New Gear for Spring/Summer 2018 from REV'IT

There are so many new products for us this Spring, I'm going to keep this limited to my top 4 favorites. 

If you follow my Instagram feed, you know I practically live in my Gear 2 Leather Pants almost year round. As long as it isn't below 60F, I'll pretty much live in them because they're so comfortable. 

This Spring, Rev'it is updating the Gear 2 with a new name but basically the same pant with a couple nice armor upgrades. 

The new Ignition 3 Pants (right) is pretty much the same pant as it's predecessor, the Gear 2's but with upgraded Level 2 Seeflex Knee Armor and Seesmart Level 1 Hips. Unfortunately this also means a price upgrade to $429 for the pants (previously $399). But worth $29 extra in my opinion for softer and more protective armor. 

The matching Ignition 3 Jacket is pretty much the same as the 2 with the same armor upgrades for elbows and shoulders for $30 more:

Another new pant for us is the Varenne. 

The Varenne is a ladies version of the popular Axis Unisex Waterproof Overpants which are now discontinued. 

These feature full hip to knee full length, two way zippers on each leg for those of you looking for easy commute wear.

Instead of riding in your skinny jeans, tights, shorts, chinos, and anything else that's not worthy of abrasion, check out these overpants. 

They're waterproof all the time and offer Seesoft Level 2 Knees and soft Seesmart Level 1 Hip protectors.  

They're simple, black and easy to wear and less than $200. And as always, available in (some) short and tall sizes for women (and the mens versions too). 

There are quite a few new additions to the rider looking for modern classic leather jackets.

Three new jackets; the Clare, Rosa and Erin offer slightly different leathers, styles and colors. I want to see someone in that gorgeous red Clare.  

Softer Seesoft Level 1 armor is included (except the back) to make them even more comfortable while riding.   

I think this Spring is going to be awfully cool and protected.... 

Clare - Dark Brown

Clare - Red

Clare - Black

Rosa - Black

Erin - Black

Stay tuned for a review of my Rev'it Neptune GoreTex Suit !

Cover Your Assets West Coast Tour

Worse for Wear Announces West Coast “Cover Your Assets” Tour
Richmond, Virginia-based motorcycle clothing brand Worse for Wear teams up with Stellar Moto Brand for a two week pop-up tour through California, Oregon, and Washington.

November 16, 2017 | Richmond, Virginia - Laura Smith and Jenna Stellar, founders of Worse for Wear and Stellar Moto Brand, have announced West Coast tour dates to showcase their popular collections of motorcycle riding gear for women in time for the holidays. From Worse for Wear’s custom-sized and fitted protective riding jeans to Stellar’s Los Angeles-inspired fashion-forward protective apparel, these collections are specifically designed for and by women riders. Both founders will be on-hand at each event to help attendees get geared up and “cover your assets”.

Starting December 1st, Laura and Jenna will host a series of “One Night Stands” starting in San Diego, California. This unique two-week event will give women riders an opportunity to try on some of the best women’s motorcycle gear on the market. Best of all—both independent brands are proudly made in the U.S.A. Event dates are below.

December 1: San Diego, CA at Cerberus Moto
December 2: Newport Beach, CA at Ducati Newport Beach
December 4: Castro Valley, CA at Cornerstone Coffee & Brewing
December 5: San Francisco, CA at Thee Parkside
December 6: Sacramento, CA at Vintage Monkey
December 8: Portland, OR at 2 Stroke Coffee Company
December 9: Seattle, WA at The Wick Motorcycles & Coffee
December 13: Los Angeles, CA at Goldmine

“Stellar Moto Brand was born from a desire for real protective moto wear that looks good on and off the bike and actually provides protection for the rider. Our apparel is a blend of space-age tech and old-school cool that meets the needs of the modern motorcyclist,” -Jenna Stellar, founder of Stellar Moto Brand.

With this pop-up tour, Laura and Jenna are hoping to reach a wide variety of women riders up and down the West Coast who are looking for fashionable, yet protective women’s motorcycle gear that they just can’t find anywhere else.

“One of the biggest challenges women riders face is finding real riding gear to try in person and getting properly fitted. Laura and Jenna are not only providing options to them, but showing them what’s happening in the world of motorcycle gear for women. Made for women riders, by women riders.” - Joanne Donn, founder of GearChic.com

“I started this brand in 2015 with the idea that every woman of every shape and size deserves protective riding gear that fits and looks good, every time I see the smile that lights up a woman’s face when she tries on a pair of our jeans, I know I’ve done the right thing.” - Laura Smith, coFounder of Worse for Wear

About Worse for Wear
Worse for Wear is a women-owned, locally-made motorcycle brand based in Richmond, Virginia. Their flagship Crosstown riding jeans are fully customizable and specifically designed for women riders. Worse for Wear strives to offer protective jeans with the perfect fit for every woman’s body, making them the ultimate choice in both protection, fit, and fashion. View the entire collection at worsewear.com or visit them on Facebook.

About Stellar Moto Brand
Style meets protection at Stellar Moto Brand. As a brand that’s hell-bent on getting motorcycle culture to gear up with technical apparel that won’t assault the eyes, Stellar focuses on style-conscious individuals who seek both protection and fashion. View the entire collection for men and women at stellarmotobrand.com or visit them on Facebook.

For more information about the Cover Your Assets tour, contact Laura Smith at laura@worsewear.com or by calling (804) 433-3855.

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Laura Smith

Co-Founder, Worse for Wear

Motorcycle Apparel for Women

+1-804-433-3855

worsewear.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Women's Leather Motorcycle Jackets in White

So you're shopping for a sexy leather jacket. But you HAVE to have a white one. I know you're out there, even though there aren't many of you. White isn't as common, although I have found that riding in my white leather jacket in 90+ degree temps that it works *really* well. There may not be 10 to choose from, but here are a the ones that you should check out!

Most of these are certainly more on the sporty side. But remember, you can wear *anything* you want on *any* kind of motorcycle you want. It doesn't matter. It comes down to what's comfortable for you, what works best for your riding lifestyle and overall comfort on the bike in riding position.

Dainese - Laguna Evo Perforated 

MSRP $499.95. Sizes 40-54 (~US 2 - 16). What's really fantastic about this jacket is that it comes in a Non-Perforated version! It's exactly the same, but without perforations for cooler weather. There aren't any other brands in my list that offer 2 versions of the same jacket. I also love that it comes with a removable, full sleeve thermal liner (in both versions). So you can push it to Fall (East Coast), or year round riding (West Coast).  The fit is fantastic, a nice hourglass shape that looks beautiful on everyone. *If* I needed another leather jacket, this would be near the top of my list.

Dainese - Racing 

MSRP $599.95. Sizes 40-52 (~US 2 - 14). I LOVE this jacket. If only I *needed* another one. She's definitely #1 at the top of my list. Something about this jacket when you put it on makes you feel SO fast (and hot!). It's probably the best women's leather jacket on the market right now, fully ready for the track with the titanium sliders on the shoulders and aggressive race fit. The sleeves run a bit long and the length is a longer as well. I can actually fit a size down in this to a 40. I'm normally a 42.

Rev'it - Galactic

MSRP $499.95. Sizes 34-46 (~US 2 - 14). Read my review of the Galactic including features, fit and what it has to offer for summer riding. It's my all around summer jacket, I love it and you will too!

Rev'it - Xena

MSRP $449.99. Sizes 34-44. The Xena is Rev'it's sporty leather jacket for women. The fit is a nice hourglass shape, not too long and not too short. It has a few perforations here and there, and it has a fantastic matching pant. The only downside is the pant is also white with Kawi green. (Sorry Honda, Aprilia and Ducati gals!) This outfit in a 38 (top and bottom) fit me perfectly. I'm normally 36 in Rev'it but this outfit is running a bit narrower than usual.  Of course, I really love this one too and would love to have it in my closet as well. But the husband will kill me....

 

Alpinestars Stella GP Plus 

MSRP $499.95. Sizes Euro 46-50 (~US 12-16). I like the flat collar the aggressive cut. It fits really well if you have an average  - short torso. I love the fit, not too long and not too short. Very light for summer riding. It has a few perforations but it isn't heavily perforated. The stretch panels help with breathability but it'll definitely be toasty in really hot summer temperatures. I fit perfectly into a Euro 40. Unfortunately the matching bottoms aren't white.

Roland Sands Design - Maven

MSRP $580, Sizes S-3XL. The Maven isn't flat white, but it's cream. Quite lovely in person, really. The Maven is great if you're looking for a casual, cafe style jacket that you can fully armor out. The fit is a bit tough in the bust, so if you need a bit more room there I would order up a size. This one also comes in 3 other colors including Oxblood red.

Riding a Suzuki SV650 v. the SV650S

After spending a few months on my new ride, I thought I would share my experiences riding almost the same bike.  This is my second SV and my fifth motorcycle since I started riding bikes in 2004. My previous S model was with me for 4 years before I sold it last Christmas before moving to Philadelphia. The main reason I bought that one was because I hated the Kawasaki z750s I had at that time. I made the mistake of buying it because it looked cute and I did very little research on it. As a result, I only rode it 6,000 miles in 3 years! Sad. Before I tell you some of these differences, I think it's important that you know where I was coming from before I bought my first SV.

Once I found the S model, I was in love. Definitely love at first sight, and first ride.

So that brings me to what made the S model so awesome. Here are a list of features that I noticed and right off the bat and learned to love:

• Falls easily into corners, with very little input
• Much lower center of gravity; the fuel tank felt like it was under me not in front of me
• Responsive to my lower body's input; when I used my legs and feet to lean into the corner the bike responded quickly and easily.
• Figured out how to use my body position to lean into the corners
• Almost 2" shorter seat height! I can barely remember how I rode that thing.
• 50lbs lighter

Toward the end of our relationship, I grew to hate the aggressive riding position because I enjoyed taking long rides (150+ miles) and long trips (1,000+ miles). This bike was killing me at the end, although I thought heavily about putting risers on it I simply never got around to it. In hindsight, I should've sold it for the other version.

Which brings me to the differences I've noticed about the non S model.

• Steering input; feels different but just as easy to fall into a corner with. I can't quite say if it's better or worse, it's just different.

• More comfortable; if I hadn't almost ruined my back on my last trip with the S version, I would've gotten another one. I'm really loving the almost upright riding position. Of course the seat is still stock, so still massively uncomfortable after 30-40 minutes but we'll (and hubby's speed triple) be refoaming our seats very soon.

• Stiffer front end; I think because there isn't a windscreen and large fairing up front that it's lighter, so the front doesn't feel as soft. I feel like the front isn't as 'bouncy' when I come to a stop. Whereas the rear is definitely stiffer and I need to drop the preload and then at some point, get a shock that's a bit softer. Even with the awesome Pilot Power tires I have, my weight doesn't compress the rear shock enough to give me stability in corners. If I throttle too hard then the rear end slides a bit.

• No windscreen; Oy. Riding into the wind at highway speeds is definitely more work. I definitely need a small windscreen of some kind, hoping that I can find a Puig that will work and not look too awkward.

• More seat space; since the toolkit is stored in a different spot so that means I can shove my rain liners and a pair of gloves under the seat. YES!

• Torque; I have a Delkevic shorty exhaust and it's Loud. It has a low rumble, which I appreciate so hopefully I'm not pissing off any of my neighbors. They say some aftermarket exhausts add a little power. I really can't tell if it's the noise that's creating the illusion of more power.

Everything else is the same; gas mileage (although the fuel light blinks now, instead of just staying on), seat height, weight, overall performance.

Overall, I would recommend the non S version, because it's a much more comfortable bike to ride vs. the S. You're more upright and almost in a supermoto-ish riding position. Feet are right beneath you and it feels natural and easy.