Have you noticed something about my 2011 Dealer Expo coverage so far?
There are a lot of cool accessories to show you, but…where’s the clothing?
Glad you asked!
It’s not because I’m ignoring the topic; it’s just that there isn’t as much clothing on display as there was in previous years.
This struck me as soon as I arrived and started walking through the Indiana Convention Center, the yearly host for the Dealer Expo.
Several large clothing manufacturers were noticeable by their absence.
Scorpion and Icon, for example, who are bare-knuckles competitors and known for sparing no expense when it comes to marketing, are not directly involved in this year’s show.
That news came from a staff member I talked to from one of the largest distributors.
Instead, they (and other manufacturers) have left it up to the distributors and dealers to represent their brands.
The result is a noticeable lack of motorcycle clothing on display.
Besides Icon and Scorpion, REV’IT! also skipped this year’s even and few of the other occasional (and sometimes unfamiliar) names who usually have their gear on display.
Too bad for them, because “Where there is confusion, there is profit”, to paraphrase Lt. Nick Holden (Tony Curtis) in the film Operation Petticoat (1959).
The paucity of motorcycle clothing displays brought even more attention the clothing manufacturers who made the effort. And I think Klim benefitted from this quirk more than they know.
There was a huge amount of attention paid to their gear; so much so that it was a bit difficult for me to get the full skinny on all of their new gear.
Klim Technical Riding Gear
Although Klim is a relatively recent name in high-end motorcycle gear, their clothing has developed quite a reputation with hard-core enduro, off-road and adventure riders.
The company, located in Rigby, Idaho, began making clothes for the ski patrol and back country explorers 11 years ago.
The lineup is being expanded and they currently make jackets, pants, gloves and boots designed to conquer the elements for a variety of outdoor sports.
Most recognizable to motorcyclists is the already legendary Klim Adventure Rally jacket, an all-out, no-compromises “enduro” jacket using some of the best materials and technology currently available for outdoor gear.
The Adventure Rally Jacket has a special built-in harness and kidney belt.
Cinch these up and they act as a sort of suspension, while the jacket shell “floats” over the rider. It’s a very comfortable arrangement — I tried on the size large jacket they had on hand and it fit like an enduro jacket should.
That is, the shell is a bit loose to allow for the range of movement one experiences when riding off road, but the harness keeps the built-in chest and back protector in place.
The jacket uses the D3O armor system, described in the webBikeWorld Firstgear Teton jacket review. I’m not 100% sold on this armor, but it is a lot thinner than other types.
Whether it really works as well is still a question in my mind. When Ben Spies starts using it, maybe it will help me believe?
The Adventure Rally Jacket has many other high-end features, including the “second generation”Gore Lockout zippers (report).
Most motorcycle clothing manufacturers haven’t even gotten around to using “Version 1”, an interesting development. By the way, they’re actually known as “closures”, not zippers.
The jacket includes the full Gore-Tex array of guaranteed waterproof fabrics, Kevlar and lots of other high-tech goodies.
Besides the Gore-Tex “Guaranteed to keep you dry” lifetime warranty, Klim provides a lifetime warranty on the jacket. All of this helps to account for the premium price you’ll pay for the best.
Klim introduced two other new jackets with matching pants at the show, both at lower price points than the Adventure Rally Jacket.
I was only able to get a couple of photos of the jackets.
(UPDATE: Klim just sent the information to the press, the jackets are the Badlands Pro and Latitude and the specifications are listed below. They won’t be available for retail until October of 2011.)
Klim is going to send some samples for a full webBikeWorld review, so stay tuned!
UPDATE: Klim Badlands Pro Review!
Klim Adventure Rally Jacket.Klim Adventure Rally Jacket 2011 Updates
- Added brushed fleece tricot fabric over inner lining of top front flap on the left and right sides of the collar to increase comfort.
- Reduced collar height 2 cm to minimize contact with rider and to increase mobility and comfort.
- Added brushed fleece tricot fabric over the top of the existing Cordura panel on top edge of collar. It is the same brushed fleece tricot as currently used on the inside of the collar. This adds comfort while maintaining durability.
- Added adjustability to the elbow pad pocket up/down, left/right. This will allow user to move elbow pad to get perfect positioning. The elbow pad pocket is now bigger so a larger pad could be used if so desired.
- New second-generation Gore-Tex Lockout Closures
- Move key hook in left lower pocket to upper left chest pocket. Replace webbing with shock cord.
- Refine shoulder fit by reducing volume of shoulder area.
- New Light Gray colorway.
- MSRP: $1,299.99
wBW Klim Latitude Jacket
The Klim Latitude jacket for 2011.Klim Latitude Jacket Specifications
Material/Construction
- Gore-Tex 2-layer Performance Shell Laminate Technology
- 840D Cordura/Gore-Tex laminate used throughout exterior shell
- Mesh comfort liner
- Brushed Tricot lined comfort collar
- YKK zippers used exclusively and water resistant urethane coated systems in exposed areas
- Rubber coated buttons
Armor/Padding
- CE-rated integrated armor system in elbows, shoulder and back
- Elbow armor pocket adjustable for precise armor placement
- Fit/Wear Enhancement
- High-mobility active fit patterning for unmatched riding comfort
- Pre-curved arm and core geometry
- Jacket-to-pant zipper integration system
- Zippered waist/hip expansion panel
- Adjustable waist cinch straps
- Two (2) adjustable sleeve straps (1 per arm)
- Velcro adjustable wrist closures
Cargo Capacity
- Six (6) external pockets (2 long chest map pockets, 3 cargo pockets, 1 sleeve I.D. pocket)
- Four (4) internal pockets (2 zippered, 2 open mesh stash)
- One (1) hidden internal passport pocket
Ventilation
- Max Flow Ventilation with 5 Ports: Two arm intakes; Two pit zip intakes; One back exhaust
Visibility
- 3M Scotchlite Industrial Grade reflective material
Colors
- Black or Light Gray
- Sizing: TBD
- MSRP: $549.99
UPDATE: Klim Badlands Pro Review!
wBW Klim Badlands Pro Jacket
One more, the 2011 Klim Badlands Pro jacket.Klim Badlands Pro Specifications
Material/Construction
- Gore-Tex 3-layer Pro Shell Laminate
- Gore-Tex Stretch panels incorporated into key flex zones
- Armacor Kevlar rip-stop panels in key external wear areas for abrasion resistance
- Brushed Tricot lined comfort collar
- Moisture wicking comfort liner
- YKK zippers used exclusively and water rsistant urethane coated systems in exposed areas
- Rubber coated buttons Armor/Padding
- d3o CE-Rated T5 Pro integrated limb and back panel armor system including the Viper Pro Level II Back Armor
- DOW corp. Deflexion Siliconized Spacer Mesh front chest armor plate
- Elbow padding pockets adjustable for precise armor placement.
Fit/Wear Enhancement
- High-mobility active fit patterning for unmatched riding comfort
- Pre-curved arm and core geometry
- Integrated adjustable, removable stabilizing kidney belt support system
- Jacket-to-pant zipper integration system
- Four (4) sleeve adjustment straps
- Adjustable armor pockets for customizable padding placement
- Bottom hem adjustment
- Velcro adjustable wrist closures
Cargo Capacity
- Seven external pockets (2 chest, 1 chest fast-access, 2 hand, 1 large back, 1 sleeve I.D.)
- Four internal pockets (2 zippered, 2 mesh stash)
- One hidden internal passport pocket
Ventilation
- Max Flow Ventilation: 8 ports
- Four arm intakes, 2 pit intakes
- Two vertical back exhausts
Visibility
- 3M Scotchlite Industrial Grade reflective material
More
- Hydration system compatible with bladder pocket and hose routing (bladder not included)
Colors
- Black – Light Gray
- Sizing: TBD
- MSRP: $849.99
Details of the Klim Adventure Rally jacket, including the thick Superfabric protectors. More details of the Klim Adventure Rally jacket.UPDATE: Klim Badlands Pro Review!
Return to 2011 Powersports Dealer Expo Home – Stay tuned for more!
Publication Date: February 18, 2011