psychocandy
03-22-2008, 04:10 PM
OK, so the entire Belstaff moto line has been discontinued, but i thought i'd write a review anyway for anyone that might happen across one on ebay or something, like i did. i somehow found one NWT on ebay in the UK and got it shipped to me for less than the cost of a brand new one.
the Trialmaster Excelsior is an update of the classic Belstaff waxed cotton jacket that takes advantage of modern textile technology. it's pretty much the exact same pattern: hip length, belted waist, tube collar. the jacket's made of 900d cordura and has CE approved elbow and shoulder armour. there's a pocket for a back protector and a zip for attaching to pants. it's also got a removable liner.
this jacket is great. it's VERY nicely tailored. if you find most "casual" motorcycle gear to be cut WAY too baggy and flappy (and the race stuff generally too tight). it's as classy looking as the OG Trialmaster, but will probably hold up much better in a crash. it's a bit toasty for the bay area, even without the liner, but is probably quite waterproof (i got it at just the tail end of the rainy season, so i couldn't test it). one great feature is that the zip-out liner can be worn alone, although it looks kind of dorky. it has two underarm vents which, unfortunately, can't seem to be opened while riding (maybe because of the snug fit, the zippers are hard to pull). the four big pockets on the outside are of a nice size, easy to access and probably quite waterproof as well. there's an inner chest pocket that can fit a wallet, cell phone, ipod, or probably all three. the belt is black on one side and reflective on the other. unfortunately, it doesn't stay in its loops very well while undone. you could just not use it and it would all still work swimmingly.
i like this jacket so much, i kind of want one of the waxed cotton ones to just have as a casual, non-moto jacket. unfortunately, they seem to be a bit of a collector's item and quite expensive.
the Trialmaster Excelsior is an update of the classic Belstaff waxed cotton jacket that takes advantage of modern textile technology. it's pretty much the exact same pattern: hip length, belted waist, tube collar. the jacket's made of 900d cordura and has CE approved elbow and shoulder armour. there's a pocket for a back protector and a zip for attaching to pants. it's also got a removable liner.
this jacket is great. it's VERY nicely tailored. if you find most "casual" motorcycle gear to be cut WAY too baggy and flappy (and the race stuff generally too tight). it's as classy looking as the OG Trialmaster, but will probably hold up much better in a crash. it's a bit toasty for the bay area, even without the liner, but is probably quite waterproof (i got it at just the tail end of the rainy season, so i couldn't test it). one great feature is that the zip-out liner can be worn alone, although it looks kind of dorky. it has two underarm vents which, unfortunately, can't seem to be opened while riding (maybe because of the snug fit, the zippers are hard to pull). the four big pockets on the outside are of a nice size, easy to access and probably quite waterproof as well. there's an inner chest pocket that can fit a wallet, cell phone, ipod, or probably all three. the belt is black on one side and reflective on the other. unfortunately, it doesn't stay in its loops very well while undone. you could just not use it and it would all still work swimmingly.
i like this jacket so much, i kind of want one of the waxed cotton ones to just have as a casual, non-moto jacket. unfortunately, they seem to be a bit of a collector's item and quite expensive.