Honda HRC Repsol replica

Textile motorcycle protective jacket BLOWOUT $99

(click image for all details)

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AR600 level abrasion protection for under $100	CE-approved protective pads are removable
Very well vented for warm weather	Lots of sizes even for us big boys

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Being a newly-returning motorcyclist, I needed a good protective riding jacket. Since I don’t have $350 just taking up space, a full leather jacket was out of the question. MotorcyleSuperStore has this Honda Collection Repsol Jacket, and in all sizes too. I’ve found that their sizing is quite generous. I ordered a 3XL size when I think a 2XL could have sufficed – but pay attention to the sizing chart on the product page. Fieldsheer in comparison makes some great jackets, but their sizing is pretty limited – this Repsol-replica jacket in 3XL would be a 5XL to Fieldsheer, according to their size chart.

I like that this Repsol replica jacket is relatively brightly colored; I was actually looking for a day-glo yellow color (I’ve seen cagers drive and I am all about being seen now) but I liked the racing style of this one. Also, this jacket is vented quite well. The two zippers underneath the Repsol patches on the shoulders unzip, and there are two similar zippers on the back that reveal a mesh for air circulation. Also, there are zippered vents on the sleeves, in the bicep area, and the sleeve cuffs can be unzipped yet secured with a snap button, giving even more air flow there. This jacket provides abrasion and protection as well as air circulation. And come on… a hundred bucks? Normal list price was $229.
I bought a Joe Rocket textile jacket ten years ago for one hundred bucks, on the closeout rack at Cycle Barn in Lynnwood. Ten years ago. continued below…

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This Repsol replica jacket also comes with a zip-out vest liner (sleeves are not lined). I don’t plan to ride in cold weather meself – I’ve been there, done that, got the t-shirt, thank you – so I’m not sure the liner is necessary for me. The jacket has elbow pads, shoulder pads, and back pad. All CE-approved protective pads are removable. There’s an adjustment around the sleeves at about the elbow, so you can constrict the sleeve from wind flap, if you prefer.

There’s also a zipper at the bottom of the backside, inside the jacket. It took me a little researching to find out that zipper is for attaching riding pants.

Folks, your riding gear should absorb all the impact of an accident. If and when you go down, if your gear suffers any sort of contact with terra firma, that piece of equipment is now done and should be retired. Bonk your head on the ground? Your helmet is now a trophy. Get a new one. Same with a jacket. The protective integrity approaches zero when a jacket absorbs impact. Scrape it up in a slide? Get a new one. Today.

There’s reflective piping stitched along the sleeve, extending down the back. continued below…

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I wish there was an interior pocket for cell phone and wallet. Alas, there’s no pocket, save the two zippered exterior pockets. And since the outer shell is AR600 (abrasion resistance construction rating), I wouldn’t wear this to the track. As I understand it, 600-level abrasion rating is only good for sub-highway speeds, so if you’re going to do some really fast work on the sweeping turns in Texas hill country, you should opt for a higher level of protection.

Additionally, this Repsol-replica HRC jacket does not have a CE-approved back armor plate; it’s just a (very firm) foam pad. I’d recommend simply getting a CE-approved back armor plate and install that in its place of the factory-installed foam pad. Hey, it’s more protection than wearing a regular jean jacket by Dockers. But if you’re reading this, I suspect you’ve moved past that.

It is advised that your protective jacket should fit you snugly. Take out a tape measure and measure your chest at the armpit level to get the widest measurement for a good fit. Don’t go by the “I’m an XL, and I’m buying an XL jacket” crap. An XL by one maker might be a 2XL to another maker.

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