Having lived in Arizona for over 4 decades, I know a little something about heat. Having been a motorcyclist for almost as long, I know a little something about hot weather gear. I don't know if Joe Rocket invented the armored mesh jacket, but they are at least ...

Big names in scooter boot manufacturing come largely from Italy, these days. Gaerne's made a good name for themselves in the mid-price range. I first heard of these back in the '90s from a friend who has enough money to buy whatever he likes, but chose a pair ...

Oh wee little Icon riding gloves, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Don't worry, I'm not about to whip out the ol' poetry on you, but I do have a soft spot for these gloves. They are much like my old, beaten-down riding standby pair. Leather on ...

Top-of-the-line, $80 gloves are great if you get them as a gift from some rich uncle, but for most of us that's not going to happen. Don't get me wrong; high-end equipment is an investment and provides a lot of protection for motocross riders who need it. If you ride pro or ...

Bread, eggs, term papers; all things that pose a unique problem on the bike. It's not so much that you can't strap them to the tail, or toss them in your soft bags, but that you'll probably end up with destruction or a terrible mess. Hard packs don't make it much easier ...

I'm so embarrassed. I went to a party last weekend where bikes were parked around a bonfire providing a great place to sit and have a beer, but I couldn't pack everything on my bike. This is pretty surprising for me because I pride myself on being quick with a bungee, ...

August went out with a heat wave here, but now that September has arrived, it's been cool. This is not the best weather for me to be thinking about a mesh textile jacket, but last month, stuck in traffic with the heat beating down on me, I gave some serious consideration ...

Finding a decent pair of gloves can be hard for me. I have small hands. Adult small gloves often have fingers that are still too long, and kids glove's fingers are too short. Caught between these worlds, I've found that the very thing more riders don't like about Alpinestars' SP-X gloves is my ...

Anyone who knows me knows that I like versatility. I'm terrible at making the big decisions because I always want to make the "right" one. Any product that can assure me it will accommodate me during a sudden snowstorm in a desert has my vote. Maybe the AGV Sport Evolution/Rally ...

My brother-in-law just bought his third riding jacket. Third. He has a leather, a textile, and now another textile that has "Kawasaki" written on it. Each of these serve a purpose to deal with specific riding conditions, including that riding condition where people are looking at you and wondering what brand ...

Racing boots have an entirely different set of hazards than motocross or street boots. There is, of course, an obvious necessity for all of them to resist abrasion, impact, and heat, but applying the right tool for the right job can give you an advantage on the track. Alpinestars Supertech R sport ...

A new seat is expensive, and to get one that is really comfortable for you might be even more expensive. There may be a lot of reasons your present seat isn't all that you could want. It could be old and worn down, or it may never have been comfy to begin with, ...

Some years ago I found myself sitting in a hotel bar in Elko, Nevada. We had arrived late, we were filthy, and we really smelled. One of us was ugly and covered in offensive tattoos. They gave us the rooms at the farthest end of a long, dark hallway, ...

While protective gear for motorcyclists continues to improve, there are still gaps in our armor. One of the products to help chink that gap for street riders is Icon's Field Armor for your legs. Or shin guards, if you prefer.

It's not just a simple knee-pad; these are larger than they ...

Riding with a good waterproof coat, or even a 2-piece rain suit, won't stop a torrent of rainwater from running down your back, into your pants, or through any tiny gap in your gear. If you know the weather will be foul on your trip, suck it up and throw on ...

Last week, I noticed something disconcerting. The seams on my riding jacket are beginning to fray. I'm sure I can stitch it back together, but I will not put my money on dime store thread when it does battle with pavement. It might be time to look for some more robust ...

Icon's Tarmac gloves are not unlike today's nimble street bikes. They are small and they are complicated. I mean complicated in the best way possible -- complicated the way a watch is complicated, complicated because they pack everything you need into a small package.

The outer construction of these gloves is nylon and ...

Tank bags are not only useful but reassuring. Your stuff is right there under your nose and you don't have to get off your bike to dig our a camera or a few coins for toll. Also, I have an irrational fear that my saddlebags are too close to my pipes ...

Joe Rocket has earned a name in motorcycle gear, and that name is now proudly paired with those of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. The officially licensed Yamaha Air Force gloves are one of the many products that bear the Yamaha logo, but rest assured you're getting more for your ...

Leather: it's for your senses -- even "sense-ual," as it were. Even the word "leather" has a nice feel and sound to it. And with this thick-skinned and slightly oversized Alpinestars jacket, you'll get a nice feel as well as the creaking sound of good, finished leather. Gotta love that smell, ...

Regardless of the kind of riding you do, your shins take a lot of hits. Even riding a cruiser you get bugs, rocks, and (sadly enough) the occasional bolt that shakes loose. This does not even address the violent existence of a trail and track rider's shins.

Icon's Field Armor leg guards ...

It is difficult to decide between textile and leather. Both have their advantages, but riders shouldn't have to compromise between comfort and protection. Icon's ARC mesh jacket brings together the best of both worlds.

The body of the ARC is constructed of durable fighter mesh nylon that provides comfortable flexibility and airflow ...

While the road riding community argues, whines, and moans about personal protective equipment, the motocross folks have been developing it. I'm not insulting the people who ride cruisers. I'm in that lot myself. But it seems that we're always talking about the level of protection a rider should have. It ranges from those ...

Staying dry on a ride is high on my list of priorities. But then I don't really know anyone who actually enjoys becoming soaked to the bone. Even ducks don't like it. That's why they're… well, you know… waterproof.

Meanwhile, Nelson-Rigg has been supplying rain protection since 1972. Their ...

Serious riders demand serious protection. The Cortech GX Air Series 2 jacket is a high-end jacket that combines a bit of flashy style with top notch materials and protection.

The GX Air Series 2 uses a combination of natural and synthetic materials. The back, shoulder and elbow panels are all decked out ...

Arai has made a name for itself by being expensive. If money's no object and you want the best the world has to offer, buy an Arai. Lots of companies make very good helmets for protecting your skull and all its guts, but Arai is the top ...

Last week was hot -- really, really hot. My leather jacket has great ventilation and I normally defend the leather to my lungs' end due to the superior abrasion protection. My vanity also lends me to suffer a little for that classic look, but last week made we wish I ...

I'll get my own immaturity out of the way first: "Deuce" is a horrible name for pants. Really? Deuce? Come on, marketing people over at Scorpion, get your heads in the game.

Anyway, despite the atrocious branding, they are actually some pretty nice riding pants. They have been crash tested, and the ...

Been looking to get in touch with your inner zombie? Do you identify best with your undead friends? Are you in the market for a jacket with a pretty wicked graphic scheme? Well if any of those questions apply to you then Icon's Decay Hooligan jacket may be just what ...

Cleaning and changing the air filter on your quad is one of those dreaded yet so very necessary maintenance routines everyone has to live with. Decades ago K&N set out to simplify and change the way we do things when it comes to air filters.

At first glance, the price might turn you off ...

Summer is all about getting on your ride and hitting those sunshiny roads. If you happen to be interested in riding with some protection though, which everyone should be, then summer can also mean sweating your bearings off inthe sweltering heat in traffic or while sitting at a stoplight ...

Riding long hours on the motocross track or out in the woods is a full-body physical experience. From helmets to knee braces to chest protectors,
riders outfit themselves with all sorts of apparel and safety gear to make their ride safer and more comfortable. One of the most overlooked areas as far as ...

This pro jacket has got enough safety and durability features to equal its flashy good looks.

Its technical stretch mesh construction is extremely comfortable to wear. Add to that the customizable arm and shoulder straps, and the adjustable dual-waist Velcro closure system, for added luxury.

Protective padding and durability shows up in all the ...

Lots of different manufacturers say that their youth jerseys are durable, affordable, and comfortable -- but have you ever heard them be easy?

That's what sets this EVS Ballistic jersey apart from the rest. It's easy to get comfortable: the lightweight and cool ballistic fabric doesn't feel too heavy ...

According to the product website, the new Answer 2008 lineup of women's and girls' race gear is endorsed by none other than Tarah Gieger, an obvious frontrunner in women's motocross.

This new line updates the popular Ion style, adding and updating the following features: new feminine-tailored fit of Birdseye mesh, new fabrics with ...

Wait, are these really boots? These seem more like a pair of comfy sneaks than they do a pair of riding boots at first glance.

But Icon still designed these boots with motorcycle-specific features. Each boot has a buckled midfoot support strap, and a sole meant to stick to the bike pedals without ...

Alpinestars is one of the most well-respected names in the biz, and it's easy to see why.

This jacket pulls out all the stops: it's made of mid-weight, 1.2mm-1.4mm genuine full grain leather with a die-cut Alpinestars logo emblazoned across the chest.

Safety-wise, it features soft, CE-rated elbow and shoulder pads ...

MSR released the 2008 Starlet line hoping to blend a pleasant fusion of comfort and protection.

The material contains both Spandex and mesh, making it easy to move around while still keeping cool all throughout your adventure.

The legs are specifically contoured and shaped for sport riding, accented with ribbed ...

Endorsements from the motocross legends Metal Mulisha should help propel this SSO suit into the limelight, and if you're a fan of Twitch and the MM crew, chances are you've heard of it before.

Metal Mulisha actually helped design this suit specifically for extreme-sport safety.

For one thing, the main ingredient ...

Alpinestars debuted the Stella racing boot with the intention of merging street functionality with supreme comfort, and with an impressive list of features, it looks like they made their intentions clear.

Notable details are as follows: durable microfiber construction to shield impact and significantly reduce abrasion, innovative air vents and mesh ...

If you're looking for a durable racing suit with good safety features and adequate heat management, it looks like the Alpinestars Stella Octane might work for you.

You won't find an endless list of name-brand inserts and high-tech features, but you will find an ergonomic design specifically ...

Rev'It! makes some pretty cool stuff, but this is the best suit they've ever made.

It provides both safety and comfort to the wearer. Enhanced safety stitching is featured all over the suit. The shoulders are reinforced with TPU-Alloy honeycomb shoulder parts that still allow for freedom of movement.

Knees are also ...

This is an undertated, classy looking jacket from Power Trip. It has numerous features to keep you safe and comfortable.

The heavy duty polyamide outer mesh shell will keep you cool while riding on pleasant days, and for inclement weather, you can add the removable waterproof liner.

Ample protection is provided by the C.E. rated ...

For those who like the look of denim, DSX turns your favorite jeans jacket into an armor-plated riding jacket.

The 13.5 oz. denim provides excellent abrasion resistance, and your elbows and shoulders are shielded by C.E. approved armor. An articulated, triple density back protector and EVA foam padded panels complete the protection.

Comfort is taken ...

The Alpinestars Women's V-Rebel Air-Flo Jacket is stylish and lightweight but offers the protection that you need.

The outer shell is made up of a water resistant polyester. Alpinestars logos featured on the front and rear are reflective to increase visibility at night and improve safety.

Heavy mesh reinforces the arms and sides for ...

This vintage-style Harley Davidson Women's Jacket offers the look of Harley Davidson from yesteryear with contemporary materials and craftsmanship.

The jacket is constructed of nylon/cotton twill that is coated for durability, stain resistance and easy cleaning. It has a mesh lining to help keep you comfortable and dry. The Harley ...

Not to be confused with the other Vixen jacket featured today, this one is nylon, not leather. But it's no less Vixen-y!

This one is from Power Trip. It's made of a heavy-duty Hitena, which is a patented GoreTex-like material that breaths while also keeping the elements at bay.

It has zippered vents ...

The 2007 Drifter Backpack from Shift is made of 100% polyester, keeping it lightweight when you have it loaded with gear.

The Drifter Backpack has a roomy main compartment with 2 additional zipper pockets. The top organizer pocket will help to keep items that you need to get to quickly within easy reach and the ...

The Honda 180 Racepants by Fox Racing offer a combination of comfort and good looks while keeping your lower body safe.

The main body fabric repells and resists water and has a 3/4 legnth tricot mesh lining. These pants have articulated precurved legs, detachable hip pads, stretch panels at back yoke, knee, lower ...

Brought to you by Firstgear, the Mesh-Tex 2 Jacket for women is stylish, yet comfortable and provides great protection.

The ballistic poly mesh shell is vented with a perforated nylon lining for maximum air flow. If the wind gets to be too much, the windbreaker liner is removable for regulating your airflow and temperature.

The ...