Posts tagged: Dainese
Newsletter, October 2011
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GearChic – October 2011 Newsletter
Jackets for Fall 2011
Need some recommendations for Fall? Here are a few options to consider. These are going to offer the most protection, warmth, features and functionality.
Dainese
This jacket features a removable thermal liner and a D-Dry membrane that’s attached to the outer shell so you don’t have to wear a separate liner to stay dry.
MSRP: $329.95
Colors: Black/light grey/dark grey, black/red/dark grey, black/blue/dark grey/light grey, all black
Sizes: Euro 40 – 54 (~US 2-16)
Cut: 3/4 length, but not as long as other 3/4 cut jackets. I have a short torso and these sit perfectly on my hips. European fit.
Protection: High tenacity polyamide fabric shell, removable elbow and shoulder composite protectors certified to EN 1621.1/97 standard, pocket for back protector, pocket for Ladies Thorax chest protection.
FirstGear
The newest version of the Kilimanjaro is available for pre order at Revzilla. Version 5.0 is on closeout on many websites including Revzilla for less than $200 since a new version is coming. I don’t have any personal experience with this one, but it looks to be a nice update to the previous model.
MSRP: $299.95
Colors: DayGlo/grey, black/grey, silver/grey
Sizes: XS-3XL (~US4 – 16)
Cut: 3/4 length, American fit.
Protection: Hypertex™ waterproof and breathable outer shell made of 400 denier nylon, shoulders and elbows reinforced with 640 denier nylon, Fully adjustable d3O™ T5 CE Armor in the shoulders and elbows delivers the same protection as standard CE foam armor, but is thinner and more flexible, resulting in a more comfortable, flexible fit. EVA dense foam back pad. Jacket- to-pant 10” full conjunction zipper fits easily through liner portal.
I’ve tried on this jacket and the fit is what I would refer to as moderate European. It’s not overly generous in the bust/shoulders/arms, but provides a little more room everywhere from a standard European fit. They were true to size as well. The Monarch has a removable fleece jacket liner with waterproof and windstopper qualities which you can wear as a standalone windbreaker. It also has a built in under-helmet rain hood that will keep the back of your neck warm and dry. Supposedly, it even comes with an LED accessory light that loops on to the back of the jacket? You may want to ask your dealer about that one.
MSRP: $469.95
Colors: Sand/brown, black/grey, green/blue
Sizes: XS-2XL (~US4 – 14)
Cut: 3/4 length
Protection: d3o™ T3 intelligent shock absorption armor in the shoulders and elbows (really light, comfortable, flexible armor), outer shell material is 100% 600 denier nylon, Kevlar® reinforced Teramid® underlay at the crucial first point of contact on the shoulders and elbows, reflective panels in the front.
Olympia Moto Sports
The AST2 is an update to the AST1. They’ve made some modest design changes, including the chest and back vent lengths which were increased for better airflow. The top of the collar was modified to include full neoprene around the circumference. And an extra velcro tab was included at the neck closure to accommodate thicker necks. The liner system remains the same, which features a waterproof shell and removable thermal liner for warmth.
MSRP: $329.99
Colors: Pewter/Black, Neon Yellow/Black
Sizes: XS-3XL
Cut: 3/4 length, roomy shoulders, generous hips with waist adjustment, American fit.
Protection: Outer shell constructed in coated 500 and 2000 denier CORDURA® fabric, removable CE motion armor at elbows, shoulders, removable CE approved Motion Flex back protector.
REV’IT
Brand new for Fall 2011, the Legacy offers unique features that no other women’s textile motorcycle jacket has to offer including an outer shell made of 1000D Cordura Ripstop. Not only is it 1,000 Denier, but the Ripstop means that if the jacket starts to tear, it won’t rip top to bottom, like ordinary fabrics. It’ll rip in zigzag fashion, to make the tearing stop. This material was added to the Defender GTX and Legacy GTX for men, and now it’s available for the ladies! They also offer an equally impressive riding pant for the ideal adventure touring outfit.
MSRP: $569.99
Colors: Black, black/silver (pic)
Sizes: 34-48 (~US 2-14)
Cut: 3/4 length, European fit.
Protection: Prolife ladies CE elbow and shoulder armor, CE prepared for Knox® Advance X CE back protector, 1000D Cordura ribstop, PWR shell 750D, laminated reflection.
The Ventura Jacket offers a slightly different and features than the Legacy GTX. It has a little more room in the bust and the torso. It’s fairly curvy figure friendly, with a slight flair at the hips. It features two removable liners, one thermal and one waterproof. The collar is also removable which then gives the jacket a flat collar for warmer weather (far right pic). If you’ve tried on the Tornado, the fit is very similar but with more room at the bust.
MSRP: $449.99
Colors: Black, silver/black, silver/blue
Sizes: Euro 34-46 (~US 2 – 12)
Cut: 3/4 length
Protection: PWR|shell 500D, Dynax mesh, PWR|shell 500D stretch, Lorica®, ProLife® ladies CE protection at shoulders and elbows, fully perforated EVA foam at back, laminate reflection at shoulders and back.
Spidi
MSRP: $399.95
Colors: Black, Grey/Black and Ice
Sizes: XS – XL (I’m a medium, and I’m a US 4-6/Dainese 42-44/REV’IT 38)
Cut: 3/4 length, narrowish through the body. Although a medium fits me pretty well in the shoulders/chest/arms, it’s a little too narrow through the body (too much turkey this thanksgiving) and as a result it rides a little high up on my neck. If I were a little narrower in the torso, then I think the jacket would relax a bit and fall naturally downward, instead of pushing up at the collar. I highly recommend this for anyone with a longer torso, looking for a longer fitting jacket.
Protection: Shell is made of Tenax Flex Fabric; Polyamide-derived, abrasion resistant. Also treated with a 10% elastomer, making it stretchable and fitted. Includes CE armor in the shoulders and elbows, with a pocket for an optional back protector.
Ride Review on Asphalt & Rubber
Photo Courtesy of: Riles & Nelson
Check out this scooter review I wrote for Asphalt & Rubber on the 2012 Yamaha Zuma 50F Scooter. You know you want one!
Big thanks to Dainese and the D-Store San Francisco for providing the G.Alice Tex Jacket and Drake Air Textile Pants. My Shoei Qwest Goddess helmet, AlpineStars Stella Tyla gloves and Gaerne Rose boots were provided by GearChic.
I’ll be collaborating a bit more with my friends at A&R in the coming months, so stay tuned. 
1 Piece Leather Women’s Motorcycle Suits
It can be extremely difficult to find an off the rack 2 piece leather suit that fits, let alone a 1 piece.
Most dealers can’t afford to stock a full size run of women’s suits, so it’s even harder for them to justify stocking full size runs. It’s a catch 22, how do we buy more of them when there’s not enough to try on in some dealerships?
But I know you’re out there. I’ve compiled a list of off the rack Women’s race suits that are currently on the market, from some of my favorite manufacturers who continue to devote full lines of protective gear for women. I’ve listed these in alphabetical order, by brand.
Dainese, AlpineStars and GiMoto all offer 2 piece leather suits that will zip together to create a 1 piece but I’m excluding them from this list. If you want to know what 2 piece options exist, just visit the manufacturer website.
I guess my next bit of homework is to make a list of 2 piece leather recommendations….
If I missed any suits, Please post a comment and let us know what you have and where you bought it!
Arlen Ness
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, visit Arlen Ness at their headquarters in Dublin.
2009 The Lady
MSRP $899.95
Colors: Black/Silver
ArlenNess.com
2010 Women’s
MSRP $899.95
Colors: Black/Silver
ArlenNess.com
AlpineStars
Stella Julie
MSRP $799
Colors: Black
Revzilla.com
The darker black areas are stretchy panels. A friend of mine has this suit and something that she didn’t expect is the freedom of movement um, down around the groin. The panels that appear darker black in the photo above are stretchy. So when you’re wearing the suit, the lower half doesn’t feel as restricted as in a regular pair of leather pants. If you’re riding a sportbike, I can see how this would help make the suit feel more comfortable, particularly during a track day.
Dainese
Tattoo
MSRP $1,199
Perforated
Colors: White and Black
Revzilla.com
Dominia
MSRP $1,199
Colors: White or Black
Revzilla.com
Gimoto
MotoStrano is the exclusive distributor of Gimoto, an Italian manufacturer. You can get a fully customize version of any of their suits or order a fully custom suit. Contact them for details.
Lady Leather
$1650 (+$100 customized)
Colors: White/Black, Black/White, White/Pink, Black/Red
Motostrano.com
Lady GP Suit
$1700.00
RS Taichi
Blast Viper EVO
$1499
Colors: White with Black/Grey accents
Perforated
Sedici
Misano
MSRP $399.99
Colors: Black/Black/Silver or White/Black/Silver
Cyclegear.com
Sedici is Cycle Gear’s house brand, so you can only find it on their website. This is the most affordably price 1 piece for women that I could find.
Spidi
Lizard Wind Pro
MSRP $1,199.95
Colors: White/Black, Black, Blue
Kneedragger.com
City Bike. August 2011.
Go get your copy today! I don’t think I make a very good cover girl, but my girlfriends sure do.
If you don’t know where to find it, click here. I wrote up a Leather Gear Guide for the San Francisco Bay Area, so check it out.
