Spidi with their new lineup of products introduces the Spidi Track Wind Pro Race Suit. Spidi has a grand reputation amongst its fanbase for producing high quality track and racing products that feature standout Italian styling. For those looking for a new race suit, you should definitely consider the Track Wind Pro with its awesome look, performance and protective qualities. Thanks to extensive testing with their sponsored MotoGP riders (Melandri, Edwards, Crutchlow), Spidi has been able to create something that performs to the spec required by professional riders.
Spidi has already done an excellent job with making protection look stylish with their triple leather layer shoulders, a feature that immediately pops out when you look at this suit. Leather over leather over leather equates to excellent abrasion resistance in a high impact area. The main composition of the suit is a mix of perforated and non-perf race grade cowhide allowing you to stay comfortably cool on the track thanks to the perforation while providing solid resistance to abrasion. As it has with most of its new lineup, Spidi uses its very own Tenax stretch panels on the suit to provide great flexibility and movement in areas that require an unparalleled degree of mobility.
Spidi uses a combination of different proprietary CE Rated impact protectors in the Track Wind Pro. At the shoulders, you'll find Spidi's dual-density Biomechanic protectors with a hard shell exterior and shock-absorbing foam backing. At the elbows are the Force Tech protectors and the hips and knees use Spidi's Multitech armor which has a molecular property to it, making it malleable yet very impact resistant. The knee armor is also height-adjustable, ensuring the best possible fit and coverage. The back and chest feature pockets to accomodate armor. At the back, you can add a Warrior Back Protector (either CE Level 1 or 2) and the chest can house the Warrior Chest Protector. Intake vents on the shoulders feed exhaust vents at the back for additional airflow and the race hump at the back provides additional protection, aerodynamics and can accommodate a hydration pack (sold separately). As one would expect from a race suit by now, there are elasticated stretch panels beneath the arms, on the knees, and on the lower back for solid mobility when you're racing. For your comfort, Spidi has made the lower portion of the leg slim making it easier to fit into a boot.
All in all, the Spidi Track Wind Pro Race Suit definitely is one of their more stylish products out there, and with all its protective features is one of, if not their best race suit yet.
To view similar products please visit our Motorcycle Race Suits page at RevZilla.com.
Puma has come out with their newest addition to their race suit lineup with the Puma Sport Leather Race Suit. With the dual branding of both Puma and Dainese, the Puma Sport Leather Race Suit is a hybrid of Dainese's excellent quality combined with Puma's stylistic finishing touch. Puma and Dainese's tag team effort in creating the Puma Sport Leather Race Suit ensure you're getting a product that's provides bang for the buck while looking sharp and offering premium protection and performance all at the same time.
The suit comes with a premium full grain leather second skin which enables the rider to keep their focus on the road. Puma and Dainese also ensure you are fully protected with the co-injected CE rated shoulder armor topped with blacked-out anodized aluminum shoulder sliders. Also included is CE rated armor in your elbow/forearm, knee, and shin areas. The suit also includes replaceable GP style knee sliders and a GP style speed hump for airflow and aerodynamics.
For comfort and mobility, the S1 stretch panels on the inside of the arms, down the front abdomen, and at the inside and back of the legs allow for flexibility and airflow. There are additional S1 stretch panels located on top of the neck and on back of the legs. Elasticated stretch panels can be found in multiple places within the suit whether under your arms or above your knees to allow for flexibility and mobility. In addition to that, there are foam inserts located along the tailbone and a reinforced seat for lower back comfort. Also included is a double zipper system along the calves and the inside of the legs, one to get in and out of the legs and the other to adjust the size to fit your calves along. This suit also features a completely removable and washable mesh comfort liner. There are Puma accents and logos located throughout the suit for a nice stylish touch. The combined efforts of Puma and Dainese make this one of the top race suits in Puma’s race suit lineup.
Brand new for 2011, Puma has released their Puma Racing 1 Piece Race Suit. Combined with Dainese engineering and Puma's style, this suit brings both flare and quality to the race suit market. Dainese has a long tradition of coming out with brand new suits featuring cutting edge technology; when you couple that that with Puma's savvy style, you get a standout new product that will appeal to fans of both brands.
The premium full grain leather fits like a second skin enabling the rider to keep their focus on riding. The protection on this suit is as high quality as it gets with titanium and carbon fiber knee sliders and titanium and carbon fiber shoulder sliders. In addition to that, there is CE Rated armor covering your knees, shins, shoulders, elbows, and forearms. The GP-style knee pucks are what we see from Dainese on their high end suits and can be replaced. There is an added GP speed hump located on your upper back for aerodynamics and safety. For comfort there are elasticated panels located above the knees, behind the elbows, under the arms, and across the lower back for ease of mobility.
To further add to your comfort there are S1 stretch panels located throughout the suit for flexibility and airflow along with reinforcements along your tailbone for additional comfort when you sit down. There is a double zipper system along the calves and the inside of the legs, one to get in and out of the pants and the other to adjust the size to fit your calves. Other features include a removable washable mesh liner and Puma accents and logos located throughout the suit for a nice finished touch. All in all, pairing Puma’s styling with Dainese’s manufacturing results in the Puma Racing 1 Piece Race Suit being the high water mark within Puma’s race suit line.
The replacement for the Trigger arrives in Fall 2011 in the form of the Alpinestars Carver Race Suit. This is Alpinestars mid-level race suit that will work extremely well for the track noob or even regular trackday rider. Leaving out some of the super technical specs that adorn some of pro-level race suits, the Alpinestars Carver is still bundled with a lot of features and technologies. Available in multiple colors, including a colorway that is accented with hi-viz fluorescent yellow, and also available as the Alpinestars Carver 2 Piece Race Suit, we think that this will be a very popular suit for the next few seasons as it goes head-to-head with comparably-priced options.
Built with premium 1.3mm full-grain leather with safety stitching throughout, the Carver is highly resistant to abrasion and tearing. CE rated GP armor is in the shoulders, elbows and knees with additional foam padding at the chest, hips, upper arms, side of torso and tailbone for impact protection. The back features the snap-in system for the CE level 2 Bionic back protector for added protection. Accordion leather and aramidic stretch panels can be found in strategic areas of the suit to allow unparalleled mobility. The dual density back hump is aerodynamic and ventilated and the PU knee sliders are fully replaceable. YKK zippers are used throughout, and the removable washable mesh liner features stretch inserts that match those on the exterior.
So you're itching to do your first track day? You're ready to start hammering down some laps and start dragging some knee through the apex. One of the first things you'll need is a race suit. For the entry-level track day rider looking to get on the tarmac, the Cortech Latigo RR One-Piece Leather Suit is a viable option that provides excellent value for the dollar. While Cortech isn't ubiquitous in the world of racing like some of the extremely high-end brands, if you're looking to start a career as a track day hero, then this may be a good first step toward that goal.
The Latigo RR One-Piece Leather Suit is everything you need and nothing you don't when it comes to being track legal. Protecting your skin from the tarmac is a combination of perforated and non-perforated top grain drum dyed leather. The elbows, shoulders, and knee protectors all have large CE rated armor pieces to protect from impact and the stitching is double and triple stitched with nylon threads for resistance to tearing in a slide. There's a large speed hump to help aid aerodynamics when speeds hit the triple digits and in the case of a wreck the hump will help to lift your helmet and prevent it from sliding directly on the asphalt as well as give some extra spine protection. To make motion a little easier they implemented accordion stretch panels in the shoulder blades, elbows, lower back, and knee. The inside of the arms, the inseam, and the calves have 600 denier stretch nylon panels to help movement and fit. All you need to do is throw on the GP styled knee pucks that come with the suit and you have everything you need for a track ready suit.
Cortech also added some creature comforts to this suit. The mesh liner on the inside of the suit is comfortable against the skin and the zippers on the cuffs are spring loaded so they tuck away nicely and don't get thrown around in the wind. There's an internal chest pocket for convenience to store your track pass. There's plenty of ventilation and perforation throughout the suit so you won't be totally cooking while the sun is beating down this July. Cortech even took the liberty of throwing in a nice storage bag with the suit to make it a little easier to hang in the closet.
The fit of this suit is pretty casual for a track suit. The Latigo doesn't leave you stuck in a full race tuck when you step off the bike. There a little more room for a heavier set body and Cortech didn't make this suit an aggressive cut like some of the higher end race suits from Italy. Does the Cortech Latigo RR have have all crazy technical features as the Dainese Laguna Seca Pro Leather Suit or Alpinestars Tech 1-R Suit? No, but for the price of the Cortech you can pick up the brand new Sidi Cobra Boots or that Bell RS-1 Helmet that you've been looking at and get yourself on the track.
As part of our 2011 Warm Weather Motorcycle Gear Guide series, this segment breaks down our top picks for hitting the tarmac. For our Motorcycle Race Suit Guide, we carved out three categories, based on level of technicality, features and price point, and picked out our top three race suits within each segment. The result is our top nine suits for 2011, broken down by class into mid-range, hardcore, and pro-level. The reasons we picked these suits vary specifically for each one, be it features-to-price ratio, style and technicality, or futuristic technologies.
First in our mid-rage suit picks is the Teknic Violator Race Suit, the most inexpensive in the bunch, but a suit that simply offers a ton of bang for the buck as is the usual case for gear from Teknic. The Violator is a premium 1.4mm Brazilian cowhide construction with lightweight stretch Cordura paneling in the inner arms, inner legs and seat for unmatched range of motion while retaining abrasion resistant properties. The CE rated armor is Knox's upgraded V2 Air in the elbows and Flexiform in the knee/shin with the proprietary Teknic Airblade system at the shoulders. The seams are stitched using the TASC safety system and the thorough perf scheme and 3M moisture-wicking antibacterial mesh liner will keep you cool and comfortable. There is a ton
of value in this suit.
Next up is the AGV Sport Monza Race Suit, which offers slick style with advanced features at a reasonable price point. The Monza is a 1.2-1.4mm premium top-grain cowhide chassis with Teramid Kevlar stretch panels inside the arms, in the crotch and down the legs for comfort and mobility. CE rated dual density protectors are found in the shoulders, elbows and knees with a 10mm foam back pad and an aerodynamic GP-style speed hump. At $799, it's almost absurd that AGV Sport was able to use titanium in this suit, but they've done so via the external titanium shoulder sliders. A moisture-wicking removable washable liner, YKK zippers, safety stitching, a neoprene comfort collar, and a huge perf scheme with added zip open vents
round out the features of the Monza.
Last in the first segment of this guide is the Alpinestars Trigger Race Suit. The first thing we should note about the Trigger is that it uses a sport hump rather than a full GP hump to help the track day beginner stay safe in a get-off scenario. Otherwise, the Trigger is a full-grain leather construction with Kevlar stretch panels at the inner arms, groin, and inner legs. Alpinestars CE rated armor is found in the shoulders, elbows and knees, while the back and chest can be upgraded to AStars advanced protectors. The Trigger features YKK autolock zippers on the cuffs and calves, a removable washable liner, and replaceable PU GP-style knee pucks. Accordion stretch panels at the lower back and above the knees ensure full range of movement.
A big value here from AStars.
First up in our hardcore run of suits is the Alpinestars GP Pro Race Suit. Brand new for Fall 2010, the GP Pro is a 1.3mm full grain leather construction with Aramid stretch zones for mobility and air flow. GP-style CE rated armor is found in the shoulders, elbows and knees with external PU sliders atop the suit in the shoulders, knees and elbows. A standout feature of the GP Pro is the huge U-shaped accordion stretch panels at the back which allow for unparalleled movement. There is a GP-style speed hump, replaceable GP knee pucks, YKK autolock zippers and a multi-snap connection system for the Bionic Race Back Protector from Alpinestars. The mesh lining is removable and washable, featuring stretch panels that work with outer
stretch zones for mobility. This is simply an excellent suit for $999.
"If Batman rode a motorcycle, this is the suit he would wear" says Anthony about the brand new REV'IT! Tarmac Race Suit, which for $1149 packs an absurdly solid feature set. X-lite cowhide which is lightweight and strong, dual-compound protectors at the shoulders at elbows with aluminum sliders, ProLife CE rated armor at the shoulders, elbows and knees, a Hydrabag ready aerodynamic and ventilated speed hump, dual-compound GP-style knee pucks, safety stitching throughout, with a double leather seat and a comfort collar and cuffs. The ventilation scheme on this suit is enormous and the moisture-wicking liner is removable and washable. The style of this suit can't go unmentioned as this is one of the sickest styles in a race suit
we've seen in a while.
Last in the mid-range is the Dainese Laguna Seca Pro Race Suit, which is set apart from the competition by the use of D-Skin leather, Dainese's proprietary leather that utilizes a specific tanning process and treatment that gives the leather significantly higher tensile strength and abrasion resistance ratings. CE rated armor is found in the shoulders, elbows and knees with replaceable knee sliders and co-injected aluminum shoulder sliders. The NanoFeel liner is moisture-wicking, antibacterial and removable washable. The GP hump is aerodynamic and ventilated, there is a significant perf scheme in addition to bi-elasticated stretch panels throughout. This suit has been enormously popular at RevZilla.com since its release.
First up in our pro-level range is the REV'IT! Victory Race Suit, currently worn by Randy De Puniet in MotoGP (albeit with a customized fit). The Victory is also an X-lite cowhide construction with PWRKevlar stretch and PWRShell stretch for mobility and comfort. The external dual-compound aluminum sliders at the shoulders and elbows in addition to the dual-comp knee pucks combine with the ProLife CE rated shoulder, elbow and knee armor for serious protection in a fall. The huge perf scheme combines with the removable AeroCool 3D mesh lining to create a microclimate within the suit for ridiculous levels of comfort on the hot track. The GP-style speed hump is aerodynamic and ventilated for high performance.
Next is the Alpinestars Tech 1-R Race Suit, which dropped in Fall of 2010. The Tech 1-R has 1.3mm premium leather with Aramidic stretch panels on the sleeves and inner legs for mobility. CE rated GP series protectors are found at the shoulders, elbows and knees in addition to PU shoulder and knee sliders, a MotoGP perforated aerodynamic speed hump and replaceable PU knee pucks. The perf scheme is huge, and the U-shape accordion stretch at the back combines with accordion panels at the knees and elbows for unrestrained movement. Internally, the removable mesh liner utilizes 3D mesh at the back for comfort. Finally, there is the multiple snap system for a CE 2 Bionic Back Protector and compartments for Bionic Chest Protectors.
Last up is the Dainese Avro Race Suit, brand new for 2011 and featuring a technology we're witnessing for the first time in the industry. Dainese's Second Skin construction is essentially S1 stretch paneling at the full torso and upper legs with D-Skin leather laminated on top in strategic impact areas. This gives a ridiculous range of motion but also keeps you protected from abrasion. It's next-level, period. CE rated shoulder, elbow, and knee armor combine with co-injected titanium shoulder protectors, replaceable knee pucks and a ventilated GP speed hump for protection and performance. Bi-elasticated panels add to the already-extensive mobility capabilities and the NanoFeel removable washable liner keeps you cool and comfortable. Dainese has
given us a glimpse into the future with the Avro.
Check out all the options out there by visiting our Motorcycle Race Suit section.
It's so close you can almost reach out and touch it. Every year at this time, the riding season beckons here in the Northeast and we get extremely antsy. All the new gear has been released, most of it is shipping, so really the only thing left is for Mother Nature to figure it out and let the weather be consistently nice. In the meantime, while we're waiting not-so-patiently, we decided to bookend our March 2011 New Gear and Deals video with some kooky footage. Don't worry, once you get through the ridiculous intro (which we hope makes you chuckle), you'll find out about all the new gear, deals, and 2011 programs we're doing here at RevZilla.com.
First up is the announcement of our March Gear Giveaway. This month we'll be giving away a full ADV Touring setup with the Firstgear TPG Rainier Jacket and Firstgear TPG Escape Pants- a value of $830! All you have to do is visit our March Contest Page, create a rider profile, and you're automatically qualified to win the gear!
Next we've got the breakdown of our 2011 RevZilla Race Suit Program which is a couple of really exciting promotions this season. Carrying over from our 2010 promotions, we've got our complimentary track day partnership with Team Pro-Motion. With the purchase of any non-sale and non-closeout motorcycle race suit over $799, we will include a free East Coast track day with Team Pro-Motion. With six locations on the East Coast, there will be a ton of opportunities to get out and ride this season, and this is our way of saying thanks and offering a way to get out there at no expense to you. For the full details, instructions, and fine print, visit our Free Team Pro-Motion Track Day 2011 page.
We've also got a pretty serious AGV Sport promotion going on right now. With the purchase of ANY jacket or race suit from AGV Sport, we're giving away a pair of AGV Sport Gloves. With any race suit, you'll get a free pair of AGV Sport Dragon Gloves, a track-legal gauntlet that'll get you out there racing. With any textile jacket purchase, we're giving away AGV Sport Aeromesh Gloves, and with any leather jacket purchase, you'll get a free pair of AGV Sport Mayhem Gloves. You can check out all the details of this program by visiting our AGV Sport gear page at RevZilla.
We've also got the Alpinestars SMX-2 Air Carbon Gloves, a huge value at 21% off down to $54 from $70 as they make room for the new 2011 version of these bestselling Alpinestars gloves.
A lot of new gear is finally in stock and finally shipping after an extended waiting period. The Schuberth C3 Hi-Viz Helmet is here for all you riders seeking to be seen by other motorists. The Schuberth C3W Helmet is finally here, a woman's specific version of arguably the greatest modular helmet of all time. The Arai Vector 2 Helmet, providing an improved fit over its predecessor and representing the entry-level functionality from Arai, is now in our warehouse and shipping. And lastly on the new helmets front, the extraordinarily impressive run of Bell Helmets is now here and shipping, including the game-changing Bell RS-1 Helmet that will compete neck-and-neck with the Shoei RF1100.
For the apparel side of things, new Alpinestars, Dainese, and REV'IT! gear is starting to trickle in and begin shipping from our warehouse. Some of the highlights include the Alpinestars GP-R Leather Jacket, a fully perf'd summer option, the REV'IT! Energy HV Jacket, a hi-viz multi-season commuter and touring option, and the Dainese Racing Leather Jacket, a piece we saw as early as Spring 2010, that simply never got a full size/color run until now. The Klim Adventure Rally Jacket and Pants also got a full makeover, including a new colorway and seriously improved fitment. Don't miss all of the new gear by visiting those individual pages. We've also got full video reviews for every new product from the major brands, so check those out and inform yourself!
With one simple addition and a slight redesign over the previous model, the Alpinestars SP-1 Race Suit has become even more functional than its predecessor. With its standout slick design, high levels of performance, safety, and improved ergonomics, this suit is a great choice at the $899 price point. It doesn't have all of the futuristic over-the-top features that the MotoGP racer needs in his suit; it is simply a great choice from Alpinestars for the spirited sport rider and the track day enthusiast.
The first thing that needs to be addressed is the addition of external TPU shoulder sliders to the SP-1. A major upgrade over the previous model, the TPU sliders provide protection from impact and abrasion in a get off situation, encouraging a continuous slide and preventing the dreaded tumbling. Beyond that, this suit is a premium 1.3mm full-grain leather construction with large perforation zones and strategically placed aramidic stretch panels. Aramid panels function both for flexibility but also allow air to flow through the suit. Movement is also encouraged by the accordion stretch leather panels found above the knees, above the elbows, at the backs of the shoulders and a huge panel at the lower back.
Internally, Alpinestars uses its CE rated GP armor for the elbows, shoulders, and knee/shin protectors. The GP armor is a hard part injection molded shell backed with shock absorbing dual density foam for a double level of protection. There is a multi-position snap connection system for the CE level 2 Alpinestars Bionic Race Back Protector and compartments in the chest to upgrade to the Alpinestars Bionic Chest Pads. The PU GP knee sliders are fully replaceable and the aerodynamic dual density back hump helps with airflow at speed and also protects in a crash situation to keep the head elevated from the ground. The SP-1 suit utilizes safety stitching in all of the seams for tear resistance and, of course, YKK zippers throughout.
The mesh liner in this suit is also removable and washable which significantly extends its longevity; there's nothing worse than a funky race suit. With a comfort collar and cuffs, autolocking YKK zips at the cuff for a secure closure, and an overall tremendous design, the Alpinestars SP1 Race Suit is a great choice for the devoted track day rider and spirited weekend sport rider. To see other options in this realm, visit our Alpinestars Race Suits and Motorcycle Race Suits pages.
Dainese's newest race suit for Spring 2011 features some new technological innovations previously unseen in any suits in the industry. The Dainese Avro Race Suit utilizes the exclusive and patented Second Skin system, which combines the benefits of stretch fabric for comfort and mobility with the abrasion resistance of leather. What results is a suit that is extraordinarily comfortable, both in the racing position and when standing in around in the paddock. Second only to the Dainese Trickster Race Suit (and of course any custom suits from Dainese), the Avro is one of our favorite new suits in the industry.
The focus of this suit from the gate was comfort as Dainese sought to create a race suit that weighed ergonomics with the same level of importance as safety and protection. To that end, you've got a chassis constructed of D-skin leather, Dainese's proprietary leather that provides significantly higher levels of tensile strength and abrasion resistance than traditional cowhide. CE rated armor can be found in the shoulder, elbow/forearm and knee/shin with the shoulder boasting an external co-injected titanium shoulder slider. The knees have replaceable GP-style knee pucks and throughout the suit you can find perforated astromemory foam injections for an added element of safety. While also acting for aerodynamics and airflow, the GP-style speed hump
adds protection in the event of a get-off.
As with all Dainese suits, strategic motion zones of the suit feature a combination of S1 stretch fabric and bi-axial elasticated inserts. The S1, at the inner arms, crotch, and inner legs, allows for a tremendous range of motion and also flows air for comfort. In impact areas, there is a layer of leather laminated on top of the S1 to provide abrasion resistance properties. The bi-axial elasticated leather inserts are atop the knees, at the shoulders, wrap down do the torso, and are at the small of the back, to allow for uncompromised movement in the tuck. The double calf zip system features one entry zip and one expansion zip that is backed by a gusset to accommodate different calf sizes. There is also an internal suit-to-boot fastening system if you
wanted to wear "in" boots with this suit.
Internally, the Avro has a removable and washable NanoFeel liner. NanoFeel is a silver ion treatment applied to the mesh that gives it antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. This suit will breathe very well and also stay germ free over the course of many active rides. The Avro also comes with an oversuit and a leather protection and cleaning kit.
We consider this to be a standout product of what's new for Spring 2011. Any Dainese release is notable, but the Dainese Avro Race Suit is utilizing some brand new technologies that really separate it from the competition. To see others like this, visit our Dainese Race Suits and Motorcycle Race Suits sections.
We had the opportunity last week to get our hands on some of the products from the brand new Teknic 2011 Gear lineup. We were extremely impressed by the level of features and functionality that Teknic is able to pack into their gear while keeping it reasonably priced. One standout from the new line is the Teknic Xcelerator Race Suit, loaded with features and constructed from the finest materials with extreme attention to detail. It is the only suit we currently stock under the $1000 price point that features Kangaroo leather construction. Kangaroo is sort of a big deal and has come to prominence recently based on the fact that it provides more strength, abrasion and tear resistance than cowhide yet it is 30% lighter. Check out our full video review below and don't miss the details on the rest of the feature set after the video.
As I mentioned before, the big deal here is the Kangaroo construction, keeping you extremely protected but not weighing you down with the heft of cowhide. In terms of armor, the shoulder is protected using Teknic's proprietary Airblade system, a CE rated, replaceable armor system that features vents for airflow. It is backed by shock-absorbing foam to further the protective elements. In the elbow/forearm and knee/shin, you will find CE rated Knox Flexiform armor. Flexiform is Knox's newest armor construction and provides huge upgrades in comfort over previous iterations of their protection. Also, both the knee and elbow armor is a multi-position system meaning that you can adjust the placement of the armor for proper comfort and protection. The elbows also have external aluminum sliders for abrasion resistance in a get-off scenario. To add more protection to the suit, there are pockets in the chest, back, and hips to accommodate CE rated armor.
Further safety elements can be found in the stitching system and safety wrap system from Teknic. The TASC (Teknic Advanced Seam Construction) is used throughout the suit and is essentially multiple rows of safety stitching moved away from impact areas for maximum strength and tear resistance. The Safety Wrap System can be found in the seat, shoulders, elbows, knees, and behind the accordion stretch panel at the small of the back. These areas are dual layers of protection with cowhide panels added to the kangaroo for extraordinary abrasion resistance. A curtain of cowhide is used behind the lower back stretch panel for the same reason. Rounding out the safety elements are the GP spec Speedstar knee sliders, designed for extended puck life and maximum feel when interfacing with the tarmac.
For mobility, airflow and comfort, Stretch Kevlar is used in the inner arms with Stretch Cordura in the inner legs. This forms the Full Motion Arm and Leg System allowing the rider maximum motion and ergonomics when actively riding on the track. This couples with the strategically-placed accordion stretch panels to form a serious range of motion. Meanwhile, the race precurving in the knees and elbows, and the forward rotation of the arms and hips reduces fatigue and allows the body to naturally be in the race position. The Speed Hump is aerodynamic, flows air, and protects in the event of a crash. The suit features a huge perforation scheme for maximum airflow and YKK zippers are used throughout. Finally, the 3M Scotchgard treated mesh liner is moisture-wicking, antibacterial and non-allergenic.
What you're looking at here is a great deal of suit at a very reasonable price. We do a lot of race suit reviews, and this is one of those standout products that combines feature-rich construction and attention to detail at a price that won't break the bank. We're very impressed with the Teknic Xcelerator Race Suit.
Flying in as the replacement for the popular REV'IT! TT Race Suit, the brand new for Spring 2011 REV'IT! Tarmac Race Suit boasts some big upgrades over its predecessor, including a lighter weight construction and a brand new Hydra Bag ready speed hump. The REV'IT! Tarmac Leather Jacket and REV'IT! Tarmac Leather Pants also arrive as a two-piece race suit option or simply as a choice for aggressive street and sport riding. Beyond the technical upgrades, the styling is awesome as well (we think it looks like a superhero's race suit) so you'll be flying around the track in true fashion.
Utilizing a premium X-lite cowhide construction, the first thing we noticed about the REV'IT! Tarmac Race Suit is how remarkably lightweight it is. The size 50 worn by our model in the video weighs an astounding 13 pounds, so you certainly won't feel bogged down by this suit on the track. One shortcoming of the TT suit was the perf scheme; the Tarmac corrects that by added huge perforated and punctuated leather panels throughout the suit for high levels of airflow. Couple that with the PWRShell 500D Stretch panels along the inner arms, torso, crotch, and inner legs, designed for mobility and comfort but also to flow air, and you've got some serious cooling happening with this suit on. Further comfort is provided by the moisture wicking neoprene
comfort collar and cuffs that will keep you both cool and dry during active riding conditions. Ergonomically, beyond the PWRShell Stretch, there are elasticated panels at the shoulders, back, side of torso, elbows and knees to allow you maximum mobility when you're in the tuck on the track. The fitment is a snug race fit and all of these ergonomic features work together to prevent physical fatigue, crucial in active riding scenarios. Finally, the VCS Speed Hump now features a Hydra Bag ready system that can house a hydration unit and prevent dehydration on hot track days. It also has intake and exhaust vents to further the airflow. Moving into protective elements, ProLife CE rated armor is used in the shoulders, elbows, and knees, with foam hip padding
and an upgradeable foam back pad. Externally, dual comp protectors are on the shoulders and elbows; an aluminum plate for sliding welded to a honeycomb baseplate for impact protection. The knees feature replaceable dual compound knee sliders. The entirety of the suit is safety stitched using high tensile strength thread, and there are double leather reinforcements in the seat and other impact areas. YKK zippers are used throughout and autolocking zips are on the cuffs to maintain closure and strength in the event of a get-off. Lastly, the breathable mesh lining is fully removable and washable to keep the funk out of the suit. It'll be hard to find another pro-level race suit with this level of functionality, REV'IT's attention to detail, and their stunning visual designs.
The top half of a two piece race suit, the REV'IT! Tarmac Leather Jacket features all of the same performance and protective functionality of the Tarmac one-piece suit, but can be paired with the Tarmac pants for a customized fitting suit. Of course, it can also be worn for aggressive sport and street riding as well. The Tarmac Jacket also features adjustment straps at the waist for a snug fit and short and long connection zippers for pants-connectivity and track legality. Pockets are available on the outside if storage is a necessity, with inner pockets for your valuables. The Tarmac also has a removable quilted thermal vest liner to extend the temperature range.
Essentially the bottom half of the Tarmac suit, the REV'IT! Tarmac Leather Pants are a premium 1.2-1.4mm cowhide construction and pair up with the Tarmac jacket to form a two-piece race suit, if sizing of a one-piece suit is an issue. They can also be worn for high performance in aggressive street and sport riding. The pants have adjustability at the waist to cinch them for a snug and safe fit in addition to a slit pocket if you need to store a valuable. There are very few other pants out there that will rival the Tarmacs level of functionality.
Another string of absolute home run products from REV'IT!, the new Tarmac line is going to put a lot of the competition on their heels as they try to catch up to what REV'IT! has done.
All of the style and performance elements native to Shift Racing gear go into the construction of their pro-level race suit. The Shift Vertex Race Suit will perform head-to-head with any similarly priced suit as it is loaded with features and functionality. Sacrificing nothing on the style side of the things, Shift is able to combine aggressive on-track performance and protection with flashy style and slick looks.
First and foremost, protection is obviously the most crucial element of any race suit, and the Shift Vertex Suit has that covered. Premium grain 1.2-1.4mm cowhide leather is used throughout the suit with double layer reinforcements in key areas. Shift's proprietary CE rated armor is used in the shoulders, elbows and knees, and it extends to the forearm and shin. There are replaceable TPU knee sliders and pocket in the back to upgrade to a CE rated back protector. The ventilated and aerodynamic back hump also provides additional protection. The wrist and ankle cuffs feature autolocking zippers that maintain closure and stay strong in the event of a get-off. And of course, the entirety of the suit is safety stitched.
Comfort and airflow are both important when it is 130ยบ F on track and race days. With punctuated leather at the top of the chest and side of the torso, air scoops on the shoulders, and perforation all down the front and back of the suit, a nice current of air will flow through this suit when you're riding. Along the insides of each of arm, and in the crotch and inner thighs is Schoeller stretch Kevlar, a flexible abrasion-resistant fabric that will also flow air. The articulated race fit coupled with accordion stretch paneling above the knees, above the elbows, at the lower back and wrapped from the back of the shoulders under the armpits, allows for excellent movement and ergonomics in the racing position. The mesh liner in this suit is also removable and
washable. The suit also features a vented moisture-wicking Airprene comfort collar.
It's Shift, so of course there is a wildly stylized graphic version, the green-yellow featured in the video above, and the suit is also available in black-white and white-black options. Another great piece of gear from Shift Racing, who consistently put enormous attention to detail and functionality in their products.
Spidi uses a combination of different proprietary CE Rated impact protectors in the Track Wind Pro. At the shoulders, you'll find Spidi's dual-density Biomechanic protectors with a hard shell exterior and shock-absorbing foam backing. At the elbows are the Force Tech protectors and the hips and knees use Spidi's Multitech armor which has a molecular property to it, making it malleable yet very impact resistant. The knee armor is also height-adjustable, ensuring the best possible fit and coverage. The back and chest feature pockets to accomodate armor. At the back, you can add a Warrior Back Protector (either CE Level 1 or 2) and the chest can house the Warrior Chest Protector. Intake vents on the shoulders feed exhaust vents at the back for additional airflow and the race hump at the back provides additional protection, aerodynamics and can accommodate a hydration pack (sold separately). As one would expect from a race suit by now, there are elasticated stretch panels beneath the arms, on the knees, and on the lower back for solid mobility when you're racing. For your comfort, Spidi has made the lower portion of the leg slim making it easier to fit into a boot. 
