New Casual Boots by Tsubo

Since I'm not riding, I have to share these casual boots which I can't wait to get next week!

I discovered the company Tsubo a few months ago when I bought these awesome wedge heels that have amazing foam support. These particular boots are called the Loe, and have a nice layer of comfort foam and a breathable lining which supposedly keeps your feet comfy and dry. Unfortunately not waterproof (hey, Tsubo, that would be AWESOME) but still cute.

You might be wondering why I can't wear these while riding? Well, I guess I could do anything I want, theoretically. But here are the main reasons:

1. I would quickly scuff and wear out the toe box from my shifter
2. Poorly articulated for riding position (think knees bent, heels back, flex to point toe up and down)
3. NO ankle protection or impact protection if my foot hits anything solid
4. NO internal support to keep my ankles from twisting
5. NO anti-slip soles (us short folks need STRONG, grippy soles to handle 300-500lbs of motorcycle weight)
6. NO reinforced toe box or heel cup

Oh how I wish Sidi would come out with something similar to this with all the protective elements, but something tells me we'll be waiting awhile.....

Follow me on all of my social feeds to see pics of these boots when they arrive.

Do You Need a 1 or 2 Piece Leather Motorcycle Suit?

 

A reader contacted me via Facebook recently and asked me what I thought about Spidi's 1 piece leather suits for women. The first thing I said was that they're outstanding. The quality is fantastic and they look incredible.

I had to poke and prod this new rider a little more. She was about 20 and just starting to ride.  I asked her why she was interested in a 1 piece and she said simply because it looked cool. I can't argue with how cool they look. I'd LOVE to wear one of these from Spidi.

But I'd probably wear the one on the left (Trackster Touring Suit) more often than the one on the right (Mantis Wind Pro Suit). Mainly because I need the flexibility of a 2 piece when I'm actually out riding. And the Mantis is probably more aggressive in terms of fitment for track riding. Notice how the knees bow out a little bit on the Mantis, immediately forcing you into a more forward posture.

But which one do you need? I guess the answer is both, technically speaking. They both offer excellent levels of protection while on the road, no matter what you're riding. But which one are you more likely to wear? Probably the Trackster. Given it's easier to take off your jacket, say if you're stopping for lunch. But on the other hand, I ride with a lot of friends who wear 1 piece suits for weekend rides too, not just track days or racing. And they simply zip off the top half to walk around or when we're sitting down for lunch. That's simply not my ideal method of wearing gear.

It all comes down to what your preference is and which one fits you the best. Having ridden in 2 piece suits over the years, I absolutely love the flexibility and feel. I also tend to wear sport touring suits which aren't as aggressive in terms of fitment. They're designed more for touring and upright riding positions. I do wear the Revit Galactic however, as my summer riding jacket since it's so light and ventilated. It's definitely the most aggressive jacket I've worn so far. And it's not as comfy as my touring textiles. But I do appreciate the fit on my sporty. It almost supports me while I try and keep my upper body off the tank on long rides.

Keep in mind also that 2 piece leathers come in many forms, not just racing. Take for example the Dainese outfit I'm in the photo at the very top of this post. The jacket is the Cage and the pants are the Firefly (discontinued awhile ago but they offer several other alternatives).

I wore that outfit for my first novice track day. As a novice, it was the perfect outfit since I definitely wasn't planning on pushing myself to the racing, knee dragging limits. Although that jacket looks a bit 'race like' it's really not. It's far less aggressive and fits more like a casual jacket without the added articulation that you see on the elbows of the Galactic pictured right above. The fitments are really what tell the two apart. One immediately feels comfortable, doesn't immediately make me bend forward when trying it on and is definitely easier to wear overall.

When I'm able to do track days on a regular basis, I will probably invest in a full 1 piece suit not only for the added protection, but comfort on the bike. When all you're doing is leaning forward and riding around a track, you want your suit to support you completely in that position.

Remember that when you're venturing into leathers that there will be a break in period that's going to be uncomfortable (no matter what style or brand they are), completely out of your comfort zone and just plain annoying until they soften and loosen up. How much they break in varies from brand to brand, and type of leather to type of leather (kangaroo v. cow v. sheep v. goat, etc.). You could get anywhere from 1/8" up to a half size increase in fit.

Just remember my shopping rules to ensure that you get the right size and don't forget those baselayers to help increase your overall comfort while wearing leather!

Schuberth C3 Pro Women vs. C3W Modular Helmet

I've been asked several times what the differences are between the C3 Pro Women and the C3 Women. So here's a little summary of features that Pro offers over the C3.  You can read my review of the Pro here.

Internal Shape, Features & Lining

• More comfortable materials and fit[S S1] , particularly in the forehead area (padded seamless liner and lower profile summer/winter flap)
• Ruby Colored Cheekpads
• Size XXS-L (Same for both helmets, and all one shell size-  XL and up is the large shell)I found out of all 4 models that they offer (C3, C3W, C3Pro C3ProW), this one was the only one that fit right. So if you’ve only tried the others, I strongly suggest you try this one too!
• The Retention System (chin buckles) are fully adjustable on both straps
• Note: Pearl Pink color is only offered in the Pro

Noise Reduction

• 2 decibals quieter (82db vs. 84db)

Aerodynamics

• Spoiler added for more stability & performance at high speed

Ventilation

• Increased ventilation by up to 60% through new exhaust ports in EPS foam and larger intake vents on top

Audio

• Antenna integrated into the shell for enhanced performance of the SRC system.
• Note: the SRC system in the C3/C3W will fit into the C3Pro/C3ProW and will fuction as normal without plugging into the helmet’s antenna. The C3Pro(W) system will not work without the antenna and so will not function in the C3(W). 

So if you’re trying to make a decision as to whether you should go with the Pro, it’s definitely going to be a matter of fitment. Since the C3W is offered down to a XXS and has the extra padding, that will be extra beneficial to those of you who have trouble finding helmets that fit small enough. It’s one of the smallest fitting helmets I’ve ever seen (aside from Shoei and Arai’s XXS). I also think you’ll notice these differences if you ride something sporty or naked, or have a very small windscreen. Anything my helmet can offer in terms of noise and stability at high speed is always a bonus for me.

Either way, you can't go wrong and will love your Schuberth :D

Recommendation for Short Women's Motorcycle Pants

 

Reader Kim V. from Boston wrote me asking for recommendations for pants that would work year round.

The Ventura pants by REV'IT are my #1 favorite option, also given her size and body type. (US 10, wider torso, 28" inseam) For Kim I'm going to recommend a size Euro 40 or 42, depending on how her measurements work out next to the size chart. Go with the size that accommodates your largest measurement.

They're extremely versatile, given the 2 removable layers. They're also available in short, standard and long lengths. The knee armor is also adjustable! Also, remember to try on any pants while in riding position since the knees will move up considerably depending on the riding position.

Check out my full review here!