Spyke Motika GP Jacket - Review Hot

Spyke has only really got back to the UK for 2010 courtesy of a hiccup with distribution leaving the brand with no real presence over here, however they are back and better than ever and we got the Motika GP jacket in to test it out.

Initial Thoughts

No one can deny that these Italian brands seem to create sexy looking kit and Spyke very much sits in pride of place as one of the nicer styled brands, not overdoing the design but making the sporty range look sporty, the retro range look retro and so on, initially I was looking to review the lowest priced jacket in their range but was offered the simply stunning Motika GP instead - who's going to say no to that eh? In the box I got both the jacket and the Power Pants (oddly named leather trousers to go with the jacket) and on first impressions must say I was impressed with the attention to detail included. The Motika GP looks every bit the high end kit you would hope and although the leather was fresh and unbroken had a softness to the material I have not experienced on previous jackets and suits.

Construction

The first thing I wanted to mention is relating to sizing, being of larger frame (plus gut) I sometimes have issues with motorcycle gear either being too small for the size advertised or going a size larger would be a touch too big, Italian stuff has a bit of a reputation for coming up small so I was apprehensive when told the Spyke pieces are fairly true to size, ordering a UK 48 (euro 58) seemed the best idea although I am more like a UK 47, this turned out to be a perfect choice and the chest area fits how I would like, the torso is tight but with stretch panels across the side it turns out I could be even fatter than I am and still wear this jacket. The stretch panels keep the jacket snug across the entire length and being on the back are of the jacket offers the perfect solution when you have an aftermarket back protector - my Knox Aegis was held exactly in place all day with little to no movement.

The Motika GP Jacket comes with a nice mixture of design features and styling that work very well together, punched leather panels in important areas such as the chest strip that allows just the right amount of cool air without being cold on more inclement days but cooling enough on hot ones, the same goes for the panels on the front and back of the shoulder and back of the elbow. Surprisingly with such a sporty styled jacket you get front pockets as well as internal zips which show that the intended use is for a rider to use as day to day attire, and you would want to get your moneys worth out of it as the Motika GP is by no means a cheap jacket with a suggested retail price of £429.99 but when you compare all the features, construction materials and quality you get a great jacket to match.

My only complaint (actually two small petty complaints) I have with the jackets is really petty and had I been a smaller stomached gent would perhaps not even occur to me, the stretch panel that runs down each side is ideal to allow movement and flex while riding, adding a back protector as I have already mentioned is superb but with the stretch being on the back half of the jacket it means that the chest and belly remain tight when riding, I have also mentioned I could be bigger and the jacket would stretch further so the panel clearly works but how about putting a tiny bit of stretch on the front half to take a bit of the strain? Normal sized or skinny riders probably wont even notice though!

Finally the connecting zip, in all honesty I usually prefer a two piece and the majority of two piece suits I use have full connecting zips which offer not only protection but piece of mind. The Spyke kit only has hip to hip which usually would not be an issue, certainly in warm weather it allows cooler air an additional place to enter and make you more comfortable - however if you decided to do a track day you may have to check the small print on the suit you wear, some companies insist on full 360 degree zips while other class hip to hip as the minimum level of protection. I did a day at the California Superbike School on their level one course and their literature stated full connecting zips with a minimum classed 3/4 length, fortunately this allowed hip to hip otherwise I would not have been able to complete the course in the Spyke gear I had sent to review, dont let it put you off buying the Motika but it is worth bearing in mind.

* Full-grain cow leather
* Fixed inside poly-mesh lining
* Stretch fabric on the elbows, hips, shoulders and back
* Interior waist connection zip
* Flat look zip fasteners
* Internal pockets for documents
* Pocket for size 2 back protector