New Motorcycle Helmet Line Introduced

Kabuto Helmets USA recently announced that they will be entering the US motorcycle apparel market with models that have been extremely popular in Japan, where the manufacturer is based.

It's always nice to have choices, and these offer additional options in a broad price range between ~$140 and $500. They will also meet or exceed the DOT and Snell Standards.

I wonder what shape/fit they offer. I've yet to see one in person, but based on how the Japanese manufacturer motorcycle apparel, I hope that Kabuto will be another high quality, high value product.

Read more about the 4 models and what they have to offer here, including technical specifications.

Kabuto will be distributed through WPS, Inc.

What's new at the Dainese Store?

(photo courtesy of Chess Gambit, Motoperture)

Don't you wish you could find a sexy motorcycle jacket that's safe, stylish and fits real women? And on sale?

The Dainese Store San Francisco is having a huge clearance sale right now. Here's a really great jacket if you're looking. Their price is also lower than many websites.

SF Lady Leather Jacket

Sizes: 42-44, 48-50 (per their website)
Reg. $559.95, SALE $392

The photo above is my gorgeous friend, Mandy, wearing her SF Lady. As you can see, Mandy has real curves and is a real woman. The epitome of my tagline; Real Curves, Real Women, Real Gear. (She also knows how to tear up the twisties!).

You're probably wondering what size her jacket is and what size she normally wears in casual jackets. She is wearing a Euro 46 and typically wears a US 12. Hopefully that gives you a sense of how Dainese designs gear so that the proportions are right where they need to be, even if you're not a size 0!

I highly recommend the SF Lady if you're looking for a really great all around jacket for cool/mild weather. Note that it doesn't feature a removable thermal liner, but since it has no perforation or vents, it should be fairly warm.

Sadly the following items are not on sale, I just wanted to share them with you.

Dainese G. Zima GORE-TEX

$499.95 (buy at the Dainese store or online at Revzilla)

Full Specifications Here.
Sizes: Euro 38-50 (wow! they're offering this up to 50. That's about a US 16).
Colors: All black and black/gray option shown below. On Dainese's website they have other colors listed, but it appears that these are the only ones available to purchase right now. 

You may have read my earlier review about REV'IT discontinuing the only GTX outfit for women they've ever offered. :supersadface Thankfully, Dainese is still committed to this effort. By providing one of the few options for women's jackets that offer a fully integrated (meaning, it's non removable and attached to the outer shell so you don't need to insert the liner to stay dry) GTX liner, they continue to stay invested in the women's gear market. I for one, am very very happy to see this jacket in their lineup.

If there's one thing that Europeans do well, it's fitting a woman's body. And motorcycle gear is no different. They really understand proportions and fit. I'm not a pencil shape, so to speak. I have a short, wider torso for my height (5'3") and this fit so perfectly. The material they use on the outer shell for this is called Mugello fabric. It's very forgiving. I could see the fabric allowing for a little extra comfort in the shoulders and across the back.  Goofy photos of me wearing it:

The materials, fitment and overall functionality of the jacket contribute to why it's such a high pricepoint. If you put it on, you'll also notice just how well it fits. Comfortable, functional, safe and a nice design.

 

An added bonus for buying any D-Dry or GORE-TEX waterproof jacket from Dainese (at participating retailers) is that they will give you a FREE back protector! Now through November 17, 2013. Program Details: http://bit.ly/14zuRmT

Dainese Ixia Boots

$249.95 (buy at Dainese Store or online at Revzilla)

Sizes: Euro 36-42 (I seem to be shrinking, and ended up fitting into a Euro 36. I'm typically 7 in casual shoes)

Why is it so hard to find cute, stylish boots with protection? Well, it's a delicate balance of making them stylish but adding protection where you need it without changing the 'stylish' aspect. Even these cuties don't offer incredible protection, but more than anything you'd buy at your favorite department store.

I would totally wear these around town, going to the movies or running errands. They offer soft armor inserts on both sides of the ankle and reinforced toe shifters. I didn't spend a lot of time in them so I can't really say how reinforced they are in the heels/toebox. But it definitely felt like there was some reinforcement, just not as much as say the Dainese Siren. The leather felt really soft too, with lots of calf and ankle space.

These are the perfect boots for anyone looking for boots to wear on their scooter or motorcycle, around town (no freeway, city speeds <40-45mph).

Why don't more women ride motorcycles?

In Episode 18 of the Moterrific Podcast, my friend Tamela Rich joins me and Cristi to explore some of the issues that surround the women's riding community and what we can do to change things in the future.

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or right here:

Link to MP3 file: http://www.moterrific.com/mp3s/Moterrific-08122013-Episode18.mp3

Another reason to wear Ear Plugs.

Watch this video (with headphones) and see if your hearing is where it should be. It's SO important to wear ear plugs while riding not only to preserve our hearing but our sanity as we head out on two wheels.

I learned early on that wearing ear plugs (even the cheap $0.99/100 ones) help me concentrate on the road. Minimizing distractions, isn't that one of our goals while we ride so we can focus?

I found this to be the case more so on Twisties. I could focus on my apex, entry speed, exit speed, decreasing/increasing radiuses, everything I needed to make better, smoother, faster turns.

One resource I highly recommend is Earplug Superstore. You can order a couple of sample packs which provides one of each of almost everything they sell. Some are softer than others, some are denser, squishier. One pair may feel nice while another may feel really uncomfortable. I also figured out that I can sleep in these and they help block the snoring action from my beloved groom.

I tried these two packs: (1) http://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp1.html and (2)  http://www.earplugstore.com/snoring-relief-kits.html

So far, I've discovered that this type of plug fits me the best because it's squishier/lighter and more comfortable:

Howard Leight LaserLite UF Foam Ear Plugs (NRR 32)

Cost: $22 for 200 pairs!

I know it can be strange to wear ear plugs at first, but after trying a few different options, I'm sure you'll find something that works for you. Safe riding!