textile

Favorite Black Friday Motorcycle Deals for Women

It’s Black Friday Weekend.

So here’s a few of my favorite deals to check out:

Dainese Women’s Closeouts

Suits and boots for your next track day, or extra safe street riding. My current Dainese Torque track boots that I wear everywhere are on closeout too.

Sale prices vary up to 35% Off Retail

Allllllll The Leather……

(Fit Profile: Slim/Straight)

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Revit Tornado 2 Jacket and Pants

Regularly $349.95 (jacket) $359.95 (pants), Now $249.95 (29-31% Off)

Since the Tornado also has a removable liner, it runs a bit looser than the next one. So remember that fit should work with and without liners, but think about how often you’ll wear the liner.

Sizing for Rev’it can also be a little wonky so message me if you need help sizing as Revit doesn’t provide a hip measurement on their size charts. Rev’it pants fit the most generous across almost all Euro brands (Rukka, Alpinestars, Dainese, Revit) that I’ve seen.

(Fit Profile: Hourglass and Pear)

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Revit Arc Air Mesh Jacket

Regularly $249.99 Now $229.99 (10% off)

This weekend only, Revit is up to 15% Off All Regular priced items for men and women.

I’m wearing a Euro 38 because this jacket runs tighter than it’s sister the Airwave (which is also on crazy sale)

The Arc Air is much sportier, tighter in the waist/bust/shoulders everywhere, so I had to size up from a Euro 36 which I normally wear in Rev’it.

This one doesn’t have a liner and has a lot of mesh for max airflow, so you really want to reserve it for hot, hot, hot weather riding.

I bought this one just to wear in the middle of summer, to and from work for my short commute or around town.

(Fit Profile: Hourglass, Lean)

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Olympia Airglide 5 Jacket

Reg. $289.95, Now $169.99 (41% Off)

The Airglide has been in Olympia’s lineup for years, hopefully we’ll see a 6th version come out with some nice updates to design and armor so it reduces the shoulder and elbow profiles for more comfort.

This jacket runs really, really generous so let me know if you need help sizing.

Diane (left) fits well in one with her apple shape.

(Fit Profile: Curvy, Apple)

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Arai DT-X Helmet

Regularly $589-$739, Now $399 (32% off)

This one isn’t for women only, but anyone looking for what I call a Unicorn Intermediate Oval.

For the intermediate oval folks out there who need a little more room from ear to ear than say Shoei, but aren’t necessarily looking for a round oval helmet. Arais are also the most comfortable when you need more room for your cheeks/face but need a tighter oval for the crown of your head.

If you’re not sure what any of this means, then check out the latest episode of my podcast which covers helmet fit tips.

Sidi Vertigo 2 Lei

Rukka Toughtrail GTX Jacket

Regularly $799.99 Now $599.99 (25% off)

Rukka is one of those funky brands that offer a niche product for women. The Toughtrail is an adventure style, multiseason jacket that offers a removable GoreTex rain jacket. So you will have to supply your own warmth. But if you’re looking for a lightweight coat that isn’t necessarily mesh and an optional waterproof/windproof liner for Spring/Summer/Fall riding, this jacket is perfect. As far as fitment, you’ll find a roomy shoulder/chest compared to the Italians (Dainese, Alpinestars, Spidi) and even Rev’it.

There’s also a matching pant to get you fully suited up, which is also 25% off!

(Fit Profile: Hourglass)

As always, I’m here for you if you need more personalized suggestions. Just drop me an email or chat me on social media (@gearchic everywhere) !

Trip Planning for a Multi Day Solo Ride

One of the maps I created from my last solo trip several years ago down to NC

One of the maps I created from my last solo trip several years ago down to NC

I’m going to be riding this week somewhere. Initially I was thinking of going back South, towards the Carolinas, Virginias and Tennessee. I really love the riding down there, so I guess I just am drawn to going back there. I’m open to going North instead, but I don’t honestly know much about the riding in that direction.

Unfortunately the weather this week has hampered my leaving on time because if I don’t absolutely have to, I would rather NOT ride in the rain all day for 2 days. So I will leave as soon as the weather lets up tomorrow, or Tuesday morning if need be.

Someone asked me about my trip planning and what / how I am going to plan for something like this. Well, for me, it’s not going to be too much work, but I will be thinking about the following things.

But I won’t know exactly what I’m doing until I sort out all the people that i want to meet up with first. I know people have lives, so I certainly don’t expect everyone to meet me on my schedule. I will likely play a lot of my day to day destinations by ear.

Me and my friend Tamela meeting up 4 years ago in West Virginia. That was a fantastic trip!

Me and my friend Tamela meeting up 4 years ago in West Virginia. That was a fantastic trip!

Who Do I Want to Visit? Who Wants to Meet Up, and Where?

I’ll be looking a routes and using an online planning tool, Furkot.com. It’s my favorite tool for long distance planning because it takes in to consideration your mileage per day, hours you want to travel, breaks, gas stops and hotel stops. I can also take the route and import it into my iPhone app, InRoute. It’s freaking amazing.

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How Many Points Do I Have for Free Hotel Nights?

(I’m NOT a moto camper, this queen needs a real bed and shower)

Who can say no to free hotel rooms? I have some points with Holiday Inn Express so I will likely route some nights onto those if I’m not staying with a friend. We’ll see.

What’s My Daily Budget?

Of course, doing a trip like this costs money! Hopefully between the free hotel nights and 1 or 2 friend’s couches, I will only have to pay for my food and gas. Not too bad. I’m a huge Waffle House Fan so i will be looking for those as much as possible. :D

Am I the only one who LOVES Waffle House while traveling? #smothered #covered

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What Gear?

For this trip, I’ll have to take my trusty Revit Neptune GTX Suit. It’s a full multiseason suit with two removable liners; one is waterproof and the other one is thermal. So since the temperatures are going to be cooler from the high 40s/low 50s at night to mid 70s in the afternoon, depending how high the elevation is I’ll need something very versatile. I know that it’s going to rain on my way out of Philly and possibly coming back in next Monday. #firstworldproblems

I also will be taking my cool weather, waterproof Rukka Gloves, and my Dainese Torque Out boots. I do have Daytonas for when there’s heavy rain riding but if I’m only going to be in light to moderate rain, I don’t mind my Dainese because they’re water resistant and that’s good enough. The majority of this trip is dry and cool, so I can easily make those work. Daytonas are so bulky and heavy, it’s hard to go back to that kind of touring boot when you wear lightweight sport boots so much .

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I’ll also be wearing my Shoei RF-1200 because I need a quieter helmet, and my Bell is SO LOUD (even with earplugs). It’s also so tight, that for 8 hours a day it’s just too much. That’s really my summer, light riding helmet. I decided not to spend money right now on the Cardo Freecom 4+ headset that I’ve been drooling over. I will probably wait until Summer.

The reason I want to convert is because of the JBL speakers and the jogdial! Oooooohhhh. It has a very low profile, just like my current Sena 10R. But with these two vastly different features, I think it’ll jut be a much better headset overall. And the fact that it’s waterproof is a HUGE bonus.

What Luggage?

With my Triumph, I always use my Kriegas. They’re simply the best traveling luggage for low profile, waterproof, non saddlebag-hanging luggage with maximum volume. For trips like these, I have 40 Liters of packable space which doesn’t include my little Cortech tankbag.

Emergencies?

For emergencies, I’ll have my AAA membership and my AMA membership handy. I’ll also find the closest Triumph dealers and metric line dealers that might be able to help me if I have to get something fixed or serviced. My bike is in pretty good shape, so I don’t anticipate any issues but if I do, these will be my main lifelines.

I’ll carry just a few things might come in handy as far as tools and supplies:

  • Antigravity Microstart Power Supply with me in case I need a jump

  • a tire gauge

  • zip ties

  • folded duct tape

  • folding leatherman

  • allen key tool because pretty much everything on my bike can be tightened/loosended with 4 metric sizes

And that’s it! I can’t prepare for everything, so I’ll do my best and know that I can call for help if I need it. I’m mostly going to stick to paved, highway roads and will let my husband know what I’ll be doing every day so if I’m alone, someone knows where I’m headed.

Fall/Winter Gear Recommendations

Rev'it Pegasus Waterproof Gloves MSRP $129

Rev'it Pegasus Waterproof Gloves MSRP $129

 

If you missed my November newsletter, I sent out a list of winter gear recommendations including jackets, pants, gloves and boots. 

Here's a link to it in case you didn't get a copy!

 

REVIT Flash Sale, This Week Only

Only through TUESDAY, AUGUST 30TH! Select items are 15% off, and I'm talking about new items for Fall like the Outback 2 Ladies Jacket above. 

If you need to get ready for Fall/Spring/Winter, then this is the time. The Outback 2 is in awesome, 3 layer jacket with a removable waterproof liner, and a removable thermal liner. The cut is European fit but not nearly as slim as a Dainese women's jacket.  

Normally priced at $349.99; it's $297.99 for the sale only. And then it's back up to regular price next week. Don't worry, there are other colors like black, black and black if you prefer darker colors. 

The Enterprise ladies pant is a great option to pair with it for $199.99, although it's not on sale (but a great price for a waterproof pant!). Don't worry, this is also available in black. Remember that Rev'it is one of the few brands that offer short, standard and tall sizes for women so check out their size charts and let me know if you need help! Their pants fit true to Revit sizing.