Lorica is synthetic leather. Manmade, and completely artificial! 

“Lorica is a hi-tech material created from a remarkable combination of extremely thin microfibres.  This interlacement of microfibers, soaked in special resins, has a microporous structure which is very similar to the collagen of natural skin.  This gives Lorica excellent softness, durability and breathability.” -Sidi Care Brochure

Sidi, like many other brands such as Alpinestars and Dainese are incorporating Lorica in their street and race motorcycle boots.  You can’t really tell the difference, as they look and feel just like boots made of cowhide. I would never know the difference just by looking. 

For some reason, I thought that Lorica wouldn’t stretch out as much as cowhide, but it seems the opposite is true. 

In reviewing the Fusions, I found that they stretched out quite a bit. I’m looking forward to breaking in a new pair of Vertigo Leis, to see how much they give and perform, especially under hotter riding conditions. 

After having to send back the beloved Fusion Leis, I was thrilled to find out that I would get to review a pair of Vertigo Leis as well. So far, they fit a little wider at the ankles and aren’t as skinny below the toeshifter.

A few differences between these and the Fusions: 

• Stronger shock absorbing heel cup
• Sidi’s Tecno VR calf adjustment system for a fully adjustable calf fit. (great for going between textiles and leathers)

First impressions to come after about 200 miles this weekend.  

Is this the most comfortable motorcycle helmet? For me, YES! 

For me, and my small, intermediate oval head (XS, 53-54cm), the Arai Vector-2 is a perfect fit. It cradles my head so perfectly and feels like it was made just for me.   I chose Diamond White, which is a pearlescent white with little sparkly specs when it’s in the light. 

The Vector was designed for someone who’s head is longer from front to back vs. side to side. If you aren’t sure where to start, you should measure your head (see helmet fitment guide link below) and start from there. Figure out which way your head is longer, side to side or front to back. 

When searching for  a helmet, especially your first one ever, I know how difficult it can be to find something that fits well and falls within your budget. That’s the #1 complaint I hear about helmets is how expensive they are. But isn’t protecting your head/brain worth that investment? 

Think about something you spent $400-$500 on recently. Was it a fancy kitchen appliance? Fancy speakers? A new chair or a computer? Why is it so easy for us to drop money on superficial items, but when it comes to our delicate heads, the idea of spending a few hundred dollars is simply ridiculous?  You don’t have to spend more on an Arai, but consider spending a little more than the bare minimum. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to helmets.

After sporting the Shoei Qwest for a year and a half now, I’m excited to wear an Arai again. When I first started riding, I remember trying on an Arai Quantum and knowing that it was the perfect helmet for me. But I just couldn’t bring myself to spend the extra $ on my first helmet so I settled for something less expensive yet Snell certified.  I knew that I was an Arai girl and I still am. Woop!

Useful Links:

Helmet Sizing

Helmet Fitment Guide

For Sale, Used pair of Gaerne Rose Womens Motorcycle Boots.

MSRP Price: $175.00

Features: Waterproof/breathable membrane, reinforced at the ankles, toes, shins and heel cup, grippy durable soles, reflective strips on the heels 

Used Price: $100 + shipping (These currently live in San Francisco and can be shipped for $11 via UPS Ground, or more if you want to pony up or overnight/express) Paypal accepted.

Why am I selling them?: I simply don’t need these boots. There’s nothing wrong with them, however, and I would consider wearing them if I didn’t have my Daytonas. I already have a pair of backup Daytonas, so I really don’t need these! 

Size/ Fit: Euro 38 / 7.5-8.  (I had to go up a size from my normal Euro 37 in these, because they are very narrow at the arch and ankles. I simply couldn’t get my foot in the boot in the 37. I typically wear a 6.5 or 7, depending on the shoe. If you are normally a Euro 37 or a 6.5/7 like me, these will fit you.  I have average width feet and my calves measure a whopping 14.75″ at the largest part.  

Are they broken in?  I’ve worn them maybe a dozen times to break them in. They’re like new and really comfortable. You can check out all the specs on Gaerne’s website. I’ve had them since last September and have worn them sparingly since I typically rely on my Ladystars. The heel height is pretty good on these, adding a good 1.5″ to the heel.

Are they comfortable? They’re very light, and comfortable enough to walk in all day. 

What else should I know? If you don’t wear a long sock that goes over your calves, then the seam on the inside of the boot may irritate/scratch your calf. For this reason, I recommend a calf size of no more than 14.5″ so that there’s room for a nice long sock.  

One issue is that since the zipper is full length, there’s no adjustability for calf fit. You’ll have to wear your riding pants over the boot.  They also have a breathable, waterproof membrane.  

This email just came in from Bill K.:

Motorcycle Glove fitment by brand question…. I have fat hands with short fingers. My last two purchases of higher quality gloves went poorly. I got some alpinestars based on finger length, and they were so tight around the palm the actually burst a seam. So I got a set of Lee Parks gloves ($ouch) based on girth around the knuckles (where they fit perfectly), and they are too long for my fingers. I’m hoping after a few good rain rides, they will shrink shorter to fit, but who knows…can you recommend a brand that caters to the “fat hands and short fingers” market?

Actually, I have found a few brands to fit wider hands and shorter fingers.  My favorite quality glove with this kind of fit and shape is Held. (http://www.heldusa.com) 

And the fit is not as narrow in the wrists/palms as other brands that I’ve seen (for men and women).  For an all around glove, I’d recommend the Steve Classic:

Not only does it start in a size 6 (perfect for teeny tiny, XS hands. I’m a 6.5/7) but you can order this glove in short or long sizes! I havent’ seen any other gloves on the market that offer this option. 

If you want a glove with more protection, Held has a great line of sport gloves with stronger gauntlets and more armor too. Unfortunately those aren’t offered in short/long. 

Also check out Olympia Gloves (which is different from the Olympia Motosports Apparel line).  

 The Kangaroo Curve is a slightly shorter, but well ventilated glove for summer: 

They have over 80 types of motorcycle gloves, so hopefully they offer something that you need!

And I almost forgot,  2 more brands to consider, Cortech and Tourmaster. They tend to have a wider stance in the palms and shorter fingers. 

The Press Enterprise – May 7, 2012. “(CHP Says) Woman’s helmet a factor in motorcycle death.”

http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/hemet/hemet-headlines-index/20120507-san-jacinto-woman-killed-in-hwy-79-crash.ece

“I’m just a passenger.”

If I hear this statement one more time, I’m going to cry. However, every passenger I’ve ever spoken to says this exact same thing.

No, you aren’t just anything. You are a rider too. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the backseat. You are up against all the same obstacles as the driver (cars, other riders, deer, etc). Why should your level of safety be any less important?

The next time you hear someone say this, or if you are the one who says it, please think of Suzanne in the story above and GEAR UP. You need a full face helmet, gloves, a jacket, pants and boots too. And no, you don’t have to spend a couple thousand dollars on full race leathers. But you do need protective gear that will save your head from serious injury. A jacket, full face helmet, gloves, boots and pants. 

If you were the driver, wouldn’t you feel responsible for your passenger’s injuries or worse, their death, if you were in an accident?

A passenger’s choice to not wear gear is his/her own, yes. But you are the driver and you choose who gets on and who gets off. And that trumps any passenger’s choice.  

My friend Tyler, the President of the Dangerous Curves Motorcycle Club is working with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to raise awareness about this event to help save lives.

They’re in need of motorcyclists who are willing to participate by becoming a part of the Motorcycle Safety Crew that night.  Motorcyclists will ensure walkers safety at intersections, along the route and more. 

To find out more details regarding what’s involved to become a team member, contact:  

Joe Polizzi, crew coordinator, (415) 926-7778
joe.polizzi@theovernight.org.

If I weren’t going to be away that weekend, I would absolutely participate. 

Link to Ad on CL:  http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tfr/2990593596.html

I love reader emails. The questions are always great and I know everyone can benefit from some free advice.  My latest email is about summer mesh/textile riding options.

Here’s a recent email from Nataly in Chicago:

First off, I think your website is great. (Thanks!!)

I started riding about two years ago and the same summer I learned how to ride I purchased my baby, an ’09 Yamaha V-Star 650. As of now, a helmet is pretty much all the gear I use but I think more safety gear is probably a good idea. I am 21, 5’4″ and 125lbs. Most of the riding I do is commute which includes to work and school. I don’t really want to be walking around campus in motorcycle boots and jacket.

I am looking for something more casual as well as light weight for Chicago’s hot and humid summers. Being a college student I don’t have a very big budget to work with so I thought I’d ask someone more knowledgeable. I’m hoping you can lead me in the right direction. 

Right back at you, Nataly. Your attitude is great and I’m so happy you’ve decided to make the investment. 

So Nataly, your biggest challenge is not only the hot, humid Chicago weather but lack of secure storage on your motorcycle. I’m not worried about you going to work since you have a place to change and you probably don’t have to wear your gear all day while working. But I am worried about commuting to school without any kind of locker or place to stash gear.  

Since your commute is local, I’d recommend first getting knee guards to wear over your jeans if you aren’t considering overpants or textile meshed riding pants:  

I would highly recommend going over to the D-Store Chicago.  They will have a large selection of women’s gear, especially mesh/textiles for Chicago summer weather for you to try on in your size. I would go there first and if you can’t find anything you like, then I would consider some of the options below. But since they have a lot to try on in person, that would be my first recommendation to consider.

Otherwise, you could do a lightweight overpant like these Airwaves: 

REV’IT Airwave Pants $189

What I also like about these are the zippers all the way from hip to toe so you can easily wear them over shorts or jeans and then take them off and roll them up in your softbag. 

Here are some other jacket ideas for you too, under $200. All of them offer elbow and shoulder armor (which you need at a minimum) and lots of ventilation / air flow. They certainly come in other colors too, and I’d order the smallest possible size in each.

Alpinestars Rebel Air Flow $179

Don’t worry, it comes in black and red if you’re not a camo girl! 

REV’IT Airwave $199

(click here to find a dealer in your zip code for Revit).

Taichi Sport Mesh $129.95 

Unfortunately you would have to mail order this one from TaichiMoto.com.  

As far as boots, I’m going to recommend boots with a GORE-TEX liner, because they will have the Most breathability. Something that will also help greatly with this are athletic socks that breathe and wick moisture away (running socks are fantastic).  

Check out my boot recommendations post from a couple weeks ago. These are all really comfortable (great for walking all day) and lightweight.  All of the ones before the “Need More Protection” section would be ideal. 

I also hope you will consider Gloves. You can easily find some perforated, short leather gloves in time for summer.

Here’s an idea of what to look for:

RS Taichi Armed Leather Mesh $69

(The size “Ladies” is an XS.) All mesh on top but sueded leather on the palms. It’s not as strong as a standard leather palm like these,  but should hold up in any kind of slow speed accident.  They’re well ventilated, so if your hands start to sweat, they will definitely let the air flow through. The last thing you want is your hands meeting hot pavement!

I’m sure the Dainese store will have shorty women’s vented gloves for you to check out too.

I hope that helps for now, please let me know when you find something!

Mmm boots. Looking for a sturdy, all around street boot? Check out my latest review of the lovely Fusion Leis.