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| img from motorcycle-central.com |
Overview
As a female rider, I have encountered pretty limited shopping options for motorcycle gear in my hometown. Trying to find and decide upon some decent first-time riding gear that would offer me the protection I was looking for was somewhat challenging. Since getting more of the hang of the whole on-line shopping experience for female rider gear, things have gotten far easier.
If you are reading this, chances are you are likely a newer rider looking at what some of your gear purchasing options might be. So on that note, I'm going to take you back to once upon a time...
Based on what I was wanting (which was "casual to sportier" street riding gear that would also work well for my 30 min highway commute), my options were pretty much limited to ordering online. Ordering online in Canada in 2015 equated to the Canadian dollar not exactly being up to snuff for any US orders! The online Canadian shopping experience is OK but certainly more limiting than the US options that are available. On that note, it was do-able to find some decent gear options albeit somewhat annoying at times when I could see all these awesome things I wanted that did not appear to be easily attainable online in Canada (*cough cough* eg Rev'It gear); however, deciding on what to order wasn't really the biggest problem; deciding on what size I should order was. Let me explain this further.
I found that there were so many discrepancies in the reviews of the gear I was reading up on - a review for one product would often say "order larger size" "order smaller size" or "true to fit" etc etc. So which one was it? Was the issue that people simply did not measure themselves properly when comparing to the sizing chart or ??? While I could of course return/exchange my purchases (some online vendors made this really quite easy, while I avoided those who did not), let's face it - I don't think there are many (any?) of us who embrace the idea of ordering something only to have to send it back and be without our precious desired gear for any longer than absolutely necessary! Unless of course one is a-ok with ordering 2 of everything and then sending the ill fitting one back. Alas, I do have to give a big Kudos to Gear Chic for helping me in my gear-search & purchase journey. She did help to make the whole process a little less painful and the info she provides in her reviews did in fact aid me quite a bit with my decisions.
I project I am going to turn into a Gear Junkie...
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| This is how I feel about Riding Gear |
So I decided to go ahead and place some faith in the manufacturer's sizing charts (and my own self-measuring abilities) and hope for the best. Overall, all was good sizing wise with all the gear that I selected! So I think it is safe to say that for me, Alpinestars was "True to Fit" based on their Women's Sizing Chart. A pat on back for all! Now it may seem corny to have stuck with Alpinestars for all the various gear but I have rationale for this: 1) at the time, the price was definitely right for the product purchased, 2) the pants and jacket had the matching zip connectors so I wasn't about to mix and match different brands and loose out on this feature, 3) the reviews I read for the boots led me to believe that they would be a fine fit for my narrow and difficult-to-find-footwear-for type of feet, and 4) overall, the reviews for all the gear I went with were primarily favorable so I figured I wouldn't be too disappointed with any of these choices since I was buying them sight unseen.
SIZING NOTE: To perhaps help others with sizing decisions, at the time of these purchases, my measurements were: Height 5'5" (ok, if we are being completely honest, make that 5'4-1/2"), Weight ~125 lbs, Waist: 28-29", Hips 38-38.5", Bust ~38", Inseam 30" (from groin to floor), Body Frame small to medium. I pretty much followed the Alpinestars Sizing Chart for Women for all of the purchases (albeit the AST Pants, which I ordered one size larger so as to wear as a pair of commuting overpants).
Current Gear (From Most to Least Recent Purchase Date)
Rev'It Ladies Sand Jacket & Pants
I wanted a textile fall & spring jacket to help extend my riding season and also so that I wouldn't have to throw my waterproof shell over my leathers when it was raining.
I wear this Jacket in a ton of my Motovlogs...go check me out on my YouTube Channel
Let me know if you have any questions on this jacket and I will be happy to answer them!
Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions Shield
Size: 36
My Rating: 4.5/5
WOW WOW WOW I really like this jacket a lot!I wanted a textile fall & spring jacket to help extend my riding season and also so that I wouldn't have to throw my waterproof shell over my leathers when it was raining.
I wear this Jacket in a ton of my Motovlogs...go check me out on my YouTube Channel
I won't lie...one of the reasons I choose the Rev'it jacket is because...well...Rev'it ladies gear just looks hot! The cut and the colors always appeal to me. I actually would have preferred to have this jacket in the black color, but as I purchased this one for a smokin' hot good sale price, I sucked it up and went with it. I actually quite like it although I don't really love the lighter colors for the simple reason that it requires more cleaning (and thus work and time taken away from riding!).
REV'IT CHALLENGES IN CANADA: It is incredibly frustrating to try to find Rev'It Gear to order oniline here in Canada. Unfortunately trying to order it from the US is next to impossible unless you can have it shipped to someone in the US who can then ship it to you to get it over the border. Most places that sell it online in Canada either are in serious need of an updated website (as they rarely list any of the gear) or they have very limited stock/are lacking in providing the full gear line-up. So it is disappointing. I have asked one of the main on-line motorcycle gear suppliers here in Canada if they plan to start carrying it and could not receive a definitive answer which is really unfortunate. Not all of us live in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, etc so getting to a local dealer is not easily done. Shame. So sadly this is one thing that will likely dissuade me from purchasing any more Rev'It Gear (I do REALLY want the Xena Jacket & Trousers tho....drool!!!!!!).
The following gear review is based on having worn this gear for approx 2000 km of in town and highway riding in a variety of riding conditions including heavy rain, temps of around 4 Celcius, humid, and relatively warm (17 Celcius).
SIZING: Spot on per the sizing chart. When I ordered this online (Huge kudos and shout out to Dual Sport Plus in Toronto for their fantastic customer service and very positive online ordering experience [I actually ordered via the phone after viewing their website]!!). The service rep warned me that Rev'it gear tends to fit on the smaller size. I found that even with following the sizing chart, the jacket fit spot on (with a bit of room to spare as well). The pants indeed did fit on the smaller side but hey, that's why I have a treadmill and stay active in the great outdoors lol. Seriously though, I would suggest you do in fact order a size up for the pants if you don't enjoy your gear fitting on the very snug side of things.
OVERVIEW: I am really quite pleased with this gear. I would say that one of the biggest positives of this gear line up is
how flexible it is for a variety of riding conditions, in part thanks to
the removable liner and waterproof membrane. At full price I do think it it indeed on the more expensive side so I'm not so sure I would purchase it unless it was on sale. However, I am a gear junkie and sometimes that addiction is just too overwhelming to wait for a sale ;).
Quality is very nice. All the seams and zippers are sturdy and have taken a good amount of abuse over this past riding season from yours truly. I spilled coffee along the front of the jacket and was able to wash it out without any trouble.
I am not going to go into the specific details of the jacket since you can get that info from the manufacturer in a much better explanation. What I will say is that I do think the product delivers what it promises to do. Ido have a few issues with a couple minor things.
I wish the sleeves were a big longer in length but as I wear longer gauntlet gloves, it really isn't too much of an issue. The mandarin collar can feel a bit constricted when wearing my balaclava coupled with a turtleneck and my Warm and Safe Heated Jacket Liner. I actually remove the Rev'it Sand liner and use my heated plug-in liner in lieu of the stock liner for those extra cold riding days (temps around 4 -16 degrees celcius). When people say a riding jacket is 4 seasons, I do keep in mind that OUR winter season here in North Central British Columbia isn't exactly "ridable" weather with all the feet of snow, ice, and temps extending to -30 celcius :). This jacket did serve me well for late Fall and I found myself very comfortable riding in 4 degree Celcius weather at highway speeds of 110 km/hr (with the heated liner). Keep in mind I despise the cold and am quite happy to wear a full set of non-perforated leeather in temps well above 20 degrees celcius, so I think this speaks volumes ;).
I remained dry under the outer shell of the jacket and pants in pretty extreme rain. The shell of the jacket itself gets super saturated as it is not a gortex shell but rather the waterproof membrane lies right under the out shell. So keeping that in mind, the jacket definitely needs some dry-time after it has gotten soaked. Sometime that might be a bit of a downer for me if I was using this as a road trip jacket rather than just a commuting one. I mean, for the most part, it's pretty tough to beat a true gortex impregnated outer shell but you are going to pay a hefty price for that so it's a toss up for sure.
When (and if) the weather warms up, the inner liner can be removed from both the pants and the jacket very easily. When the liners are in place, they stay in place well even when putting the jacket on and taking it off, so this is always a bonus. Keep in mind you will need a place to stash the liners as they obviously won't fit in any of the pockets of the jacket or pants. I throw mine in my Kriega US-20 tailback (which I LOVE).
Speaking of pockets, the jacket has a generous amount of pockets. The one that runs along the back puffs out a bit more than I would like, which takes away from the "shape-forming" that I love so much about Rev'it. It has a super great amount of room in it however to store things like a small wallet, mobile phone, etc. The smaller side pockets are also roomy enough in comparison to what I am used to with my leathers. Those of you who have worn other textile adventure gear may find the side pockets on this to be a bit small but then again, you may be perfectly content with them depending on how many things you like your pockets for. I tend to use my tailbag more so it's a non-issue for me.
All the zips stay zipped; the snaps stay snapped!
As for the pants fit, I find Rev'it fits me pretty well, although I would say it fits more like the Dainese-type fit (better for those who have less hips/booty). All in all, out of Rev'it, Dainese, and Alpinestars, I find that the A* pants actually fit my body type the best (small waist, more "generous" booty lol). This is not to say the fit is poor - the pants actually do fit nice enough walking around and/or in the riding position with and without the connector zip. If you are smaller waisted with a hip to waist ratio that is not spot on, order the large size as you can use the side cinches to get the waist tucked in a bit more.
Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions Shield
Having now had the opportunity to test out the Shoei CWR1 Transitions photochromic shield in a variety of conditions including cooler temps, overcast skies, bright sun, and riding west directly into the setting glare before dusk, I have to say that I give this shield a solid 4.5/5 stars.
The Helmet: Shoei RF 1200
A bit on why I went with the Shoei RF 1200 (feel free to skip this paragraph if you only want to see the Transitions review below) I was on the fence about which new helmet to purchase: The Shoei RF 1200 or Schuberth C3W Pro. I *really* wanted a transitions shield to accompany my new helmet so I also had a look at the Bell line of helmets too. Based on some of the more recent reviews I've been reading and given the price of the Schuberth, I decided to hold off on the C3W (maybe next time) since it does not offer a transitions option (although it does have the internal visor which might also be a nice feature...not sure how well that would work one the days I decide to wear my glasses rather than my contacts though...). While the modular helmet would definitely be nice, I hold no real dislike for a full face in any way so I figured the Shoei RF 1200 would likely fit the bill quite nicely. I based my decision on this purchase on the following "wants" that were on my list for a new helmet: 1) Pinlock option (since I do quite a bit of riding in cooler temps that are also often wet and soggy), 2) Transitions Shield as an option, 3) Relatively quiet in terms of wind noise ( I do wear ear plugs) , 4) Light, 5) Available in White, and 6) Decent choice for oval-ish head. Thus, the RF 1200 pretty much seemed to be the one that would fit the bill for pretty much all the items on my list.
The Shield: Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions
For any of you who are in Canada and not sure who to order gear through online...
As with the majority of my other gear, I purchased the CWR-1 shield from Canada's Motorcycle (soon to be [Fall 2016] re-named to FortNine). Once again, purchasing from this supplier was quick, easy, and my package arrived quite promptly and well packaged as per usual. Based on my experiences with ordering my gear online in Canada, this is currently my go-to company to deal with as even when needing to return items, they make it hassle free. Additionally, I am never disappointed with what is in the box as it is obvious the order is carefully checked and packaged.
The shield did not come with an additional pin-lock so I just used the one that came with my helmet (although if I needed to buy one that would be an additional ~ $40.00). For me, the pinlock is a must have as I despise any fogging on my visor and I do ride often in cooler temps and/or wet conditions. I removed my clear shield from the helmet and pinlock from the clear shield, then added the pinlock to the new transition shield (inserting the pinlock can be a bit tricky in having to bend it while trying to not scratch the shield at all!) and then viola - my new visor went onto the helmet ready and raring to go. I was *so excited* about having this new shield, especially for the days that I ride with my glasses instead of my contact lenses.
I was curious as to whether the shield would work well enough in our climate since it usually isn't super warm here and it did mention on the product description that temperature can cause fluctuation in performance. So I actually thought it might not darken all that well in everyday riding conditions here. I am happy to report that this was not the case at all - it darkens perfectly well even in the "cooler warm" temps (eg 12 degrees C) providing it is light out. I have been pleased with the transition in various conditions while wearing it as it darkens quite quickly. It does take a bit of additional time to fade out to clear. This is not highly problematic in most riding conditions (eg from sunny to overcast) but if you find yourself having to suddenly ride through a dark tunnel you may find that you need to flip up your visor as you may find it a bit too dark otherwise (hello dry-my-eyeballs out and cause them to get teary #hopemymascaraiswaterproof). This is not a deal breaker for me in any way but I did degrade the rating a tiny bit simply because I do find that the fade takes a bit longer than I would really like. It is, to me, a worthwhile trade-off though.
I have not found that the visor scratched more easily than any other visor I have had. I have washed it a good 1/2 dozen times now with a soft microfibre cloth and warm water (have not needed any soap) without issue.
A few people have asked me how dark it gets and how quickly, so to give a pic visual, here are a few photos. I did videotape the transition from clear to dark and then dark to clear but haven't included it on here as a) I have not yet edited it and I am already late in posting a review so wanted to get something posted as the start of sunny riding season is here!, and b) believe it or not but by the time I moved the helmet on the deck and placed the timer in front of it and got ready to hit record, it had already darkened to a pretty dark smoke color. Yup, I would say it transitions to dark very quickly!
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| Comparing Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions Shield (Left) with HJC Clear Shield (Right) |
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| Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions Shield (with Shoei RF-1200 XS Helmet) in indirect daylight that was coming through the Window |
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| Shoei CWR-1 Photochromic Transitions Shield in Direct Sunlight (Temperature 17 Degrees Celsius). The shield darkened to this tint in under 30 seconds (Compare to the photo above - by the time I set it on this outdoor surface and placed the timer in front in preparation to video it, the shield had transitioned to this already). Pretty excellent! |
In giving this shield a rating of 4.4/5, it lost 1/2 point due to it being on the higher price point end (about 200.00 CAD for the shield + about 45.00 CAD for the pinlock insert) and also because I do find it takes a bit long to transition from dark (not a deal breaker by any means). Otherwise it has definitely been one of my gear purchases that I have been most happiest with!
If anyone has any questions about my experience with this product, please let me know and I will do my best to answer!
Enjoy Your Ride and Have a Safe One!
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Dainese Laguna Evo Pelle Lady Non-Perforated
Size: 46 (see notes below re: why I sized up from a 42 or 44)
My Rating: 4/5
UPDATE: SOLD TO A TOTALLY COOL FEMALE RIDER
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| Dainese Laguna Evo Pelle Lady Non-Perforated in Black |
It's
a Dainese. It's a beautiful looking jacket. It has great protection and
great reviews. It has a removable liner. It has the pant to jacket zipper connection. This model has sadly now been
discontinued. The good news about that is that it was therefore on sale
as it was a clearance item...SOLD and mine!
I
bought this in a Size 46 as I wanted it for early Spring/Fall Riding
and plan to use it for my work commute as well (so I can wear a sweater
or hoodie etc under it plus my heated liner on those cooler mornings). I
kind of wish I had
bought the 42 or 44 to wear as a more everyday type jacket as I *love
it*. The 46 definitely fits too loose for my likes if I remove the liner
or wear only
a thin shirt. Although I'm sure I will be happy to have it in the size 46 when Fall
rolls around and I want to wear a thick shirt with my Warm &
Safe Heated Jacket Liner. Plus it will give me a good excuse to
eventually
purchase the Dainese D1 Racing or Rev'It Xena that I currently have on
my Wishlist ;)
I will add a more comprehensive "impressions & review" once I have put some miles on this jacket so stay tuned! (Updated - scroll down a bit and see below).
Note: The Dainese Manis D1 G1 back protector does NOT fit in this jacket. Every site I visited stated that for the Manis D1, the G1 was the size to order for the Dainese Ladies' Jackets. Not the case for this jacket so heads up. On that note, perhaps it fits in the larger sized jackets but I really don't have one to try this with. One of the store associates that I ordered the back protector from assured me that she was able to get it in a similar sized jacket of the same make/model but that it had to be bent and stretched to get it to fit....the instructions that came with it specifically stated to not stretch it so I chose not to. The Wave would likely fit but I actually just went ahead and grabbed my Alpinestars Nuc. KR2i from my A* GP Plus R Leather Jacket and it fit just fine. So I may exchange the protector between the 2 jackets until I can find a different protector that will fit and is hopefully CE-Level II rated. If anyone has any suggestions for something that will work for this jacket, I am all ears and would love your suggestions!
UPDATE - June 2016. I exchanged the Manis D1 G1 for the Wave G1 and it fits 100% PERFECT in this jacket. I actually prefer the feeling of the A* KR2i (seems to fit a bit less bulky) but I did put that one back into my A* GP Plus R Perforated Leather Jacket where it technically belongs. Now to wait for the weather to warm right up so I can actually wear that jacket :).
UPDATE - June 2016. So now that I've had the chance to ride about in this new jacket, I feel pretty confident about giving it a 4/5 stars.
Sizing wise and based on my measurements, if I did not want to wear a thicker hoodie and my Warm & Safe heated liner in it, I would have likely been better off with a 42. On that note, I specifically wanted this particular jacket for not only the protection features, but also because I felt it would be a great option for Spring and later Fall riding since it does have a removable liner, does not move much air, and the collar sits a bit higher up. The arms are also a bit of a looser fit so layering the hoodie and additional heated liner does not cut off the circulation to my lower arms and hands when in a riding position. For this purpose (good protection + keeping me warm while I have the extra layer on), the jacket has performed very well indeed. I do have a lightweight rain overcoat that I can throw on as well if needed. I really probably could have gone with a more versatile textile jacket but I'm really still far more partial to leather at this point in time although I definitely have my eye on a couple really great textile choices (Rev'It Sand, Neptune, etc).
My Pros: Style is flattering. Classy look with low-key brand labeling. Quality leather. Very nice workmanship for seams/zipper. Zip attachment to pair with Dainese pants. Higher collar. Comfortable in both a more relaxed and more aggressive riding position. Protection rating (with the added back protector which needs to be purchased separately as it does not come with one otherwise). The price was right (on sale). Removable thermal liner. One inner pocket in the liner that is a generous size (fits my Samsung Note 4 phablet perfectly) and 2 outer pockets.
My Cons: I find the cut of the arms is too wide/loose overall. This can be a benefit/pro if worn with layers as I am and as I have described in my earlier narrative. If I was wearing this as a regular jacket with only a base layer/simple shirt, I would definitely find that the arms fit way too loose for my liking. It is like they almost "puff out" around the elbows and just below the elbows (upper lower arm area if that makes sense). The zipper to pant attachment is not a full 360 so I feel that my abdominal area would not be as well protected as it could be - it seems that even when connected to the pants, there is alot of movement of the jacket around my front waist area. This could be because the jacket has a more relaxed/looser fit overall in addition to it being a tad on the larger size for me (because I wanted to wear my heated liner and thicker hoodie under it). The liner attachment at the wrist area could be better - sometimes trying to take the jacket off results in the arms of the liner wanted to bunch up in the jacket.
All in all, overall it's a keeper in my books :).
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Note: The Dainese Manis D1 G1 back protector does NOT fit in this jacket. Every site I visited stated that for the Manis D1, the G1 was the size to order for the Dainese Ladies' Jackets. Not the case for this jacket so heads up. On that note, perhaps it fits in the larger sized jackets but I really don't have one to try this with. One of the store associates that I ordered the back protector from assured me that she was able to get it in a similar sized jacket of the same make/model but that it had to be bent and stretched to get it to fit....the instructions that came with it specifically stated to not stretch it so I chose not to. The Wave would likely fit but I actually just went ahead and grabbed my Alpinestars Nuc. KR2i from my A* GP Plus R Leather Jacket and it fit just fine. So I may exchange the protector between the 2 jackets until I can find a different protector that will fit and is hopefully CE-Level II rated. If anyone has any suggestions for something that will work for this jacket, I am all ears and would love your suggestions!
UPDATE - June 2016. I exchanged the Manis D1 G1 for the Wave G1 and it fits 100% PERFECT in this jacket. I actually prefer the feeling of the A* KR2i (seems to fit a bit less bulky) but I did put that one back into my A* GP Plus R Perforated Leather Jacket where it technically belongs. Now to wait for the weather to warm right up so I can actually wear that jacket :).
UPDATE - June 2016. So now that I've had the chance to ride about in this new jacket, I feel pretty confident about giving it a 4/5 stars.
Sizing wise and based on my measurements, if I did not want to wear a thicker hoodie and my Warm & Safe heated liner in it, I would have likely been better off with a 42. On that note, I specifically wanted this particular jacket for not only the protection features, but also because I felt it would be a great option for Spring and later Fall riding since it does have a removable liner, does not move much air, and the collar sits a bit higher up. The arms are also a bit of a looser fit so layering the hoodie and additional heated liner does not cut off the circulation to my lower arms and hands when in a riding position. For this purpose (good protection + keeping me warm while I have the extra layer on), the jacket has performed very well indeed. I do have a lightweight rain overcoat that I can throw on as well if needed. I really probably could have gone with a more versatile textile jacket but I'm really still far more partial to leather at this point in time although I definitely have my eye on a couple really great textile choices (Rev'It Sand, Neptune, etc).
My Pros: Style is flattering. Classy look with low-key brand labeling. Quality leather. Very nice workmanship for seams/zipper. Zip attachment to pair with Dainese pants. Higher collar. Comfortable in both a more relaxed and more aggressive riding position. Protection rating (with the added back protector which needs to be purchased separately as it does not come with one otherwise). The price was right (on sale). Removable thermal liner. One inner pocket in the liner that is a generous size (fits my Samsung Note 4 phablet perfectly) and 2 outer pockets.
My Cons: I find the cut of the arms is too wide/loose overall. This can be a benefit/pro if worn with layers as I am and as I have described in my earlier narrative. If I was wearing this as a regular jacket with only a base layer/simple shirt, I would definitely find that the arms fit way too loose for my liking. It is like they almost "puff out" around the elbows and just below the elbows (upper lower arm area if that makes sense). The zipper to pant attachment is not a full 360 so I feel that my abdominal area would not be as well protected as it could be - it seems that even when connected to the pants, there is alot of movement of the jacket around my front waist area. This could be because the jacket has a more relaxed/looser fit overall in addition to it being a tad on the larger size for me (because I wanted to wear my heated liner and thicker hoodie under it). The liner attachment at the wrist area could be better - sometimes trying to take the jacket off results in the arms of the liner wanted to bunch up in the jacket.
All in all, overall it's a keeper in my books :).
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Dainese Pony C2 Pelle Lady Pant
Size: 44
I decided to order Size 44 based on my true measurements and the Dainese Sizing Chart. I ordered these pants from GP Bikes as Canada's Motorcycle (soon to be switched over to the new name FortNine) was out of stock in my size. I was dismayed to find that the knee armor in one of the legs was missing. Mistakes happen - it's how they are dealt with that really counts in my books. I will therefore do an update with the outcome of this once I connect up with GP Bikes in the morning.
When I first took them out of the box my first thought was "wow these are gorgeous!". My second thought was "wow these look SMALL!" I was not convinced that I would be able to get these on over my thighs let alone my hips, particularly since I have a small waist in comparison to my hips/butt. I did as one should do when preparing to don a pair of leather motorcycle trousers, and I put on my thin, body-hugging moisture wicking baselayer pants. Happily, I did not have too many struggles getting them on. It wasn't the easiest thing in the world but it wasn't the most difficult. It was easier than trying to get a pair of non-stretch skin tight jeans on lol. The leather is fine quality. The stitching and workmanship is excellent. Did I say they are gorgeous? Once on, they are super snug (but will stretch a bit being leather hence why I went with the Size 44), flattering (nice low key yet good hip protection), quite comfortable, and the armor sits in the perfect position (well, in the leg that actually have anything lol) and is not at all irritating/uncomfortable.
I couple of cons that I have noted thus far: 1) I do find the length to be a bit too short for my taste (the bottom of the pant reaches just above my ankle malleolus) and I am slightly vertically challenged at 5' 4-1/2" but with a decent inseam (groin to floor) of 30". The length is doable enough though - they tuck into my A* Stella S MX-6 boots well enough and is ok in the riding position. 2) I am also feeling that they ride a bit low in the back and hip area - it almost feels that they aren't pulled up all the way/the lumbar area sags out somewhat. When connected with the pant to jacket zip connector, this is essentially a non-issue. Once the hip & butt areas break in a bit I am projecting that this may help with the settling position of the pant for my shape.
I will post a more comprehensive update and review once I have a bit of riding time on these pants as a review having just barely worn them is not incredibly accurate IMHO.
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Warm & Safe
65 Watt Generation 4 Heated Women's Jacket Liner
This review is based on having used this product for approximately 400 km of highway riding.
Size: Small (ordered based on my measurements & manufacturer sizing chart and I would say it was true to fit for me - arm length also perfect). When standing in an upright position, the jacket seems to "puff out" in the should blade area. I am presuming this is to accommodate the riding position since once the riding position is assumed, the fit is great. There are stretch panels that run along the side of the jacket as well to help with a nice snug fit. As is explained with any heated gear reviews/product info etc, you want the liner quite close to your body so a lightweight garment should be worn under the liner rather than something too thick as otherwise the warmth will not be felt as well/adequately.
The best way I can describe this product is that is borders on being...umm....ok I'm gonna say it...orgasmic. Yes indeed, I am not sure that there is much that can beat the sensation of being enveloped in warmth when cruising along at 100 km/hr + in temps below 12 degrees Celsius (~ 53 F). I have no other words that can adequately do justice to explaining the pure pleasure of this...ok I think you all get the idea now! When the heat cranks up I seriously want to sing for joy lol.
The added bonus to this purchase was that I ordered it directly from Warm & Safe and got a great price on it via the Outlet Clearance. As use of the jacket requires a heat troller to be installed on your bike, I also ordered the "Single Remote Control" heat troller. I was tempted to order the dual version since I do plan on getting the heated gloves as well at some point in time (the gloves can plug directly into the jacket liner via plug ins that come out of the sleeve cuffs) but I decided to cheap out and get the single (which was also on clearance) in the interim since I wasn't sure if this whole "heated gear" thing was for me...if you've read my intro on this jacket I am pretty confident that it most definitely is so in retrospect I am thinking that I do wish I had ordered the dual. The only difference with the dual is that it would afford the option to heat the gloves at a different temperature than the heated jacket so I will see what I think once I take the plunge and get the gloves...I may be quite fine with the single. If not, I will just go ahead and order a dual :).
So why did I go for the 65 watt jacket instead of the 90 watt? Well, to sum it up: 2 reasons. 1) As I already mentioned, I wasn't entirely sure that "heated gear" was for me so this was most certainly a bargain price to try it out first, and 2) My ride is a CBR250 so based on the calculations I could find online, I figured the 65 watt would provide me with more than enough warmth for my riding needs (I am not going to be riding in anything less than 4C/39F and on those colder days, it will only be the commute to work rather than touring around for the ride) without taxing what my ride could afford me in terms of the wattage my 250 could generate. Loosely, it was looking like something along the lines of 340 watts @ 5000 rpms before factoring in headlight, turn signals, brake light usage etc etc, so this would leave about 150 watts (?) for heated gear. Now as I want heated gloves as well (about 20 watts) I felt more comfortable with a bit more "cushion" factor that the 65 watt jacket would offer.
The troller install was a breeze considering I am a total noob when it comes to doing such "electrical" type things. I mounted the remote control using the velcro fastener provided although I may alter/mount it elsewhere. It works ok where it is - not much room on the CBR250 for mounting add-ons. I watched the YouTube Warm & Safe Videos a couple of times and off I went with the successful and painless install.
Did I already say this: Seriously, if you ever ride in cooler weather....get one. You will not regret it.
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Schampa Silkweight Balaclava
Mind you, not any balaclava will do - a nice silkweight one will be the best choice to help to keep those unruly evil frizzies at bay while also helping to reduce the friction & shearing forces that us head-full-of-hair gals face every time we are donning and doffing our full face helmets. And while I do often resort to good ol' braids, the trusty balaclava is useful for taming the tresses even on braid-days.
Added bonus: Perfect for anyone who may be wimpy like me in terms of always being cold (yes, even when its 20C/68F + out).
Kriega US-20 Drypack
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| Kriega US-20 Drypack as a tailbag mounted on my 2012 Honda CBR250R |
What can I say - I LOVE my Kriega drypack! With a 20 L capacity this is a perfect tailbag for my needs. With a bit of creativity, it works perfectly on the tail of my 2012 Honda CBR250R. I actually used zip ties for 2 of the anchor tabs under the seat as there was otherwise no where to really mount the two tabs. If anyone would like pics on how I did it, let me know and I can post my "how-to" for this.
I can fit my rain jacket shell, extra gloves, medium sized purse, small lunch, some file folders, and a few other goodies in this bag with ease. I can actually fit my Sony Vaio Laptop in it as well. When it's relatively empty, it can still be cinched up nicely and remains secure on the tail. This works great if I am planning on doing a bit of shopping on m way home as I can load it up with a pretty decent amount of stuff.
Completely Waterproof? YES! Thanks to the inner waterproof "liner" that can be taken out for cleaning/wipedowns. I have used this bag through some major downpours and everything I had in the bag stayed bone dry! The top zippered pocket may not fair quite so well in drenched conditions, although it is water resistant. If I want any items I put into this pocket to remain completely dry, I ensure they are in ziploc bags/waterproof baggies.
The other thing I LOVE about this bag is that it has a sling shoulder strap that can be snapped on/off wiht ease so once you take it off the bike you can just sling it over your shoulder and be on your merry way. Essentially you can use it like a giant "purse" or hip tote if you like that sort of thing. Although I have note/don not use it in this manner, it can also be worn while riding in courier style with the strap and/or also as a tank bag with the tank bag adapter (sold separately). All in all, for me, the Kriega US-20 makes the perfect work commuter bag.
I do wish it had a loop inside the top zippered pocket as this would be a great spot to easily hook my house keys on and make it easy peezy to find and access them when I get home rather than trying to dig through to find them. An additional smaller zippered pocket on top of the current one to perhaps keep a smaller wallet in would also be highly welcome in my books.
Overall....Kriega quality....tick!
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Alpinestars Stella AST-1 Waterproof Women's Pants
(Purchased these to Wear as Overpants for Work Commute Days Once the Weather got Cooler/Wetter)
Size: Large (to be worn as an overpant on commuting work days). Based on that, they do fit loose, but that is exactly what I wanted as I can comfortably wear a pair of thick jeans or even thicker shell/fleece lined pants under them perfectly! These do make a great overpant overall, keeping in mind that I would not be able to wear these on their own or even with a lightweight base layer without swimming in them.
ARMOUR/COVERAGE/ZIPPERS & CONNECTORS: The knee armour does sit a tiny bit too low for me but I did order these a size larger than regular sizing chart due to above (to use as overpant). I think I may try stitching a seam across the lower armor packet so it can hold the armor up a bit higher to improve the comfort. Once I am on the bike and adjust the armor, it is fine but I would prefer that it be in the correct spot right off the bat in case of a spill. I wear these pants with the A* Stella GP Plus R Perforated Leather Jacket (listed above) so there is a waist zipper connection that offers great coverage and comfort for the lower back area.
Have worn these pants in some pretty wicked downpours (for about 20 mins total length each time) and was quite pleased with the results of the waterproofing.I do wish the ankle zipper along the outside ran a bit higher. These pants would actually be awesome with a full side length zipper for ease of on/off without removing footwear (since they do make for an awful nice overpant!).
Good quality zippers and nice zippered storage pocket on thigh.
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Alpinestars Stella GP Plus R Perforated Women's Jacket
This review is based on having worn this jacket for a mix of approx 5000km of in town and hwy riding to date. Size: 42 (6)
I ordered the size as per the A* sizing chart and it is an exact fit & comfortable (wearing a thin to regular thickness shirt/thin jacket liner). If you are
wanting to wear a thicker sweater or thicker jacket liner, definitely order a size up. I
can manage to wear a medium thickness sweater or light wind
liner underneath it but it makes it a bit of a tight fit, especially in the bust & arms. See comments below regarding the fit if you plan to upgrade the back armor. It seems to me the "bust area" of the
jacket sits a bit low.
ARMOR
& COVERAGE: Good armor quality although it does shift a wee bit in
the shoulder area so I need to adjust it once I get the jacket on. The
elbow armor felt a bit stiff until the jacket was worn in for a bit
(about 8 rides).
I upgraded the back armor to the A* Nuc. KR 2i back protector in size small and
it is a great fit - makes the jacket a bit tighter though.
The back lips down to cover a good amount - I do have a couple of pairs
of A* riding pants (Stella Andes Drystar & Stella AST-1) with the
zip connectors that I wear religiously with each ride (ATGATT!) so I
have no complaints with the back coverage that this jacket provides when
wearing the pants.
LEATHER: Very nice quality and thickness. Very pleased with this aspect of the the jacket.
ZIPS/CONNECTORS:
The wrist zippers could be improved upon, as they do ride up a wee bit
after doing them up. Remaining side velcro & front zipper are fine.
COLOR: Love the color. The red is a bit on the brighter side rather than a deep red color (exactly what I wanted).
OVERALL
IMPRESSION: Great jacket for the price. I would suggest to get the non-perf version if you are wanting to
use this jacket for Spring/Fall riding (I wear a large shell jacket
overtop for temps below about 18 degrees C otherwise I find it is a bit
too chilly with the amount of ventilation it throws at speeds >60
km/hr). In town stop/go riding with temps >20C, jacket is a bit warm
for me but completely doable. Keeping in mind, I am in a more
central-northern area of BC so our summer temp season is pretty short
:(.
I actually will probably also purchase a non-perf version of this jacket since I do like the quality and fit a lot. In retrospect, I do wish I had ordered the non-perforated version for my needs as outlined previously.
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Alpinestars Women's Stella SP-2 Gloves
This review is based on having used these gloves for ~ 5000 kms thus far of city and hwy riding. Size: Small.
Definitely
a good purchase choice, especially for Summer riding. A bit cool in the fingers for Spring/Fall conditions. Overall, I am super happy with these gloves, as they fit very
nice and really required no "break in" period to be comfortable. I
ordered a size small based on the measurements listed on sizing guide
and the fit is absolutely perfect (the fingers may seem a tiny bit long
but when in riding position on the grips, they are actually perfect). The cuff is nice and high and wide enough to easily cover over my jacket cuffs (A* Leather jacket). Easy to get on and off.
I
would say these gloves work great in temps above 15 degrees C at hwy
speeds. Lower than that and they are a wee bit chilly although I do put
hand warmer packs in the top slot opening which really helps (although
fingers still get cool). On that note, I do realize and knew that these
were not really my top pick for cool weather riding but more for summer
hwy conditions, to which they are great!
For the price, I would like to see a visor wipe strip included on thumb as this is always a handy feature.
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Alpinestars Stella S-MX 6 Waterproof Women's Boots
This review is based on use of these boots after having done approx 5000 kms of city and hwy riding.
Size: 39 (Foot length 9.75", narrow foot)
FIT:
Awesome fit for my feet! I used the sizing guide and they fit spot on with a
set of gel inserts. I
have a pretty narrow foot (particularly in the heel area) and often
have a difficult time finding footwear that works so I couldn't be
happier having purchased these! I wanted to include my thoughts on
fitment since this can be so challenging (and frustrating!!) when
ordering online.
FUNCTION & COMFORT: I wanted a boot that I
could wear for a few hours at a time (at a minimum) off bike as well and
these fit the bill. I have worn these at work standing/walking around
for over 3 hrs and they are really quite comfy. Perhaps the gel inserts I use help with keeping them comfy. Riding is fabulous with these
as well - no issues in terms of the pegs/shifter/brakes and the heel
height and reinforced toe is just right. For a boot that offers such decent CE protection, it is very comfortable and offers better than
expected flexibility where needed. The sole seems to work well for
traction on pavement that is wet and/or a bit slippery. Would like a
little more grip for looser surfaces (eg some loose gravel).
ZIPPERS/VELCRO/COVERAGE: Good quality zippers & velcro adjustment. Pretty easy on/off and everything stays put as it should. A bit more cumbersome to put on than I would like but understandable for the style of boot.
WET
RIDING: I have worn these in very wet riding conditions and in temps of
about 4 degrees C. My feet have remained DRY although when its colder
out (4 C) my toes do get a bit cool. Wearing a nice wool sock has
helped.
Would prefer that the boot was a little less logo-ish on
the front (maybe a dark grey logo rather than white). It would also be
nice to maybe have a wee bit more height in the sole just for those of
use who could use an extra bit of height :). Overall, I would say a very nice boot well worth buying.
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Alpinestars Stella Andes Drystar Women's Pants
This review is based on having worn this product for about 5000 km of
both city and hwy riding. Size: Medium as per the sizing guide and they are very true to size (I
would say on the smaller fitting end of the scale) but I like my gear
to fit relatively snugly.
Overall Impression: Well worth the buy! They are comfy in the riding position and I can wear them comfortably
off bike as well.
ARMOUR/ZIPPERS/COVERAGE: Good quality knee
armour. Hip area is padded ok. Zippers all good quality. These pants
work well to provide great lower back coverage and prevent cold drafts -
I wear these pants with the A* Stella GP Plus R Perforated Leather
Jacket (size 42) and the zipper connection for pant-to-jacket works
well.
Knee armour required a bit of breaking in at first (about 10 decent long
rides) as was quite stiff and a bit irritating to my knees in a sport
riding position but now poses no issues in terms of comfort.
Have
worn these in some pretty significant downpours and am quite happy with
the waterproofing. They also work quite well in temps of 4-5 C with the
removable liner in at hwy speeds (>80 km/hr). When it gets warmer
our, the vent zippers on the side do help to cool things off well and the removable
liner is a nice feature of these pants for sure. I appreciate the 2 zippered front storage thigh pockets.
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Size Purchased: XS. My head circumference size is about: 55 cm. I purchased my helmet locally after trying on both the small and x-small. Per the sizing chart that is listed on Revzilla, XS = 54-55 cm/per the chart on Canada's Motorcycle/FortNine, XS = 53-54 cm. So in my particular case, the sizing chart per Revzilla was spot on for me.
This was my very first (Yay!) "rider" purchase! Honestly, for the price (about $100.00 CAD), I would say this helmet is a good buy, especially for a starter helmet (aka not sure if riding is for you) and perhaps as a back-up helmet (what I am keeping mine for now that I am upgrading to the Shoei RF 1200).
This was my very first (Yay!) "rider" purchase! Honestly, for the price (about $100.00 CAD), I would say this helmet is a good buy, especially for a starter helmet (aka not sure if riding is for you) and perhaps as a back-up helmet (what I am keeping mine for now that I am upgrading to the Shoei RF 1200).
This was my choice for my "Starter Helmet" since I wasn't exactly thrilled with the notion of purchasing an expensive helmet in case this whole riding thing ended up not being up my alley. I can now say give me any dark, damp, dismal alley - I'm in 100%!!! Thus, my new Shoei brain bucket is currently en route. Granted, I DID add some reflective tape to the HJC so I'm pretty sure I get some points for that, right?
In all seriousness, this HJC helmet offers many pros for the price point:
- Quite light (about 3 1/2 lbs)
- DOT rated
- Quite comfortable for my oval-ish shaped head (this helmet should be a decent fit for oval-ish-round heads but as with any helmet, it is always best to try them on since all of our heads can vary in what they do and do not like for helmet fitment)
- Visor does not have any significant distortion
- Field of view is pretty darn good
- The shield is super easy to on/off for cleaning/swapping
- Vents decently enough at higher speeds
- I did not experience any significant break-in pain with this helmet and found it quite comfortable overall
- The size of it's shell (exterior) is quite compact-looking so it doesn't make your head look out of proportion for those of us who are smaller framed.
Cons (of note, the cons for the price of this helmet are really not a
deal-breaker IMHO:
- The visor fogs up quite a bit in cooler and/or humid conditions even with the vents open (I did not add a breath box to it)
- The padding seems to have compressed a fair bit after about 3500 kms of ride time
- The shape of it when it's on my noggin just seems too "bucket-like" for my tastes. It kind of reminds me of Bender; If any of you are past or present Futurama fans, you will know what I mean ;).
Edited June 5, 2016 to add a photo that helps to illustrate my above "bucket-head" Bender analogy ;). Note the Shoei in the photo below (white helmet) looks more rounded as compared to the HJC so rather than...well...the Bender pic above lol. I'm not dissing the HJC - it is actually a very comfortable entry level helmet (and it is nice and small so doesn't make your head look like gigantour, particularly if you have a smaller frame :) )
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| CanadianMotoGal's Shoei RF1200 versus HJC CSR2 Side by Side Comparison: Front View |
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| CanadianMotoGal's Shoei RF1200 versus HJC CSR2 Side by Side Comparison: Back View |
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| CanadianMotoGal's Shoei RF1200 versus HJC CSR2 Side by Side Comparison: Side View |
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