Mr. Motorcycle Gp Leather Package
MR. MOTORCYCLE GP LEATHER PACKAGE
CW EVALUATIONS
Protection on a budget
AS A RULE, LEATHER MOTORCYCLE Apparel is expensive. A welcome exception to this tenet is the Mr. Motorcycle GP leather package. Sold by Donelson Cycles (9851 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO, 63074; 800/325-4144), this $400 assortment consists of Mr. Motorcycle two-piece riding leathers, roadrace-style gloves and Bieffe boots.
The zip-together suit is manufactured in Pakistan from 1.3mm cowhide. Nylon thread is used throughout, and heavy-duty zippers are fitted at the ankles, cuffs, jacket opening and waist. Snap closures secure the neck and waist.
A second layer of leather has been added at the elbows and knees, with a thin layer of foam at the hips. For comfort, expansion panels are located in the lower back and the knees. A perforated nylon liner is sewn inside both the jacket and pants, and there are vent holes under the arms and behind the knees. Aspiring roadracers will appreciate the plastic knee skids that velcro to each knee.
For additional protection, we ordered Donelson’s optional $25 plastic armor. The elbow and knee armor fit perfectly, but the shoulder armor was too small, as if designed for elbow use. We also found the sleeves on our XL jacket to be too short for our long-armed tester, leaving his wrists exposed while in a sportbike crouch. Aside from a bit of haphazard stitching, these were the suit’s only imperfections. Attractively styled in blue/white/black or red/ white/black color combinations, the suit is available in XS-XXXL sizes.
Like the suit, the gloves are cowhide, with 3.5-inch gauntlets, nylon stitching and velcro closures at the wrists. In an effort to minimize costs, precurved fingers, rivets and Kevlar thread-popular features with many high-end glove manufacturers-have not been used. The fit is snug, but with plenty of length in the finger area.
The Italian-made Bieffe boots feature 12-inch leather uppers and anti-
slip rubber soles. Rivets protect the vulnerable outside corner of each boot, and velcro-backed bootlength zippers ensure a secure fit. Due to their slim design, we found the boots to be best suited to individuals with narrow feet.
During our testing period, we were generally pleased with all three products. The suit and gloves maintained their supple feel, didn’t fade, and the stitching remained intact. The boots were comfortable and showed no signs of early retirement.
Overall, the Mr. Motorcycle GP package gives away some points in style and features, but more than makes up for that in value. We’d rate the outfit a real bargain.
