New Outlast Houston Jacket from Weise

New from Weise® for 2017, the Outlast® Houston is a fully-armoured waterproof jacket, with a removable temperature-regulating lining for optimal thermal comfort, whatever the weather.

The jacket’s tough, tear-resistant rip-stop outer has a waterproof/breathable lining, which is sealed by a YKK® central zip, with a popper and Velcro® storm flap that provides reliable weather protection.

Vents on the arms, chest and back allow plenty of cooling air to flow through in the heat, while the Outlast lining regulates body temperature, helping to reduce the warm-up/chill-down cycle often experienced when riding on colder days.

Originally developed for NASA, Outlast technology utilises phase change materials (PCM) that absorb, store and release heat for optimal thermal comfort. Outlast technology is comparable to ice in a drink; as it changes from solid to liquid, it absorbs heat and cools the drink, keeping that drink at the desired temperature for longer. Outlast phase change materials work in the same way, but are micro-encapsulated, so they are permanently enclosed in a polymer shell. These micro-encapsulated phase change materials are known as Thermoculesâ„¢.

All-round impact-protection is provided by CE-approved armour at shoulders, elbows and back.

Weise have provided plenty of pockets, too – both inside and out – including a large rear map pocket.

The Outlast Houston is covered by the Weise 2-year no-quibble warranty and comes in sizes small – 5XL in Black and sizes medium – 3XL in Black/Stone

New T-Shirts & Hoodie from Weise

Weise® is celebrating its 30th birthday with a new range of casual clothing and, as you’d expect from Weise, all are made from quality materials and are styled for British riders.

There are three T-shirt designs – ’œHard Wearing’, ’œReputation’ and ’œEmblem’ – each in a choice of three different colours. All are made from 100% pre-shrunk Jersey Cotton with tubular construction. The neck and shoulders are taped, with a seamless double-needle collar for a comfortable and hard-wearing finish.- Available in sizes Small – 2XL (3XL in some designs/colours).

The Hoodie is made from a 50/50 cotton/polyester blend, with a comfortable brushed fleece inner finish. Produced in black, with the ’œHard Wearing’ design on the front, it’s traditionally styled with a draw cord to the hood, a pouch pocket and elasticated cuffs and hem. In sizes small – 3XL.

Outwit the weather with Outlast Seattle Suit

New for 2016, the Outlast Seattle Jacket and Trousers from Weise® are designed to deal with the unpredictable temperatures and weather conditions that Autumn often deals out to riders.

Key to the Seattle suit’s ’˜climate control’ is its Outlast® lining. This unique material was originally developed for NASA; it absorbs, stores and releases heat, actively regulating the body’s microclimate. As the body warms up, Outlast absorbs the heat, keeping the wearer cool; alternatively, as the wearer begins to cool down, the heat is released back, keeping the body warm.

This active control helps to reduce temperature swings (the heat-up/chill down cycle) experienced when riding in varying temperatures, so the wearer is consistently comfortable.
In addition, Outlast works to stop perspiration before it begins, unlike many other technical fabrics found in motorcycle clothing, which manage moisture by wicking perspiration away from the skin.

Alongside the Outlast 140-gram thermal inner, both jacket and jeans feature waterproof, windproof and breathable drop liners (the jacket’s liner is removable); venting at the chest and thighs; plus Velcro® and popper adjustment, to allow for the use of additional layers.
The outer shell is made from 600 Denier Taslan fabric, with CE-approved armour in key impact areas – shoulders, elbows, knees and back. Reflective detailing aids visibility in low light. Comfort stretch panels aid movement and 8-inch connecting zips keep jacket & trousers firmly together to prevent ‘riding up’.

There’s also a selection of internal and external pockets – including a large map-type pocket to the rear of the jacket.

The Outlast Seattle jacket and trousers come in sizes S-5XL.

Click here for details of Weise clothing

Autumn Gremlins Sorted

Gear Gremlin has a selection of add-ons to keep both bikes and riders in peak condition over the autumn/winter months.

Classic Neon Cover — If a motorcycle or scooter is parked outside overnight, covering it is a must. A quality, well-fitted and properly specified cover will offer protection from rain, frost, snow, dust, spray from passing vehicles, bird droppings and UV exposure, not to mention prying eyes – the police advise owners to cover their machines if possible.

The Classic Neon Cover is made from a waterproof, soft and durable fabric, with elastic hems for a secure fit and reinforced side cut-outs so that a security chain can be passed through. The top portion of the cover is neon yellow, for added visibility in low light.

The Classic comes in three sizes, is washable and comes with a handy storage bag;- find out more

12V Intelligent Charger — Battery care is also crucial during colder periods, when low temperatures cause the power output from the battery to drop, as the chemical reaction that generates electrons to supply the current proceeds more slowly.

Gear Gremlin’s 12V Intelligent Charger is a microprocessor-based battery charger and maintainer, suitable for all 12V gel and lead acid batteries, from 2.3Ah – 120Ah capacities.- Fully automated, the Intelligent Charger adjusts the current according to the battery’s capacity rating and can diagnose – and attempt to recover – a sulphated battery. It will also check for and indicate a weak or damaged battery.

Its built-in automatic voltage management system cuts charging when the battery is fully charged, and the charger also features protection from polarity reverse, short circuit, over temperature, over current and over voltage, for complete safety and peace of mind. Find out more

HEATED GRIPS FHG2 — Designed to provide continual, controllable warmth, heated grips reduce the need for bulky, insulated gloves and enable riders to select the ideal temperature to keep hands functioning comfortably – crucial for autumn/winter riding, where conditions require careful operation of the throttle, clutch and front brake.

Each Gear Gremlin heated grip set comes complete with a combined on/off and temperature control switch, which is easily operated with gloved hands, and can be handlebar or bodywork mounted for quick operation. There are two temperature settings so riders can tailor the heat level to the conditions.

The premium-quality FHG2 grips are designed to provide a confident hold and comfort, and are manufactured from anti-split and anti-perish rubber.- Find out more

Why Kevlar? Q and A with Draggin Jeans’ Grant Mackintosh

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Draggin has been using genuine DuPontâ„¢ Kevlar® in its products since it first began production of its jeans back in 1997. Despite there being a number of alternative fabrics available nowadays, the company sees absolutely no reason to use anything else.

For more than 50 years, DuPont’s Kevlar has been the number one choice for strength and safety in a variety of applications across a broad range of industries. The company’s heritage and experience in the field is unrivalled, giving its customers total peace of mind and complete assurance that the product does exactly what it’s designed to do.

Well known for its use in military and law enforcement protective clothing, Kevlar is a key component in body armour and flak jackets helping to protect personnel from ballistic projectiles, explosive fragmentation and other combat hazards. Five times stronger than steel on an equal-weight basis, it offers superior protection, yet is lightweight and comfortable enough to help improve mobility and reduce fatigue in the field.

Given its effectiveness in such extreme situations, Kevlar’s use in motorcycle apparel was a natural progression and it was Draggin’s Grant Mackintosh who pioneered its use in jeans. Given his many years of experience in the field, Grant is uniquely placed to answer questions that often come up regarding the use of Kevlar in protective motorcycle wear. In the following text he attempts to address these.

Q: Any jeans advertised as made with Kevlar are going to protect me, right?

’œNot necessarily,’ says Grant. ’œUnfortunately there are some poor imitators out there using the Kevlar name for a fibre that is absolutely not made by DuPont. We have developed our own lining, while many others just call up the factories in the Far East and ask for Kevlar, but they can’t guarantee what they are getting. Worryingly, some of them just use yellow cotton while others are actually flammable. The only way to be sure is if they have the DuPont logo on the label. I’m proud to say that we were the first motorcycle jeans manufacturer to pass strict DuPont criteria to attain a licence agreement and we were also the world’s first DuPont Preferred Licensee for motorcycle garments.’

Q: I was told that during a slide, Kevlar jeans can get very hot and either burn or melt onto the skin. Is this true?

’œDuPont Kevlar has no melting point, so there is zero chance of it melting onto the skin,’ explains Grant. ’œAs far as heat goes, perhaps in some brands of riding jeans there may be an issue with heat transfer – it depends on the fabric and whether a liner is incorporated. Our knitted fabric, for example, produces a soft material in which the loop of the fabric faces the road. This is more than twice as effective at dissipating heat and resisting abrasion as a flat weave and also results in faster deceleration. Add to that an internal lining and you’ve got all the protection you’ll need from both heat and abrasion.’

Q: I read on the internet that Kevlar degrades through hydrolysis. Does that mean I can’t wash my jeans?
’œThis is yet another unsubstantiated claim,’ says Grant. He goes on to explain, ’œDuPont itself says that fabrics engineered with Kevlar can easily be washed at high temperatures and tumble dried. In its Kevlar technical booklet it clearly states that there is no degradation to performance of the material due to water exposure – tests have even been carried out where Kevlar was submerged in ocean water for 12 months and no degradation occurred.’

Q: It’s a fact that UV degrades Kevlar. That’s surely bad news for my jeans?

’œEverything is susceptible to degradation from UV exposure,’ says Grant. ’œHouse bricks, car paint, and yes, Kevlar, but that doesn’t mean your jeans are going to be useless after a summer’s riding. I don’t know about other brands of motorcycle jeans that use, say, Vectran for instance, which is well known to have very low UV resistance, but from evidence we’ve collected so far on our own products we’ve been really surprised by what we’ve found. We recently had a pair of 11 year old Draggin jeans returned to us for data collection after they protected the rider in a crash. The incredible thing is that they actually tested 30% better than when new and had most certainly been washed, worn with bent knees, rained on, sweated in and worn in the summer sun in Australia for over a decade,’ he reveals. ’œIt’s really exciting and with our lab tests we are seeing similar improvements in performance with intense washing, drying and retesting. We continue to have fun figuring out and pushing the science behind it!’

FIND OUT MORE

Vision On for Autumn

hi_viz_waistcoat_01lrAs the autumn nights draw in and weather conditions deteriorate, motorcyclists can often find themselves riding in poor visibility.
The advice from Think! – the Department for Transport road safety campaign – is crystal clear; ’œWear bright or fluorescent gear during the day and reflective gear at night’.
Weise® designed the Vision waistcoat specifically for motorcycle & scooter riders.
It is made from 75 Denier polyester and Lycra® so that it fits snugly over bike clothing and won’t flap about in the wind.
Its bright neon yellow colour is enhanced by reflective stripes to front and back and there is a useful ID pocket for driving licence or emergency contact details.
The Weise Vision is washable, so it can be kept bright and fresh, and comes in sizes S-5XL for a perfect fit over motorcycle clothing.

More details here.

Spirit of Weise

New for 2016 – Weise® Spirit Leather jacket
Made from tough yet flexible natural-milled cowhide and with CE-approved armour throughout, including at the back, the new Weise® Spirit leather jacket blends timeless styling with modern levels of comfort & impact protection.

Classic details feature throughout, adding to the feel of traditional quality. Adjustable fastenings at the base of jacket are secured with buckles, and the collar has a soft lining for added comfort, and can be tightened or loosened using poppers.

The cuffs have a zipped closure, which is fastened with poppers. All zips are vintage-style metal by YKK® and there is padded leather detailing on the shoulders and elbows to complete the classic look.

With three outer pockets and internal pockets, too, there are plenty of places to carry your phone, wallet and keys,

The Spirit is available in men’s chest sizes 40″-50″.

Call The Key Collection on 0117 971 9200 or click HERE– for details.

New Duchinni D705 Syncro Helmet

Duchinni’s entry-level D705 helmet is now available in a choice of four striking graphics that give it an appearance to match the premium brands.
The D705 Syncro has a strong ABS/fibre composite outer shell that is certified to the latest ECE22.05 safety standard. Its aerodynamic design creates a cleaner airflow over the helmet, which keeps the head more stable and eases strain on the neck at higher speeds. UV protection shields the shell and the colours from the effects of direct sunlight.

Vents to the top and chin bar, linked to an exhaust vent at the rear by advanced channelling through the EPS liner, keep the head cool as the temperature rises. The high quality textile lining is also fully removable and washable, so it can be kept fresh and bacteria-free.

The Syncro also has a double curvature visor with an anti-scratch coating, plus a breath-deflector to keep it fog-free, and is fastened by an adjustable micrometric quick-release buckle

Duchinni’s D705 Syncro comes in a choice of Black/Neon, Black/Orange, Black/White & Black/Gun. It is available in sizes XS-XL, (and up to XXL in Black/Gun).

Click HERE for details

Buffalo kit for kids

Buffalo’s new range of youth textile clothing is designed for budding bikers.

At less than -£130 for the complete set – jacket, trousers and gloves – and with sleeves and legs that can be adjusted as the wearer grows, it’s a very cost-effective way to ensure younger passengers are properly kitted out when they go for a ride.

buffalo ranger jkt youth neon LRThe Ranger is a waterproof textile jacket with vents front and rear and a removable thermal liner, so it’s easy to adapt for the weather conditions. CE-approved armour is fitted at the shoulders and elbows and there are adjustable Velcro® straps at the cuffs, upper and lower arms and waist, for a snug fit. Reflective detailing is included for increased visibility and there are also external and internal pockets. As the wearer grows, the sleeves can be adjusted for length by means of an expansion zip on the upper arm. Retailing at -£59.99 including VAT, the Ranger comes in sizes XS (6-7 years) to XL (13-14 years) in a choice of either Black or Black/Neon Yellow.

imola_LRMatching Imola textile trousers are also waterproof with Thermomix® insulation and a removable quilted lining. CE-approved armour is fitted at the knees, and the legs can be adjusted for length using a similar system to the jacket. SRP is -£46.99 and sizes range from XS (6-7 years) to XL (13-14 years).

tracker_LRTracker Gloves complete the package. Made from a combination of suede leather and textile fabric with a twin overlay to the knuckles and palm, they are waterproof, windproof and breathable. The Tracker has a thermal lining and features an adjustable Velcro®-retained wrist strap for a secure fit, together with a pull cord at the cuff to help seal out the elements. Retailing for -£18.99, they come in junior sizes S – L in Black, Red and Blue.

Click here for details on the complete range of Buffalo motorcycle clothing and accessories

Ride out in style with Weise Ascot jacket

AscotLRNew to the Weise® collection, the Ascot ladies textile jacket has the style of high street fashion, with the features and protection needed for riding the high road.
Named after the famous race course, the Ascot takes its styling cues from quilted jackets worn by horse riders, with a short and tailored fit.
Made from 190 Denier quilted nylon, the Ascot feels soft and comfortable for all-day wear both on and off the bike.
CE-approved armour is fitted to pockets at the shoulders, elbow and back, providing impact protection and peace of mind.
Weise also include a removable, fleece-backed, 80-gram quilted lining, which enables the wearer to use the Ascot in the wide variety of temperatures experienced in the UK.
Three external pockets, plus two more inside, provide plenty of carrying space for essential items such as keys, phone and credit cards.
High quality YKK® gold-coloured zips add a stylish finishing touch.
The Ascot comes in classic black, in sizes S – 2XL (UK 10-18).

Click HERE for details