black | Motorcycle Accessories and Apparel

I have gained a healthy respect for REV'IT! protective apparel. I have found their stuff to be well designed and well made. However, the company makes a lofty claim with the name of the REV'IT! Ultimate Pants.

On first inspection, these armored textile pants look solid enough. The ...

Motorcycling and leather are forever linked. The relationship goes back to the origins of the sport. I guess that's why I like leather jackets with a classic look and feel. The REV'IT! CR Leather Jacket fits this bill. I can't help but think the "CR" stands ...

I know this jacket, because I OWN this jacket. In the summer, I see a lot of riders wearing T-shirts where I live. Some think you have to choose either protection or comfort in hot weather. Not true.

Armored mesh jackets are the answer. The Dainese ...

Wow! Do they still make these? A traditional, no frills, no nonsense dirt helmet?

The HJC CL-X5N solid helmet is refreshing in its simplicity. This helmet doesn't pretend to be anything but a well-built off-road helmet. Rest assured, in the case of this helmet, simple does not mean low ...

I think I have seen more -- umm -- interesting helmet designs in the last year than in any year previous. The Nolan Trilogy N43 fits firmly into this "interesting" design category. Nolan claims that the N43 is a "6-in-1 crossover helmet". This basically ...

The Fly Racing Patrol Jacket is a model of dirt apparel versatility. Just listen to what it can do. In cool weather, leave everything zipped and attached. As things cool, you can remove the sleeves and open the vents. If you need to remove the jacket ...

When the discussion of ultra-premium racing gear comes up in sport-bike circles, Dainese will certainly be mentioned early and often. The Dainese Racing Leather Jacket is a new offering by the legendary Italian company. It will cost you, but if you want to ride in a jacket ...

The Moose Racing Qualifier Jersey is simply a well-made, well-designed dirt jersey. It is not some frilly, gaudy, attention-seeking billboard. It is attractive, understated, and functional. This is a welcome departure from modern MX gear for a lot of us.

The jersey is polyester with sublimated graphics. What ...

The Icon TiMax 2 textile jacket is a rider favorite for good reason. Interestingly, the titanium is not just a sales ploy (although it is certainly that, too). There is actually exterior titanium armor plating and titanium reinforced textile panels in critical areas.

The TiMax 2 comes ...

Puma motorcycle footwear is growing in popularity in the moto-world as aggressively as its namesake hunts its prey. The company has taken its understanding of the foot and translated that knowledge into the demanding realm of protective motorcycling wear.

The Puma 1000 v2 Boots are a serious race-oriented boot. ...

Joe Rocket Speedmaster gloves have been around for quite a while. I see a lot to like about the latest incarnation, the Speedmaster 8.0. I guess 8.0 means that this is the 8th version -- I'm quick that way.

Anyway, here's what the glove has to offer. It has the standard drum-dyed ...

I have been looking for a pair boots to fit my narrowish foot. I tried the Alpinestars Web Gortex boots, but the width was just too much for me, even with inserts. After sampling many boots, the Sidi Vertigo Boots may just be the ticket.

The Vertigo is ...

What we have here is an incredible jacket with a Shakespearean fatal flaw.

The Speed and Strength Hell 'n Back Jacket has a list of features and functions I have never seen in any other jacket. It has a body constructed of water-resistant AR-600 textile. That body has what ...

I've reviewed the GoPro Motorsports camera for this site. In short, I love the product. It comes with a variety of mounting options out of the box -- some of which are more secure than others.

Dirt bike mounting poses its own unique issues due to vibration, banging, tree branches, ...

A lot of times we don't want to wear tight race replica leather motorcycle pants, despite the fact that they offer the top level of protection. There are nice riding jeans out there. However, I personally question the safety of the armor in loose-fitting riding ...

A good, well-designed gear bag can be the best friend of both competitive and recreational dirt and ATV riders. The Answer Large Gear Bag has the space and rugged design to be an attractive option for someone seeking versatile luggage.

The Answer Large Gear Bag has the cavernous ability to ...

Versatility is becoming the name of the game in motorcycle protective apparel. Here we have a hydration system that integrates a chest protector (or vice versa). At first glance, the Fly Racing Convertible Hydro Pack Kit looks to be a perfect marriage. In fact, for most ...

More and more apparel companies are offering riding shoes that have motorcycle specific features, but no real armor. I am not naive. I know that we don't all wear protective apparel every time we ride, but in terms of protection, more is better.

The Alpinestars Mille Shoes are motorcycle ...

I just got back from a 500-mile ride in the upper Baja of Mexico wearing the Alpinestars Rodeo Denim jeans. Are they the perfect casual armored riding pants? No. Are they good? Yes. I like them; and I believe they will become my primary ...

When I begin a review of adventure touring apparel, I first turn to a forum called Adventure Rider Motorcycle Forum (ADV). What I am looking for are early reactions by my fellow rabid adventure tourers. When I searched for notes on the Klim Adventure Rally Jacket (and matching ...

I tried these gloves on several recent winter rides. OK, my winter rides in Arizona may not be like your winter rides in North Dakota. However, I tested these gloves at 65 miles per hour in sub-40 degree temps. The Alpinestars ST-1 Drystar Gloves kept my digits comfortable. ...

The company name tries a little too hard to inspire excitement, but REV'IT! is producing some good gear. The REV'IT! Airvolution Glove is a good product that doesn't quite live up to the name.

When you think about it, it is easy to be well-protected and comfortable in cool weather. ...

I have always found that Alpinestars boots fit my foot well. Because of this, I find myself feeling comfortable ordering the Italian company's boots online with little trepidation. The Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex Boots are a bit of a different fit, however.

The boots are what I look for ...

Heavy gauge, full leather gloves provide the ultimate in crash protection for the hands. However, they can be downright uncomfortable in hot weather. I have worn Fieldsheer gloves of the leather variety and was very impressed. With this in mind, I had high hopes for the Fieldsheer ...

More and more riders are wearing textile pants for everyday motorcycling duty. Textile looks more casual than its leather counterpart. In many ways, it is also more comfortable. Dainese's new Drake Air textile pants are a nice addition to the choices in this motorcycle apparel ...

If you have read my jacket reviews (and I certainly hope you have), you know that one of my pet peeves is that apparel makers typically don't include CE-approved back (spine) armor in new jackets. Sometimes the jackets have a cheap foam insert; other times you get ...

Held is somewhat of a legendary company in terms of rider apparel. In the 1940s, German glove-maker Edgar Held started the line of high quality motorcycle gloves. How appropriate the company's name is to the English-speaking consumer base is purely coincidence.

The Held Steve 2 is ...

I live in the beautiful Southwest, so rain suits are not typically on the forefront of my mind. For me they are a seldom used, unglamorous item relegated to some recess of my touring luggage.

That is all well and good, but when you need a good rain suit, you ...

When you ride in cold or wet weather, the one area that is typically left exposed is the chin and neck area. This is also an area that is usually in the direct airflow over the windscreen… not a good combination.

Enter the REV'IT! Blaze Balaclava. This head and neck ...

Picture the scene: You pull into a parking spot in the city, you secure your helmet on the bike's helmet lock, you put your disk lock in place, and you are ready to go to lunch. But wait -- you don't want to lug your jacket and tank bag to ...

I live in the Desert Southwest, so I am no stranger to flat dirt-bike tires. Thorns punch their way into my tubes, and the rocky terrain inflicts more than a few of the dreaded "snake bite" sidewall pinch punctures. Because of my treacherous home trail environment, ...

In some people's eyes, the problem with armored motorcycles jackets is… well, they look like armored motorcycle jackets. The Teknic Women's Diamond Jacket offers a good measure of protection while still looking good off the bike.

Let's start, as we should, with protection. The Teknic Diamond features Knox Lite ...

The Dainese Santa Monica Perforated Leather Jacket carries a name that conjures the beauty of the West Coast. This varied terrain ranges from cool coastal temperatures to the toasty desert inland. This jacket should perform well in this spectrum of temperatures.

First off, this jacket is perforated for ...

I have owned an HJC "AC" series helmet, and was quite pleased with it. I only sold it because I changed motorcycle colors (lame reason, I know). According to HJC, the "FS" series is the replacement of that quality AC line.

The HJC FS-15 Carbon Helmet is ...

Alpinestars Afrika Shoes are a new-for-2010 offering of the Italian apparel company. Quite frankly, I am a bit confused by this boot…or shoe. First, there is the name. When I connect Africa (no matter how you spell it) and motorcycling, my mind conjures up visions of adventure touring ...

When riding off-road, the slower speeds and warm conditions can lead to heat build-up and fogging in conventional goggles. The Smith Intake Enduro Goggles, as the name would imply, have built-in venting. The Intake goggles have on-demand vents that direct air into the goggle body. The venting ...

I can see the EVS PP05 Ultimate Shorts as a great protection option in a variety of riding situations. The shorts are constructed of Lycra and Spandex and are intended to be worn under other pants (unless you have a LOT of confidence). The garment includes high-impact ...

I recently watched a TV documentary on the workings of the Alpinestars factory in Italy. I was more than impressed with the attention to detail of everyone featured, from the engineers to the testers and fabricators. They all seemed passionate about producing a quality product. There is ...

Icon is an interesting company. Where many of the older apparel companies market traditional "tried-and-true" designs, Icon focuses on designs that appeal to the youngest segment of our sport. Some would even call the company trendy. However, the upside to all of this is that young ...

Speed and Strength (SS) is a company with an eye for appearance but also solid attention to detail. The Speed And Strength Moment Of Truth SP Men's Mesh Motorcycle Jacket is no exception. It is a good-looking jacket that will keep you cool and protected in ...

The Alpinestars Royal Drystar Textile Motorcycle Jacket is a true foul-weather friend. This piece of riding apparel has features that will protect in extreme conditions. It is geared toward the commuter or the full-on touring rider.

The shell is nylon with PU-coating construction for strength and abrasion resistance. It ...

I have spent quite a bit of time reviewing helmets for adventure-touring. However, the second most difficult body part for the adventure-tourer to outfit is the foot. These riders (of which I am one) ride through water, mud, and dust, and still must have a boot that will ...

Last year, I was in the market for a new pair of street boots. I looked mostly to my favorite boot brands: Alpinestars and Sidi. However, since I am a bit anal when it comes to my riding gear, I did an exhaustive search. In this ...

Many touring and cruiser riders prefer an open-face helmet over the full-face variety. The open-face design allows a less obstructed view of the road and motorcycle, and is much more convenient when off the motorcycle. The down-side is that an open-face helmet leaves the rider's face ...

We do a lot to make our rear ends look good. Wait, not that rear end! I am talking about the tail section of our sport bikes. One of the most frequent aesthetic modifications in the sportbike world is cleaning up the stuff sitting out ...

Since its introduction by BMW back in 1980, the GS line has been a favorite of adventure riders world-wide. The massive dual-sport motorcycle has carved a deep niche in the two-wheeled lexicon. Bone stock new GS is a versatile beast; however, these bikes seldom stay stock. ...

Joe Rocket is a well-known and respected manufacturer of motorcycle jackets, pants, boots, and riding suits. Aside from a name that will inspire an occasional, good-natured verbal jab from riding buddies, I have found Joe Rocket gear to be well-made and functional.

On the other hand, when I think ...

For years, the Shoei Syncrotec Helmet has been a favorite of the touring and adventure-touring segments of the motorcycling world. It is a solid and functional flip-up (a.k.a. modular) helmet. There is little doubt that the helmet that has replaced the Syncrotec will become a favorite as ...

Today we're talking versatility. Dual sport motorcycles like the Kawasaki KLR 650 and adventure touring motorcycles like the BMW GS are versatile. They eat up chunks of pavement like a street bike yet have the ability to take on the dirt as well. The riders of ...

Because they are such a hot item right now, I've been reviewing a lot of "new concept" helmets. I've looked at modulars, convertibles, and crossovers. Marketing lingo aside, the basic concept is to offer a helmet that adapts to different riding conditions and different riding styles. ...