BMW Gear: Finding the Right Fit By Aliya Nylander #108307 (March Owners News)

March 5, 2007 Page 1 of 3    123

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Recently, while perpetually "window shopping" at one of my favorite motorcycle shops in the Northwest, Ride West BMW, I was lucky enough to share a conversation with the shop's Apparel and Accessories Manager, Bill Niwa.

Regardless of what question or topic I threw at Bill, he always seemed to have the answer when it came to riding gear. We spoke candidly about BMW gear and other brands on the market.

After a few conversations, Bill agreed to walk me through BMW's product line, discuss common questions he hears and review lessons he has learned after outfitting hundreds of riders through the years.

Q: How did you get involved in BMW apparel?
A: I have always been drawn to motorcycles and remember working on them in my early teens. I also have many years of experience in the clothing industry, specifically working for a well-known Seattle-based clothing retailer. Working with apparel in this industry just seemed like the right fit (excuse the pun).

Q: Can you walk me through the different materials the gear is made from?
A: There are four main materials commonly used by BMW. All of them are good for certain conditions. Some riders tend to gravitate toward leather for safety, and others love the versatility of the textiles. Here's how I see it:

Leather usually gives a superior level of protection and is ideal for the speed freaks out there, or if you like having the extra protection on long-distance tours. Typically the thicker the leather, the longer you can slide before it wears through. However, it may not be the best choice for jumping sand dunes in Baja.

Cordura 500 and 700 are familiar and affordable choices for many riders and most riding gear manufacturers use it somewhere in their clothing lines. It is versatile enough for nearly all climates, especially when complimented with a waterproof membrane. It is a great all-around fabric that works well for commuters, touring and dual sport riders alike.

Dynatec is a material widely used in BMW gear that is extremely tear-resistant (up to 50% higher than Cordura 500) and is highly breathable. Riding suits made from Dynatec are more versatile for those riding in hotter climates. The added strength also gives an extra level of protection at higher speeds.

Armacor is a combination of several familiar materials including Cordura 700, Kevlar (which is woven within the Cordura) and Gore-Tex. Next to leather, this material offers the best abrasion resistance in the BMW textile line and rivals most anything available on the market for strength, durability and weather protection. Weather protection is also optimized because the Gore-Tex layer is directly bonded to the inside of the fabric which means it dries quickly and absorbs less. Armacor is used only by a few high-end gear manufactures due to the cost involved. But if you want the very best in textile fabrics, this is it! BMW takes it one step further and adds their UV "cool" technology. This permanent treatment actually reflects UV rays, helping you stay cooler when the temperature rises. Armacor is found in BMW's Streetguard 2 Suit - definitely my next purchase!