race suits

New Women's Gear from Rev'it Spring 2020

Revit is pulling out all the heavy hitters for Spring this season. I’ve always appreciated the completely different fit style and shape that Revit offers women and that’s why they maintain such a high favorites status in my book.

Aside from a few revisions and improvements on what I call staples in the collection (3rd versions of their popular outfits) as well as a few entirely new options, like a 1 PIECE TRACK SUIT!

Since these are brand new I haven’t seen any of these in person, so I’m giving my opinions and observations simply based on what I see in the photos. As well as what I do know about the men’s versions and/or the previous models. 

For those of you that do love pink, you’re going to love the options this season because almost every new piece is offered with a pink colorway for you! 

There’s a little something for everyone this time around, so keep scrolling if sportbike gear isn’t your thing.

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Revit Xena 3 1 Piece Race Suit

One Piece Race Suit, WHAT?!  Up until now, the brands making women’s 1 Piece Track Suits were Alpinestars, Dainese, Spidi. Done. Now we have (4)!

Women who ride track days are few and far between, and the fact that Revit continues to make us incredible gear, no matter how many of us ride is truly wonderful.

If this suit follows the fit profile of the popular Xena 3 separates option, it’s going to be a great addition to its competitors.  

Let’s look at some of these features: 

  • Dual knee sliders

  • Shoulder sliders

  • Elbow sliders

  • Stretch panels along the underbust (YES!)

  • Stretch panels along the inner thighs, up to the hips

Underbust stretch is so important! Women have busts. We need stretch. It’s awesome to see the brands understand this and incorporate it into their designs. Only 2 other suits have an accordion style stretch panel along the outside of the bust: 

Any features that a brand can build into its gear to accommodate multiple body types are gold. Because then you can sell that jacket or pant or suit to more than just 1 kind of woman. MSRP $999.99

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Revit Xena 3 Jacket and Pants 

I loooooove white leather. Especially perforated white leather in the summer. I don’t wear mesh, even in 90F weather so relying on my white mesh leather has been my goto for the past 6 years or so.

Aside from the color change, the main feature update that I like is the localized perforation on the front and back of the jacket and front of the pants. For the pants, they took away the flashy white stripe and made them completely black. If you’re all about the black/black/black then you’ll love the two pieces together. I think I’m going to have to clean out my gear closet for Spring to justify buying another jacket. (sorry honey). 

With the Xena suit, they’ve always been a little bustier in the chest than the Italian options so I hope they kept that fit profile with the updated styling. MSRP $439.99-$479.99

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Revit Xena 3 Gloves

These are a tremendous improvement from the 2s, with improved wrist protection (more track level), and a double closure around the wrist.

The 2s were definitely more street-oriented with lighter protection than comparable track gloves. I’m excited to see these improvements. 

With the extra stretch along each finger, you can also count on a slightly longer finger length as with all track level gloves. Because the fingers are precurved out as much as possible.

If you struggle with finding gloves that are long enough, always look for Euro brands like Rev’it, as well as many stretch points along the fingers. This will give you a little bit more room as you squeeze your hands around your handgrips. MSRP $159.99

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REVIT FLY 3 GLOVES

Don’t worry, there’s a black version too.

But having non black versions for those of you who do want lighter colors and more casual colors is awesome, right?

The Flys have been a great summer glove for awhile now and adding a light brown/tan colorway is fantastic. Boatloads of perforation and wrist protection (which most casual style gloves seem to forget).

These are great no matter what you ride, although they certainly have touring / cruising / cafe bobber lifestyles in mind.

All the perforation you could want/need and of course a smart finger to navigate on your smartphone on the fly.  The only thing I’d like to see in the future (even for $5more) is a hard palm slider. #glovegoals #LoveIt. 

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REVIT MERIDIAN JACKET

I’m conflicted about this colorway. (There’s a black/white version too). But given how funky it is, I thought it was worth sharing.

Being that it’s buffalo leather I think it would make a decent highway jacket, it also features a 6 inch connection zipper so it would work really with the Luna leather pants. MSRP $449.99

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REVIT VICTORIA JEANS

Riding jeans are SO hard. For so many reasons. Because we’re all particular about how we like them to fit, because they never feel like our normal jeans. You must accept that going in.

But, as far as riding jeans go, Rev’it delivers a straight fit that usually has a little more room in the waist than other brands. So if you typically buy a 29 at Lucky Brands Jeans, you can probably size down to a 28. Unless you’re a powerlifting queen and need more room in the thighs. But as far as waist sizes go, Revit seems to run a size roomy. 

I am definitely adding some Revit jeans to my closet this Spring because I like the fit for my weird small body type (larger calves and thighs for someone 5’2”). These are constructed of Cordura Denim (https://www.cordura.com/Fabrics/denim-fabric) backed up by Revit’s own PWRShield fabric as an alternative to Kevlar or Aramid fabrics. MSRP $249.99

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REVIT TORQUE JACKET

The Torque is a sporty mesh jacket with a removable waterproof jacket liner. What I think is pretty awesome is this camo colorway. I’m not a huge camo person but I’m drawn to the subtle camo design. I think some women riders who are also in the military will appreciate this design as well. (Women in the Military, please chime in below!)

If it follows the men’s version as far as fitment, I imagine this will be a slightly looser version of the sporty Arc Air which I bought last Summer. I had to size up in that one because it ran so tight. Generally, if something has a removable long sleeve liner it’ll have a slightly looser fit to fit the liner. 

The mesh differences between this and the Arc Air is none along the side of the torso from the armpit down to the waist. Given that this is probably supposed to work between Spring and Summer it makes sense.  Unfortunately, the only lighter colorway is white and light pink camo. 

Fortunately, the lighter colorway is white and light pink camo.

Just depends on how you look at it :-) 

If you’re a fan of pink, then you’ll love the camo. If not, then you’ll want to stick with black, the Arc Air or Airwave. I’d still categorize this jacket as more of a sport / sport touring fit since the mesh moves all the way to the neckline. When you ride an aggressive sportbike, mesh that reaches the neckline means you’ll feel more of it while hunched forward.  MSRP $239.99

Revit Airwave 3 Jacket and Pants

The popular Airwave summer suit is getting another facelift. For those of you who want the lightest colors you can get during the summer (knowing how dirty they will also get) then here you go. But don’t worry, there is almost always a black version hiding behind the corner! 

Silver jacket and pants, for toasty hot weather riding. Keep in mind the Airwave does have more of a touring / sport touring fitment. So bootcut pant legs, and tighter shoulders when leaning forward on your super sporty bike. Not impossible, just something to think about when you’re trying things on. That’s why it’s vital to follow my Shopping Rules! MSRP $199.99-$229.99

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Revit Tornado 3 Jacket and Pants

The popular Tornado suit also gets some badly needed improvements as well. My main gripe about the 1st 2 versions of the jacket were the lack of adjustment around the forearms.

Don’t worry, there’s always black in the Tornado 3 suit.

Don’t worry, there’s always black in the Tornado 3 suit.

It was so loose there without the liner that it wouldn’t fit right after taking the liner out. Now you can tighten that part down! I think almost every jacket should have adjustments in these two spots to increase the range of fitment for every size. 

The pants also got a nice little update with the calf adjustment to tighten things down again, after taking the liner out.

The one feature I miss from the first Tornados is the inner leg zipper! That made it an incredibly versatile pant as both pant and overpant. I wonder if it would’ve been a significant cost increase because these pants are already over $300.

The liner in both pieces are still the same, 2-in-1; waterproof and warm at the same time.

This means for those of us in the NorthEast/ East/ South, it won’t work to wear the liner in the summer time.

So if you like to ride in the summer when it’s raining you’ll need to buy a light rainjacket that you can throw on top in a pinch. 

But for those of you in the West/Northwest, it’s the perfect outfit. It’s never humid and wet, so you’ll need a warm liner when it’s raining anyhow. 

With a mesh outer though, keep in mind that it still won’t serve your 40-50F (before windchill) riding conditions in winter temps that low. 

MSRP $319.99-$349.99

That’s all the new stuff from Rev’it this season, happy shopping!

Post your comments/questions/feedback below and let me know what you think.

Dainese Custom Suit Experience

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Tuesday, April 24, 2018 — Dainese presents Custom Works, a service for fully-customized and made-to-measure Dainese motorcycle racing suits and jackets for race and street enthusiasts.

The multi-channel experience begins online with the new 3D Configurator and continues at the store where the personalized garment is delivered to the customer. Custom Works is an engaging process that combines the practicality of digital configuration with the craftsmanship of a unique, handmade product.

With Custom Works, Dainese offers all bikers the quality and know-how it has acquired with more than 45 years of experience in the production of personalized leather suits. For nearly half a century, Dainese has grown, collaborated and shared its goals with the greatest riders of all time, from Giacomo Agostini to Valentino Rossi. Over this same period, Dainese has always pushed the boundaries of innovation.

With Custom Works, anyone can have a tailor-made garment and create his or her own unique design, choosing from a vast array of leather colors and accessories, with the option of adding words and images.

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The new Custom Works is a fully updated multi-channel experience. Accessible via the Dainese website, the brand-new 3D configurator allows each motorcyclist to personalize his/her leather suit, jacket or pants in real time, with a simple, engaging and interactive digital experience. The customer can see a preview of the garment, change the colors of the various parts, select accessories (plates, sliders), and upload words and images that are immediately visible on the 3D garment.

Once the design is complete, the biker saves the model and books an appointment during which sizes are taken. The purchase is then completed at a Certified Custom Works Center - a network of stores authorized and certified by Dainese to offer the Custom Works service. 

The 25 anatomical measurements needed for the personalized garment are taken with the support of a specialized consultant. Special consideration is also given to the customer's specific needs and the expected use of the product. At the Store, customers can actually touch the technology, materials, finishes and accessories that give life to the most advanced Grand Prix leather suits and that are also used to create the customized garment. 

With Custom Works, every customer can wear an absolutely unique Dainese garment.

When I clicked on the configurator to see what options were available for women, I found two track suits: 

  1. Laguna Seca 4 $1299 - more aggressive race fit, more stretch panels and tighter overall
  2. Avro - $999, relaxed fit, not a full race cut

If I chose a custom design/color, it was an additional $629. After that, I could pick a custom shoulder slider which is available in fun colors ($47.95) or the flag of your choice for an additional $94.95. These are all costs in addition to the MSRP of $1299.

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Lastly, there's the additional cost for a fully custom size. Just an additional $795. Generally you'll spend anywhere from $1500-$2000 for a great custom suit anyhow. 

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Currently there aren't any separates option for women. But there aren't many for men either, just one jacket (Racing D1) and no pants. 

If you're interested in setting up an appointment, Click Here to visit the configurator and submit a request.  The closest location to Philadelphia is the Dainese New York store. 

Happy Track Day'ng! 

Alpinestars Motegi Stella Women's Race Suit

Riding in the Alpinestars Motegi v1 Stella Suit

Riding in the Alpinestars Motegi v1 Stella Suit

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Motegi v2 Stella

The newest version of the popular Motegi Suit for women.

As you may remember, I recently completed another track day with California Superbike School on July 31st. My husband and I loved it so much, we decided to sign up again on August 21st. So I thought it was time to get a suit, as I know I will be doing more track days in the Spring. 

So I ordered up Alpinestars' newest women's suit, the Motegi v2

I ordered a size 40, which I could never fit with Alpinestars in previous years but my body has changed (although my weight hasn't) in recent months so I'm finding myself needing a 38. 

It's a fantastic suit, the problem for me and women like myself who have very little to offer in terms of curves is that it's too loose now. 

What's really difficult is that when I tried to size into a Dainese 40, I could *barely* get my hips in and then I couldn't zip it shut! My waist/belly was too much. I would have to loose 1-2 inches in my waist minimum to get that to zip and even if I did I couldn't get a back protector in there. If I sized up then I'd have it too loose everywhere else. 

I have a 35" chest and this size 40 easily fits another 2-3 inches in the chest. This 40 now fits like an old 42. if you're looking for a 1 piece with ample waist/belly/bust room, this suit is definitely for you. 

Need room in the thighs? Yep. Need room in the booty? That too. Race suits for women are few and far between. If you google, you'll basically find three companies offering suits:

  • Dainese
  • Alpinestars
  • Spidi

Between these three brands, Alpinestars will offer you the fullest fitments. 

So I did what any woman who only had a week to figure out a suit would do, I tried the previous version, the original Motegi (v1):

Read my fit review of the Motegi v1 suit here