I found this jacket at a neighborhood Suzuki motorcycle store. The color was silver and I was drawn to it. I had been looking for a waterproof coat that would function well in cool weather. If it actually made me look like a girl, well that was a definite plus! Happily, women’s motorcycle gear has come a long way from fringed leather vests and now there are actually manufactures making safe and comfortable gear for women. (It was about time!) A few coats had caught my eye over the last year, but this one was unique.
One, I loved the color: silver. Simple, no massive logos, nothing pink (NOT ALL WOMEN LIKE PINK!!!!), it is cut long with a belted waist. Feminine without being frilly, I liked it. Still not one for spending money without research, I went home to read the reviews.
To my surprise, I didn’t find many. (Um, hello, I’m seeing a catch 22 here – Companies, if you are going to bother making women’s gear, please get someone to review it!) What I did find worried me . . . the Bianca coat is being discontinued. The newer Joe Rocket women’s lines were all short-waisted. I’ve noticed something about most sports that involve leaning forward like motorcycling and downhill skiing. The back of your jacket tends to pull up giving you a draft. My current coat, a men’s I admit, has a loose hem and is drafty but it is a Joe Rocket that unzips to about 80% mesh, perfect for summer when the draft is an added benefit. But this is also why I was looking for a warm and waterproof jacket!
I found the Bianca at half price. Decision time, the reviews on the men’s 100% water proof line were good. I loved the look, had liked the fit, really liked the cut . . . 50% off? Sounds like if I was going to take the leap to a new coat, this was it.
Happily being the spoiled daughter I am, my parents actually agreed the coat made a very good birthday investment. Better yet they are not ones to needless wait for the appropriate date even if it is 6 months away. My new Joe Rocket Bianca arrived this fall and I was given strict instructions to USE IT. So today, I did.
Fifty Five degrees and cloudless skies, it was the perfect November day to sneak in one more ride for the season. Bravely, I just wore a long sleeve Henley and the Bianca with its quilted lining. The fit was snugger than I remembered and I double checked the size: medium. Okay, so maybe I’m just not used to motorcycle gear as I’ve been off the bike for over a month. I have to ask though, why are all women’s sleeves just a little short? I suppose I could ask why my arms are about half an inch too long, but tailoring seems to contain an easier solution! With my gauntlet gloves which I was recently reunited with, the cut allowed a hair’s breadth of overlap. Close enough, but it made me cautious about moving too far and getting a cold blast of wind up my sleeve. I have to admit though I never did, so maybe the arm length will be fine once I’m used to the coat.
Once situated and heading down the road, I didn’t have any complaints. I’ve ridden with my old Joe Rocket in October up in Nova Scotia with just a heated vest and layers and still been cool, especially on my arms. With just a long-sleeved shirt and the Bianca in November in Maine, I was fine. My arms were warm. I could feel the wind occasionally catching on the long hem to swirl about my waist, but the belt firmly kept the cold air out. After a stop when I forgot to snap the buckle shut, I did learn that having the jacket buckled was essential. If you forgot, cool air would flow up under the coat. However, I managed to get it buckled one-handed while going down the road. Yeah, pulling over would probably have been easier, but I just had to see if it was possible!
The verdict for late fall travel: I love my new coat. I think it has some breaking in to do. All my current gear has arrived . . . um pre-worn but still in good condition. I’ve never had new motorcycle gear. I’m not quite used to the stiff fabric. I’m thinking once it has been through a few rain storms it will lay a little easier and not feel so gosh darn new.
Features I really like: the simplicity of the design. It is a basic long hemmed, belted coat. No giant lettering, no fancy girly designs, but lots of attention to detail, stitching, and practicality. The collar is reasonably tight and high enough your neck doesn’t freeze, though I did wear my silk scarf. (It is Maine and November! 60 degrees was the high and it didn’t last long.) Wow, women’s motorcycle gear designed to be used, how novel!
The jacket does have two very subtle flowers built into the buckle but they are the same color as the coat – still understated. The cut says feminine, but with a quality to the coat that doesn’t need extra bells and whistles. There are some great pockets, including a money one that can be accessed without getting below the waterproof overlapping front flaps. Imagine being able to pay for something without soaking yourself! There is a cool little fanny pocket that has a draw string carry bag, which I know will be well used. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been out on the bike and needed just that little more room to take something back to the campground or around town. I was really delighted when I stumbled upon it and impressed by the thoughtful touch by one of the designers.
So, I need to ride yet with the coat in the rain, which I know will happen. And I have to ride with it when the weather is warm enough to open up the vents and maybe, gasp, take out the quilted liner! For now, the Bianca is a two gauntleted thumbs up. My only question to Joe Rocket – Why are you not making this style anymore???