Oct 24 2010

Spidi RR Pro Jacket and Jeans Posted 1 years 121 days ago ago by stray cat     0 Comments

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Here’s a review of some leathers I bought earlier in the season for sort of spring/autumn wear, having worn them a few times now.

My last 2-piece was a Dainese K-Series – great quality, but starting to look a little scruffy and dated. I also wanted to find a matching jacket and trousers, where the jacket had a removable thermal lining. Unfortunately, Dainese don’t do a 2-piece offering this, so I had to look elsewhere – but I still wanted style and quality.

Ticking all the boxes did not prove to be easy, but finally I found the Spidis and took a punt that they would fit. I got them from the Rocket Centre via the internet and they were very helpful.  

The RR Pro set has:

• a full length zip at the waist with adjustable tabs on the sides of jacket

• lots of stretch panels (the one under the crotch is seamless – a thoughtful touch!)

• a removable thermal lining in the jacket   

• a loop on the back of the jacket waist for attaching to, eg, a Draggin Jeans belt loop   

• side pockets in both jacket and jeans (plus internal zip pocket just by the jacket front zip (for easy access to credit card at petrol station)   

• space for a back protector   

• an optional (as in it will cost you £50) rain/wind-proof liner   

• knee sliders (quite subtle, these, if that can be possible)   

• an adjustable waist on jeans (tabs either side)   

• adjustable knee armour   

• removable hip protection (although this thankfully doesn’t give you thunder thighs!)   

• AND they look good (black with a few racy-looking white bits) and seem very well made, the leather is thick but soft 

Here they are:

 

The great thing is, is that the jacket and trousers can be bought separately in different sizes – and will still give you the look of a proper two-piece, instead of the alternative “any” jacket and plain black trousers. The jacket also comes in red or blue stripe versions.  

There is actually some boob room *shock* and the trouser waist adjustment is quite generous - useful (for stuffing extra layers in in the winter.  

As far as comfort goes, when I wore them for the first time the only gripe I had was I found they were a bit tight round the back of the knees (this is stretchy stuff), otherwise no problems. They are a good fit – compared to Dainese the sizing comes up very slightly bigger. The trousers are a bit short in the lower leg, but this is ok as that last bit of the leg is stretchy panel and boots go over the top anyway. I got a size 42 and I would say this is equivalent to UK size 10 (and I am 5’5” tall). The zip-out thermal liner is thick enough to make a difference, and I have also bought the optional rain/wind-proof liner (which looks a bit like a proper jacket in itself and could be worn under other stuff (it has popper straps to fit to the intended jacket) or even on its own, as it doesn’t look kind of “inside-out-ey”. The only annoyance is that you can’t put this liner under the thermal liner – it’s either one or the other, or the rain liner under the thermal, but is not the ideal way round, I would say). It comes in a pouch so could you stuff it under a reasonably--sized seat cavity or in a medium-sized bumbag for an extra “in case” layer.  

So I am very pleased with the Spidis so far, and after a few glances in the shop windows of fair Henley, I am satisfied they look good too. The saleslady at M&P admired them the other day as well! Spidi seem to have put quite a bit of thought into the ergonomics. They are not what you would call “cheap” though – on a par with Dainese, so about £700 for the set, but worth it, I think.  

Crash worthiness? Not yet tested (and won’t be, hopefully!)   I will try and update this review after they have done a whole season, to see how they have fared.

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