Gear Fit Assessment

Just wanted to share a quick question from someone who is wearing leather for the first time:

Question:
Just ordered and rcvd a leather Joe Rocket coat-- jet set. Love it!! Size small- I am tall but quite thin. Sleeves are just long enough; body fits snug and well... my question is, the armpit seams pull just a bit-- literally-- the seams that run from collarbone to armpit are tight on me. Will this stretch out over time? Have ordered the size Medium just to compare, an extra inch across the back might make a ton of difference, but I think the coat is liable to be too big all over... By the way-- I tried the small on with a heavy sweater, and the seams were still tight in the armpit but ok everywhere else. Have never had leathers before, and am unsure how much it will stretch, or where. Any input welcome.

My answer:

Hmm.. without seeing you wearing it, I can only put my best guess forward. Leathers will definitely stretch and break in over time. The question is, when you're sitting On your bike, how tight are the seams? I mean, so tight that your arms can't comfortable stay in riding position for more than a minute? Generally it should be snug to begin with so it'll stretch when it breaks in.

As far as the seams from collarbone to armpit, they're going to be snug, but again, as long as they're not pinching in riding position, it should be good.

It's hard for me to make an informed decision without seeing you, but I hope this helps. Feel free to send me pics of you in the jacket, fully zipped, in riding position on the bike and then with the jacket unzipped standing up straight, arms at your sides.

And, if it's your first time wearing leathers, it might just take you awhile to get used to the snug fit compared to textiles.

-GC

Enjoying your Gear

This just occurred to me so I felt I had to put it in writing!

After getting my new bike, I've realized how unhappy I was on my previous bike. She was certainly beautiful and definitely cool to look at. However, it didn't fit me right. I managed to ride it for a couple years and I even took it to LA a couple times. I think I was forcing myself to like it, even though deep down I really didn't.

It was a little too top heavy, a little wider/fatter around the engine, and the suspension was horrible. I didn't enjoy riding nearly as much as I do now. Going on rides was something I theoretically wanted to do, but never did because I knew that I'd have to put 20lbs of weights in my tailbag to stabilize the rear suspension. How fun is that? NOT fun at all! To me, it really felt more like work than fun.

Riding the SV feels right to me, everything works for me and my body, and my riding style. It just fits me. Now I actually want to ride, any excuse to ride and I'll do it.

I think the same goes for your gear. If you buy something that doesn't fit you quite right or isn't the right type of gear for your riding style, you probably won't appreciate it for what is, and you might not even wear it all the time. Why would you? If your gear isn't working for you, or doing what you need it to do, it'll make it really hard for you to justify spending the money on a better piece of gear next time. I think it changes the way you look at gear and why it's worth spending so much $$ on.

Arai, Helmets + Fit

Please watch this awesome video with Jay Leno and Bruce Porter regarding proper helmet fit. Bruce Porter has worked with Arai for many years and has extensive knowledge on helmets and is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet!

I was lucky enough to meet with him at the Chicago Motorcycle Show last weekend. He spent 5 minutes with me showing me the easiest way to remove the face shield. I know Arai is notorious for having this system, but when it comes down to purchasing your helmet, Fit has to be the 1st priority. If it doesn't fit you, how's that going to protect you?

The 1st video is Bruce and Jay. The 2nd is an Arai video on youtube demonstrating removal. I also found it much easier to have the helmet in front of you facing Away from you as well, if you're not wearing it when swapping out the visor.

Fit, Updates

So I just acquired a new 2 wheeled vehicle. Yep, a 2003 sv650s, in superb condition (only 587 miles on it. {Thanks Steve and Valerie!}). I have many reasons for the transition, but my main reason is it's a real, bonafide sportbike! And a twin at that. There's something about the low rumble of a twin. Not the "Potato Potato" of a Harley, but more of a "barr-umph" when you rev it. Thats exactly what it is. A Barr-umph. It also has a lower riding position. Since my arms are short, I'm leaning over quite far, maybe 45 degrees? But when my husband is riding it, he's not leaned over very much at all. Probably because he has big man arms.

I've been riding around a lot wearing the Revit Ignition, testing it out (especially today in the rain) and I realized that this jacket is more comfortable in riding position on the SV. On my Z750, I find it to be 'scrunchy' and too much length in the arms since my bars are upright. But leaning over more requires a little more length.

And this jacket works perfectly. *sigh* It's inevitable that I'll be ordering my own Revit Ignition Ladies jacket in a size 40. Which is 2 full sizes larger than my Revit Pearl. I think due to the cut of the Ignition and also because Revit hasn't quite figured out proper sizing for the American crowd. I guess the same goes for many European brands. I'll post a full review soon.

Rubber Side Up!