motorcycle armor | I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!!

Posts Tagged ‘motorcycle armor’

I need new motorcycle armor!

Posted: September 11, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle Rides, motorcycle touring, Product Reviews
Tags: CE level 1 armor, ce1 armor, CE1 motorcycle armor, D30 motorcycle armor, Harley, Harley Davidson, Harley Davidson switchback motorcycle jacket, Motorcycle, motorcycle armor, motorcycle blog, motorcycle jacket, Motorcycle Ride, motorcycle riding, motorcycle safety, motorcycle touring, sport bike, Sportbike

I have a favorite motorcycle jacket, a Harley Davidson “Switchback” that is now ten years old. When I put it on to ride Howard’s Twisted Tongue, I noticed the elbow armor was broken into several pieces.

This jacket has been great for three season motorcycle riding. It has a zippered, removable textile cover that, when on, provides good wind protection as well as some basic rain protection. When the cover is removed it is a mesh jacket for those warm to hot days. There are pockets for elbow, shoulder and back armor built into the jacket.

The modern version of this jacket has zipper vents where you have roll up the vent covers. It looks stupid and is a stupid design.

When I took a closer look at the broken elbow armor, I also noticed that the other armor was breaking apart as well. The armor that came with the jacket was CE level 1 and was now past it use by date. I needed to replace this motorcycle armor as soon as possible.

I had to go to my local Harley Davidson dealership to find out where they are with a motorcycle I would like to buy and while I was there, I noticed that they had replacement armor for sale. One trip solved my armor issue, I still have an issue regarding the new motorcycle though.

The new armor is also CE Level 1 but is radically different than what came with the jacket 10 years ago. The old armor was very thick and not very flexible. The new armor is very thin and highly flexible. The documentation stated that upon impact it becomes hard and absorbs the impact, I hope I never have to find out.

During all this I also noticed that the mesh seam under the right arm was coming apart. A trip to the local seamstress fixed that problem. My favorite motorcycle jacket is showing its age, I wish I could find another motorcycle jacket with the same features.

*****

Ride on, Ride Safe

Bilt Iron Works Kevlar Motorcycle Riding Pants

Posted: December 12, 2022 in Motorcycle, Product Reviews
Tags: 5 star review, bilt iron works kevlar motorcycle riding pants, Harley, Harley Davidson, kevlar motorcycle pants, kevlar pants, khaki motorcycle pants, Motorcycle, motorcycle armor, motorcycle blog, Motorcycle Ride, motorcycle riding, motorcycle riding pants, motorcycle safety, motorcycle touring, review of motorcycle riding pants, sport bike, Sportbike

I reviewed an earlier version of the Bilt Iron Workers Kevlar motorcycle pants way back in 2013. The older version received a 4-star rating, but these pants have been improved over the years.

The new Iron Workers Kevlar pants are available in several colors, I purchased the khaki version. They were more brown than khaki but acceptable. I read that the sizing was running a little small, so I bought one size up from my normal and it worked out well, a good fit.

They look more like casual office pants than any of the other motorcycling pants I currently own. With the knee pads removed it would be even more difficult to discern they are motorcycle-based clothing.

Speaking of knee pads, the Bilt Iron Workers Kevlar pants have an external zipper that allows for “easier” access. I placed “easier” in quotes as it can still be a bit of a struggle to get them in and out, but it is much better than turning the pants inside out to access the armor pockets. This is a plus over many other pants I own.

While the Bilt pants come with armor for the knee they do not come with hip armor, luckily, I have several extra pairs. Unlike the knee armor the hip armor is not as easy to insert or remove. The pocket openings face the outside pant leg, and it can be a bit of a struggle to put the armor in place. Once the hip armor is installed, they are comfortable and snug. This is about the same as other pants I own.

After riding in these pants for a few thousand miles, I have to say I like them quite a bit. While heavy they are not too hot in the heat, and they have some decent wind breaker qualities that help in the cool weather.

The cargo pockets are secured with heavy-duty Velcro and, wow, it is some really heavy-duty Velcro. It can be a bit of an effort to pull the pocket open. You will not need to worry about the cargo pockets coming open during your ride! The regular pockets are just regular pockets. This is a plus over other pants I own.

The only downside and it does not impact my rating is the hip armor pockets, they could be better with a pocket opening facing the inside of the pant with a Velcro closure. Some people might complain of the limited use of the Kevlar lining but there is a price point consideration.

For their price these are very good motorcycling pants.