Product Review - First Gear Speed Jacket and Pants

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Product Review - First Gear Speed Jacket and Pants

by Stephen N. Mathlery

Testing:

A. Initial Test: February 14, 2000. Temperature was 60 degrees, 8-10 mile per hour wind, partly cloudy. I rode the Gold Wing for 45 miles, traveling over various roads, averaging 60 miles per hour.

B. Second Test: February 17, 2000. Temperature averaged between 45-60 degrees, 10-12 mile per hour wind, partly cloudy. I rode the Gold Wing to work which is a 90 mile round trip, traveling over various roads, averaging between 55 and 65 miles per hour.

C. Third Test: February 21, 2000. Temperature averaged between 55-65 degrees, calm and partly cloudy. I rode the Harley-Davidson for approximately 30 miles, traveling mostly over roads in and around town, averaging between 35 and 45 miles per hour.

Speed Jacket

The jacket is made from 450 denier ballistic Hypertex nylon with full weight 1.2 - 1.3 thick leather panels covering the Temperfoam armor located at the shoulders, elbow, lower arm and back. The armor is removable from the jacket. The jacket is available in red/white/black, yellow/white black, green/white/black and gray/white/black. A blue version will be added in the fall of 2000. The jacket has a full sleeve detachable (with snaps) liner with Thermoneck. There is a zippered inside wallet pocket and a 10 inch connecting zipper and belt loop snap tab for the matching Speed Pants. There are side seam hand warmer pockets, upper sleeve snaps, zippered cuffs and lower sleeve snaps and two way vents on the upper sleeve, mid-torso and back.

Likes: The two way (double) zippers on the vents (back, torso and sleeve) allow for either full or partial ventilation. The snaps at the end of the sleeves insure that the zipper sleeve closures remain secure. This has been a problem in other jackets that I have owned. This allows for gloves to be worn either over or under the sleeve, establishing an almost air tight closure. The fully removable, full sleeve liner with Thermoneck, is a very nice feature of the jacket. I especially appreciated the full sleeves of the liner. I personally prefer a zip-in/zip-out lining, but even with snaps, removing or installing the liner was not that time consuming. The jacket is extremely comfortable with the armor in the right places. The jacket has several areas covered by 3M Scotchlite reflective panels that enhances nighttime visibility.

Dislikes: On each sleeve there is a zippered "coin holder area". Great idea, but you cannot access the area with gloved fingers. They are only accessible without gloves. The collar of the jacket tended to irritate the front portion of my neck. I may have had the adjustable, velcro collar to tight.

Speed Pants

The pants are also made from 450 denier ballistic Hypertex nylon with full weight 1.2 - 1.3 thick leather panels covering the Temperfoam armor on the hips and knees. The armor at the knee is removable. The waist panels are Powerstretch with one clip and two snaps for closure. There is a 10 inch connecting zipper at the rear of the pants for attachment to the Speed Jacket. There are water resistant stretch Cordura inserts on the front of the pants as well as Power Stretch around the knees for increased flexibility. At the rear of the pants opposite the knees are Lycra stretch non-bunching inserts for increased comfort and flexibility.

Likes: Well constructed; armor at the knees and on the hips; interior zipper in the rear of the pants "zip" to the Speed jacket. The pants are lined from top to bottom. I assume that the pants are designed to be worn over shorts and not full-length pants or "jeans". Believe what the size label states. I would suggest that you try these pants on before you decide to buy. I wear jeans that are 33 inches in the waist; the pants that I tested were 34 in the waist and fit snugly. Once again, going back to the assumption that these pants are designed to be worn over shorts. The first time that I wore the Speed pants was over a pair of jeans. The pants are made for spring, summer, and fall riding. These are not winter riding pants; there is no insulation in the pants. The pants are both comfortable and flexible. Initially, the armor in the knees was uncomfortable however, about 15 minutes into the ride, the armor conformed and I was hardly aware that I was wearing the pants. Well constructed with no loose stitching.

Dislikes: There are no pockets anywhere on the pants. The pants are not a generic design, in that the pants are designed to be worn inside riding boots. This is a typical sports touring design since most touring/cruiser riders wear their pants over their boots. This is not a personal dislike, since I have boots that I can wear either way, this is just an observation.

First Gear Speed Jacket and Pants:

Both the Speed Jacket and Speed Pants are comfortable and functional. Every time that I wore the jacket, because of the comfort and style, I became less and less aware that I was actually wearing a jacket. It is obvious that a great deal of research went into the design of both the jacket and the pants. Although not for every rider, the Speed Jacket and Pants, either worn together or separately, would be a wise purchase and will bring years of riding pleasure to the owner. I own several products made by First Gear and have found their products to be well constructed, comfortable and functional. Now, if the pants just had a pocket!!

The Speed Jacket and Pants are water resistant and have a one year limited warranty. The Jackets retails for $293.95 and the Pants for $199.95.

Author:
Stephen N. Mathlery
Rider Background: I am a forty-seven year old, male motorcycle rider, 5' 11" tall and weigh 165 pounds. I have ridden all types of motorcycles since 1969. I am mainly a touring/cruiser type rider (I own a Honda Gold Wing and a Harley-Davidson Softail), but my first consideration in whatever I ride is adequate protection and comfort for my body.

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