New Tech Denim Jeans from Alpinestars!

Be it a commute, a bar hop, or a simple cruise around town, sometimes it can be nice to be a bit more incognito with your riding gear. Riding Denim is nothing new, but Alpinestars brings a new collection of options to the table this fall to compliment their collection.

The first bit of importance with any denim riding jean is the presence of Kevlar for abrasion resistance. These pants fit the bill, reinforced with internal Kevlar hip and knee panels. The Alpinestars Resist Jeans, part of their "Tech Denim" collection, has a straight fit and clean cut look, for those of you white collar rebels who prefer to make a more classy statement of defiance. The inner waist and pockets are detailed with a contemporary print design. We advise you to resist the urge to wear your jeans inside out to show of this detailing, and instead just rest in the knowledge that you are hip, even if it stays your little secret.

Alpinestars Resist Jeans Review:



If that sounded to up-tight for you, the Alpinestars Ablaze Jeans, also labelled "Tech Denim," are available with a more relaxed comfort fit. The Kevlar stitching at the knees is more apparent, giving these jeans a more rugged "on the job" feel. The Ablaze also sports a leather belt patch with leather logos on the front and rear. This makes them pair perfectly with a pack of smokes and a Roland Sands Hesher II Jacket, just saying!

Alpinestars Ablaze Jeans Review:






This next one is basically a carbon copy of the Resist, but with an accordion stretch panel at the rear and a more aggressive pre-curve shape. The Alpinestars Hellcat Jeans uses a straight cut fit along with the print and patch details mentioned in the previous two.



Alpinestars Hellcat Jeans Review:





The first three pants all come with CE-rated adjustable knee armor and removable hip padding. The final men's option in Tech Denim is the Alpinestars Outcast Jeans. These do come with hip padding, but the CE-rated knee protection is sold separately. This allows for a more attainable price point, but still keeps the Kevlar protection and the attention to detail and a straight-cut fit.


Alpinestars Outcast Jeans Review:




Alpinestars will also be releasing a women's version as a part of their Tech Denim Kevlar collection. The Women's Alpinestars Kerry Jeans will have the same Kevlar reinforcement, including the CE-certified knee protectors and the hip padding. Accordion stretch panels decorate the knees for extra flex and fashion.




Alpinestars Kerry Jeans Review:


Throw on your Tech Denim and hunt down some Mayan club flagrants! Or, go do your grocery shopping and stuff those saddlebags with fragrant pears! The choice is yours, the Denim is Alpinestars.

-- ckZilla
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Joe Rocket: American Cut and Sport Inspired

A race-inspired brand, made to fit the average American frame, Joe Rocket has been stocking the shelves for the better part of two decades. Our sizing and buying guide gives an overview of the brand and will educate you on the basics of what to expect from their apparel.

While we've seen racers like Nicky Hayden, Ben Spies, support and interact with the brand as they develop their product, Joe Rocket doesn't over-invest in the track-side spectrum of gear. Instead, we would consider their items derived from the track, but more aplicable to the every day rider, both in price and in fitment.

Joe Rocket Sizing & Buying Guide:



Fitment is forgiving across the board, whether you try on their boots, gloves, pants, jackets, or helmets. In addition, they go further up the sizing scale than most brands, offering 5XL and 6XL on occasion. This is also true of their women's sizing, offering "Diva" sizing for curvier women. Joe Rocket also produces a good percentage of their jackets and pants with "tall" sizing. One thing is for certain, Joe Rocket doesn't want you to be able to say you couldn't find something that fits!

Given their commitment to fitment and their consistent attention to price point, Joe Rocket is a great bang for the buck brand, even if they don't always make it to the pro level.

-- ckZilla
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Icon Airmada Bostrom: E-Boz + Zebra = Animal instincts!

Electric motorcycles exist outside of the 80’s Tron Light Cycles and commuter battery-powered bicycles. Team Icon Brammo is racing in the new electric motorcycle racing series with the Brammo Empulse RR. Eric Bostrom will be piloting a zebra inspired Empulse RR in the FIM/TTXGP 2013 electric road racing series. Inspired perhaps by his animal instincts, this graphic will be named the Icon Airmada Bostrom Helmet.




You can't ride a fancy motorcycle from the future with a regular ol' helmet. E-Boz is going to be sporting an Icon Airmada matching the zebra motif. The Airmada is a staple in Icon's helmet line up offering great venting, so when Bostrom is silently zipping along he'll be pleasantly cool.



Icon Airmada Bostrom Review:



When you receive your Bostrom Helmet, run to your local zoo and hop on a zebra to do your best E-Boz imitation. If you find your impression lacking, the lid also comes in a blue color scheme. Good luck finding a blue Zebra to ride!

-- SanchoZilla
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Giant Loop Siskiyou Panniers: Two-Up & Fully Loaded!

"Bless you!" That was quite a sneeze. No, actually, Siskiyou is a real word, and a real location. The county of Siskiyou exists at the top of California and is an expanse of mountain ranges and big-foot sightings. Now that you know I haven't caught a cold, lets dive into the details on this dry pannier bag!

Heavy duty, trucker-tarp style dry bags are nothing new for Giant Loop, and their Great Basin and Coyote saddle are excellent choices for solo trips where maximum storage is needed. However, two-up riding presents a storage challenge. Not only do you now carry a hair dryer, 3 extra bottles of shampoo, 5 pairs of black shoes and a weeks supply of dark chocolate, but you have less place to put it all!



Enter the need for a large storage solution that does not take up space on your pillion. While many would stop reading at this point and go straight to Givi hardcases, or an OEM solution, soft luggage is much lighter and more modular than hard luggage. In addition, they are usually more accesible on the road, not requiring keys, combos, and latches to gain entry. Though I wouldn't recommend hardcore terrain while riding two-up, there is a safety benefit for some enduro riders who would rather have soft bags fall on their legs than the edges of an aluminium box.


Giant Loop Siskiyou Panniers Review:



The Giant Loop Siskiyou Panniers give a whopping 70 liters of storage in a 100% waterproof dry-bag roll-top package. The best part? Your honey now rests atop her own personal seat pad. The adjustable straps are made with military-spec materials and can be easily fitted to a variety of bikes, with or without luggage racks. If your exhaust runs particularly hot, Giant Loop even includes heat shields to protect the panniers.

Now don't get me wrong, not all pillion riders are high-maintenance! Regardless of your better half's disposition (or packing skills), the extra space and benefit that the Siskiyou provides will make the trip easier and more comfortable. After all, what is the point in getting away from it all if you can only pack enough for one night on the road?

-- ckZilla
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Sidi Charger Boots: The Middle Child

Sidi has well established their name in the world of boots. Specifically, we've seen a lot of success with their adventure touring and off-road options. Many of you have likely overlooked the Charger in lieu of the Crossfire or Adventure Rain. Within the past year, the Agueda now crowds the lineup as well. Choices, choices, how to decide?

Lets break it down. Other than the Adventure Rain, all the boots I've mentioned are not waterproof, so they would require a Gore-Tex sock for wet conditions. Their main purpose shines in the arid conditions of desert riding, where rocks and stones may break your bones, but precipitation is rare. The Sidi Charger Boot could definitely be considered an entry-level competition option, however, keep in mind that the sole is not as easily replaceable without the SRS system found on the Crossfire.

Sidi Charger Boots Review:



On the flip side, the Charger boots are a hefty step up from the Agueda or Trial Zero boots considering the addition of more hard part protection and the aforementioned hinge. Keep in mind that the Charger is about as tall as they come in the boot world. We wouldn't recommend this for casual use or commuting unless you have to cross a desert to get to work.

Leave us your comments on the YouTube review above and let us know your experience with the Sidi Charger!

-- ckZilla
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Roland Sands Hesher 2 Jacket: Marlboro Country Manliness

Despite all the Surgeon General’s warnings, you still think the Marlboro Man is cool, don’t you? Don’t worry, we do too. Rugged manliness doesn’t go out of style, and neither will this jacket. Thanks to Roland Sands, the new Hesher II Jacket will make you look the part of the tobacco industry’s greatest success - and you won’t have to ride all the way to Marlboro Country to buy it. Though you will have to acquire your own raspy voice, mustache, and cowboy hat.


The Roland Sands Hesher II isn’t all seriousness though. It’s relaxed collar and comfortable fit will have you relaxin’ in the saddle in no time. Motorcycle saddle, that is - though you could certainly rustle up some cattle when your bike is in the shop. You probably wouldn’t want to tear up the track with this guy, but if you find yourself in the middle of a stampede with no place to hide, the Hesher II will now fit RSD’s shoulder, elbow, and back armor. It might not stop a charging bull, but the fall off your horse will be slightly less painful.


Roland Sands Hesher 2 Jacket Review:


The Hesher 2’s chassis is made out of a duck canvas. Tell Donald and his pals to relax though, this jacket isn’t made out of real ducks (nor fake ones). It’s just meant to highlight the jacket’s water resistance. Light drizzle? No problem. Running through sprinklers? Sounds like fun. Anything else and this jacket will leave you a little soggy.

If the skies are clear and the road is open, the Hesher II’s soft satin liner will keep you nice and cozy though. The grin on your face might ruin your cowboy-on-a-bike image though, so keep that in check.

-- ZLAus-e
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Le Pera Seats: An All-American Story

Le Pera seats, founded by Bob LePera in 1972, really is the All-American story. Young Bob upholstered in his parents’ business, and began doing custom hot-rod interiors for his buddies, and a business was born.


Bob was cutting his teeth in SoCal in the height of the muscle era’s horsepower war. When chopping motorcycles began its rocketing rise in popularity, Bob was at the front of the pack, building saddles for some of the hottest machines being built. Some of his iconic designs are still in use today. He had a knack for seamlessly welding comfort, style, and solid construction together in seats that simply stand the test of time.

He began the business, and kept it in the family. The next generation of Le Pera Seats is keeping the name alive with a revolutionary strategy: They’re doing the same old thing. The folks at LePera are continuing to crank out hand-crafted, ultra-primo seats right here in the USA. They aren’t moving off-shore, they aren’t selling out to some big-name conglomerate. They’re doing what Bob always did: they’re making the best saddle they can, with top-notch components and the best workforce in the world.




The amount of work done by hand at LePera is appalling - a real human works on each LePera saddle, ensuring that they are perfect. Many of the seat pans are still formed on the same molds and press Bob Sr. built through the Seventies and Eighties. Speaking of those pans... they’re 16 gauge steel. Powdercoated. Built to last, with no concern for cost, only longevity and comfort. They’re carpeted on the bottom, so your fender does not have any unexpected dings. And forget cheesy staples or those miserable hook-and-loop things some use to fasten the seat cover: LePera slams big, beefy rivets through pan and cover, effectively
making them one unit.


They’ve got a ridiculous range of seats, starting with the minimalist Bare Bones, which sits right on your frame rails They continue with various blends of comfort and sleek looks right up through the cushy Continental. (Which rides eerily similarly to the luxo-cruiser car of the same name; that seat should come with blanket.)

Seats are available custom stitched (Diamond? Pleats? What about flames?), and LePera uses a host of exotic materials upon request. (Alligator skin, anyone? How about Metalflake Emerald Vinyl?) If you don’t see something ‘off the rack’ that you like, call them up - they are willing to make nearly anything.

Keep your eye open for the LePera name at the next rally you find yourself at - see how many butts chose to park in a LePera seat. Forty years of doing the same thing isn’t an accident - and we wish them forty more!

-- Uncle Loomis

Scorpion Ventech II and Hat Trick II: When Sequels Don't Suck.

You all know that feeling. It happens about 15 minutes in. You were eating your popcorn waiting for a plot, but then the realization hits you: "The Brazilian Job" isn't a sequel to "The Italian Job", I mean, come on! Where is Mark Wahlberg? You just got suckered into a movie sequel flop. Thankfully, Scorpion Sports must've had a similar experience. Or, perhaps they just put forethought and a real budget behind these next two jackets.

The Scorpion Ventech II Jacket is a summer mesh chassis with a removable full-sleeve AirGuard wind liner. A well executed evolution from the original Ventech, the updated styling and fit has a little something for everyone, but not too much. At this point in the blog, I'll usually start pitching the product towards a particular riding group, like RSD to cafe racers, or Dainese to track day dudes. Instead, I think the Ventech sits well in a neutral position to be an accesible to many different riders. The fit is equally accesible, not having a slim-cut Euro fit, but not having a huge touring fit either. The High-Viz colorway is pictured here, but a less flashy Black, or Black/Silver is available as well as a more sporty White/Red.



Next up, the Scorpion Hat Trick II Jacket is a triad of resourcefulness, combining a mesh exterior with both a removable thermal and removable windproof liners. One of the real bonuses here is the use of Sas-Tec armor, which we typically only see with REV'IT! apparel. Sas-Tec is a molecular level armor that hardens upon impact to absorb energy and is right up there with D30 and Forcefield as one of the best protective compounds on the market. If you are wearing the Hat Trick II with jeans, make sure you use the convenient belt loop attachment to keep the rear in place. No sleight of hand is required to pull of this 3-season option.


So these sequels didn't suck. Hooray! Its like "The Two Towers" following "The Fellowship of the Ring," or "The Empire Strikes Back" after "A New Hope." Wait a minute ... does that mean we are due for a third iteration next Spring? Scorpion III: "Return of the Vent Hat!"

-- ckZilla
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2013 Kriega R25 Backpack: Hardcore Storage for Hardcore Riders

Kriega is one of the most premium storage solutions that we've seen to date. Their line extends from the R3 Waist pack (3 liters) all the way to the Overlander 60 Panniers (60 liters), with a modular design that allows for 2, 3, or 4 of their packs to be used in combination. All of their gear is made from heavy duty Cordura and rip-stop fabric, constructed with both the ride and the crash in mind. 2013 brings a refresh to the Kriega R25 Backpack and we'll take a look here at what has changed.

Listening to feedback from riders, one of the smaller, but more appropriate changes allows the backpack to be put on more easily over bulky gear. While this was always the intention, some riders with bigger leather jackets were having more trouble. Now, the entire clasp has been changed and raised for a better fit. In addition, the alloy pulls were removed from the shoulder strap adjustors in place of their "bomb proof" buckles and unique dot system. While an exceedingly simple idea, the symmetrical placement of a few dots along the strap lets you know when each side has been adjusted to equal tension.

2013 Kriega R25 Backpack Review:





The new R25 Backpack also receives a rubberized, reinforced carrying strap at the top that will take much more abuse from being hung, dragged, pulled, or squeezed. Just beneath the strap is a double pass-through intended for use with the Kriega 3 Liter Hydrapak. This option was previously unavailable for the Kriega R25. The main zipper has also been recessed a bit further to protect it from wear and provide better water resistance for the exterior pocket.

The last feature that I'm personally excited about is the compatibility with their US-10 Drypacks. If you haven't figured this addictive little feature out already, please watch our Kriega Brand Overview for the full picture. With the addition of a few straps, the US-10 can now be attached via its alloy hooks to the back of the R25. The US-10 can also attach to a US-20 or US-30 via these same hooks, so the more Kriega you own, the more combinations of gear you'll be able to run with. Brilliant, right? Now you've just gotta buy more! "My name is Chris ["Hi Chris!"] and I'm a Kriegaholic."


-- ckZilla
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Reevu FSX1 Modular Helmet - Head Checks are a Thing of the Past!

Admit it, you are lazy. You know you should do a head check, but it takes too much energy or you just forget. First, let me reprimand you on your negligent riding habit! Second, let me offer you an alternate solution. The Reevu FSX1 Modular Helmet has a rear-view mirror built in to the shell. Head checks may be a thing of the past, if you see a Reevu in your future.

The Reevu FSX-1 Helmet isn't the first we've seen from Reevu, but it is the first modular option to surface. I borrowed our video sample for a while to test out the features and report back. As Anthony will say, I will echo: It takes a week or two really get used to the rear-view mirror. At first, it may be distracting for you, so please ride with caution. After some time, your brain will get used to processing the additional data point and you will begin to benefit from the system. The next step is to train your neck muscles to move up and to the right when you want to check your left blind spot. With a little practice, this can become as habitual as a head check should be, but requires much less effort. In addition, the big safety bonus is that you never have to take your eyes off of the traffic in front of you to perform this check to your blind spot.


Moving on to the more standard features of this modular helmet, I was a bit underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the design, and everything works as advertised. However, it is just a bit loud, a bit heavy, and will buffet in the wind at highway speeds. Personally, I think this is forgivable considering the step forward in safety with the rear-view system. Just keep this in mind when looking at the price point. You are paying for a helmet comparable to Nolan, AGV, or LaZer modular helmets that has an added feature. What you are not paying for is a price-equivalent Shoei Neotec that comes with a rear-view mirror for free.

Reevu FSX1 Modular Helmet Review:



Now, before you ask, let me tell you: "NO! I don't recommend removing your existing mirrors and using the Reevu system in place of them!" Regardless, I'm sure many will use the FSX-1 Helmet as an excuse to 'clean up' their stock mirror set up.

I would really like to see Reevu inspire similar technology across the gamut of helmet manufacturers. If this feature caught on, I think we could see a generation of more acutely aware motorcyclists on the road. This would naturally lead to a decrease in accidents, injuries, and deaths. Of course, sometimes we need to start with merely impressing the importance of wearing a helmet in the first place.

Overall, Reevu has quite successfully paired a rear-view system with a fully functional DOT helmet. The end result is pretty remarkable and will change your riding experience. Now that I've ridden with the rear-view system I find myself performing head checks much more religiously with my Arai. Once you get used to having that extra information on your surroundings, it is difficult to give it up.

-- ckZilla
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