Zane has been testing some new gear from Cassons! Check out what he thought of the Bell Race Star Flex DLX, IXON T-Rex , IXON RS4 Air, Gaerne Voyager and Bull-It Onyx...
Summer has hit in Australia and we have seen plenty of varying conditions. Cassons have come in clutch with some summer gear from Bell Helmets, Bull-It Jeans, Gaerne Boots and IXON to insure I don’t melt during the warm conditions while keeping me safe.
Summer has hit in Australia and we have seen plenty of varying conditions. Cassons have come in clutch with some summer gear.
Bell Race Star Flex DLX
Starting off the care package is the Bell Race Star Flex DLX, it’s been quite some time since I rode with a Bell lid, with it proving to be a hard task trying pry the AGV off my head. Off the bat, you know it’s going to be a good helmet when it comes in a canvas, zipped bag rather than the usual sack.
First course of action always is to take the clear visor off and replace it with a tinted one, the light smoke one that came with the Bell Race Star Flex DLX is quite a bit lighter than I’d usually opt for but handles the harsh summer sun well enough.
Swapping visors on a Bell Star lid is seriously easy, just a push of the button on the side and slide it forward! The new visor goes on with just as much ease and you’re ready to rock and roll! I wish all helmets were this easy and secure the visor down this well.
I’ve gotten the most use out of the Race Star Flex DLX compared to the other bits of gear Cassons sent me, putting it on for the first time and the XL feels a little tighter internally compared to other helmets. With that being said, after wearing it for a few hours it started to mould into place and felt like some space had cleared up. As a glasses wearer, if a helmet presses the arm of my frames into my head, I wont wear it. Thankfully, Bell have kept this in mind and made it comfortable for us vision challenged people.
The vents create plenty of airflow to stop a sweaty head while out in the Australian heat. I had everything open and didn’t feel took much of a need to have my visor open until I came to a stand-still at the lights. Good air flow makes up for the visor not wanting to stay half open while cruising, it either has to be full open or resting on the latch with a little airflow gap.
Despite not being my usual aesthetic choice, the Bell Race Star DLX has passed all my early checks to make its way onto my daily rotation and my next track day lid. I’ll be looking forward to seeing how it handles the high speeds of a track setting!
You can grab the Bell Race Star Flex in a number of different colours, but the “Tantrum 2” colour scheme seen here has an RRP of $1229.95.
Bell Race Star Flex DLX Key Features:
- 10% lighter weight than Race Star
- Panovision Raceview Viewport
- Panovision ProTint Photochromatic face shield included
- Flex Impact Liner
- 3K Carbon Shell
- Triple-density cheek pads
- Virus Cool Jade Mesh Liner
- Magnefusion cheekpads
- Field tested and developed by working with professional riders on the track
- Optimized aerodynamics using Bell’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel, the Bell Star’s aerodynamics have been fine-tuned with advanced riding simulations
- 5 EPS and 5 shell sizes allows a more proportional fit and improved performance, especially at high speeds
- Speaker pockets
- Zippered helmet bag included
- Meets or exceeds Snell M2015 and DOT certifications
IXON T-Rex
I’m quite loyal to IXON, they’ve been a brand that has saved me in road and track crashes with their excellent gear multiple times. My old IXON Raptor jacket has to be put into retirement as I’ve simply worn it in 75 per cent of my bike tests.
Zane has only just taken his old IXON jacket off his riding gear rotation in favour of a new IXON T-Rex!
I’m stoked to see the new IXON T-Rex textile jacket in the box, it’s a pretty similar design to the Raptor with some improvements made to the breathability and overall fit. The three in one system works great, it’s plenty easy to zip the liners out if you want to keep cool out on the bike.
Initial fit with the two liners in proves to allow for plenty of movement! Usually, jackets will take a little bit of breaking in even if they are textile, but the T-Rex feels comfortable right off the bat. Taking the liners out, and it feels even better in terms of movement. Without the liners in, the IXON T-Rex has heaps of air-flow, I didn’t feel like I was overheating in 30+ degree weather.
The overall fit is nice, around the arms and waist the adjustable straps ensure the correct fit for a number of body shapes. I measure up at 184cm so I first thought the jacket was a tad short for me, but I’m just a fan of longer jackets and I’d say this is bang on the right size.
On sale now for an RRP of $399.95, you can find the IXON T-Rex at your local motorcycle store in a number of different sizes!
IXON T-Rex Main Features:
- Outer materials: Polyester 600D, Mesh
- Ventilation thanks to numerous Mesh panels on the chest, stomach, sleeves, shoulders and back
- Fixed Mesh lining with 3D Mesh panels (collar, central flap, wrists, belt) and pockets for 3D Mesh protections to improve air circulation
- Reflective panels on triceps
- Collar: classic collar with neoprene brace and snap fastener
- Fastening: snap fasteners at biceps, stretch tightening tab at wrists, stretch tightening tabs at bottom of the jacket
- Pockets: 2 outside pockets, 1 inside pocket (waterproof wallet pocket), 1 thermal lining pocket
- Attaching to trousers: loop at the back
Gaerne Voyager Boots
I still reckon riding boots that look like normal shoes are the best thing since sliced bread. The last thing I want while daily riding a bike is to have to go into a shopping centre, doctors office, any other normal activity while wearing giant boots. I also wouldn’t wear sneakers on a bike because I value having all ten toes, enter the Gaerne Voyager boots…
“I wouldn’t wear sneakers on a bike because I value having all ten toes, enter the Gaerne Voyager boots…”
This pair do an excellent job of blending in to look like a normal sneaker. The soles aren’t too thick, they haven’t got any weird straps and they’ve been designed to actually look good! Riding jeans will hide that side zipper and no one will know they’re actually motorcycle boots.
Putting them on for the first time and I’m met with heaps less breaking in than I thought they’d need, I’ve had non-riding boots that are way more uncomfortable brand new. The toe section flexes fine whilst walking so you don’t have to do a penguin waddle.
The zipper on the side ensures you don’t need to lace them up and undo them every time you put them on and take them off, they also help to lock the ankle in place with the tough supports within the boot. Despite the Voyagers not rising too high above the foot, you can feel the ankle protection, awesome!
On the bike they feel epic, they’re not too chunky and feel like you’re just wearing a normal pair of shoes with a bit of extra support. The Gaerne Voyagers are my new daily riding boots, I can’t speak highly enough of them straight out of the box!
If you want more info about the G.Voyager boots, you can head to the Gaerne website here. If you are interested in purchasing a pair, contact Cassons and they will find a store that stocks them near you or direct you to an online purchasing system.
Gaerne Voyager Boots Pricing And Sizing
Available in plenty of sizes, with an RRP of $299.95, contact your local motorcycle store for availability info.
Bull-It Onyx Jeans
I haven’t had a pair of Bull-It jeans yet, but I’ve heard nothing but good things since Cassons started stocking them. The packaging on them is awesome! Included is a bag of padding you can add into the pockets of the jeans if you wish for a little more impact protection.
I haven’t had a chance to give the Bull-It Onyx jeans a proper test on the bike because I’ve been trying to loosen them up around the house! They fit my build like leggings which might be some people’s styling choice but it isn’t really mine. I would like to mention that I have giant legs from being a focus of mine at the gym, so the Onyx would fit someone with skinnier legs for sure!
The overall construction of them feels great, they’re super lightweight and you don’t expect them to be packing all the safety features they do. I’m looking forward to seeing how they go on the bike once I loosen them up, the padding I’m a little unsure about as they’re so tight on the body that surely they’d be very visible through the jeans!
Bull-It Onyx Pricing And Sizing
IXON RS4 Air Gloves
These are the gloves I never knew I needed! During summer, I’ll often wear my track gloves on the road, there is simply much more feel plus I know how quickly things can turn south while you’re sliding along the ground with your hands down. But, track gloves have hardly any ventilation, that’s where the RS4 Air gloves come in.
“The RS4 Air gloves look like IXON have taken their race gloves and stitched some breathable material in the wrist and finger area.”
These gloves look like IXON have taken their race gloves and stitched some breathable material in the wrist and finger area. They’ve retained all the characteristics of a track glove on the palm section, because when you fall over, what’s the first thing you put down? Your hands.
They do need some breaking in but nowhere near as much as a full leather glove. The overall feel improved while riding with them daily, when the fingers began to loosen up they quickly became a preferred glove of mine.
The ventilation adds plenty of air-flow so you don’t have to worry about sweaty palms! I can’t wait to break them in further as I can see them being an awesome summer choice for my hands.
Head into your local motorcycle store to grab a pair of IXON RS4 Air gloves or you can contact Cassons regarding stock availability…
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Tags
Bell Race Star Flex DLX IXON T-Rex Bull-It Onyx Cassons Product Review Gear Review Gaerne Voyager IXON RS4 Air GlovesThe Author
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