Owning the Super Speed 4 is about the closest thing to ‘owning a race suit’, without actually owning a race suit. This is a motorcycle jacket books could be written about. Even better: they have been written about it because there’s more technology and innovation in this than there is in your car or home.
The Super Speed 4 reveals some of that in its name: speed, the superlative ‘super’ and the number 4, because this is a revolutionary next step and a provisional high in a longer trajectory. Safety, performance and comfort go hand in hand here – which can be impractical when there’s three but it works wonders here.
There isn’t much that’s better than this. D-skin 2.0 full-grain cowhide leather takes care of the outer layer – the harness. Tear-resistant, wear-resistant and more than likely even pretty cut-resistant, it is supplemented with plenty of elastic (Micro-elastic 2.0) and S1 bi-elastic material to fit around your upper body like a second skin. Fit for athletes, this motorcycle jacket: it’s best not to be overweight for this. The first time wearing it feels like you’re in a bear hug.
Actually, someone who is considering a motorbike jacket of this level, probably has some sporty ambitions in mind. This ultimately means you shouldn’t expect a buck load of adjustment options. There’s sharpness, everything else is just ballast. Leather ‘sets’, so only the pushbuttons in the waist give you the option to tighten the fit of the Super Speed 4. Tighten, indeed. What else?
You can create a cooling effect by using the ventilation zippers on the flanks. Together with the special Nanofeel®-lining, these are enough to circulate the riding wind around your body. The ART – which this is – is in the visible and invisible details. The aerodynamic spoiler (a small hump), the exclusive ‘High Performance Bottom Construction’ that covers your lower back in the most flat-on-fuel-tank riding position, the integrated aluminium plate on the shoulder protector, just to pick out the most impressive ones.
It's Pro Armor protectors on shoulders and elbows that are the first protective barrier of defence. Furthermore, there are external (replaceable) aluminium plates on those same shoulders, on the (equally easily replaceable) elbow sliders and on the pre-shaped reinforcement between shoulder and elbow. We have been describing 30 centimetres of the Super Speed 4 for three entire sentences, just to be clear.
The back is slightly longer – that High Performance Bottom Construction, remember – than many other racing jackets. For the finishing of the neck and throat region, much attention was given to ‘comfort’. Don’t forget the two pockets with zipper and the ‘jacket-pants fastening system’ – also known as the connecting zipper – for this piece of high-quality construction.
Below you will find an overview of jacket sizes and the matching Wave D1 back protectors.
| Men's jacket size | Back protector |
|---|---|
| Euro 44 => 48 | Wave D1 G1 |
| Euro 50 => 64 | Wave D1 G2 |
There is maintenance clothing and then there is clothing maintenance. Good, solid clothing is an investment in comfort and personal safety. So invest in its maintenance after your purchase and enjoy your gear for longer.
