Product Reviews Robb Report Motorcycling Magazine Editor's Review

Class Act

With styling that borrows more from Land's End or LL Bean than from the classic black motorcycle jacket or multi-colored sport-riding leathers, a Classy Rider jacket is ideal when your destination requires more traditional garb. But don't let the casual looks fool you. These clever chameleons provide many of the technical features that add to riding comfort and safety, including extra room in the shoulders and sleeves to accommodate handlebar reach, a high collar for wind protection, a streamlined cut to reduce 'sail,' and a plethora of secure pockets for wallets, maps and other essentials. Perhaps best of all, the faux suede garments, available in a number of men's and women's colors, are machine washable. [Please note that jacket features and styles have been updated since this review]

 

RoadBike Magazine Staff Pick Product Showcase

A Class Act

Sometimes you don't feel like suiting up for a casual ride around town; you just want to jump on your scoot without zipping into dark, heavy leather. Besides, when you arrive at your destination: work, a store, or a restaurant, maybe you'd like to blend inm especially if heavy leather or textile isn't the most appropriate attire for the occasion.

For jaunts around town and short hops, I've taken to wearing a comfortable, lightweight, and stylish synthetic suede jacket by Classy Rider. It's a motorcycle jacket that doesn't look like one. It has abrasion-resistant material hidden in the sleeves and back, and longer sleeves and roomier shoulders to accommodate your reach to the handlebars. The cuffs are adjustable, and collar is high for wind protection. There are plenty of pockets for maps, cell phones, and keys, as well as a placket of the zipper to prevent scratching the tank. The material is soft and feels luxurious, yet it's even machine washable. Men's and women's are available in your choice of colors. George Blumberg

www.RoadBikeMag.com

 

Self-Initiated Rider Product Review, August 2005

One "Classy" Riding Jacket

Finally, someone gets it right.   A jacket that not only protects your elbows and back in the event of an unscheduled get off but that you can also wear to work, the store, to a cafe or anyplace without announcing that you just arrived on a motorcycle.  

It's the "Classy Rider" Weekender jacket.   The "Classy Rider" weekender is for the rider who would like to wear something as light as a sports coat and that blends in when off the bike but at the same time provides all the body protection a high quality motorcycle jacket can give. If you’re one of those people then this one’s for you.

The amount of thought that has gone into every part of this jacket is unbelievable (see jacket Features page). The outer material is a modern polyester that feels exactly like suede but without all the special care that soft leather would require. You can throw this jacket into your washing machine with cold water after you’ve removed the padding. The jacket is completely lined with a breathable satin like material adding to the comfort and class.

Padding? It’s foam, the same thickness as a typical "Joe Rocket" or technical style jacket so it is unobtrusive as it protects elbows and back. The back (spine) pad is easily removable, held in place by snaps and Velcro. The elbow pads are actually inside zippered pockets inside the lined sleeves. Pretty fancy eh? The ends of the sleeves have both elastic and Velcro so they’re adjustable whether you wear your gloves inside or outside the jacket.

Let’s talk storage. There are two outside pockets, both zippered (so your MP3 player can’t fall out). Inside is one zippered pocket (for security) sized exactly to fit a typical mans wallet. Two other inside pockets use Velcro tabs for closure. One is above the wallet sized pocket on the left. The other is exactly the proper size to hold a map or brochures or any standard #10 business envelope you choose to tuck away.  At the jackets lower back is yet another pocket perfected for an imperfectly folded map or larger envelope. Suffice to say there is plenty of room for everything.

There are other well thought out touches. Hidden (zippered) vents under the arms to help air flow through the jacket on toasty days and a snap shut flap on the front to prevent wind from finding its way through the zipper on those cooler days and to prevent scratching your tank with the zipper. Near the collar on the back is a reflective "Classy Rider" logo. Very small but very visible when riding at night.

As the "Classy Rider" website notes, this jacket runs a little large which is great if you need extra room inside for a heated vest or if your six pack of abs is beginning to look more like a keg. The arms are longer than your standard sports coat to accommodate your reach to the grips.

I have ridden with the Warm Brown Weekender in temperatures ranging from mid 50’s to mid 90’s. The cooler temperatures were very comfortable but once past about 80 it got a little roasty toasty. The lighter colored 'Weekender' jackets are made of a slightly lighter weight material and while they have the same elbow and back padding and other features they're going to be a little more comfortable in warmer climates.

You can even travel with this jacket.  I took mine on a recent vacation just in case I could get some riding in while on the road.  I ended up wearing it both for riding and, with the spine pad removed, casual dress up at a restaurant.   

Classy Rider also offers women’s styles and they all come in assorted colors…..even in black.

http://www.gadgetjq.com/classyrider.htm

And, if you're a Kawasaki Vulcan afficianado, or you're looking for helpful connections or resources, check out John's site at: www.gadgetjq.com

 

 

Powersports Dealernews, Apparel Handbook (Summer 2004) Editor Review

CLASSY RIDER LETS HER DRESS CASUAL, BUT FASHIONABLE

What turned many heads during this year's Dealer Expo came out of a small booth in the corner of the Green Zone where a lone exhibitor was proving to the industry that earthtones were acceptable. Who knew?

Kathy McCurry did. A motorcycle rider herself, she latched on to the plea of many female baby-boomer riders: "Black leathers are nice, but they make us look, er, harsh! And can't someone make a soft jacket that doesn't require a half-hour of zipping and buttoning and latching just to run out to the store?"

"I spent $500 on my first jacket, and I don't even wear it anymore," echoes McCurry. "It doesn't fit my lifestyle. Most of my riding is around-town."

McCurry realized that rider demographics had evolved, but the apparel offered to them had not. Enter Classy Rider. McCurry's company produces a line of satiny smooth around-town riding jackets in a variety of colors. These "mainstream" jackets have longer sleeves so riders can reach the handlebars easily, and are roomy across the shoulders but trimmed-in to reduce 'sail'. Abrasion-resistant arm and back protection is hidden in the sleeves and back. Oh yes, the jackets are machine washable.

McCurry says, "The feedback has been very positive and the concept clearly fills a need for a 'nice/dress/casual' motorcycle jacket option. The line gives some of the more conservative men and women an alternative they can feel comfortable riding around town in." - Mary Slepicka

 

Check back for the upcoming review in Cruising RIDER Magazine - or better yet, go to your magazine stand an pick up a copy!