Copyright 2018, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
by Michael Gougis
More protection in more places might be the theme for the 2019 lineup from Alpinestars, with the company introducing new gear and the expansion of cutting-edge active protection technology into a wider range of protective clothing.
For track day and performance street riders, the company has expanded its Missile range to include a two-piece leather suit with features aimed at making it more suitable for sport riding and to allow a rider to utilize the company’s Tech-Air protective system with the suit.
In addition, the company has redesigned its GP Tech leather jacket to make it compatible with the company’s Tech-Air inflatable protective vest and introduced a reserved-looking street leather jacket that also accommodates the Tech-Air system.
Alpinestars also has redesigned one of its leading adventure textile jackets to incorporate the airbag system in mens’ and womens’ styles, and even introduced Kevlar-reinforced casual slacks and leggings for increased protection for casual street riding.
The new lineup features 71 new products across the entire range of riding gear, and comes on top of the company’s solid performance during the 2017-2018 fiscal year, Jeremy Appleton, communications director for the company, said.
“The last year has seen growth across all markets globally,” Appleton said at the lineup’s introduction on Wednesday at Alpinestars’ North American headquarters in Torrance, California. “It’s been a strong year for Alpinestars.”
The Motochino pants are designed to be abrasion-resistant and offer knee and optional hip protection.
The company’s products performed well in the emerging markets of Asia and South America, Appleton said, and saw a surge in the U.S. in sales of leather suits compatible with the inflatable Tech-Air system, Appleton says.
Heading the performance garments is the new two-piece Missile leather suit – a garment that is “extremely unique,” said Garet Tomlinson of Alpinestars. The garment is designed with a significantly larger zipper for a stronger connection between the jacket and pants, accordion panel overlays between the two for more comfort and style, and a longer cut to the jacket, making it more useful for casual riding without the pants.
The suit features CE-certified armor at the shoulders, elbows and knees, external DFS sliders at the shoulder and knee, elbow sliders and can accommodate the company’s Nucleon back and chest protectors. It also is compatible with the Tech-Air airbag system.
The company’s GP Tech V2 jacket also is designed to incorporate the Tech-Air system, down to the LED display on the sleeve showing the airbag status. And the new Specter leather jacket, done in a toned-down black-on-black, is a street-oriented leather jacket with extensive armor which also will accommodate the Tech-Air system.
The Andes and Stella Andes Pro Drystar jackets for men and women now are Tech-Air compatible, and are designed to offer even more versatility in airflow to keep the rider comfortable in extreme temperatures and to protect against the elements.
The Banshee offers aramid reinforcement throughout the stretch pants and knee and optional hip protection.
More casual gear includes the return of the more retro-looking Dyno and Stella Dyno leather jackets and the Ray Canvas v2 jacket. The women’s Vika v2 jacket and pants feature very slim, low-profile CE-certified armor that is impact-responsive – it stiffens upon impact, allowing the company to offer armor that is soft and liant. And the company’s Motochino pants for men and the Banshee leggings for women feature CE-certified knee protectors and aramid reinforcement for greater abrasion resistance.