The Track Motorcycle Biker Armor Leather Jacket at Jackets4Bikes.com

One of the first things we discussed during the Motorcycle Safety Course, was the need for good quality, protective apparel.  In addition to the legally required helmet, wearing gloves and over the ankle boots were also mandatory on the school’s riding course.  The instructors also discussed the advantages to riding with a padded, protective jacket.  There are many options out there, they come in all styles and colors.  The thing that sets these jackets apart, making them rider specific, is the added protective armor, that typically resides in the area of the elbows, shoulders and often the back.

When I first purchased my scooter, I chose one that I found both attractive, and that would fill my needs as a rider.  As a new rider, I promised myself that I would forgo fashion for function, and be sure to always protect myself with the best possible protective gear available. But let’s be honest, we all want to look good, while being protected too.

My first purchase was a full-faced helmet. It certainly provides the best protection of all the helmet styles, but cuts off air-flow, making hot days less than pleasant.  ‘Safety trumps comfort,’ I continue my shopping…

The next purchase was a mesh jacket.  I got the scooter in the midst of the summer heat, and the idea of riding with a heavy, leather jacket, promised to kill any joy I would have riding around the city.  So I found an inexpensive, padded number.  It had all the protection I needed, and the mesh provided ventilation, allowing me to remain cool on rides.  The problem was, it made me look like I was about to hop on a Ninja sport bike, and race off down the BQE, popping wheelies that just don’t end.  ‘Safety trumps fashion,’ I continue my shopping…

Gloves were next on my list, and I quickly found some decently priced, black mesh hand protection.  In the event you are thrown from your bike, it’s almost guaranteed the first thing to hit the ground will be your hands.  I knew that these gloves would be important, and I was fortunate to find a pair, that not only protects against impact and abrasion, but didn’t look all that goofy.  In fact, next to the jacket, they looked downright classy.  ‘Safety meets…sorta fashion.’

So I found myself accepting that the protective clothing I would wear would be somewhat funny looking, but assuaged my ego, knowing I would be much safer with these items wrapped around my body.   I promised myself that when it was time to find a winter riding jacket, THAT would be the time to spend a little money on something both safe, and good looking.  I had some time to shop, and would make sure that whichever one I chose would satisfy both safety and vanity.

It didn’t take me long to find a nice leather, winter jacket on the internet.  It is great looking, and has the safety padding that most 2-wheel specific riding jackets now offer.  As a bonus, it has reflective stripes to make me more visible to traffic at night.  Perfect!  Problem was, it was $359!  Here’s the thing…there is no one that would ever peg me for having any sense of fashion.  I have not changed my look in 25 years (t-shirt and jeans, add a sweater in the winter…done!)  Although this jacket seemed like it could put me in the ranks of the “Wild Bunch,” I couldn’t justify spending that kind of money in the name of fashion alone.  I continued to look around the internet, but always found myself back at the same site, coveting this jacket.  Damn it!

Finally, one day I stumble upon a site that caters only to jackets for 2-wheelers.  Figuring this might be the place to find safety, and hopefully something decent looking, I begin the tedious chore of combing through five pages of just leather riding jackets.  And there she was….  A real beauty, that frankly looked almost identical to the model I originally wanted.  Padding, reflective stripes, leather, air vents and .01 mm thicker than the fancy one.  This one has to be expensive too.  How can they possibly offer it at a reasonable… wow.  $99.  Yes!!!  I have just found the KMART of leather riding jackets.  I love this site.

I email the company, to ensure the size I order will jive with my build (or lack thereof).  They are quite nice, and promise to ship me out my very own, fashionable protective wear, in the morning.  And it’s free shipping!  Three days later it arrives, and presto, it fits.  Great buy, and proof that not all protective gear needs to make you look like a droid.  There is no question that we all should be wearing the best possible gear, to protect us in the event of an accident.  But everyone knows that fashion can dictate our decisions about clothing, and finding a combination of the two can be tedious.  I found that spending a little time, can offer results that satisfy both needs.   Check back soon for a review of the jacket, after I break it in, and test it on the means streets of the city.  Away we go, safe AND secure.

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Adidas announced their partnership with Vespa around this time last this year as part of their Adidas Originals line up with a few pairs of Men’s Vespa branded sneakers, polo shirts and jackets for Summer 2009. The Vespa Originals collection came about as part of Adidas 60th Anniversary of its iconic three stripes.

Sales must have been strong because Adidas has just announced it’s Vespa Fall collection, growing the  collection not just into more sneakers but also Mod styled outerwear, pants and other apparel and Women’s footwear.

One of the new additions is Adidas’ contemporary take on the classic Mod “fishtail” Parker jacket seen above.

Other highlights from the collection are below:

The short sleeved Polo is classic Mod.

Canvas PX sneakers. A nod to one of  Vespa’s classic series.

The Adidas Vespa Biker Jacket is Rocker in cut, but 100% Mod in material and perfect for riding.

Head on over to Adidas.com to learn more about Adidas Originals and check out the full collection.

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HappyFamily have just expanded their apparel line at Etsy to include this rather neat Vespa schematic T-shirt for the scooter nut in your household.

Seems the T-shirt is only available in blue, but it is available in a variety of sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large and XXL.

You can check out the T-shirt here, or see what other cool stuff HappyFamily have at their Etsy store.

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Yes we know that in the current light snow/heavy rain mix that is Spring in New York this year, Summer feels a long way off, but thanks to Piper Bags on Etsy you can at least starting thinking about riding your scoot our to Fire Island. And what better way to pack for the beach than this attractive scoot-adorned bag.

If you order now – and we all hold-hands in a circle – we can pray for sun. $21.95 at Piper Bags’ page on Etsy.

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It’s never been easy to pick up a Lambretta here in the US, but you can be sure of one thing. Those that are here have been lovingly cared for. Spotting one in the Big Apple is always a thrill.

Sometimes I like to stroll into Brooklynbretta just to stroke theirs. But that’s another story.

So what to do you do if you want to satisfy some of your lust but not break your bank account, or your relationship as you spend the next two years knee deep in the garage bringing the ultimate scooter back to life from mail-ordered spares and a rusty shell? Buy the watch.

We’re not sure how these guys ever got the license, but Sweden’s Capella Industries did just that a few years ago and have since been putting out these beautiful timepieces. In fact they have an overwhelming collection of styles.

Like their namesake, the watches can be a little tricky to track down State-side but Florida’s ScooterTrap has them available to purchase online. Let us know if you spy a dealer in the Big Apple who stocks them. After all you can buy everything in NYC, can’t you?

Our favorites are the Brunori Target and Lambro Stripes pictured which retail for $150 and $90 respectively. Other watches in the collection climb just north of 200 bucks.

So now you can time your next Trader Joe’s run in style.

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Tough to justify in these times of economic discretion, so we’re filing this one under NYC Scootering lust, but boy do we wish we could get our hands on a brand spanking new bespoke Tonic suit.

London, UK based  Ace Face Clothing Company with the help of Savile Row tailor Marc Griffith founded the company to bring the Tonic suit made famous by scooter boys, mods and skins in the 60s and 70s back into the hands of eager enthusiasts.

The company will craft a bespoke suit for you, Ladies and Gentlemen, through their online measurement order form and ship it to you from merry ole’ England in around 6 to 8 weeks.

What makes the Tonic suit so special, in addition to the sharp cut is the unique irridescent Tonic material (a mohair mix) that keeps you looking dapper no matter what the light.

Prices start at around $850. But hey, that’s why we’re filing under “Lust”. Time to start saving.

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