Kawasaki Chicane Riding Suit
KAWASAKI CHICANE RIDING SUIT
CW EVALUATION
Great gear, reasonably priced
WITH PRICES OF SOME NEW SPORTbikes nearing $8000, and with upper-end helmets bumping against $400, there usually aren't many dollars left in a rider's budget for stylish, high-buck, leather riding suits. But there are a few reasonably priced, sport-oriented leather suits available.
One affordable suit is the new Kawasaki Chicane by Hein Gericke. Its suggested price of $545.95 isn't cheap, but still is much lower than the cost of race leathers. This zip-together. two-piece leather suit, sold through Kawasaki dealers, offers clean styling and three color choices: white, gray or red. Available as an off-the-shelf item, with jacket sizes from 36 to 48. and waist sizes 28 through 40. most riders shouldn't have a problem finding a Chicane suit that fits well.
CTOs red Chicane suit was very comfortable for street riding, and its thick goatskin should provide excellent protection in case of a crash or tip-over. The shoulders, knees, hips and buttocks areas don’t have padding in them, but they do have double-layered leather, as do the padded elbows. And for added protection, comfort and warmth, the suit is fully lined in perforated nvlon. The jacket and pants zip together at the waist, and a 2-inch leather flap covers the zipper. This system effectively eliminates drafts and gives the suit a smooth, one-piece look.
On cooler days, the suit does a reasonable job of keeping the rider warm. But because no ventilation is provided, the rider can get uncomfortably warm on summer outings. Most two-piece suits offer the hotweather option of wearing either part separately, but the Chicane jacket is a bit on the short side for solo wear, and this shortness exposes part of the rider's back to the elements.
Air leakage around the cuffs and collar can be a problem on some jackets. but this Hein Gericke’s snug fitting, zippered cuffs eliminate the problem. And a padded, stand-up collar stays close to the rider's neck, prohibiting air intrusion.
To make sure the pant legs fit snugly against the rider's legs, but aren't overly tight, the Chicane has normal zipper closures, plus elastic material between strips of leather that run down the backs of the legs. This design proves comfortable for a w ide range of calf sizes, but is slightly more bulky than a plain zipper design. This extra bulk could cause some problems if the rider's boots have tight-fitting tops.
Elastic material also backs pleated leather panels located just above the knees, in the lower back and under the arms, and these allow the rider to move about with minimal restraint from the garment.
With such a long list of features, the Kawasaki Chicane riding suit proves that a rider doesn't have to spend thousands to dress properly. Nor does he have to settle for an illfitting. ugly, poor-quality riding suit. The Chicane fits well, looks great, is priced right and appears to be durable. There's not much more you can ask of a riding garment.
