Fashion and function aren’t always easy to combine when it comes to motorcycle gear, and that’s especially true for one item compulsory for learner riders in Victoria – the high-visibility vest. And while there’s no known way of actually making a fluoro safety garment look cool, Aussie designer Crazy Horse Moto has at least made it more versatile with this new reversible design.
On one side it’s a yellow high-visibility vest with retroreflective stripes that will help get you noticed on the road; flip it inside out and you’ve got a fine black leather number that might well get you noticed off the street too.
We liked
The leather has a fine, even grain, is blemish free and neatly stitched all over. The garment feels solid and hard wearing. The zips, from Japanese company YKK, are chunky but operate smoothly, and the middle zip is easy to flip when you reverse the vest – which is also easy to do. There are two good-sized pockets on both the hi-vis side and the black leather side. Finally, a good compromise has been found for keeping the arm holes large enough to accommodate a riding jacket, but small enough to look natural worn over a normal shirt or – if you’re into that sort of thing – a bare torso.
We didn’t like
It is on the pricey side for a garment that should be worn in addition to a protective jacket. It’s also a big outlay if you’re not planning on wearing a high-vis vest after passing your licence test – though many fully licensed riders do.
Verdict
Not for everyone, but the makers have done a great job of meeting their brief.
Pros
Quality genuine leather
Solid construction
Great zips and pockets
Cons
Pricey for the short term
Aussie flag tag but it’s made in Pakistan
Star rating
4.5/5
Colours: Black
Sizes: S-2XL
Price: $149.99
Zorro’s 0433 106 669 zorros.net.au
By MARK VENDER
