Tag Archives: Gear/accessories

Do You Want to Buy a Racing Watch?

(Sponsored post)

Watches will always remain tied to the automotive sports world. Often, we remain attracted to watches or other timekeeping devices and the roles that they play on track too. 

If you are interested in any racing watch like a chronograph watch, then read this post.

Characteristics of a racing watch

The following are a few features which separate certain racing watches from any other sports watches:

  • Basic three or two register chronograph function
  • The high-contrast dial which is easily read at a much higher speed
  • For speed calculations, the tachymeter bezel scale 
  • The orientation of the angled case which allows one to read the time without taking your hand off the steering wheel
  • Rubber straps or rally-style leather straps, both of which are comfortable and breathable to wear

Many racing watches may integrate characteristics, e.g. racing stripes, bright colors, or even recycled components of motorbikes and cars, which most people might find a little overwhelming. 

Therefore, consider your wearing preference, style and professional track needs before selecting one.

For the purist

If you are looking for something pure and understated, then consider:

  • A basic 2-register chronograph setup
  • No extra timing scales and any no-nonsense dial layout 
  • A classically-sized case which is bold enough for your modern standards
  • Any “high-speed” visuals which may work in both formal and casual settings
  • With various kinds of straps available, the case design must work for you
  • A low-maintenance movement which can handle anything

For the weekend track warrior

In case you are searching for something more functional while you are out on your track, then legibility is the key. Your watch should not only offer a true and in-the-field purpose but must also serve as a stylish piece that you can easily wear for most of the occasions. 

Try to look for the following:

  • Black and white, high-contrast color scheme
  • Full tachymeter scale
  • More ease of use when you drive select chrono pusher positioning or an alternate case 
  • A contoured or slim case design for all-day comfort  
  • Alternate material integration for light weight as well as increased durability

For 24-hours Daytona winner

It is crucial that you use the kind of watch that can tell you and the world where you have been and how quickly you are moving. If racing is in your blood, then you might even prefer Ted Gushue, who has made it right from the hospital to the crib. You should consider the following:

  • Precious metal or two-tone case construction
  • Truly in-house movement architecture 
  • Metal bracelets instead of rubber or leather
  • Oyster-style case meant for its increased water resistance
  • 3-register chronograph configuration

Your racing or any racing-inspired watch may serve as a great everyday watch. No doubt, you might not easily find your speed through your victory laps or time your work and commute with tachymeter. However, you may appreciate all these watches nonetheless. They will serve as a great addition to any collection and you can never go wrong with all the options listed above.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Is this the smartest helmet yet?

A British company has claimed it will unveil the smartest augmented-reality helmet yet at the London Bike Show in September 2019.

Apart from the usual intercom with phone capabilities, it will also feature a GPS, music streaming, heads-up display, photochromic visor, LED brake light, crash warning system, a 360-degree camera and “A whole host of other features”.

Adam Wilson from the Resolve Group contacted us recently about the helmet after we published an article about a patent pending on a full-length airbag suit.

Resolve Group airbag leather suit patented smartest
Resolve Group’s patented airbag leather suit

He said they would also have their full-length airbag suit at the bike show, along with the helmet and another product which they have not yet revealed.

“We are not looking for funding as we have invested our own funds into the projects,” he says.

“The helmets are being made as we speak. The suits will start to be manufactured in a few weeks.”

Smartest helmet

We have published numerous articles recently about smart helmets with head-up display, GPS, crash warnings, brake lights and even Honda’s idea for a helmet with facial recognition to act as a remote key fob for your bike.

honda helmet key fob radar smartest
Honda’s helmet key fob patent drawing

It seems a new wave of smart helmets is definitely coming.

The first generation of the Resolve Group’s helmet is a guarded secret until the launch in September.

To minimise unauthorised leaks Adam only supplied CAD photographs and said there might be some “small changes” during production.

It will have ECE.22, TUV and DOT certification and Adam anticipates offering the first generation helmet at below the £1000 (about $A1880, $US1300, €1175). 

The first generation will be made from polycarbonate shell with an eps inner moulded to accommodate spectacles.

Resolve Group smartest helmet
CAD of Resolve Group’s helmet

The visor is photochromic which means it changes tint with ambient light. It will have a built-in GPS, voice activation and voice prompts.

Cameras offering 360 degree panoramic views will provide an early audible/visual warning system of an impending collision.

It will also feature LED lighting on the front and the rear light will be activated by deceleration to act as a brake warning light.

“Other functions are a guarded secret,” Adam says.

“Safe to say it’s the most advanced helmet available.”

We look forward to testing this technology and see how much it weighs.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Full-length airbag leather suit patented

Professional racers and amateurs alike could soon be wearing patented airbag leathers that fully cocoon the rider and automatically call emergency services if they crash.

British company Resolve Group plans to launch the one-piece leather suit at the London Bike Show in September along with “the most advanced augmented reality helmet available” and a “secret” third product.

Company spokesman Adam Wilson contacted us with information about two of their products after we published an article about a patent pending on a full-length airbag suit.

Brooklyn start-up Airbag for Bike has so far only posted this digital animation of the patent-pending device. Attempts to contact them have yielded no results.

Patented airbag suit

Adam said the Resolve Group was already making that airbag and had patented the idea “a few years ago”. 

“Our suit offers a complete cocoon-like protection for the rider,” he says.

“The one-piece suit has ambient lighting to enhance visibility as well as having capabilities of summoning emergency services in the event of an accident.

“The red accents are LED lights with our company logo in LED on the aerodynamic hump on the back.

“We have many features which I am not able to disclose as yet.

“But safe to say it is the most advanced available in the world right now.

“We are in talks with FIM with the aim of supplying helmets and suits to the MotoGP for the 2020/21 season.”

MotoGP made airbag suits mandatory last year.

Suit pricing

Resolve Group airbag leather suit patented smartest
Resolve Group airbag leather suit

Adam says their suit will cost about £2,500 (about $A4700, $US3300, €2940).

“This is substantially cheaper than other suits on the market offering a fraction of the protection our suit offers,” Adam says.

“Further, we will not have any lease agreements with customers as many manufacturers force customers into signing.

“Failure of customers to sign such agreements results in the suits being rendered useless as the manufacturer will not lease the propellant to inflate the suits to the customers.

“Other manufacturers charge a yearly fee irrespective of whether or not the protection system is deployed. We will supply the propellant within the purchase price of the suit and not charge a yearly fee either.

“Prices are subject to change given supplier prices and other component part price increases.”

Adam says they are not looking for crowd funding for their projects as they have invested their own funds.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

2019 Macna men’s jacket range released

European motorcycle clothing company Macna makes some advanced technology gear with a lot of street smarts, although some of the colours and designs in their 2019 range might be a little adventurous for some riders.

Bright blues and yellows are not your typical motorcycle fare. But there is also some basic black and charcoal colours for the more traditional male rider.

There are also hoodies, semi-hoodies and army-style designs.

If these men’s jackets are half as clever as the Aytee all-season jacket we love to use on tour, then they should be worth the money.

Macna Aytee motorcycle jacket
Macna Aytee motorcycle jacket braves the Italian alps

Some are suitable for summer and some for winter and a few for all seasons.

Prices are not high, either. The eight new jackets range in price from $249.95 to just $429.95.

All European gear now has to be properly certified and these jackets contain a lot of protective materials for abrasion and impact resistance.

While Macna has added eight new men’s jackets, there are no new women’s jackets.

Their current women’s jackets include four in the Core range and four in the Graphite lineup.

Here are the product descriptions as supplied by Macna importers Link International.

Macna 2019 men’s racket range

Imbuz street jacket: $429.95Macna men's jacket range

  • Soft, yet abrasion resistant 500 D Polyester.
  • Detachable mesh liner, including Raintex waterproof membrane.
  • Shoulder Safetech CE level 2, Elbow Safetech CE level 1.
  • CE back protector prepared, fitted with 12 mm EVA back pad.
  • Hoody holder, air vents chest & back, rear belt loop & Easy Cuff light.
  • Zipgrip, straps on waist and cuff.
  • Blue/ Yellow or Green/ Black.
  • Men’s sizes S-3XL

Habitat waterproof jacket: $379.95Macna men's jacket range

  • Soft shell windproof and water repellent Polyester.
  • Detachable thermal liner can be worn separately with Raintex waterproof membrane.
  • Shoulder Safetech CE level 2, Elbow Safetech CE level 1.
  • Night Eye reflection on chest back and sleeves.
  • CE back protector prepared, fitted with 12 mm EVA back pad.Macna men's jacket rangeHoody holder, Air vents chest, back & sleeves. Rear belt loop.
  • Zipgrip, Straps on waist & cuff, Coat hanger loop & Easy Cuff light.
  • Dark/Grey/Camo, Black or Dark Grey.
  • Men’s sizes S-3XL

Combat hoodie jacket: $329.95Macna men's jacket range

  • Heavy Duty Cotton Twill with Kevlar panels.
  • Soft mesh liner with DuPont TM Kevlar® on impact areas.
  • Betac CE level 1 perforated shoulder and elbow armour.
  • CE back protector prepared, fitted with 12 mm EVA back pad.
  • Hoody holder, hoody is zip off removable.
  • Straps on waist & cuff and Coat hanger loop. Rear belt loop.
  • Olive Green or Black.
  • Men’s sizes S-3XL

Bastic bomber jacket: $329.95Macna men's jacket range

  • Satin finish Polyamide Nylon.
  • Soft polyester mesh liner with fixed Raintex waterproof membrane.
  • “SCS Lite” ventilation system.
  • Shoulder Safetech CE level 2, Elbow Safetech CE level 1.
  • Night Eye reflective panels.Macna men's jacket range
  • CE back protector prepared, fitted with 12 mm EVA back pad.
  • Hoody holder, Air vents sleeves & back. Rear belt loop.
  • Zipgrip, Phone pocket, Sunglasses holder Coat hanger loop.
  • Olive Green.
  • Men’s sizes S-3XL

Nuclone casual hoodie: $229.95Macna men's jacket range

  • Heavy Duty Cotton and Polyester mix with Kevlar panels.
  • Soft polyester mesh liner.
  • Betac CE level 1 perforated breathable shoulder and elbow armour.
  • CE back protector prepared, fitted with 12 mm EVA back pad.Macna men's jacket range
  • Hoody holder, Coat hanger loop and cuff straps. Rear belt loop.
  • Dark Camo, Dark Grey or Black.
  • Men’s sizes S-3XL

Velocity ventilated jacket: $229.95Macna men's jacket range

  • Heavy Duty Polyester Ripstop Mesh.
  • Soft polyester mesh liner.
  • Betac CE level 1 perforated breathable shoulder and elbow armour. Reflective panel on the back.
  • CE back protector prepared, fitted with 12 mm EVA back pad.
  • Straps on waist & cuff and Coat hanger loop. Rear belt loop.
  • Olive Green/Black & Black Camo. 
  • Men’s sizes S-3XL

Charger all-seasons jacket: $329.95Macna men's jacket range

  • Comfortable abrasion-resistant 500 D Polyester.
  • Detachable thermal liner, including Raintex waterproof membrane.
  • Betac CE level 1 perforated shoulder and elbow armour.
  • CE back protector prepared, fitted with 12 mm EVA back pad.
  • Chest and back air vents. Air vents chest & back.
  • Zipgrip, Straps on waist & cuff, Coat hanger loop & Easy Cuff light. Rear belt loop.
  • Black/Yellow/Blue or Black/Grey/Red.
  • Men’s sizes S-3XL

Rewind sports jacket: $249.95Macna men's jacket range

  • Heavy Duty 500D Polyester Mesh.
  • Soft polyester mesh liner.
  • Betac CE level 1 perforated breathable shoulder and elbow armour.
  • CE back protector prepared, fitted with 12 mm EVA back pad.
  • Waist & cuff straps, Coat hanger loop. Rear belt loop.
  • Black/White/Red & Grey/Black/Blue.
  • Men’s sizes S-3XL

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Reader deal: Buy Visorcat, get free earplugs

Clear vision and protecting your ears seem to be important for our readers so we are offering a special reader deal of a free set of MotoSafe Tour earplugs with each Visorcat wiper/washer tour pack bought through our shop.

When we published a review of the Visorcat a few weeks ago, we expected a lot of negative comments. There were a few, but there was also a lot of interest.

We tested the system and found it was a handy device for not only wiping off the rain, but also washing off bugs and grime without scratching the visor. (See our review below.)

So we decided to sell it through our online shop.

We are also big supporters of wearing earplugs to prevent fatiguing tinnitus and permanent hear loss when you ride, so we also sell the MotoSafe Tour or Race earplugs from $29.95.

Special reader deal

Since both the Visorcat and MotoSafe earplugs are distributed by xenonOz, we have offered the two together for the price of the Visorcat tour pack at $115.

The tour pack includes extra washer liquid and sponge refills and comes with a free pair of Tour earplugs as a special reader deal.

Alpine MotoSafe earplugs make riders safer planning wax reader deal
Buy Alpine Tour earplugs for your next adventure

The reader deal ends at the end of May, so be quick and protect your eyes and ears!

Visorcat review

Dirty visors are not only a nuisance but a safety risk, but the glove-mounted Visorcat washer/wiper allows you to clean your visor on the go.

Visorcat is made of rubber with a webbing strap that goes around your hand.

There is a rubber loop to go over your finger or thumb, a reservoir for the provided visor wash and two 75mm-long (3”) windscreen-wiper-style blades that sit on the back of your hand, below the knuckle.

Underneath the blades is a sponge.

You wipe right to left to remove rainwater with the double rubber wiper blades.

Visorcat helmet visor cleaner and wiper reader deal
Wipe right to left to clear your visor with the double rubber blades

If your visor is dirty and needs a wash first, you wipe left to right.

The curved edge of the wiper flap pulls back automatically to reveal the sponge underneath which is moistened by the supplied washing liquid.

Visorcat helmet visor cleaner and wiper reader deal
Wipe left to right to use the sponge

There’s a wick connecting the sponge to the reservoir to keep it moist.

Make sure the sponge is wet to start with and the reservoir is full.Visorcat helmet visor cleaner and wiper reader deal

Due to the favourable response from many readers, we have decided to stock this safety product in our shop.

Click here to buy now. The washer/wiper with a bottle of liquid is $99, the touring pack with extra liquid and sponges is $115 and the refill pack with a bottle of liquid and three sponges is $24.95. Postage is extra.

Visorcat helmet visor cleaner and wiper reader deal

Our view

I was initially quite sceptical of this product. It looked cumbersome and, frankly, a bit ridiculous.

However, it’s easy to fit over your left glove and tighten with the strap to stay in place.

Once in place you can hardly feel it’s there and it doesn’t in any way limit your clutch hand movement.

I also thought it would be a nuisance every time I took my glove off or put it on, but it actually stays in place, so there’s no need to remove it.

If you do want to remove it, just undo the strap and it comes off in a second.

The wiper blades are great for quickly and effectively wiping rainwater off your visor.

On wide visors you may have to wipe up to three times to cover the whole field of vision, but generally one wipe will clear enough of the visor for good vision.

Yet another reason to go riding in the rain!Fogging helmet visor wet rain work visorcat reader deal

Dirty visor

A dirty visor is another matter.

I prefer to wash off grime, insects, dust, etc with water or a cleaning liquid. If you wipe it straight away, you are liable to scratch your visor.

Even if you can’t see the scratches, you may have made very small scratches which cause a blurry “starring” effect when looking into the sun or car lights at night. 

I was reticent to use the sponge washer, so I tried it first on an old helmet.

You have to make sure the sponge is well and truly moist before wiping across your visor.

I preferred to pull over and check that the sponge was wet first. I even added an extra dob of the liquid directly on to the sponge just to make sure.Visorcat helmet visor cleaner and wiper reader deal

I tried it several times on the old helmet and it worked fine without any visible or even minor scratching. That made me confident enough to try it on a brand new visor. It left no scratches.

However, I would not use it on a very dirty or dusty visor. I’d douse the visor with plenty of water first.

The Visorcat works just fine for light grime such as a small bug straight after you’ve hit it.

And isn’t that usually the case? You’ve just cleaned your visor, hopped on your bike and in the first kilometre you hit a bug right in the middle of your field of vision!

With the Visorcat you don’t have to stop; you can keep on riding!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Senzar warns of tailgating crash

While motorcycle companies are developing integrated motorcycle sensors to detect and warn of an impending rear-ender, Senzar has produced an aftermarket device.

Companies such as Honda, Ducati, Kawasaki and Suzuki are developing radar sensors for their bikes.

Ducati will be the first manufacturer next year to add front and rear radar sensors to its motorcycles to warn riders of dangers.

Senzar is firstSenzar sensor unit monitors blind spots rear ender crash

However, they have all been beaten to the punch by Taiwanese company Senzar.

Their compact Senzar device mounts on the back of the bike and can detect vehicles up to 10m.Senzar sensor unit monitors blind spots rear ender crash

It then warns the rider with  flashing lights attached to the mirrors.Senzar sensor unit monitors blind spots rear ender crash

It’s not a wireless system, so you have to fit a long wire connector.

The Senzar BlindSpot Detection System is available for pre-order at a 50% discount price of $US399 (about $A570). That means it will eventually cost a whopping $800 ($A1140).

When the motorcycle manufacturers start fitting these devices, it will no doubt increase the price of the bike, but probably not by that much.

There is no word on when the device will ship.

Senzar sensor unit monitors blind spots rear ender crash

Motorcycle devices

Most cars have sensors that detect blind spots around the vehicle. 

Motorcycles are lagging behind despite that fact that rear-ender crashes are among the most common involving motorcycles.

Motorcycle manufacturers are now approaching this very real problem in different ways.

Honda has filed a patent for a system that has a rear-facing camera in a helmet.

Honda helmet radar monitors for rear ender
Honda helmet radar monitors for rear enders

It is connected via Bluetooth to the bike to provide warnings through the instruments.

Kawasaki will add radar systems to their bikes to detect imminent collisions and warn riders. However it will go further by also applying automatic braking.

Suzuki has taken a different approach with a radar deflector that makes the motorcycle more “visible” to the sensors in surrounding hi-tech vehicles.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

inVIEW helmet light shows brakes, turn

This inVIEW helmet light not only indicates when brakes are applied or a rider slows down on the throttle, but also shows a rider’s intention to turn.

There have been several products designed to attract the attention of tailgating motorists such as Cosmo helmet light.

Cosmo Connected emergency brake light and crash alert
Cosmo helmet brake light

We also sell a unit that activates your bike’s rear brake light when the rider slows

Smart brake system
Buy the Smart Brake System

However, this is the first we can find that also includes indicators.

The stick-on bluetooth units are available from Third Eye Design in America for $US249.95.

It features an accelerometer that activates the brake light even when just slowing down on the throttle which many riders do.inVIEW helmet Brake light and indicator

We can’t see why they would be illegal here as they do not replace the motorcycle’s brake lights or indicators.

However, Victorian police might take a dim view of this product since they still believe any addition to a helmet is illegal.

Some might think this is a great idea as it lifts these important lights higher where drivers are more likely to see them.

It could also be a good safety feature with its brake light that illuminates when the rider slows down on the throttle, rather than the brakes.

How inVIEW works

The inVIEW unit has bright LEDs and is powered by two AAA batteries that they claim will last for months.

Riders get a warning when batteries are low or if there is a problem with the system. 

inVIEW helmet Brake light and indicator
inVIEW comes in red or clear lens

It snaps on via a 3M hook and loop mounting system that Third Eye Design claim is unobtrusive when the unit is not attached and snaps off in the event of a crash.

There is also a small transmitter that can be located close to the rear brake light and indicators.

They say it draws “almost no power and works on all motorcycles, including those with CANBus electrical systems”.inVIEW helmet Brake light and indicator

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Wipey promises clean helmet visor

There has been no shortage of inventions over the years to keep the rain off your visor and now there is Wipey which is a portable windscreen wiper.

Wipey is a snap-on device which fits in seconds to your visor and uses a small electric motor to wipe it clean like a car’s windscreen wiper.

The Slovenian product is not yet in production but will soon go to a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign.

It snaps into a tiny plastic guide which can be fixed to the visor with two M2 screws or double-sided tape. wipey visor

Victorian police might take a dim view of this product since they still believe any addition to a helmet is illegal.

They also object to novelty helmet covers because they “have the potential to impede vision through the visor”, so this may be deemed illegal.

Visor cleaning inventions

Wipey follows many inventions trying to solve the same problem of rain on a helmet visor.

The simplest solutions are sprays such as Rain-X, gloves with a small wiper blade on the forefinger, or the glove-mounted Visorcat washer/wiper that washes as well as wipes your visor. 

Visorcat helmet visor cleaner and wiper
Click here to read our review of the Visorcat visor washer and wiper

However, there have also been automated wipers like Wipey around for a long time such as this Turbo Visor that “spins the rain away”.Visor wipey turbo wiper

The closest to Wipey is Rainpal which raised money through a crowd-funding campaign a couple of years ago yet has still not gone into production.

We can’t tell you more about Rainpal as we have been threatened with legal action.

Rainpal wipey visor
Rainpal

Wipey is a little different because it is small and portable and quickly snaps on to any visor.

How Wipey works

You can put the small 55g unit on the top or bottom of your visor and there is a big black button to push to activate it. One push gives one sweep, but a longer push starts the intermittent wiping.

While it’s on, press again to go from a one-second intermittent wipe to three seconds snd again for six seconds.

One long push of the button then turns it off.

Seems awkward, but an optional Bluetooth handlebar-mounted remote will also be available.

wipey visor
Bluetooth handlebar remote

They say it does not impede the anti-fog function of a Pinlock visor insert.

It looks like it could easily be dislodged, but they say it has been tested at 130km/h.

A 3V battery will last up to three hours of continuous use or 12 hours intermittently. You can also use 3V rechargeable batteries.wipey visor

There is no word yet on price, but the Kickstarter begins soon with a 50% discount offer to early supporters.

It will come in yellow or black with a one-year warranty and the wiper blade can be replaced.

wipey visor

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Grab a bargain on motorbike review gear

My wardrobe is bursting with motorcycle helmets, jackets, boots and pants l’ve been reviewing and Mrs MBW says it’s time to get rid of some of the surplus gear and pass on a bargain or two.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is jackets are only large, pants 34” waist and helmets small (55-56cm). Also, I will only sell helmets to anyone who comes to my place in western Brisbane to try it on first. That’s a safety and fitment issue!

To contact me about any of the gear, click here and send me a Facebook personal message.

What to sell

Working out what to sell is difficult because I have a wide variety of gear and sometimes I need the right gear when testing various types of motorcycle.

So I need adventure gear for testing adventure bikes, plus cruiser gear, track wear and even hipster outfits!

But I have so many that I don’t get around to wearing or that have been superseded.

So while none of this gear is faulty or not fit for purpose, it is simply surplus to my needs and not a reflection of my opinion on their quality. You can read my original reviews by clicking on the names.

Jeans

Saint Unbreakable Technical Black Denim Slim Fit Jeans
Saint Unbreakable Technical Black Denim Slim Fit Jeans

There are several pairs of riding jeans with and without kevlar lining in my cupboard that I can’t wear anymore because I’ve put on a bit of a gut from fine wines, and bad beers.

It’s easier to flog them than stop drinking!

They are all 34” waist and include Draggin’, DriRider, Harley-Davidson, Icon, Neds, Saint and Shark Leathers.

Shark protective riding cargo jeans
Sjark camos

They are black blue, grey and camo and ranged in new price from a couple of hunjee to $700!

Just send me a Facebook messenger note and we can discuss individual prices.

Helmets

AGV Sportmodular carbon modular motorcycle helmet
AGV Sportmodular modular helmet

I have two AGV Sportmodular all-carbon-shell modular (flip-up) helmets, but I can only wear one, so the red white and black is up for grabs.

They cost $1099 new, but you can have it for $790 with clear and tinted visors. It weighs just 1295g which makes it the lightest modular helmet available.

It has the same impact protection as AG Pista SGP-R helmet as worn by Valentino Rossi.Harley-Davidson Vintage Stripe Bell Bullitt retro helmet Sportster Iron 1200

The Harley-Davidson Vintage Strip helmet is basically a Bell Bullitt made for Harley with their logos. It costs $539 new and I’ll let it go for $200.

Both are less than two years old.

Boots

Any pair of boots on offer will walk out the door for just $50 a pair if you pay postage. They are all size 11 or 45 Euro.

There are Stylmartin sneakers, TCX Street Ace Air hi-top sandshoes, AXO Freedom waterproof adventure boots and Johnny Reb ankle boots.

JacketsGoldtop leather jacket bargain

This Goldtop 76 armoured brown full-grain leather jacket is a 42 large.

It’s the genuine British-made article with gold satin lining.

The jacket costs more than $600, but it’s yours for only $290.

It’s in perfect condition with traditional details such as original ball-end zippers and diamond-pattern stitching. It also has double-stitched seams.

Finally, there’s a genuine Belstaff Gangster waxed cotton jacket from the North Circular Road Collection that cost me $1000 several years ago.Belstaff waxed cotton jacket bargain

It wasn’t a review item, but something I bought because I always wanted one.

I used it a bit, but I got a bit fat for it and it’s easier to sell it than go on a diet.

It’s yours for just $650, you hipster, you.

Features are a removable quilted liner, Belstaff buttons and zips, CE shoulder and elbow armour, large size, no rips.

Time to buy

To contact me about any of the gear, click here and send me a Facebook personal message.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

TCX Street Ace Air commuter boots review

TCX Street Ace Air boots join the booming trend in recent years for commuter riding shoes that you can wear on and off the bike in equal comfort with some protection.

The trend is understandable. The last thing most city riders want is to have to carry a spare pair of work/casual shoes because their motorcycle boots look like SS stormtrooper boots.

Most of this new generation of commuter boots wouldn’t look out of place in a casual office, at the movies, in a restaurant or bar, or most other social occasions.

TCX’s Street Ace Air boots cost $219 which is about average for these types of shoes. They come in sizes EU 36-48 and US 3.5-13.

Tough boots

TCX’s Street Ace Air stand out from the commuter crop as a slightly tougher-skinned boot.

They are made of a thick and stiff leather that is perforated all round, except the toe and heel. Inside is a breathable lining so your feet are less likely to sweat and stink out the office.

After several weeks of use, my gear shift has hardly scuffed the left boot. Perhaps that’s because the aged or vintage “anthracite” leather disguises any rubber marks from the shifter.

The branding is also discrete so they don’t look like kids’ gym shoes.

TCX Street Ace Air sneakers

Unlike most other commuter boots we’ve tried, these have a very stiff, non-slip rubber sole.

They actually feel a bit too stiff for a lot of walking. They may soften with age.

However, that stiffness protects your foot from rotational forces in a crash.

TCX has also added tough toe, ankle and heel impact protection that is padded on the inside so they still feel comfortable.

Laces or no laces?

TCX Street Ace Air sneakersThese TCX boots feature a lace system which some riders claim can be dangerous because you can get them caught in the pegs or levers.

That happened to me once and I quickly learnt the lesson to tie the laces short or tuck them into the top of the boots.

Despite that incident, I actually prefer lace-up boots because you can get a good solid fit as you can vary the tightness along the length of the laces.

This works particularly well for me as my right foot is bigger than the left thanks to breaking it in an off-road jump (even though I was wearing expensive MX boots).

Elasticised boots can be more dangerous than lace-ups as they will pull off in a crash, while zip-up boots never fit as well.

Besides, these TCX boots have a high ankle so the laces would have to be tied up very loose for the loops to get caught in any levers or pegs.

I didn’t even do them up to the top eyelet and the laces still don’t droop low enough to cause any concerns.

About TCX

TCX is an Italian company that started in 1999 as Oxtar. They make a range of road and off-road race, touring and leisure boots for male and female riders.

The company has patented their TCS (Torsion Control System) that controls the movement of the riders foot in both directions to protect from ankle injury.

TCX was the first boot company to have CE Certification on all its products.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com