If you're in the market for a (womens) motorcycle jacket, please email me using the contact button on this page, or simply to joanne at gearchic dot com. I have a couple of great items in my closet that could use a good home!
Motorcycle Gear for Summer
In my last episode of The Pace and in a recent reader email, I made some suggestions for summer gear options for my fellow women riders. (Of course, these outfits all come in men's versions).
Dainese
G-Air-Frame Tex Jacket
MSRP: $269.95
Where to Buy: Revzilla.com, DStores Orange County, San Francisco or Chicago. (be sure to call for availability)
The Air Frame has a removable windproof liner and a 3/4 connection zipper to wear with any Dainese pants (unfortunately you can't zip a Dainese jacket or pant to any other brands). The fit is more on the long and lean side, so I'd recommend this fit for gals with a longer torso. The shoulders are not too narrow and not too broad.
They also have the Air Flux at $199.95, which is a little less expensive because it doesn't offer the removable liner or connection zipper. That would be a good alternative as well.
Drake Air Textile Pants
MSRP: $259.95
Where to Buy: Revzilla.com, DStores Orange County, San Francisco or Chicago. (be sure to call for availability)
The Drakes are the most fitted, ventilated riding pant I've ever tried on or seen. Dainese makes all of their pants with tha 'skinny jean' shape. Instead of a boot cut leg style, they have a more tapered fit. You can still wear them over your boots, but they can also be worn inside your boots if you have plenty of calf adjustment since the knee armor also has a shin guard. If you're looking for a really lean fit in riding pants and want to find something to wear as close to the fit of your jeans as possible, you'll love the Drakes. I wear a 42 in these and I'm a size 4 in jeans. The length is perfect. The rise in the waist is rather low, so if you have hips you may find them to be too short in the waist.
Olympia
Switchback Jacket
MSRP: $229.99
Where to Buy: Revzilla.com
The Switchback is a lighter version of the Airglide. It has a removable waterproof/windproof liner that isn't insulated. The fit and sizing is great for curvier body types and comes in hi viz! More generous in the shoulders, arms, waist and bust. The length is a bit shorter so it's better if you have a shorter torso.
Airglide Pants
MSRP: $229.99
Where to Buy: Revzilla.com
The Airglides are an overpant, with full hip to toe zippers. I've mentioned them a few times before, as they're a well ventilated pant made of Cordura. The fit is generous in the hips and thighs and is perfect for a curvy body type. The knee armor is adjustable and removable too. With the large mesh panels on across the thighs, I've seen many women wear a full size smaller in these vs. their winter counterpart, the Pros.
REV'IT
Airwave Jacket and Pants
MSRP: $199.99/Jacket, $189.99/Pants
Where to Buy: Revzilla.com
The Airwave offers plenty of ventilation in a lightweight jacket that doesn't have a removable liner. The fit is much like the Tornado, and has a great all around fit for almost all body types. The pants also feature a full inner leg zipper which make it easy to wear shorts underneath and get to wear you're going . (The Tornados feature a removable waterproof, thermal liner and are for year round riding, whereas these are strictly for summer).
Mesh Women's Motorcycle Gear for Hot Summer Riding
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!
REV'IT Ignition Jacket and Gear Pants
[gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="2"]
I went out riding on Sunday and who knew that Victoria would show up wearing her Ignition and Gear outfit. I had to take the opportunity to get a photo together, showing the new vs. old versions.
As you can see, I'm on the left, wearing the new version and Victoria is wearing the old. They both look great, don't they? But you can see some subtle differences between both pieces. They've decreased the textile panels on the front of the pants and changed some of the styling on the jacket.
My review is coming of both pieces, so stay tuned!
