Among the best are the Schuberth, the Caberg (also sold as Jarow and Arow), the HJC and the Shoei. Beware, though, that there are still a fair number of Chinese-built knock-off modulars being sold, particularly on the Internet, that use things like plastic chinbar latches. Avoid these like the plague.

A helmet is a very personal thing, and a model that fits and works well for one person may not necessarily do the same for another, but over the years I have found my favorites (in modulars) to almost always be made by Nolan. I started with their N-100 model, later upgrading to the newer N-100E, and then finally to the high-end X-1002. Each was an improvement over the previous one, and now Nolan has raised the bar yet again with their all-new N-102 modular. The Nolan N-102 is, by far, the best-designed modular I've seen to date, and a really good bargain at under $300, as it matches or betters others I've found at twice that price. A helmet is a very personal thing, and a model that fits and works well for one person may not necessarily do the same for another...

The chinbar, like all the Nolan modulars, uses double, hardened steel latches to make sure it stays in place on impact, but also has a new, patented release mechanism, called the "Centromatic." Like most other modulars, this is a one-handed, central-mounted release. However, I have often worried that those with a single lever or button under the center of the chinbar might inadvertently be released during an accident if the front of the helmet impacted something, pushing the lever up. Nolan has addressed this problem by designing their new release so that pushing forward on the underside lever does not release the chinbar, but instead causes a second lever in the front of the helmet to pop out from its recessed mount. While still pushing up on the bottom lever with your thumb, you then wrap your index finger around the upper lever, and squeeze the two together. Then, and only then, does the chinbar release. It's a clever and innovative system that makes the chinbar very easy to release, yet protects against accidental opening.

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Maybe it was a $200 meal at a very good restaurant. Maybe it was an MV Agusta. From time to time, you just have to spoil yourself.

If you're in the mood, may I suggest a set of custom leathers?

Sure, you can buy a set of inexpensive roadracing leathers for under $400. They will even fit okay and protect you somewhat when the unfortunate but sadly inevitable high-speed get off happens. Off-the-rack leathers, even nice ones, are often ill-fitting. The less expensive ones seem to be made with marketing and cheap gimmicks as priorities instead of safety. They seldom make it past the first crash. And the high-end suits are almost as much - or more than - a custom-made suit anyway. Plus you have to pick a pattern that somebody else thinks is the epitome of high fashion.

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"..a high level of both active and passive safety, to meet the requirements of a functional motorcycle suit for the summer."

I suppose the name "Venting Machine Suit" translates into something very technical, cute or otherwise marketable-sounding in German, but let's face it, in English it just sounds kind of silly. The suit itself, is serious business - especially if you do much hot weather riding, like I do. BMW calls the design concept "a high level of both active and passive safety, to meet the requirements of a functional motorcycle suit for the summer." What that means is that "actively," the suit provides a high level of ventilation for cooling, thus reducing rider fatigue and increasing concentration on hot weather rides. "Passively," it is designed with special high-strength materials for greater abrasion resistance than most other hot weather suits, together with full, CE-approved body armor inserts, and a high reflectivity factor for night visibility.

This is one of a very few riding suits I have ever tried that was almost as comfortable when walking around as it was for riding.

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Headgear doesn't just mean a helmet. Oh no, there are all sorts of options available to optimize your noggin's riding experience. From stuff to keep you warm, to stuff to keep you cool, to stuff to keep your stinky garlic breath from fogging up the visor, I recently tested a few of the available items.

Schampa coolskin balaclava $14.99

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This is the bottom-of-the-line Teknic street glove, but it doesn't look, feel or function like one. Such is the state of advancement in global competition that this made-in-Pakistan glove is easily the equivalent in quality to similar models that would have sold for much more money just a few years ago.

The Chicane model tested (2004 non-studded Blue/White) is well made, fits well, and is very comfortable. It does not have quite the feel or dexterity of more expensive gloves but it works more than acceptably well. The Chicane is made of goatskin, which is more supple than cowhide, so a thicker glove (which the Chicane is) works as well as thinner gloves made of other materials. No carbon fiber, Kevlar or other hard armor but the Chicane is generously padded everywhere you'd expect and has an extra layer of leather in all abrasion zones.

Teknic Chicane Glove (2004 model, purchased locally for $24.99. Original MSRP, $44.99.)

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Walking into the motorcycle shop, you'll notice there is now a bewildering array of manufacturers, and some of them make a darn good helmet for under $200. Some of the manufacturers offer much more pricey lids, with the top-of-the line helmets pushing or exceeding the $800 mark.

But does the extra money get you that much extra helmet?

To help you find that out, we sampled nine helmets from six different manufacturers to see what the extra money gets you. How did the cheap stuff do against the luxury brands? Read on...

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The Kilimanjaro jacket was serviceable enough, I guess, but it lacked in several areas. For one, build quality was less than perfect- the materi...l was paper thin in the unreinforced sections and the seams were only single stitched in most places. Also, the armor was laughable- cheap foam with dubious protective qualities, although I did go down in the jacket once with no injury. Lastly, the generic look of the Kilimanjaro said nothing about the rider's status in the motorcycling community other than "this is all I wanted to spend on my riding gear."

With the crew I rode among on Sunday mornings, nothing gave a rider credibility like a dirty Aerostich with a zillion miles on it.

The fit was perfect, after I figured out how to get the thing on. After a few practice runs in the mirror, I was able to get the suit on in 12 seconds. I've never been able to do it in under 10, as promised in the catalog. Maybe if I greased myself up, but then I'd be too distracted to ride.

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Vemar VSX Sport Touring helmet

Italian-based Vemar has been producing helmets since 1986 but only recently is gaining a toe hold stateside. The VSX is designed with long distance comfort as its focus, and I can attest to its success in that area. It really is a cushy cap. Its lightweight Tricom Fiber shell construction keeps the helmet's weight down to 3.2 lbs in size Medium. The shell is aerodynamically designed to stabilize the rider's head and minimize buffeting and high-speed lift and I encountered no such problems, even sitting in the V-Rod's upright riding position. The Comfort System EPS energy absorption padding utilizes dual-density inserts and is snug yet comfortable. The helmet's inner liner and cheek pads are removable for cleaning should you begin to get that "not so fresh" feeling. The lining material has a wonderfully soft, fleece-like texture and even covers the Race-spec double D-ring strap for total crown to chin comfort. The strap features a quick-release pull-tab and a leather hoop to retain the loose end. Vemar's Sport Airflow System includes 3 aerator vents, 2 depressor vents and a rear venturi extractor vent all of which did an admirable job of keeping me cool in hot L.A. traffic. The VSX's scratch resistant, Savimex anti-fog shield utilizes a tool-less quick-release system which was easy to get the hang of, although I did not prefer the flip-up tab's placement in the middle of the visor. Overall, it's an excellent blend of performance and comfort. U.S. DOT and ECE-22.05 Certified.

CMS GP5 F helmet

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Lo and behold, I now have two new sets of leathers. You already got a peak at the new Joe Rocket leathers, in my ZX-6R Review. However, these new - just in time for Christmas- Alpinestars leathers arrived on the 23rd, after my latest round of racetrack tests. The Joe Rockets came with a nice cardboard box and a heavy-duty hanger. However, in addition to a heavy-duty hanger, the Alpinestars came with four different cardboard boxes and inside those boxes resided their top of the line "Supertech" roadrace boots, "

GP Pro" gloves, "Tech Race" back protector and "SX-1" roadracing suit. Wow, this is enough to satisfy any normal kid on Christmas morning. Of course, I'm not "normal", so Alpinestars went yet another extra mile and custom fit the suit (I think I lied about my waist measurement,) including a fancy custom label and part number just for moi. You must be saying "That's enough!" by now, but of course you'd be WRONG! Oh no.... I wouldn't let those Italians off so easily, I also made them custom letter the suit to properly reflect my status as a Motojournalistic God. What you see here, is the finest set of moto duds I've ever donned.

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The Minimoto comes with a complete set of tools for quick and easy adjustments to the bike. A line of accessories is also available. Each Minimoto comes with a set of keys and has a unique "VIN" number stamped into the chassis.

Performance wise the Honda Minimoto Speed Racer has a few limitations. It wheelies like a proper stunter, but stoppies are simply out of the question, due to a perplexing absence of front brakes. Maximum speed is 10 MPH, which is OK, because daddy won't let me ride it anywhere except inside the house. It will allegedly go about 10 miles (or 8 hours) on a single charge. I found this to be sufficient for about 8000 laps of the hallway. Cornering clearance is adequate, and if Alpinestars made leathers in my size, I'm pretty sure I could drag my little knees. In the mean time, I'm just working on my stand-up knack-knack wheelies. The only thing wrong with my Minimoto, is its total lack of sound. The electric whirring noises are so lame, that I made daddy get a recording of a real RC51 for a soundtrack. Even I have my standards.

I like my Honda Minimoto Speed Racer a lot. Its cool, goes fast enough, gets great mileage, wheelies, and the chicks dig it. Daddy says that I'm ready to take on Uncle Ebass in a throw down at the WSMC kart track and that I can probably take on Uncle Steven at the big track since he will probably crash no matter how far ahead of me he gets.

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Harley-Davidson Fireworks Boot $115
Harley-Davidson Flame Leather Jacket $375

Not that I ever keep much hidden, but I must come forward to confess that I'm a "flamer" (We already knew that -Sean), but only when it comes to biker gear. So don't get any ideas, Highwayman. Nothing conveys a sense of "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" attitude like flames, which has made them a classic motif for bikes, hot rods, lemmings and of course related items of apparel including these offerings from The Motor Company.

Harley's Flame Jacket is built out of mid-weight cowhide leather with a quilted lining in a traditional "biker jacket" style. The cuffs are zippered for ease of entry and egress and side tab buckles allow you to snug or loosen the waist area, depending on how many tacos you just snarfed at Sister Mary Burrito's. A zip-up rolled collar will protect you from the elements if need be, but can be zipped down to reveal chest hair, gold chains, tattoos, tassles, or whatever you got underneath the hood. Pocket capacity is adequate, as three front pockets and two inside zippered pockets are provided for life's little necessities.

Hold on St. Peter, I'm not coming, till I try on the matching boots! An attention getter if ever there was one, these 7-eylet babies sport multi-hued flame detailing stitched onto the sides of a sublimely comfortable lace-up full-grain leather work boot. The padded heel collar gives a cushy fit and the heavy-duty stitching and Goodyear welt construction mean these bad boys are built to last. Harley's oil-resisting rubber outsole helps to keep you from slipping on the stoplight sludge too.

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In fact, it was just the other day that I received my Axio in the mail. The Tekno Hardpack is specifically designed to securely transport PC laptop and PowerBook computers up to 17 inches, PDA's, iPods, CD or MP3 players, and other electronic devices. The pack definitely has some "bling" to it and one of my recent (paid, inflatable, dia-A? -Sean) dates actually got a bit jealous, as I was stopped three times on the way to the bar by people wanting to know where I got this luxurious laptop lugger. The combination of a padded inner pouch and interior straps with that snazzy looking lightweight plastic hard shell affords ample protection for your hardware. I've transported my Apple G4 Powerbook to-and-from work for the last three months with nary a glitch. The pack's curved shape, padded backing and adjustable shoulder straps make it as ergonomically sophisticated as it is stylish. I honestly forget that I have it on when I'm riding.

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As I began stripping off my leathers, I paused to reflect upon the minor miracle that had just transpired.

Was it my improved riding skeelz? It probably helped to have taken that Keith Code's California Superbike School class, but nah that wasn't it. Was it Dirty's broken wing? Well, that might be his excuse, but what about the always-fully-functional Emery? Nope, that ain't it either. Hmm, come to think of it, they did pull into the pits mid-way through each session grab a drink and swap bikes. Well OK, that probably didn't help their cause any, but still... Then as I reached down to unzip my brand new, first time ever worn, magic in a box, Oxtar TCS Evo Ti racing boots, it came to me. It's gotta be the shoes!

Oxtar of Montebelluna, Italy has been turning out motorcycle boots since 1982 and the TCS EVO Ti currently represents the top of their line. The Ti boots were stunningly supple and comfortable from the moment I pulled them on. Secured by a long zipper and Velcro flap, getting in and out was a breeze. Racing boots are notorious for their initial stiffness but the Ti was a dream from the get go. The four-port vent system and perforated Air-Tech breathable lining did an admirable job of keeping my feet from melting in the California desert heat, and I was blister-free at the end of a full day of riding. Then as I reached down to unzip my brand new Oxtar TCS Evo Ti racing boots, it came to me. It's gotta be the shoes!

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Recent attempts by various manufacturers of motorcycle apparel to build "systems" adaptable to a wide range of riding styles and conditions usually result in the Gore Tex and Cordura equivalent of a pocket multi-tool, i.e., better than nothing in a pinch but not much good for anything serious. I have worn, tested and reviewed my fair share of motorcycle apparel and heretofore, in my experience, this inverse relationship between versatility and performance has held almost universally true. Fortunately, the Acerbis Matrix Touring Jacket and Pant combo represents a leap forward in the versatility vs. performance conundrum. Aside from a few nits, this combo is pretty slick. It's the equivalent of a multi-tool suitable for performing open-heart surgery.

The Matrix jacket is constructed of Cordura 500D fabric, with a nylon liner and mesh drains at the bottom. There are two removable liners. The moisture barrier liner is an Everdry waterproof/breathable membrane that zips out. The insulating liner also zips out and is built with an aluminum-backed fabric that is warmer than a bear hug from a menopausal aunt.

The Matrix is truly an all-season touring jacket. It may be worn in the winter, with the inner membrane and liner making it extremely warm and water resistant as breathable jackets come (I've said it before and it bears mentioning again, there is no such thing as a completely waterproof and breathable jacket). In climates like Idaho's, where cold-but-dry conditions are common much of the year, the Matrix could be worn with only the insulating liner for comfort, with almost no extra weight or bulk. In the summer, with the liners removed, the Matrix outer shell makes a dynamite lightweight jacket, which is nearly as comfortable as my Joe Rocket Phoenix in hot weather duty.

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It was an open weave, fully perforated, fully armored nylon textile jacket called the "Phoenix". The Phoenix jacket was made to offer hot weather protection in case of a crash, with its built in armor and abrasion resistant "Poly Mesh" shell. The jacket is great for those hot summer days when most riders would opt to wear only a T-shirt and jeans. As we all know, in a crash T-shirts offer almost no protection whatsoever for the upper body.

The need for this type of hot weather riding apparel was readily apparent and it's amazing that it took so long for motorcycle clothing manufacturers to catch on. The Joe Rocket "Phoenix" jacket was a huge hit and soon, all the major manufacturers were offering similar units. By the end of last summer, the "free air" style of jacket seemed to be on everyone's back.

However, these jackets all have one glaring downfall. Simply riding in temperatures below 70° can get uncomfortable in a hurry, as the jacket's active airflow properties serve to "air-condition" your body weather you need it or not. This problem is grossly exaggerated, if you're ever caught in a shower or rainstorm. The combination of aggressive airflow and standing moisture can quickly cause your body temperature to plummet to dangerous levels (Sean Alexander was caught in a fall rainstorm, while riding an Aprilia Tuono in a Joe Rocket Phoenix. After little more than an hour of riding in the cool damp air, he had developed a life threatening case of pneumonia. - no kidding). Even if you don't get sick, the sudden temperature drop or occasional rain can make for a miserable riding experience.

This brings us to the next brainstorm from Joe Rocket. They created a lightweight / waterproof / breathable liner that zips into their current (2003 or later) Phoenix 2.0 jackets. The body of the Joe Rocket Dry Tech® jacket liner is fleece backed, and makes the Phoenix comfortable to well below 60°. (I've worn mine down to 55° with no complaints) Also, you don't even need to upgrade to the new Phoenix 2.0 jackets. The Joe Rocket Dry Tech® can be worn underneath any free air style jacket. I've worn mine under an original Phoenix (1.0?) jacket and have not had any problem doing so. However, the new liner does come with built-in zippers so you can attach it to the Phoenix 2.0 jacket, which likewise has a provision to be mated with the new liner. The Dry Tech® also has a snap on the collar near the top of the zipper, to ensure your throat area stays dry and warm. The need for this type of hot weather riding apparel was readily apparent and it's amazing that it took so long for motorcycle clothing manufacturers to catch on.

The jacket liner has a waterproof Velcro flap that covers the zipper to insure the seam is waterproof. In addition, the liner has elasticized cuffs on each sleeve, with yet another snap near the wrist, to tie it into a Phoenix 2.0's sleeves. Yet another great feature is the fact that this jacket liner has almost no bulk to it. You can fold it up to the size of a pair of socks and simply stash it in your tank bag or under your seat, which I regularly do.

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While the configuration may add a few seconds to your in and out time, it's hardly a struggle. The free-floating nylon taffeta lining helps the suit to slide on right over your clothes. Two zips on the pants and one on the jacket and you're in like Flynn! With adequate use of the available venting, I was able to arrive at work with my more dapper garments unsoiled by sweat and un-rumpled by the suit.

The jacket overlaps the pants by about six inches to seal out the elements, and is attached by a two-way zipper sewn into both the shell and lining for a stress-proof connection. The pants have an inner waist drawstring that keeps them up if you separate the jacket, and bib-type suspenders are also available.

Removable high quality TF2 padding is provided for the knees, elbows, and shoulder areas. These felt bulky at first but molded to my body with use. In fact, while the entire suit was somewhat stiff initially, it soon softened and became far more comfortable. According to longtime users, the Aerostich just keeps getting more and more comfortable with time. Frankly, I was amazed that wearing such a substantial garment over my clothes could be as un-constricting as it was. I pretty much forgot about the suit after awhile.

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Europe has been literally blazed in last year's heat wave, with temperatures reaching 110° even in chilly posts such as Paris. Cautious estimates were that about 10,000 extra people died in air-condition challenged France alone. Here in Milan, suffocating humidity was an added factor in the un-bearable equation. We have the sort of conditions that can convince even road-rashed riders to forget painful past experiences and ride in t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops.

Ashley from MO came to my rescue by offering me Brosh's "Cool-K" and "Ultra Cool-K Sport" hot weather riding jackets to test. Brosh has been making motorcycle riding gear for quite a few years now, mainly for the local Israeli market and now, they are stepping-out and selling their wares abroad. Living with temperatures that rarely dip below 90°, if not 100°, for months on end, they should know a thing or two about gear that works in hot weather. While the jackets were making their way to me by air, sea and land, I clicked onto Brosh's website. Whatever the reason, our first encounter wasn't a very happy or impressive one, matters where not helped when I found that to fit the back protector inside the Cool-K rear pocket, I had to manually trim about half an inch off its length, so that it would fit inside. The problem did not appear in the Ultra Cool-K Sport though. The T-PRO elbow and shoulder protectors on the other hand did have a high-tech air about them with their honeycomb cuts, shame that they have to hide inside the pockets.

Fit of the jackets was very good considering the fact that it was made passing measurements trough the Internet.

If you do order a jacket pay special attention to the measurement of your arm length from wrist to NECK, as this is a critical item. With the jacket on, it's time for some posing in front of the mirror. Well, the Cool Kevlars aren't going to win me many of the model types that roam this city. Let's say that their design gets the job done and that's about it. Color schemes are un-impressive and some details let it down. Like the lack of symmetry between the left and right arms decor in the Cool-K or the uneven height of the two front pockets in the Ultra. Overall, finish quality isn't high, something readily shown in the "Sportex" logo that's ungracefully silk-screened on the back. To put style matters in proportion, I also regard Aerostitch's stuff as totally un-inspiring but that doesn't deter me from using it on every possible occasion.

Time to ride, we are all about function over form, aren't we? So, the things work, they really do. Riding into a boiling and sunny 100-degree day, the moment you gather just a few Mph's, the flow through the mesh fabric is felt immediately and this wind chill effect adds serious relief. It's not that you feel exactly cool when trapped in traffic, but under full sunshine, there is less noticeable heat radiation grilling your skin than if you were wearing just a T-shirt. As speed picks up, it'd better be hot 'cause soon enough the cooling effect through the mesh gets really strong. Under 75 degrees these cool jackets feel actually too cold to ride with. Even in the hottest weather, I never felt the need to open up the extra ventilation zippers in the forearms area. Adjusting the Velcro in the collar and wrists to a tight fight ensures a reasonably quiet ride up to a certain point. Beyond 60-70, the air that passes through the jacket itself waves the fabric hard enough for it to be bothersome. Although your are safe in the knowledge of having Kevlar reinforcements where it counts it doesn't feel like the kind of jacket you'd want to crash with above those speeds.

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We decided to take a slightly different tack this time out, so we notified some of the local aviation schools that the next time they got a student who told them they wanted to take flying lessons but didn't want to learn how to land, they should just send them on over to MO instead. Our newly founded Eric Bass Institute of Crash Test Dummology can teach them how to low side, high side, and for those matriculating aviation students who have been referred to us for expressing an abnormal interest in crashing, we have a very special class where we give them their very own liter-class sportbike, a nice long approach to build up plenty of speed, a really hard wall to ram themselves into, and plenty of err... umm... let's just say: "MO-style moral support". We haven't heard back from any applicants as of yet, so in the meantime y'all are just going to have to make do with the usual un-crashed reviews of these enhanced-protection products. Bear with us, in a pinch, maybe we could get Tim to come back for another demonstration of his dazzling riding prowess.

Rider Gear Jeans - $79.95

Rider Gear makes their black and bad jeans out of breathable, washable, DuPont 1000 Denier Cordura. They use a double basket weave as well, which effectively doubles the protective thickness. We are told this makes them twenty times more abrasion resistant than denim and more abrasion resistance can't be a bad thing. However, abrasion resistance doesn't do a heck of a lot for you, if the interior fabric is rough enough to cheese-grate your skin, when you are sliding down the pavement. Unfortunately, the Rider Gear jeans aren't lined, so, unless you wear a cool suit or other undergarment, bare Cordura is the only thing between your hide and the road. The good news is that the Cordura in the RGs is reasonably soft and itch-free when worn against bare legs. The Rider Gear Jeans are designed in a standard jean configuration with belt loops, dual pockets front and back plus a coin pocket and zippered fly. The RGs legs are straight-cut, but roomy enough to feel comfortable in a riding position. The concept of wearing Cordura pants took a little getting used to, but ultimately, I found them to be as comfortable as blue jeans and forgot all about it. If you want the protection of Cordura, but don't want to show up for your hot date in an Aerostich jumpsuit, then you've found the answer to your prayers.

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Vanson Leathers' nylon mesh "Vent" jacket to the rescue!

This summer jacket is constructed of 1000 denier Cordura nylon and cowhide. The mesh provides excellent ventilation, and with armor provided in the shoulder, elbows/forearms, and back, this jacket offers substantial impact protection. The built-in back pad covers a very large surface area and is further buttressed by three smaller pads sewn into the fabric along the spine. The shoulder and elbow/forearm pads are attached by Velcro to reinforced leather patches sewn into the garment and are therefore adjustable in placement for your particular build. The sleeves are pre-curved like a leather jacket and provide a Velcro-adjustable strap for better fit around the forearm armor. Like most jackets in this category, the waistband adjusts for comfort and for added convenience, two zippered outside and two zippered inside pockets give you someplace to tote your loot.

The folks at Vanson Leathers apparently couldn't resist putting a few extra cow trimmings to use, as this jacket features a racing style leather roll collar, zip-closed leather wrist guards and leather wrist trim. Though it isn't intended for racing or track-day use, this combination did give me a secure feel, without impeding airflow.

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I don't know what the fashion trends are out there in the rest of the world, but here in L.A. it's those of us who DON'T have any tattoos or piercings who are the fashion rebels. That having been said, if I was going to get a "tat", I would want it on my arms or hands where it could remind ME of whatever it was that it was supposed to symbolize. Maybe some red and orange flames coming off my knuckles, or dragons on my palms like former Ultimate Fighting Champ, Bas Ruten. Depending upon one's line of work, however, such a bold statement could be a serious CLM (career limiting move), so probably not a good idea.

What about a temporary tattoo you might ask? Well, First Gear has taken that concept one better with their Chrome Tech gloves. By day, I am a not-so-mild mannered motojournalist. But when I slip on my Chrome Tech gloves, I become faster than a speeding 'Busa, more invincible than Valentino Rossi, able to blind cagers with a single sunbeam reflected off my mirrored paws. Now before the "too cool to admit they ever fantasize while riding" crew start setting their flame-throwers to "napalm", y'all can just stop reading here, and go back to your tech-wanking chat threads about whether substituting a carbon fiber "start" button will shave an extra nano-second off your morning commute. These aren't your gloves. As for me, as bitter and jaded as my 36 years of unflinchingly staring life in the ass has made me, I still have a little kid somewhere inside that loves to hum the theme to "Speed Racer" as I open up the throttle to begin my drive out of the freeway on-ramp onto the 405. And nothing enhances a good Japanime moment like a set of chrome knuckled gloves, right out in front of my face where I can see 'em.

The Chrome Techs feature "Action Stretch" flex panels on the back of the hand which allow for flex in the wrist without disturbing the gauntlet. Suede palms are provided for enhanced grip. Fingers and knuckles are protected by the aforementioned chrome armor, and ventilated by positive air intake scoops on three of the digits. The gloves are secured by a full circumference wrist retention strap. Fit and feel is adequate. The fingers are a little stiff and have some extra material bunched at the tips and seams. Not a big deal for everyday use, but you won't get a "second skin" feel from them. I would choose other higher performance (and more expensive) pairs for a day at the track, or pushing hard in the canyons.

As one might guess, these hand huggers aren't going to show up on the palms of a MOTO GP rider anytime soon, but that isn't really the point. The Chrome Techs are functional gloves that provide fun and fantasy for those of us who still have a Red Power Ranger in us, trying to get out. So let the poseur police sirens wail! I'm Peter Pan dammit, and they'll never take me alive!

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"Speak to me of summers, long winters longer, than time can remember, setting off along the road..." Ever since I acquired my first set of Alpinestars boots I have been bothered by a memory that won't quite surface. It's one of those things that periodically bubble up and down and every time it's just about to materialize from the ether - poof - it's gone. I know the name Alpinestars rings a bell outside the context of motorcycling. Then while reading through the press kit that came with the Alpinestars touring suit MO provided for this evaluation it hit me - Hiking Boots! I remember seeing Alpinestars boots advertised in skiing/mountaineering catalogs circa the 60's. The name of this venerable company is literally an advertisement for their roots.

Before I got sucked into the great black hole that is committed motorcycling, thus insuring that I could no longer afford other things to occupy my time, I spent 20 years in the outdoors as a mountain guide. Weather in the mountains being what it is a lot of this time was spent in conditions from icy alpine walls in the Arctic, to rain soaked crags in West Virginia, to full blown blizzards out of bounds at Jackson Hole. Extreme conditions breed careful choices in outerwear since the potential consequence of something as ordinarily insignificant as a seam failure or a zipper that won't open or close may be dire. If there was a universally held tenet among my fellow guides and ski instructors it was that you could make up for a lot of bad luck as long as you were dressed for the conditions. As a group we were the most critical consumers of outerwear anywhere.

During this time I also ran an outfitters shop. Because I was in the biz I had low or no cost access to the best of most marquee manufacturer's apparel. While I might wear a popular down jacket and shell acquired as swag to the grocery store, I was infinitely more discerning in my choice of garments when the game was on - even if I had to pay full price. I was not alone. Zillion dollar-advertising budgets were far less effective than simple word of mouth in professional circles. Guides from around the world always seemed to be equipped by a remarkably few elite suppliers of mountain wear.

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Bottom line, M2R has produced a DOT approved, SNELL M2000 certified head shed that won't have you riding your bike to the welfare office. If it's bells and whistles you're looking for, you came to the wrong place, but if you're on a budget and/or prefer a lightweight helmet, and can remember to open the chin vent before you put your gloves on, then the MR1000 is worth looking into. Available in a wide variety of colors and graphics.

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I found Fox Creek surfing for leather on the web a few years ago.... I've had my vented racing jacket for about a year and a half. After checking out all the apparel web sites and bike shops around, I decided to take a leap and order this coat online. The jacket is made in the USA from good 1.4 to 1.6 mil. thick naked full-grain drum-dyed leather thats still quite supple, even straight out of the box. I treat mine with mink oil to keep the rain out, but the leather is such good quality that it's probably not needed. The jacket is mesh lined with a snap in liner and side laces. While not armored per se' it has double patches on the elbow, shoulder, and a padded kidney belt; and as I said the leather itself is comparable weight.

Style wise it's a traditional racing design with a dropped lower back, "antique" brass straight zipper and snap coller, the vents are two long zippers down the chest and two more down the back. I've worn it almost daily in weather from low 30's with a fleece pull-over to mid 90's with just a T shirt without being too hot or cold. A perforated version is now available as well, for those living in warm weather climates.

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It all works surprisingly well for on-road use. On the streets and highways, the XDs motocross attributes allow you to use the visor to block the sun, while the large eye port and the motocross style chin bar offer enhanced peripheral vision. The street helmet-inspired face shield closes tightly to help keep wind noise, moisture and cold at bay.

I wore the XD on a fully-faired FJR-1300 and on an un-faired V-Max and it remained calm, quiet and dry in all street riding scenarios, including a sudden downpour at 80mph on the freeway. Its highway refinement seems comparable to most normal street helmets, which is surprising, considering the big visor sticking out of its forehead.

The picture isn't so rosy, once you get on a Motocross or Supermoto track however, because the closed face shield doesn't allow enough airflow for heavy exertion. This caused me to ride with it in the cracked or fully-up position which is not ideal for safety. If you're looking for an off-road competition helmet, I'd recommend Arai's excellent VX series and a good set of goggles.

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So how does it work? Pretty darned well. We've had one of the hottest summers on record up here in the intermountain west and riding around in a leather jacket, even with all of the vents open, is an ordeal. While cruising even at low in-town speeds forced convection does the trick. But the jacket is also amazingly cool to wear while not moving. The darker colored panels enhance thermal convection just like the black robes worn by Bedouins - a conversation feature that is sure to distract any traffic cop you might encounter during field testing.

Nits: remarkably few. Even close-cropped fingernails will snag on the mesh inside the sleeves while you are putting the jacket on. Unlike leather, which fits like a second skin with a little age, this jacket fits just like it's always going to fit right out of the box and feels a little bulky even given it's extremely light weight. My jacket came with a small wrinkle in the fabric that won't go away. And you'd need a wrist bigger around than my leg to employ all of the adjustability in the sleeve cuffs. Most importantly I've heard through the grapevine that the Phoenix crashes well (Hmmm... maybe they could have named this a little better) but I would not want to slide very far while wearing one of these. At any rate it's a one crash jacket. It's better protection than a tee shirt for warm weather riding, and you are not nearly as likely to pass out from heat stroke as you are in a full on leather jacket, but it is a garment for specialized conditions.

The Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 Jacket is available in black, blue, green, grey, red and yellow. At a suggested retail of $139.99 in the US and $199.99 in Canada it's a screaming deal. You won't have any trouble finding it for less than this nearly everywhere. Availability in some colors and sizes is currently limited as they are selling like hotcakes. You need one of these. For more information visit www.joerocket.com.

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I really love my old Cortec for its roomy pockets and versatility; plus, you can ride in every season, from broiling hot SoCal summers to chilly, damp winter evenings, simply by inserting or removing the liner and opening or closing a few vent zippers. It's lightweight and easy to carry when you arrive at your destination, unlike some full riding suits out there. I've even crash-tested it, albeit at low speed when I highsided my TL1000. The jacket's armor inserts kept me roadrash-free in that minor mishap (though I doubt it'd help very much in a crash at highway speeds).

The GX can be snugly closed against wind via Velcro straps securing the cuffs, waist and collar areas. Tourmaster claims it's "water-resistant" though I wouldn't want to test that claim in a downpour. The jacket cuts a sporty line with its silver and black panels, and the highly reflective white Scotchlite panels are a great safety feature for night riding.

So, fellow Mofos, how much would YOU pay for this jacket? The Cortec GX lists for about $270, which isn't what I call cheap and is, strangely, $27 more expensive than the better-designed 3/4 length version. I don't get it.... However the GX is still a bargain when you realize the cost of a similar sport jacket in leather could set you back $500 or more (until you figure in the superior durability and abrasion resistance of real leather, and the price of skin grafts...).

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So where did I meet my new flame? At the local Harley dealership as a matter of fact. Where else? The Panoptx display caught my eye and one of H-D's faster moving employees capitalized on the opportunity to demonstrate the day/night lenses for me. As a matter of fact, I had been looking for just such a solution to the problem of night-time eye wear. Carrying two sets of glasses or lenses was a repugnant circumstance for a minimalist freak like myself. If I could get through two months in Europe with only a day-hiking backpack smaller than most women's purses, I oughta be able to survive an extended jaunt on the bike without lugging two pairs of goggles. The yellow lenses that I had been wearing were the closest thing to a day/night solution that I had found amidst the six-dollar selection, but weren't totally satisfactory. So after an abbreviated test, I requisitioned a pair of Cyclones from the Panoptx peeps for a more thorough workout under a variety of clinical conditions to see if these were indeed my dream shades.
While I was most intrigued by the morphing lenses, I found that the Cyclones actually offered much more than that in the whiz-bang department. The lightweight wrap-around frames provide good peripheral vision and because of a thicker nose bridge, ride higher on the face than most pairs. This allows for a breathable seal to be created around the eye socket by the use of microfiber foam padding that keeps out wind, rain, snow, dust, pollen, and virtually anything else that would cause tearing. The pads are porous by design, and allow air to move slowly in and out of the cavity to combat fogging, which is also minimized by a permanent anti-fog coating on the inner lenses.

The material also wicks away perspiration to keep it from running into your eyes and provides a secure and comfortable fit that doesn't require re-adjustment due to wind buffeting. I've been wearing the Panoptx glasses for the past three months, and while wearing open-faced helmets at speeds up to 90mph, they did not lift away from my face nor did they allow excessive airflow to reach my optical receptors.

The day/night lenses were actually perfectly suited to my tastes, as the variachromic filter changes from a mildly tinted gray sunglass by day, to a near-invisible light amber at night. Granted, for people whose eyes are more light-sensitive, these lenses will probably not be dark enough in bright sunlight. But, for people like me, who prefer to just take the edge off of the glare, rather than descend into thier own private solar eclipse, the tinting suits almost every lighting condition that you're likely to encounter.

The Cyclones are available in seven frame colors and ten 100% UV protected, shatter-resistant lens styles, and can be ordered with prescription lenses as well. Other models are available too if you go for a different style. Hard case, neck leash, and cleaning cloth are included in the price. One Year Limited Warranty on defects.

I have to say that while I still cringe at the thought of shelling out three-figs for a pair of shades, that the Cyclones are worth every penny. I didn't want this to read like ad-copy, but after testing them extensively, these glasses performed exactly as advertised. The wind and debris protection is first rate, the day/night transition is just what I needed, the anti-fog and perspiration absorption work like a charm, and my riding experience is more enjoyable for it. I didn't think it would ever happen to me, but I'm ready to say the "L" word! Now if only Panoptx offered an on-line dating service, perhaps my other "six-dollar special" problem would be solved too.

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After a few discussions with Maura, I decided to let her pick the gear she thought was appropriate for the job. I think she made some really good choices for our particular trip, and needs.

Jen and I will share with you our honest opinion of the gear we wore.

I know the MOrons are sick of ad copy testing. I can assure you we wore this gear for many weeks and many thousands of miles, with weather ranges from 100+ degrees to mid thirties. No punches are pulled in the reviews, and since this is classically styled gear, I threw in a couple pics of a classic Harley to boot. Read on.

Men's Mega Motor Engineer Boots $140.00

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Cuff height is around 11 1/2" and the top widens to allow for tucking in your leathers if you so choose. Bates utilizes steel shanks in the arch for support, and slip and oil resistant soles help prevent unseemly drops back at the garage. Wedge style sole and/or toe sliders are available options. While black is always in fashion and goes with any Power Ranger costume, Bates claims that color options of almost any design can be made to order. Just don't go crazy with the ruby red glitter Dorothy! Not that I would expect them to spend much time in contact with the ground, but the Fastlanes can be resoled and/or reheeled should the necessity arise.

When racing, there is so much manipulation of the foot and ankle involved. This lends itself to a design that permits the foot's natural movement, flexibility, and sensitivity as much as possible. But wait, the racing boot serves another vital function. That of protection in the event of disaster. One of those stainless steel jobs from a suit of armor would do real well under those circumstances, but you wouldn't want to try and upshift out of an increasing radius turn with one. So there is a sliding scale at play here, and frankly, for those who are looking for state of the art foot and ankle armor, these aren't your boots.

The Fastlane's do feature ankle pads on both sides but that's about it. There isn't any of the ski-boot technology found on Alpine Stars or Sidis. But if you are more concerned with a boot that will provide high performance while upright, you couldn't do better than the Fastlanes. They are pure decadence when it comes to comfort, flexibilty and feel. Also available in drag race, touring, tall road racing, and women's styles.

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Well the kind folks at Modern World Ventures have upped the ante yet again with their newest product, the aforementioned Hyper Optiks shield insert. This product builds on their already spectacular Fog City Pro Shield technology, which, in turn, grew out of their Fog City Fog Shield initial offering.

For those that have no clue what I'm talking about, about eight years ago, The Modern world folks created a new visor insert called the Fog City Fog Shield. What this nifty little piece 'o plastic did was create a barrier between a helmet's visor and you. It effectively allowed you to breathe without fogging up your face shield. The down side was a slight bit of visual distortion. The original Fog Shield was very light and flimsy, but it did last just fine.

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While I found the jacket to be adequately warm, it is primarily - especially when paired with the matching pants - a functional street-racing jacket, and as such is built for fit and protection, not thermal properties. Hand made in Spain, Miline guarantees the workmanship and material for one year, offering to replace or refund your purchase if not satisfied. I was impressed. They really have made a high-quality replica jacket. Most of the models are available with the aforementioned matching pants as well, and some sets have matching gloves too.

So if you've always been a big fan of one of the racers or teams, here's your chance to wear your heart on your sleeve! You'll pay for that privilege, mind you, but the value-added to the price is worth it if you really do care about that team. If you aren't a fan, well, duh, get a plain coat from Miline (they have Cordura coats too) or someone else for less.

Buy it directly at Miline USA, and if you find them on sale somewhere, leave feedback for the rest of the MOFOs with the link below.

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The zip-in, vest-style liner offers an attached velcro-secured neck warmer, and features fanciful retro motorcycle images and the company's slogan, "Great rides always start in first gear". Which is true in almost all cases, except when your "great ride" is initiated by performing a rolling burnout in second gear to maximize it's duration before peeling out . . . but I digress.

I don't believe in conclusions - it's this simple: If you really want a jacket with flames on it, buy this one, I like it and wear it all the time.

If you don't like, don't buy it. Available in Men's and Women's sizes, First Gear leather garments are warranteed to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a whopping ten years from date of purchase by the original buyer. By then you'll probably be a lot fatter and need a new jacket anyway, so don't complain.

First Gear products are not available online. So go check one out, try it on, feel the heat, and get your flame on! To find a local First Gear retail outlet go to firstgear-usa.com

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It was snowing lately here, but the weather is breaking and the time comes to run this "Formula Jacket" back where it came from, I say. It's 45 here and really humid, with the kind of bone-chilling air that makes Chicago famous, and those with wimpy jackets cringe. I have a 25-mile commute with lots of highway, and I'm not going to wear much insulation to help out. The jacket has to go it alone today, and it may not be pretty.

The three things I notice after the commute are, the sleeves are long enough for my semi-ape arms without riding up and exposing them to the weather, the lack of weight makes it very comfortable to wear, and incredibly, I'm NOT cold. I don't know how a jacket this light can stay this warm, but it did. I was shocked at how well it worked. I have since ridden many miles with this jacket, with temps ranging from 40 to 80 degrees, rain and shine, and the jacket just keeps getting better. The quality fit, construction, and weather protection is noticeable with each ride, and little extras like Velcro closures for the sleeves, zippered hand warmer pockets, and Patented "Pop-Up" shoulder and side venting, and reflective stripes really stand out. I do have a few nits to pick though.

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As seen in our: V-Rod Vs. Warrior Shootout

Yamaha's Star and Stripes jacket is made of genuine cowhide leather with a velcro mandarin style collar. The interior is made with a quilted silver satin lining that contains two zippered breast pockets. The reflective compass-style Star logo on the back and the silver stripe that wraps around the front and sleeves are not only appealing to the eye, but provide all-angles visibility to the black jacket at night. Good thinking Yamaha! A zippered exhaust vent at the waist level and 2-way zippered sleeves provide ventilation for those days when the weather Gods are smiling. Velcro-enclosed armor pockets (armor not included) in the shoulders and elbows provide the ability to upgrade to a more battle-hardened version. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this feature. One never knows, does one?

Zippered handwarmer pockets encourage that special someone on your pillion to slide their hands in and hang on tight. Love handles are not presently being offered as an option by Yamaha, but are readily obtained on the aftermarket at most Dunkin' Donuts, McDonalds, and other fine dining establishments. The adjustable hook-and-loop waist closures on either side let you customize the fit to your, ahem, hour-glass figure. We've been told by Yamaha that the women's jacket has front princess seams for a shapelier appearance. We didn't ask what a princess seam was but just tell your girl it makes her look thinner and she'll be happy!

EBass' final judgment: For the Warrior enthusiast, the Star and Stripes jacket makes a worthwhile addition to his wardrobe. Build quality is top notch, the embroidered star on the back is tasteful without being brazen, and the silver stripes look cool.

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Doc Martens' 2A42Z Exposed Toe Cap Boot: $140

Anyone who's owned a pair of Docs has had this conversation . . . or maybe it's just me:

EB: Uh, yeah dude. They're Doc Martens. But not all of their boots come with steel toes.

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You won't be able to magically flatfoot that Aprilia Falco you've had your eye on, but this delta can certainly make the difference between a financially painful tip-over and a good save.

First, the boring details. The Frey-Daytona LadyStar (or M-Star, if you prefer) GTX boots come in sizes 35-43, though rumors of a size 34 being in the works bounce around from time to time. They're available in basic black, only you won't see any brightly colored plastics or toe sliders here. Zippers and velcro on either side of each boot guarantee a snug, comfortable fit, and Gore-Tex(tm) waterproofing (the GTX in the product name) makes sure your footsies stay nice and dry once you're wearing the boots. In order to catch the attention of daydreaming drivers, a bright reflective patch on each heel make the boots visible from behind at night; in case that does't work, the heel and ankles are nicely armored and provide protection from both impact and abrasion.

That's all well and good, but what makes the LadyStar boots different from the rest of Daytona's touring and street riding line? Why are short motorcyclists flocking in droves to their closest Daytona distributor? The answer lies in the LadyStar's sole. A 2.5 cm platform is built directly into the inside of the boot. Add that to the boot's 1.0 cm rubber outer sole, and you're looking at an instant 3.5 cm increase in inseam! You won't be able to magically flatfoot that Aprilia Falco you've had your eye on, but this delta can certainly make the difference between a financially painful tip-over and a good save.

The very first time I wore the boots, I found the inner platform slightly uncomfortable against the arch of my foot. A Superfeet brand shoe insert solved this problem and also provided an extra half-centimeter of rise inside my boot. Once this slight setback was taken care of, the LadyStars were as comfortable as my two-year-old combat boots. There was no painful breaking in period and no annoying heel blisters. And as an extra bonus, the LadyStars continue to be comfortable even off of the bike, and I've happily walked around - taller! in them and frolicking at the paws of my two cats, for hours.

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ComforTemp is what's called a phase change material - one that alters its physical properties according to your body temperature. Know how your lava lamp takes a while for the wax to warm up and start bubbling? I'm thinking just like that on a smaller scale. "Tiny microcapsules of paraffin absorb excess heat from the body and store it until it is needed. When the body temperature drops, heat is released from the microcapsules," says BMW.

The amazing thing is it works; riding in temperatures ranging from about 50 degrees F to about 90, under an Aerostich suit or leather jacket, the ComforTemp does seem to have supernatural power to ward off chill and dissipate heat. Wearing it in and out of the house on chilly fall evenings even lets the ComforTemp strut its amazing ability to moderate your temperature. It's also sort of stylish, with the ComforTemp wetsuit-looking laminate fabric on the front and rear of the jacket, and fleece side panels. The nylon sleeves unzip when you just want a vest, and the main zipper zips all the way to your chin when you need it to. This jacket isn't going to replace your electric vest when it gets truly chilly, but for those days when you can't decide if you need to fool with a cord or not - it's perfect. Comes in black. Machine washable. $175 at your BMW dealer.

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Sorry. What we're trying to say is that Intersport Fashions West has taken over marketing Germany's number one glove in the United States, which makes Held's very nice gloves a bit more accessible to the masses than in years past. The Germans are pretty fastidious when it comes to anything involving motorsports or safety, and so Held gloves get the double quality whammy. Bruno Held built his first glove in 1923, supposedly for mountaineering-and it's been downhill ever since (tip your waitresses).

We could go on for hours about various details, but that would be redundant all over again, because all the info we've got can be found at http://www2.motorcycle.com/cgi-bin/redirector?www.held-usa.com. I, Johnius, have been wearing a pair of #2220 Ninja sportbike gloves for a week or two, with Pittards palms and cowhide backs. For $99.95, they are very nice, but not quite as supple and tactile as Held's upmarket kangaroo models. The new "Akira", for instance, is the dog's bollocks if you can scrape up $189.95.

I could not go on without my magnetic tank bag, of which I have worn out several over the years.

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I recently had the priveledge of stomping about in a pair of Dr. Martens Industrial 2296 boots. Unlike the traditional image of the black biker boot laden with buckles and straps, or the pure racing styles that go great with a pair of neon-colored one-piece leathers and absolutely nothing else, the 2296 offers a far more casual appearance that can easily blend in with a wide variety of fashion decisions (hopefully good ones). This is no small benefit as it's not easy to find a boot that is motorcycle ready and still goes with a polo shirt or even a solid-colored button-down shirt. (Not to worry lads, I didn't think this stuff up on my own, my girlfriend helped me!)

At around 10 inches, the height of the boot cuff gave up a few inches to my usual pair and as a result, I did notice a hint more draft than usual up my jeans in a full-crouch position, which can be either a good thing or bad thing depending upon the climate that day. The milk-chocolate-colored leather is soft, pliable, and doesn't need a drop of breaking in. I found that the suppleness of the ankle made it a breeze to shift gears even when scrunched up on a racing bike. I've owned fuzzy bunny slippers that were less comfortable after three years than the Docs felt straight out of the box. Oh quit giggling, that was a long time ago. I got rid of them when I turned 30, alright!

Anyhow, the 2296 wasn't just built to feel great and look purty. These boots are ready for battle. The built-in heavily cushioned pads on both sides of the ankle give one a sense of confidence when banging around in the garage, and according to the Doc, the deep cleated slip-resistant sole repels oil, gasoline, fat, acid, and alkili. Step in anything else and you're on your own.

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I can't recall the last thing I lusted for more than this jacket. I can remember very well the last person, but not the last thing. When, after months of machinations necessitated by the fact that I am too poor to pay for this sort of thing but too proud to come right out and beg, the box finally arrived, I was not disappointed. Guess I've had the Retro for a year or two now, and it is definitely a keeper. (That's the way to look at these large expenditures, too: a good leather jacket will last a lifetime, and will be fought over by your heirs.) The Retro is made for Ducati by Dainese, out of stern yet supple cowhide, which Ducati says is 50-percent waterproof (see, you're only half damp).

Inside the elbows, forearms and shoulders you'll find good, closed-cell foam. Why do European jackets zip on the wrong side, like womens' clothes? (Are they really all gay?) One of my favorite things about the Retro is the fact that the main, big YKK plastic zipper goes all the way up to your chin when you fold the collar up, which is very nice when it's chilly. It also contains a nylon mesh-lined layer of thin insulation of some sort, which also keeps me warm, but the jacket isn't particularly hot on hot days either. (The liner doesn't come out.) There's a zipper to zip pants to. Red has to be safer than black. People tell me how bitchen' my jacket is alla 'time. The dollar, unfortunately, seems to be sucking wind these days. When I started writing this last month, the Retro was $491. Now it's $650! Hey, it's still the only thing I can afford that says Ducati on it.

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The worst is lane splitting in the city. Especially when the ambient temperature is anywhere over 75 degrees. Combine that with little air movement, and a hot bike. Then add in the radiated heat from all the cars, busses and trucks and the heat generated from moving said hot bike around cars, and you start getting warm under the collar in a major way. In times like these, any sort of airflow is better then nothing. Typically most riders will attest to the lower speeds experienced during heavy duty city traffic and therefore will somehow rationalize away the need to wear protective gear. Speak to a rider who's had an accident in the city, however, and they'll be quick to point out that the ground hurts no matter how fast you're going.

Under high-speed (above 60 miles per hour) use, the jacket would experience flapping or buffeting conditions in the sleeve between the shoulder and elbow joint and in the lower torso and chest area. Although not detrimental to the operation of the jacket, I did find the sound and feeling (the jacket was typically worn with short sleeve, or light long sleeve cotton shirts) distracting. Adjustable straps, such as the ones found on the KS-2000 jacket, would limit such buffeting. If the straps could be placed within the sleeve, the clean look of the jacket could be retained.

Even with these two shortcomings, the Mesh Riders Jacket has become my favorite jacket for all my around town riding. Not only does the jacket keep me cool, it also gives me better protection then wearing a non-motorcycle specific jacket and most certainly better protection than just a long sleeve shirt.

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Lee starts out with 2.75+ oz. U.S. deerskin, which is more abrasion-resistant than cowhide and has a wider temperature range. I found that my pair fit almost perfectly from the start, and soon stretched to fit my hand's exact proportions. The leather's natural protective attributes are bolstered by a double-stitched ErgoTech palm patch and an additional layer of deerskin backing on the thumb, knuckles and fingers for added abrasion resistance. The extra layer of protection was unobtrusive and the gloves provide excellent feel. No bunching in the finger tips or tightness at the knuckles.

The gloves' construction is simple but well-executed, featuring trimmed and ironed internal seams in the fingers utilizing dual-duty thread, a seamless palm to avoid creating pressure points, and an extra-long gauntlet that has Velcro closures at both the wrist and aperture. This last detail really provides a secure fit over any jacket, even if the sleeve is a bit short, oversized, or made of a bulky material. No more frozen wrists from your sleeve falling out of the gauntlet.

Lee's deerskin gloves are also available in a two-tone Black and Tan color scheme as well as non-gauntlet styles. A size chart is provided on his website to get an accurate measurement before ordering. Certainly not the cheapest gloves on the market, but if you're looking for a pair to marry, this could be your "love connection".

Black: $109.95
www.leeparksdesign.com

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Cafe Race have come up with a water bladder system that is worn like a bike messenger bag. This might seem a little weird, but it works great. Even with 64oz of water slung against your lower left abdomen, you barely notice that you are wearing this sling. The drinking tube follows the sling up and over your right shoulder and is held by plastic D-rings near your right collar bone. To drink, you simply reach up with your left hand and guide the tube under your helmet.

The adjustable sling is constructed of Cordura nylon and includes six Velcro closure pockets to hold your wallet, cell phone, keys, garage door opener, condoms and dew rag. One of the pockets is constructed entirely of nylon mesh, presumably for carrying wet items or drying jerky. The pockets are great for small maps, 3x5 notepads, wallets and other fairly wide and flat stuff. However, the pockets don't have full width Velcro, so I really wouldn't recommend carrying keys or change in them. The cell phone pocket is sized to fit most cell phones and has a flap closure which held my phone securely, while allowing easy access for gloved fingers.

In use, the system is unobtrusive and the bite valve works great (much better than the valve on a Camelbak) with good flow, and no drips. It is also easy to get on and off, over bulky jackets and helmets, making it more likely to be used than similar gear which can be a PITA to wear.

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I don't know about you, but I for one feel pretty damn silly walking around town in red boots with plastic toe sliders and things all over them. You need your Alpinestars or your Sidis or whatever for the track, but what are you going to wear on those days when you're just riding your bike in the course of normal human events? Those are the times that try men's soles.

I like these here Frye 8-inch Engineer boots very much. Aren't those what the Harley guys wear? I suppose so, but I've worn this type of boot forever on sportbikes, and once broken in they're as comfortable and give back just as as much control feel as anything-plenty for street use anyway.

The 8-inch Engineers I picked out from Frye's web page are made from thick leather, with oil-resistant neoprene soles (thick enough to make me 5'8"), and already feel sweet right out of the box. Those adjustable straps aren't just for looks; they tailor the boots to the shape of your foot and calf.

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You see, too many times, saddlebags just don't sit up high enough to clear the exhaust cans of today's sports machine. The proximity of the saddlebags to the exhaust can results in everything from the mildly annoying hot luggage, to the aforementioned "melted crap" syndrome.

If you can live with the limited cargo space, we recommend this setup for all those that have sport bikes and like to travel with them.

To alleviate those issues and present a stylish alternative to bulky, hard-mounted saddlebags, Wolfman luggage developed the Hi-Pipe saddlebags. Constructed out of Cordura nylon, the bags feature stable five-point mounting system. The system consists of two top straps that fit over the tailsection/passenger seat of your bike, a strap for each passenger foot peg, and a strap that goes behind the bike. All straps are adjustable and once you have them sized up, removing and placing the bags on the bike took all of one minute. Plastic stiffeners can be found inside and YKK zippers are used to keep the bags closed. The zippers feature plastic teeth meshed with a metal zipper. Overall, very high quality stuff.

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Kushitani has been making leathers for a few years now and have quite a storied past. Kevin Schwantz, Randy Mamola, Rich Oliver, Norifume Abe and Aaron Slight are all top riders who prefer to have Kushitani-cut cow cover their body at speed. The good fellas over at Kushitani here in the US decided that we, too, were worthy, and sent over a very tasty-looking silver and black Phantom suit.

The majority of the suit is made using perforated Holstein leather that varies in thickness from 1.5-1.6 millimeters. Th e arms, crotch and calf area feature a Zylon knit that all ows ease of movement and gets rid of those annoying bunches of leather found on other suits whenever you bend your arms or legs. The whole suit is lined with 100% Polyester mesh.

The suit features detachable and adjustable leather-patched "K-Foam" (varying in thickness from 1.5mm-10mm) in the shoulder and collarbone area as well as on the elbows and lower back. In addition, the suit features "Trans -Foam" in the back-bone area though it is devoid of any real back protector. Detachable and adjustable plastic-plated urethane foam covers the knees.

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As a woman, just as a man, I want to be fully protected while riding, but I also don't want to be indistinguishable from my male counterparts.

I'm a fashionable young woman, and there's no reason I should have to look like a short version of Calvin in gear simply because I ride a motorcycle.

One of the most exciting things about this hot number is that it has removable heavy protection in both the shoulders and elbows, yet it still flatters (we can all appreciate that) the female form underneath. It is made of 1.1 mm thick full grain leather with reflective piping and has one inner and two outer pockets. You can also choose from three color options: blue/white/black, black/red/white, and black/grey/white.

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Arai's Signet GT, it seems that almost everybody has an "Arai head." But how many people do you know have a Suomy head? Do you even know what a Suomy is?

In the 1950's, Vigano Accessori started out as a manufacturer of motorcycle accessories. They have continued growing their product line and have recently decided to add to their helmet line-up by entering the racing market with the "Suomy Project." These helmets have already gained notoriety with a number of World Superbike racers such as Troy Corser, Scott Russell, Troy Bayliss, Aaron Slight and Ben Bostrom, among others. Now, finally, these lids are available in the United States courtesy of distributor Gearbox International.

The helmet that was sent to us is the Gun Wind Aaron Slight Replica. This smart-looking lid with aboriginal designs integrated with a Kiwi bird on each side, befitting the New Zelander it pays homage to.

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"These gloves rock."

The Speedmaster gloves look cool, fit extremely well, and have many advanced features such as steel-mesh-backed ventilation holes on the outer "front" part of the fingers as well as on the wrists. The vents work well and are a blessing at the racetrack on a warm day. However, such vents limit these gloves to warm-weather duty, and would definitely scoop up a lot of rain on wet days. A set of plugs would've been nice - that way you could waterproof the gloves with leather protection and stay dry for short stints in the wet.

Carbon fiber overlays wrap around the knuckles while a round disc covers the base of the thumb and a strip lines the outer palm - all the major grind zones are covered. Additionally, leather-covered pads are stitched over the metacarpal area as well as over the inside, outside and top of the wrist. A double layer of leather is sewn over the palm, and it's supple and not noticeable while riding. Additionally, the outer pinkie/wrist area on each glove has an extra layer of double-stitched leather.

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Audet claims that his state-of-the-art materials are what separate his products from everyone else's. He told MO that many people are using his gear in everything from the sub-zero arctic to Mexican and African deserts to Central and South American jungles.

The Pureflight Gear backpack and fannypack are, not surprisingly, quite durable. Both are made out of Cordura nylon which is claimed to have exceptional resistance to punctures and tears. Additionally, the material is lightweight and easy to care for.

He told us to expect a lot from the new and improved gear, so I did. The first thing I noticed was the big zippers. Judging by the size and strength of them, they aren't likely to break anytime soon. He told us to expect a lot from the new and improved gear, so I did.

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When the Kushitani sales representative stopped by our humble offices I was expecting to view something that might turn a rider into Colin Edwards, Doug Polen or Kevin Schwantz, or at least in appearances anyway.

Properly fastened, no air or water should pass through an otherwise potential source of leaks.

When he brought out their new textile three-quarter length jacket, admittedly I was less than enthusiastic. You see, last year I personally purchased my first textile jacket; a Firstgear Sirocco three-quarter length jacket that spends more time hanging in the closet than being worn. My short lived and expensive experience found it to be uncomfortably stiff resulting in a bulge in the midsection and a very chaffed neck. I was extremely disappointed, as I have worn my Hein Gericke leather jacket for seven comfortable years. So when I was asked to write the product review for the Kushitani product, I figured Hypertex, Cordura, they both textile jackets so what's the difference. Well, thankfully in this case a very big one.

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More and more manufacturers are turning away from cow hides and looking towards myriad variations of synthetics - like nylon, for instance - to provide their customers with fashionable protection. The folks at Tour Master have been doing this about as long as anybody in the business and have a reputation for making riding suits that are of above-average quality using time-tested designs, both structurally and visually speaking.

They recently sent us the newest addition to their line of products: a three-quarter-length jacket that matches up with a pair of similarly manufactured pants. Both items make use of a number of nice features that you wouldn't normally associate with a suit in this price range.

There are two vents on the chest, two on the arms, two on the back and even a large pocket on the lower back, bicycle jersey style. The Jacket also has removable triple-density armor in the shoulders and elbows along with handy velcro closures for the sleeves and velcro straps along the waist, both of which help to control ventilation and body temperature. Both the collar and sleeve-ends feature a corduroy-type of material where skin contact is frequent, helping to reduce chafing. The Thinsulate lining zips out easily and further expands the jacket's usable temperature range.

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So, I took them home and waited for the temperature to drop low enough to put them to a test-kinda like waiting for the proverbial pot of water to boil. To my surprise, we had a swift change in weather conditions and temperatures that weekend went down to the high 40's to low 50's.

I know, I know -blue jeans provide little protection against the asphalt, but like many of you that's what I wear.

I figured that since I couldn't wear them out motorcycling right away, I might as well at least try them on and see how they fit. Unlike a brand new pair of stiff unwashed jeans, these felt comfortable from the moment I put them on. The Polartec lining is very soft and much more comfortable than the pair of flannel lined jeans I take when I head off to the snow country.

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And, the thought of heading cross country dressed in anything but the finest Cordura riding suit would seem silly. But when it's 90 degrees in the shade and you want to cruise across town to the Dairy Queen, comfort often takes precedence over safety.

Enter Hickory, North Carolina-based Fast Company. Since 1996, they have offered their line of Draggin' Jeans ($79.95) as an improvement over traditional Levis or Wranglers. Originally featuring a Keprotec lining in the seat and the knees, the product offered adequate road rash protection for casual street riding. More importantly, it boasted the comfort, convenience and machine washability of blue jeans.

Fast Company now claims four times the abrasion resistance of their original jeans, plus improved impact resistance as well as greater comfort and breathability.

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Past Dainese catwalk performances have always been a source of inspiration for male visitors. Well, not this time. At the center of their stand there were no leggy models strutting their stuff, but a boring male mannequin seated on a bike while wearing what appeared initially to be a rather pedestrian, run-of-the-mill, riding vest. What's going on here?

At the center of their stand there were no leggy models strutting their stuff...What's going on here?

Well, that innocent-looking vest might represent the biggest advancement in riding safety since leather jackets and full face helmets.

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A pair of multi-colored Alpinestars would seemingly offer the ultimate in performance and protection, but race-style boots can be hard to walk in and you can't wear them around the office unless you work at the Death Star. And while they may look groovy on a YZF R1, they're not quite right if you're riding a Fat Boy, Gold Wing or a K1200LT.

Cowboy boots and the classic "engineer" boot address the style issue, but offer no reinforced shift area or crash armor. Plus, they leak like a sieve when it rains.

I've always kept an eye peeled for a pair of classic-looking motorcycle boots with modern, rider-friendly features and was pleased when I found these Classic Cruiserboots that look like a slightly toned-down version of my beloved Harley Engineers. They more than meet my criteria for the ultimate every day riding boot and even address some problems I didn't even know existed.

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It seems that just about every enthusiast has an "Arai head." How can that be? Is it a genetic thing? Do all enthusiasts share identically shaped heads?

Perhaps it's because Arai features two distinct shell shapes: the long oval (LO) and the round oval (RO).

The LO is the traditional Arai shell shape, designed to fit heads that are narrower from side to side, giving more room at the forehead and alleviating the infamous forehead pinch common with some competitors. Arai's Signet series helmets incorporate the LO shell shape.

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One suit, the Prexport RS1, stood out as being the best bang for buck suit out on the track.

From the rider's view, wearing a quality set of leathers can help in two ways. First, you feel safer. Second, you really are safer should you decide to part ways with your machine at high speed. Let's face it, when you're wearing leathers, you generally feel as though you're traveling a few miles-per-hour faster than you really are. As for the safety issue, there's nothing like a thick layer of cow skin and CE-approved armor to help bolster your confidence. So, how did the suit fit?

Nevertheless, mobility on the bike was satisfactory and ventilation was excellent, no doubt aided by perforations and the shoulder vents. Although the armor was unobtrusive, the addition of a back protector would have been appreciated. We can whole-heartedly recommend this suit to the racer who demands quality but doesn't have the cash for a custom suit. However, we recommend the purchaser "tries before he/she buys" to confirm a proper fit.

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This suit follows the adage that form follows function and that a well-designed and well-made suit will look good.

BKS hopes to change this by being one of the first manufacturers to import full CE-approved leather riding suits into the States. This implies that the entire suit, from head to toe, all stitching, leather and armor is compliant with the standards set forth by European Community.

The first thing we noticed was the weight. The BKS GP100 suit is a hefty piece of hardware, feeling more like a precision piece of equipment instead of a slapped-together stylistic adventure. This suit follows the adage that form follows function and that a well-designed and well-made suit will look good. A simple glance at the suit proves this.

Equipped with ballistic armor throughout, the BKS GP100 promises to be one of the most complete pieces of motorcycle safety equipment available. Although our specific test unit incorporated BKS' standard "Performance" armor, all other versions will be equipped with BKS' upgraded "High Performance" armor. As if that weren't enough, the next iteration of the suit, the GP2000RX (due to be released in a few months) will employ the same High Performance armor and a few new cosmetic touches. Almost to mock the other manufacturers, BKS adds, as standard equipment, Kevlar inserts in the chest and back areas, a set of hip and thigh armor and a quality back protector.

Nevertheless, all this tech-speak is all fine and good for the marketing and advertising people, but MO wanted to know how well this suit would do in the real world. So, we decided to use it in a few of our exclusive photo shoots and track tests. What we found out won't be much of a surprise to those who wear high-dollar suits. The BKS GP100 is comfortable. The off-the-rack suit proved to have a near custom fit for our six-foot, 150-pound evaluator. Both on- and off-bike fit was excellent, with enough stretch panels built into the proper areas to allow our tester to stand up without losing circulation to vital body parts.

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At a retail price of $147.95, the Diadora City boot represents a very interesting compromise in motorcycle boots.

If you can get over the sticker shock of many of the offerings, you'll find that some appear great for getting you from point A to point B, but you'll have to lug another pair to wear once you get to your destination. What may be perfect for that weekly dash through the canyons may not cut it as a daily commuter. Let's also not forget about those serious tours you're planning to take this year, the different climates you'll be riding through - and what if your adventures take you off-road? Let's face it, there is no one boot that does it all, so the first thing you had better do is make an honest assessment of the type of riding you'll be doing most.

In my case, I was looking for a boot that would provide solid protection for commuting a couple of days a week and are comfortable enough not to require a change of shoe once I got to the office. My tours are generally limited to short weekend hops, and while my riding style may lean to the more aggressive side of the scale, it's still more sport-touring than sport.

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It has taken over ten years for the suit to be refined into what is available today.

Aerostich claims it uses "the world's strongest GoreTex® fabric" and has even gone so far as to conduct abrasion tests against other materials, including leather. Aerostich claims their material came out on top, of course, and says it is 95-percent waterproof as well.

Aerostich says, "If it works and feels good, it looks good to us." Well, we have the same taste in motorcycle riding gear. We like the layout of the 'Stich suit and think it's far better for street use than leathers, which tend to be impractical. You can pick and chose the color for your suit and the nylon patches to help create something suitable to your personality.

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With materials such as Kevlar and carbon fiber becoming commonplace, we see more synthetics being used in the relatively simple technological world of riding gloves. Most manufacturers are content at using off-the-shelf materials for their gloves and, for most people, this is an acceptable proposition. However, for those of you with a taste for the finer things in life, there is Kushitani. Makers of fine leather racing products, Kushitani incorporates the latest in technology in a seemingly simple product. This should not be taken lightly. After all, let's face it, on the motorcycle technology scale, gloves are fairly low on the mark.

When we first slipped on Kushitani's GPR II riding gloves, we were instantly amazed. They fit like a custom product. We understand that we may sound perhaps a bit too "spoogey" in this review, but it's hard to write about a product that is superior in every way without sounding like salesmen. Still, we'll try.

How does it all feel? In a word, fantastic.

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Their helmets have been worn by more World Champions in two and four-wheeled racing than any other brand. With over 20 different countries in which AGV helmets are certified, and with names such as Doug Polen and Emerson Fitipaldi on their list of Championship racers, they must be doing something right.

The helmet's shell is constructed of Advanced Composite Fibers and utilizes AGV's TAC System (Total Air Control) with six air flow ports for ventilation. The graphics were crisp and laid on without any distortions or rough edges, the colors were sharp and the large vents only added to the cool look the graphics provided. The padding of the Q3 Pro is composed of embroidered Alcantara and Cool Max with black finishes. This fabric has a honeycomb structure doubled with perforated foam. AGV offers different cheek pads, from 25 to 40 mm in 5 mm increments to custom fit the helmet to a rider's head and personal preferences.

The front vents on the chin bar and forehead allow a good amount of air flow. However, a screen on the lower vent might have helped since we did get some errant debris blowing up into our eyes. Admittedly, we couldn't feel air flow on the top of our heads from the upper vents, but we never could on any other helmet either. The face shield replacement system works very well, so switching between tinted and clear shields is only a 10 second affair - on par with other helmets in this price range.

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The riding season around Chicago consists of three months of sweltering heat and humidity sandwiched between many months of bitter cold. While mother nature flat out skips temperate riding weather near the Windy City, she certainly left us plenty of rain.

So unless you're a Harley-type dude who emerges only on sunny days wearing nothing but jeans, boots, shades and tattoos (there's no helmet law in Illinois), you might want riding wear that can keep you protected, dry, warm or cool.

The fine folks at First Gear certainly did their homework when designing their Hypertex line of textile-based clothing.

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Typically, rainsuits spend most of their time crumpled up in the bottom of your saddlebag, donned only when the weather system dishes out its worst and you are dumb enough to get caught in it.

So while a durable, well-designed rainsuit is a must-have item, it doesn't make a lot of sense to pay huge retail mark-up for one emblazoned with First Gear or Harley-Davidson. Nobody really cares what you look like when you're all wet.

This value is the purpose behind Pro Sports Dry Bones rainsuit.

At a list price of $39.95 USD, the whole thing costs less than just the top half of many name-brand rainsuits. Better yet, it's well-made and boasts its share of motorcycle-friendly features.

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Take one summer sun, one mountainous landscape, blend until completely mixed. Gently swirl asphalt ribbons, make sure that the ribbons twist thoroughly but that they don't separate. At this point, look at the mixture and smooth over any pockets of law enforcement, removing completely if necessary. Finally, add sportbike (should be high quality, capable of triple-digit performance) and one rider (ditto) and apply heat. Cook for an afternoon.

Everyone, of course, is intimately familiar with the recipe for Speed.

There's no question that one should always sport just the appropriate wear when indulging in a helping of speed...

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But for motorcyclists it's always been the ubiquitous boot. That is, until now. A few manufacturers have decided to branch out into the world of the shoe, previously verboten both for boy scout bikers due to concerns about sufficient protection and to stylin', high-milein' bikers because, well, boots are too cool for school and therefore the automatic preference.

The shoes lace up quickly for a tight fit, and a nice fit at that. They were comfortable from the get-go, which has been typical for Sidi's products, at least for this tester, who sports pretty average back paws for a 195-pound, six-foot dude. When you're cruising the Autobahn at a buck with change, it's important that your toes aren't squished up, that your arches aren't aching, and that you're hooves are as snug as bugs in rugs, with good feel for the controls. This primary objective is executed nicely.

Primary Objective No. 2, though no less critical, is protection. The boots are constructed of split grain leather and Kevlar^®, filling the "Cool Safety Materials" requirement nicely. They're double-stitched throughout as well, and after nine or so months of thrashing about town they look almost as good as day one, so they also earn the "Durable Construction" badge that all young boots covet. A steel inner shank provides sole support while you're on the pegs, and the toes and heel are stiffened and reinforced. The ankle area, all around, is fully padded. Reflective strips on the sides and back are also nice additions. In short, there's no reason to believe that these shoes wouldn't take a bullet for your feet.

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Carrying space. Besides rifling your high-powered piston pony through the canyons you may want to tote, say, a sweater for the ride home at night, or some lotion for when your tender hands get a little flaky from the dry, crisp Malibu air. A good magnetic tank bag is the ticket, something that mounts securely but can be removed quickly, and won't mar that beautiful three-color finish that ever-so-smartly sets off the brash, daring Suzumawanda logo. Marsee has a couple of offerings that just might fit the bill and they sent 'em along for some serious, no compromises testing.

Fact is, sometimes a sweater - or that bottle of lotion for you tender types - is the only thing you want to pack and no more carrying space is required. We grew to depend on the Marsee 10-Liter Rocket Pocket for just those occasions. At first glance it seems like you won't be able to stuff too much into the 3.5-inch high compartment, but it's surprising how much will easily go in without having to expand the bag. Our evaluator regularly carries the following, no expansion necessary:

Cell phone E-mail pager Palm Pilot Xena Disc Lock (the big yellow thing that yelps when you forget to take it off) Wallet Bungee net Sunglasses (bad for splitting lanes at night) Cool leather cap with Harley-Davidson logo (Official Licensed Product, thank you) Little package of Zantac (test editor is now in his thirties and can no longer inhale jalapeño-laden burritos with brazen impunity)

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Enter Syed Leathers, the solution for any heavy-browed speed savage, even those with a primitive budget.

Twelve thousand years later, at the dozens of race tracks dotted across the same North American continent, motorcyclists scream around dime-tight turns and long, sweeping stretches of foreboding black asphalt. These savages still protect themselves from both the elements and their fierce rivals with suits of thick leather, but with the decline of the mastodon herds and the onset of modern philosophical institutions like capitalism, leather has become a little expensive for the average Neandercyclist, with custom suits from top manufacturers hovering at $1,500 on up.

Enter Syed Leathers, the solution for any heavy-browed speed savage, even those with a primitive budget.

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The RF-800 provides almost identical quality, comfort, aerodynamics and venting as "premium" helmets that cost hundreds of dollars more.

The RF-800's shell quality is very good. It resists most nicks and scratches and the finish is excellent. The RF-800 is also very comfortable. Initially the RF-800 pinched up top, but after a few days, the pinching went away. After a year of daily use, the RF-800 remains a very comfortable and durable helmet, suffering only the usual nicks and scratches of a heavily worn helmet.

A key feature of the RF-800 is the visor-latching mechanism. The visor may be detached and re-attached without tools or removing sideplates. A trigger on the helmet allows you to snap the visor on or off. If you are ham-handed and you constantly worry about breaking sideplates, the RF's trigger mechanism is a relief. Another feature of the trigger mechanism is that with the absence of sideplates, noise reduction is improved. The RF-800 is one of the quieter helmets we've worn.

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They started by letting us into the Petersen Automotive museum for free (a $5 value) to gawk at all the cool displays. Then they laid out a gourmet buffet on the roof, featuring killer kabobs and fruit tortes. Finally, before we went home, we received a bag with a baseball cap, fanny pack, keychain, coffee mug, and a pair of H-D boxers. Cool.

The fashion show? It was interesting, kind of like something out of Details Magazine, but with a little too much West Hollywood and not enough Milwaukee. What the hell, though. We're not complaining, not with our new pair of H-D boxers. We're easy.

Helen wasn't crazy about Harley's new line of racing clothing. She preferred the simpler styles they had chosen in the past.

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They were these heavy things that pinched in various places and made you feel claustrophobic. As such, I voted for candidates against the helmet law and wore an illegal beanie as much as possible, which is to say whenever it wasn't raining. I spent as little money as possible on a full-face helmet.

One day, while preparing to go to the BMW K1200RS intro, I looked at my *$%&&% (name masked to protect the maker of a pretty lousy helmet) with its bottom rubber weather-strip-looking thing coming off, gashes galore, and scratched, opaque windshield and decided to spring for a new helmet so the other journalists wouldn't laugh at me. Hey, nice $1,500-but-I-got-it-for-free-
custom-made-carbon-fiber helmet Mr. Canet, do you have a spare?

I went down to the local shop and started looking around at the helmet selection, running into the same problems I've always had because of my slightly oblong head: helmets either pinch, swim around, or both. After about half-an-hour of frustration, my eyes fell on an inconspicuous white box on the bottom shelf, marked: NR-2 Size M.

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Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife. Cool. I don't covet my neighbor's wife. Hell, I'm not sure my neighbor even covets his wife. However, I do covet my neighbor's Harley-Davidson El Camino Jacket. Hmmm, what does God have to say about that? Let's see... nothing in Commandments One through Ten. So far, so good. Are there any footnotes, any asterisks anywhere saying something like "see Commandments 11 through 59.1(a), sub-paragraph (ix)"? Nope. Even better. Glad God chose Moses as a prophet rather than a modern American lawmaker.

The jacket sports four ventilation zippers, two in front and two in back. They may be opened or closed as the weather dictates. Even better, they work. On those warm summer rides, the vents keep you comfortable. With all the vents open the jacket won't balloon.

The El Camino comes with a removable liner perfect for night rides. When removing it at first, I had the odd sensation that the jacket was somehow lighter and less protective than other jackets. However, the El Camino is as heavy and thick as my other leather jacket. With the insert removed, the El Camino is lined with a nylon mesh in the torso and polyester lining in the sleeves. The mesh lining, combined with the vents keeps the heat from building up on the warm summer days. Snapping the liner in makes the jacket cozy for a cool day. However, I recommend a sweatshirt or silk thermals for more severe winter conditions.

Another nice feature are the leather tassels on the vent zippers - a stylish touch making the zippers easy to grab while on the go, and, for my tastes, perfect; it didn't cross-over into the territory of flashy, frilly fringes flapping in the breeze. Not every biker envisions himself as the last Latoka warrior riding into the sunset.

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Talk to racing superstar Alex Criville about the '97 Dutch GP and you'll hear a story about as nasty as it comes. It all happened in practice as Criville struggled to match the pace set by teammate Mick Doohan. Crossing the crown of the track in a slight kink at the head of the circuit, the back end stepped out and the bike flipped onto its left-hand side, with Criville's hand trapped between the bars and the asphalt. Traveling at more than 100 mph, the bike slid over the tarmac grinding Criville's hand into the surface.

The leather and padding of the glove tore immediately and then the asphalt started on his hand, tearing the skin, muscle, tendons and bone of Criville's left-hand in the few seconds it took to come to rest. When the bike finally released Criville from it's grasp, all he could do was sit, dazed, in the middle of the track staring at a bloody smashed mess that used to be his left thumb. With blood pouring from a torn artery, he staggered off the track into the arms of a doctor at the trackside, who frantically performed some emergency work to stem the flow. Initially, it seemed to be a career-threatening injury, with the GP paddock doctor claiming never to have seen such a shocking hand injury in the 20 years he had been treating the crushed and broken bodies of GP riders. Fortunately, it turned out better than anyone had expected and after $250K worth of surgery and skin grafts, Criville was able to rejoin the GP circus, even managing to win a race before season's end. It did put a damper on his season, though.

Hands are very vulnerable in crash conditions, as witnessed by the gnarled and scared hands of many of the top road racers. Damage is caused by a combination of initial impact forces and friction through the slide down the road, with crash victims as often as not trying to slow down with an outstretched gloved hand. A well-designed glove needs to have a number of important features, including padding to absorb the impact, abrasion-resistant palm surfaces and tough stitching to prevent seams bursting under crash stresses. Almost as important is that the glove must be comfortable, as an uncomfortable glove won't be worn, providing the least effective protection of all.

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It's been said that every nerve in your body has a terminus in your feet, which is why a good, thorough foot massage can make your eyes roll back into your skull, your jaw go slack, and cause strange, gurgling noises to involuntarily ooze out from your drooling maw. Given that your tootsies can be the source of so much pleasure, you will want to make sure that you take extra special care of them, especially when checking off those long, long miles on your multi-state sport touring adventure. However, if your track boots are the comfort equivalent of medieval plate armor, the Sidi On Road Sympatex boots are your ticket.

The Sympatex boots feature top grain leather outer construction, with several key areas reinforced with added leather 'pads'. Plastic toe and heel cups contribute additional strength and protection in those areas, and the lug sole of the boot is supported with an arched steel shank. The top of the boot comes just above mid-calf. The whole boot is fastened via four broad leather bands threaded through durable plastic fasteners and then bent back and secured by Velcro-type strips. At first look, those leather bands were a bit stiff and the whole system was regarded with some suspicion. But after the boots broke in and the bands loosened, tightening up was easier and faster than laces. Very nice.

...really heavy precipitation was simulated by running in place while a friend pointed a water hose full blast for fifteen minutes at a tester's feet.

The interior is lined with Sympatex, a solid waterproof/breathable membrane that permits body heat to push out water vapor from your feet, but allows no liquid water in. Sympatex is a 100% polyester fabric that is used in a wide variety of outdoor clothing applications, and in this instance works perfectly to keep your feet warm and dry, even in torrential downpours. Truth to be told, road testing was performed only in mild downpour situations, so really heavy precipitation was simulated by running in place while a friend pointed a water hose full blast for fifteen minutes at a tester's feet. In any case, no water made it through the Sympatex liner.

Given the durable construction, these boots are very light and very comfortable. They were worn daily as walk-around shoes and proved to be not only a pleasure to break in, but stylish as well, at least for big black boots. On the bike, long miles were effortless and the well-defined heel kept this all-weather footwear perched nicely on the footpegs. They performed as designed, without flaw. Finally and unfortunately, these boots were crash-tested. The pictures in this review were taken after the tester was pitched off at 45 mph and propelled almost 25 yards through the gravel and dirt run-off. A few weeks later the boots were cleaned and polished and the results are, well, impressive: The left boot sustained some very minor, hard-to-find scratches. That's it.

At $230.00, these boots aren't economy footwear. Compared to some boots, the price might be a little rich. But if you trek the kind of mileage that make boots like these important enough to own, then rest assured that the bit over two bills you shell out to claim ownership of these boots will be spent on quality leather that will serve for years to come, keep your feet well protected from the elements, and will keep those pleasure centers at the end of your legs your willing slaves. Five stars, no problem.

Motorcycle Online Rating: *****

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Faced with the inevitable, I fought despair until Peter Gonis of Allproof called requesting a review of his Metro GT riding jacket. It was too good to be true: Something wasn't right. Still, I was a beggar and I couldn't be a chooser ...

Here's the twist: The Allproof Metro GT rules, rocking hard and with an unforgiving beat. Made in Australia, Allproof has successfully combined a fashionable design with solid technical features to produce a garment that delivers on every performance claim it makes.

The jacket is constructed primarily of Dermizax, a waterproof fabric. Dermizax employs an ultra-thin non-porous membrane to wick away perspiration and channel it into a base fabric, where it can evaporate quickly. The openings in the fabric are large enough to allow the dispersal of perspiration, but too small to allow the entry of raindrops. In addition, the base fabric is water-repellent. All of these elements result in impressive performance, even in El Niño's worst. Water beaded up and blew away in the wind, consistently leaving me dry and toasty.

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The weather really went to hell here in Southern California. Rain or shine we still need to crank out shootouts and bike reviews, and we need weather gear. For boots we went to Prexport, who in the past has supplied us with very high quality racing boots. This time we asked for their 693W Waterproof Touring Boot.

Except for the large labels declaring "Prexport" and "Waterproof" on the front of the boot, the 693W is a stylish unit. Within a week we saw just how waterproof the boots were. Riding along the freeway through a torrential downpour, rain splashing off of car tires, our feet stayed dry. Even after standing in eight-inch-deep puddles, our feet remained toasty.

The 693W is constructed of a breathable polyurethane-coated leather upper, heat-sealed to the sole. A waterproof Sympatex "sock" lines the inside. This makes for two layers of protection, so if water sneaks past the velcro seal and into the compartment where the laces reside, it's still one waterproof surface away from your tootsies.

Another excellent feature are reflective panels on the back of the boots. If you tuck your pants inside, this is great. However, if you are not not among the fashion-challenged, and you prefer your pants to go over the boot, due to a thick trunk you'll need boot-cut jeans or zip-down riding pants.

In the World of Fashion there are no shoes like Italian shoes. The comfort of Prexport 693W's is transcendent. You could wear these shoes in front of the fire with your honey after a long day in the saddle. And if you are so inclined, you could even make sweet love in these boots.

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It's not often that an equipment or apparel manufacturer listens to consumer's complaints about one of their products and reacts with the speed Prexport has with their top-of-the-line roadrace boot. Soon after our initial review of their model 596 boot, a four-star product that we considered an excellent choice for the serious roadracer, Prexport introduced a fresh new version. Their new model, the 597, features vast improvements over the 596. Surprising considering how good the 596 boot already was. Almost every complaint we had about the 596 boot - and there weren't many - were addressed in the redesigned 597. Not only was the Italian manufacturer able to make an already light boot lighter, improvements to the boot's armor have made it significantly stronger as well.

Much of this was achieved through the extensive use of carbon fiber and Kevlar in areas where heavier rubber had been employed previously. Special shock absorbing shin and ankle plates feature the carbon/Kevlar armor, with the ankle areas also protected by an underlying shock absorbing gel filler pad.

Significant improvements are found in the zipper closure on the 597 boot. A major complaint with the 596's was that its small zippers were extremely hard to pull - even without gloves on - making it difficult to open and close the boots. Prexport took these complaints to heart and equipped the new 597 boots with much larger, easier to grasp zippers, along with providing a larger velcro-closed leather flap that extends further back.

Other features carried across from the 596 boots include Prexport's exclusive adjustable ventilation system, strong toe-box area, full-grain leather uppers, soft fabric lining, dual density shock absorbing soles, and further protection provided by molded plastic heel plates, gear shift pad, and replaceable toe and calf sliders.

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...with these AGV gloves offering very good quality, great protection and good feel, I think I'll have the last laugh.

The basic things to look for in a pair of gloves are protection, proper fit when your hands are hot and sweaty, a compromise of thickness and feel, how well the leather is stitched, and leather quality. I look for some padding across the backs of the knuckles and more palm protection rather than less. Color and fancy patterns add absolutely nothing to glove functionality and should be considered last, if at all. In my case this means I'm wearing gloves with that '90s racer look on my 1974 BMW, and I suffer the derision of some club members. But with these AGV gloves offering very good quality, great protection and good feel, I think I'll have the last laugh.

When you fall your intial reactions are instinctive, such as putting out a hand to save your head. As a result of a 115 mph-plus fall while racing at Sears Point, I am quite fond of rivets or kevlar in the palm. On one palm, over half the rivets ground down, but the skin on my hands emerged totally unscathed. Wearing most other gloves, with one or two thin layers of leather on the palm, the results would have been much worse.

My current pair of AGV Sport Riders have both rivets and a layer of kevlar in the lower palm. Overkill perhaps, and a bit stiff at first, but you quickly become used to them. The padding across the backs of the knuckles mean you don't even notice small rocks or other road debris. The AGVs are available in a variety of constructions, including no extra palm protection, one layer of kevlar without rivets, rivets only without kevlar, or both rivets and kevlar. Prices vary only slightly, so you can choose whatever you prefer.

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Although there is an occasional warm winter day here (~45º), riding is impossible because the roads are covered with the corrosive stuff. Aluminum and salt don't mix. At least not in a way most bike owners would like.

So we all wait for a day when the roads are clear of salt to jump on our scoots and head out. Twenty minutes later you're heading right back to the garage because you're freezing important extremities off. Leather helps, but it just can't do the trick.

What's a dedicated rider to do? One answer is to wait until spring. Another is to go electric. That's what I did. I called up David Gerbing in Union, Washington and set myself up with a complete outfit from his Ultimate clothing line, including: Ultimate jacket Ultimate pants gloves socks

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Buell's new Charger and T-Storm helmets are manufactured by Shoei, combining that manufacturer's quality with the Buell name and Pegasus emblem.

Buell's Charger lid features a fiberglass shell with an attractive matte black finish. Both the Buell emblem and Pegasus logo are featured in a gloss black finish that looks stylish against the flat background. Vents are used both on the chin bar and forehead area. The Charger is both DOT and Snell 95 approved.

Buell's Charger helmet scores points for its excellent fit and finish. We were impressed by the tough coating of its exterior that showed no signs of scratches or nicks after being dropped. A more traditional painted helmet probably wouldn't have faired so well. However, the Charger's surface is difficult to repaint, although if you wanted a painted helmet you would have bought one right? Another strong feature of the Charger is its low price. At just $260, it is very reasonably priced for a signature-series Shoei.

Also available from Buell is their T-Storm helmet. This is actually Shoei's popular RF700 model that we've previously reviewed. Styling is similar to the Charger with a matte black finish, but differs in its graphic decals that feature a brushed metal appearance. Visor removal and installation is simplified with Shoei's quick-release system, negating the need for tools. Like the Charger, the T-Storm is both DOT and Snell 95 approved.

We preferred the softer, more plush liner material of the T-Storm over that of the Charger. Another nice feature on the T-Storm was a visor lever that allows you to keep the shield ajar - the perfect solution to fogging visors. We also really appreciated the T-Storm's low noise level that makes long rides less fatiguing. This is definitely one of the quieter helmets we've ever tested.

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Luckily, salvation lay just a short drive north from Laguna Seca in Castroville, site of Corbin's manufacturing plant. Upon seeing the Road King parked out front, one staffer remarked, "That's our Christmas bonus right there." Apparently my passenger hasn't been the only one complaining about the accommodations. While the rider's portion of the stock seat is wide and comfortable, the passenger area is oddly dished. This design limits movement and forces all of a person's weight onto a small area. Also, the stock seat's studs scrape against the saddlebag lids if you don't open the bags carefully. Ours had already suffered some scratched paint, and the seat had lost a stud.

Corbin's staff gave me a multitude of styling and comfort options for their saddle, including cover material, stitching style, stud pattern, piping color and backrests. I opted for a leather cover with simple stitched design and brown/gold piping that perfectly matched the King's paint on its Harley Davidson logo. I also selected black studs that offered a more subdued look than the stock items. A final touch was the removable and fully-adjustable passenger backrest. You can choose to have a backrest fitted to the rider's seat as well, but I was comfortable without it, and preferred the styling sans backrest.

And when your significant other's derriere isn't happy, believe me, you won't be either. Despite being crowded with riders heading to Laguna, Corbin had me on the road just over two hours later. The new seat looked terrific with its leather cover and attractive stitchwork. Its stud pattern was tastefully done, and in a slightly higher location than the stock studs so as to allow better saddlebag lid clearance. The perfectly-matched colored piping was a nice styling touch, and added an extra flair. An inspection of the stitchwork showed that all seams and edges were firmly attached, with no loose or frayed edges or stitches.

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Unlike many manufacturers, who simply take an existing product and splash different graphics or logos on and hide it in the back of a dealership, Harley-Davidson long-ago realized the significance of apparel to those dedicated to the marque. They've delineated an entire arm of the company specifically to design, manufacture and marketing of its own line of apparel - Harley-Davidson MotorClothes.

No, not all items are emblazoned with giant Screaming Eagles or Bar and Shield logos. Many of the items produced are designed to appeal to the more subtle fans of the black and orange, and feature very sublimated H-D logos, or most commonly, an embossed logo in black leather.

With H-D logos found only on the button heads, the Full Force Coat we wore was a prime example of that subtlety. This attention to quality was prevalent throughout the entire garment: Thick, smooth leather, wool liner, consistently dark black dye, well-finished seams, large-toothed quality metal zipper, stout snap buttons, and a cool pewter-colored buckle on the waist belt. As another example of Harley-Davidson's keen focus on the rider, both the main zipper and the zipper on the secured outer pockets feature small leather pull straps for ease of use with riding gloves on.

The Harley-Davidson Full Force Coat is a rugged, well-rounded general use jacket. Equally comfortable to ride with in winter and summer, a garment rarely has flexibility and style like this jacket. At a suggested retail price of $450, it's not only well worth the hard-earned cash, but for a premium quality leather jacket, a competitive buy as well.

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The friendly folks at Fast Company in Hickory, North Carolina think they have the answer. They've mated a high-tech fabric called Keprotec, which is woven from Nylon, Lycra, and Kevlar, to heavyweight denim blue jeans. They call them "Draggin' Jeans," and gave them the number 181 to honor a favorite North Carolina highway. The jeans look pretty much like regular blue denims, so you won't get all sorts of weird looks when you stop for lunch.

The real comfort was knowing there was a little something extra between our butts and the asphalt as we took advantage of deserted roads, fast motorcycles, and the testosterone rush of a race weekend.

Both knees and each cheek get a slab of breathable Keprotec about 9 by 10 inches (in our pair of 32 x 32s) sewn securely into the seams. This completely covers your rear and gives the knees full frontal protection. The only outward manifestations of the protective layers are the extra seams on the face of the knees, which might be mistaken for designer touches by a casual observer. And that they are - designed to keep your skin where it belongs. For the fashion conscious, the 181 cut is slightly roomy, with five belt loops and straight legs that slip easily over boot tops. We liked the protection, but thought they could also use some insurance in the hip area. That might make them too bulky, but hips have a way of taking a beating in a tumble.

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Dainese has shown that technology can do more for a motorcyclist than make their bike (or computer) faster - it can keep you warm and dry too.

Waterproof, armored, comfortable, warm, full of pockets and possessing looks that kill, the Europa is a total package that combines function with style. Starting at the shoulders, ribbed padding promotes a Bladerunner look while contrasting Dainese logos on the body add an angular touch to the styling. Top things off with a waist belt for a hint of dual-sport ancestry and you have a sharp-looking jacket.

A Gore-Tex® liner keeps rain out but still allows perspiration to escape, while Cordura® is used on the outside for strength and durability. However, Dainese knew that because the jacket's rain-proofing comes from the Gore-Tex liner and not the shell, water would collect between the two layers. What's the solution? Simple, they sewed mesh drains into the jacket's bottom edge. Although water drains on a jacket might sound more like a marketing gimmick than a useful design feature, we actually observed water flowing from the drains during a wet-weather ride. In addition, waterproof nylon is used to line the zipper and storm flaps to do battle with a frontal assault. Further contributing to comfort are waterproof cuffs that prevent rain from wicking up the sleeve, and a corduroy-lined collar topped with a strip of soft leather.

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It is loaded with zipper vents, Velcro closures, snap-in Gore-Tex liners, wind flaps, waterproofing flaps and doo-dads galore.

BMW's new Kalahari suit comes close, and it reduces a rider's load of gear considerably. It was designed for the purpose of widening the range of suitable conditions under which a single garment can be worn. It is loaded with zipper vents, Velcro closures, snap-in Gore-Tex liners, wind flaps, waterproofing flaps and doo-dads galore. It also offers some useful crash protection in the form of semi-flexible plastic armor on the spine, elbows, shoulders, hips, and knees.

We subjected the suit (and rider) to a wide range of conditions during a wintertime ride from Los Angeles to Denver. Temperatures ranged from 85 degrees to freezing and included a rain deluge of biblical proportions. With its vented sleeves unzipped the suit was perfectly comfortable in warm conditions, and with a BMW (made by Widder) electric vest and a pair of polypropylene long johns, was sufficiently warm for extended riding at 32 degrees. Below that temperature however, additional protection is required for the arms, as there is no insulation in the jacket sleeves.

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...we can honestly say these are among the most rugged, heavily-armored boots we've ever slipped a foot into.

Enter the Prexport 596 Roadracing Boot. Prexport has been making riding boots for the European market since the early seventies, and for a time was the OEM supplier of boots for AGV's line of street and roadracing gear. Now Prexport is branching out in an attempt to establish its brand name abroad, both to obtain a "market awareness" and to establish distribution agreements for the Italian company.

The 596 line of roadracing boots are Prexport's top-line offering, and we can honestly say these are among the most rugged, heavily-armored boots we've ever slipped a foot into. Obviously they were designed with safety in mind.

Besides standard racing boot features like gear lever strengthening pads and replaceable toe sliders, the 596's feature full-grain leather uppers with shock-absorbing front and rear heavy rubber plates and a special gel-filled pad covering the susceptible ankle bone. Double layers of leather are stitched in at several key areas, and the boots feature a stiff, reinforced toe-box area, a soft fabric lining and a gel-filled soft calf pad at the top rear.

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Triumph has really done its homework creating this jacket - it possesses more useful features than a Swiss Army knife.

Such amenities as a zip-out liner, storm flaps, waist drawstring and elastic belt, Velcro cuffs, hard-foam pads in the elbows, back and shoulders, a high-padded collar, reflective stripes and a whopping 10 pockets give a rider everything he could ask for. Co nstruction is of heavy-duty nylon that wouldn't tear if a pit-bull mauled it.

However, that same heavy-duty nylon means wearing this coat in warm weather required a few tricks: It has no vents to speak of, except for opening the cuffs and unzipping the front, which can also be unzipped from the bottom. Although there is no insulation, with the liner out the shell is air tight and doesn't allow your body heat to escape. Don't put it on until it's time to go riding or else you'll start sweating within moments. On long freeway rides the jacket works exceptionally well, because adjusting the front zipper for adequate airflow allows the rider to be cool when needs be, but in city traffic it gets hot and there's no way around it.

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Dainese has been in the racing business for more than 20 years, although you'd be hard pressed to know it looking at the GP photos of the '70s. There was some fairly inconspicuous lettering along the legs of a few sponsored riders, but nothing that really caught the eye. Suddenly in 1983, a young American began winning GPs, and he carried this giant devil's head logo the width of the back of his leathers. Freddie Spencer and Dainese had made their mark. Since then Dainese has combined unique style and strength into their leather suits, making great progress in the application of body armor to provide protection against crash injury.

Well, now there's a new kid on the block muscling in on the act.

Having since added boots and gloves to their clothing line, Dainese is now moving into helmets with the Ergon series. There are three noteworthy characteristics of the new model: weight, noise and styling. Lack of the first two, plenty of the third.

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King Kenny, Fast Freddie, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, Mick Doohan. These are the people normal riders often wish they could be, even if it's just for a day. In true Walter Mitty fashion, you might have even envisioned yourself being King Kenny wobbling into turn one at Daytona on a fiercely fast Yamaha TZ750, while you're actually just entering the on-ramp that is part of your daily commute. It's only natural to grasp at the stars.

Although this shouldn't be your reasoning when purchasing protective gear, I had to admit it did run through my mind when I saw the Nankai Pro Racing gloves. Nankai is a name familiar to American consumers from watching GP stars on television; they aren't stocked in many local shops around the proverbial corner - Nankai goods have achieved a certain status because they seem exotic and are somewhat rare. Sure, there are several distributors in the States that import Nankai products, but nowhere near the scale of companies like AGV or Dainese.

At first sight, the Nankais definitely live up to their exotic reputation. The leather is smooth and supple, with a very luxurious feel. Intricate patterns and delicate stitching are visually pleasing; the top of the glove has a three-layer design over the back of the knuckles and fingers, with each layer incorporating a different color. Underneath this pattern is subtle padding that promises to save your fragile knuckle bones if you smack your hand in a fall or punch some geek that tries to steal your line. Nankai's logo lives on the cuff, right above an adjustable Velcro wrist strap. The gloves also have an adjustable Velcro closure on the underside of the cuff.

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Any decent helmet will do a good job of head-protection, so the choice of what to buy becomes based in individual preferences in comfort and appearance. Shoei's RF-200 has been been my choice for a number of years, because it sits comfortably on my head, has a ventilation system, and isn't deafeningly noisy. On the downside, the shell of the RF-200 has always seemed a little bulky and heavy, and because the chinstrap location tends to pull the helmet forward, down over my eyebrows, I find myself pushing up on the chin bar every few minutes. It was past time for something new.

My taste in helmets has always been toward basic white or black, so I was a bit skeptical at the lightning-bolts-over-magenta of the test helme

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What do motorcycle riders want from boots? The great value of motorcycle boots is protection. Like a motorcycle jacket, riding boots are designed to protect us from the elements. Wind, rain, temperature and, most importantly, asphalt. That's right, blacktop. Ultimately the greatest benefit of wearing sturdy boots while riding is protecting our feet and ankles while we're sliding.

At first glance, Harley's Lace-up Zipper Boots look like a fairly standard pair of black leather boots. What makes them unique are the massive nine inch YKK zippers running up the insides of each boot. These zippers are a perfect cure for the single biggest headache associated with lace-up boots - getting them on and off. It's also a cure that the Army's airborne troops have been using for at least 50 years. The end of the cold war seems to have finally declassified this technology for civilian use. These boots make perfect commuter-wear. With the zipper, getting in and out of these beauties is a snap.

Although I like the look of traditional engineer boots, the versatility of lace-up boots is hard to beat. Lace-ups are always a custom fit. They can be as snug or as loose as you like. Where a standard engineer or cowboy boot is loose around the ankle, lace-ups are secure and supportive. Is it cold out today? Loosen up the laces and add a pair of wool socks. Try that with a non-lace boot, and you'll soon have a baggy ankle.

What also makes this pair of gorilla boots unique is their exceptional workmanship. The first thing you notice about these boots is how well they are made. The label says they are "handcrafted in Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania" and it shows. The leather is thick, yet soft and supple. The stitching is sturdy and all the seems are double or triple stitched. The tongues are full-thickness leather and are sewn well up the shank to seal out moisture. The heels are taller than I am accustomed to, but should break in with wear.

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In this world, there are two types of riders; those that have been down, and those that are going to go down. Well, road-rash-fearing reader, I am afraid that this idiom is true. If you ride, sooner or later you will fall.

The odds are even worse for motorcycle roadracers. Their probability of contact with the pavement is what originally lead racers to seek out swatches of cow skin to cover their own hides for protection. Despite the advancments of modern synthetic materials, nothing protects like leather.

Recently, the staff of Motorcycle Online seems to need their collective hide covered more often than we would like to admit, so we set off in search of the finest hunk of beef skin we could find. Fortunately we didn't have to go very far from home, and called Z Leathers in Huntington Beach, California.

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...here in America, Bates Leathers has been quietly making some of the best motorcycle boots in the world.

Bates is best known for supplying the high-quality racing leathers that have been worn by "King" Kenny Roberts and Jamie James. Their showroom is a virtual racing museum, with leathers on display that were worn - and crashed - by some of the most famous names in racing. Hard evidence that Bates knows how to make a quality product.

Bates' boots are no exception. The same leather used to make their racing suits goes into the Fast Lane series of boots. Also, since everything Bates makes (out of leather that is - their gloves are made with deerskin and are imported pre-made) is cut, dyed, and hand-stitched at their shop in southern California, getting a perfect match is practically guaranteed. We put a pair of Bates Sport Racer boots to the toughest test of all: Two years of full-time riding in Los Angeles.The Sport Racer boot is one of five different models available from Bates, including one that is made specifically for women. Standard features on the Sport Racer include foam padding over both inner and outer ankles, extra leather pieces sewn on the outside edge of the boot giving extra protection to the outer toes (replaceable toe-sliders are an available option), and another extra layer covering the shifter area. Yes, Brit-bikers, there is one on the right boot as well. The tops of the nearly foot-tall boots are flared to allow leathers to tuck inside, though jeans will still fit over them, no problem. The soles come standard with a heel; that may sound obvious, but they are also available with a wedge-shaped sole that some racers prefer. The soles and heels are both replaceable.

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But research has found otherwise. "After the British Safety Institute commissioned a controlled comparison of body armor," begins T-Pro America's founder Mike Braxton, "it was discovered that foam armor-even when used under a hard plastic shell-does not disperse energy very well. In fact, those two (when used alone) were the poorest types of protection-foam primarily because there is no outer load-spreading shell, and also because foam isn't resistant to puncture wounds. "The shortcoming of common hard-plastic/foam-backed shells is that they are rigid, and when pressed to the limits of a crash, they fail to perform because they do not dissipate energy very well. Instead, they transmit the shock to the opposite side of the impact, which is the body.

Generally, hard plastic will do the job, but when you do press it to the limit, you exceed the capability and you have a the very situation that you desired to avoid in the first place, which is direct transmission of the force of the impact directly to the body." The original T-Pro armor, comprised of a shell made of polyethylene (a temperature- and puncture-resistant plastic) covering multiple densities of foam, provided superior protection in said tests. Polyethylene proved adept at dispersing a load, which is part of its inherent nature, while the foam also acted to absorb and dissipate.

The action is comparable to that resulting from dropping a pebble in a pool-the ripples quickly and evenly spread across the surface. For those who doubt these results, the testing methods employed at Cambridge are easily duplicated at home. The basic procedure was a simple drop test: Raise a known weight to specified heights and drop it onto a piece of armor covering a pliable object, and measure the deformation into the object. "Simply cover a piece of clay with a piece of foam/plastic armor and smack it with a hammer," explains Braxton. "The shape of the hammer's head will be indented into a localized area of the clay, meaning that the armor neither dispersed nor absorbed the impact very well. But perform the same test with T-Pro armor, and the load zone will be spread out and not as deep." If you won't to that, then consider our experiences. We unintentionally impact-tested T-Pro body armor on two occasions, and were uninjured each time. An integrated chest/back protector and a set of System 90 body armor was used on both occasions.

Though T-Pro also sells a safety suit that can be worn under leathers, the armor we used (which covers knees, shins, thighs, hips, elbows, forearms and shoulders) was attached to the inside of our leathers with Velcro. Our shoulder pads meshed nicely with our chest/back protector, and we found that the armor can easily be trimmed to fine-tune the fit. "From the first Cambridge tests," continues Braxton, "we discovered that there were some really high-tech foams that disperse energy very well, so T-Pro incorporated those foams. After the British government declassified a compound composing a type of polymer rubber, T-Pro also incorporated that, with the finished result being the latest Red Line armor. And the latest test, again independently commissioned and performed by Cambridge University, showed this new armor to exceed the previous best test result-a record T-Pro held-by a factor of four. That's four times the protection! And remember that due to T-Pro's pliable nature, we are able to protect significantly more areas of the body."

That ample coverage contributes to the main drawback of T-Pro armor: On a hot day, the armor is terribly hot, especially under the chest/back protector-though our testing was performed without the recommended Cool-Tech undershirt.

Still, being hot is a small price to pay for maximum protection. And besides, body casts get pretty hot, too.

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Harley's Motor Clothes division now produces everything from boots to boxers. And while old die hards may moan that the modern day Harley dealer looks nothing like the dealer of 10 years ago, who says this change is bad?. In fact, for the customers who actually ride Harleys, most of it is good.

Cold weather can really ruin a ride. Take an idyllic fall morning. Not a cloud in the sky and the roads are as dry as two year old firewood. The only problem is that it's cold. Not frostbite inducing cold, but cold enough to sap all the enjoyment out of a ride. A few minutes spent in preparation, dressing in warm layers, can make the difference between a 4 hour cruise though the fall colors or the cold ride from hell. Harley-Davidson's Silk Thermal Wear is a good choice for that all important layer.

Silk underwear is nothing new. It's been around forever and is available in most outdoor recreation stores. Now it's alsoThe first time you put it on it actually feels pretty weird. It's too nice. It almost feels too luxurious for motorcycle apparel. available at your local Harley Dealer, and man is it nice! Just imagine having your body wrapped in silk underneath all the denim and leather. The first time you put it on it actually feels pretty weird. It's too nice. It almost feels too luxurious for motorcycle apparel.

Luxurious or not, as the first layer of clothing, these silk thermals are hard to beat. They are so thin they exhibit none of the bulkiness associated with standard long underwear. The idea with layering is to trap pockets of air between layers to act as insulation. Silk thermals allow you to maximizing the number of layers while minimizing the bulk. Functionally they work like standard long underwear or it's high-tech cousin polypropylene. They'll keep you toasty warm. Silk is not polypro though. It doesn't insulate as well and it doesn't wick water away from your skin. But it is a natural fiber and feels a hell of a lot better than any synthetic fabric. It's the difference between a cotton and a polyester T-shirt. Another benefit to the natural fiber is that it won't "pill." That phenomenon where loose fibers ball up on top of the fabric.

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