Vanson SOLR Jacket
Words: David C. Walsh Photo: Vanson
Why, leather legends Vanson wondered, do some riders dress in such dark colors that motorists can't even see them while others' hi-viz vests make them look like refugees from a construction site? Enter an innovative compromise: the SOLR leather jacket, which literally glows in the dark. Forget the science-it'll make your teeth hurt. Just imagine some fairy dust has been sprinkled on, since that's the effect.
When the sun goes down, the jacket reflects like a camper's lumen stick. The black upper body glows bluish, while the white sleeves reflect super-bright, enhanced by Scotchlite piping. The reflective particles get recharged via daylight; household lightbulbs hurry the process. Each charge lasts four hours, and the finish itself for years-five and counting, the maker claims.
Otherwise, the SOLR is pure Vanson: full-grain, drum-dyed, competition-weight American cowhide, double-stitched or double-thick in the right areas. Features include an adjustable mandarin collar and waist, a slippery lining for ease of ingress/egress, plus CE-approved armor for elbows/forearms/shoulders and a rivet-plate spine protector. Inside, patented "roll screens" can be fastened out of the way to maximize airflow through the perforated chest. In colder weather zip in the optional Slipstreamer liner.
Stiff as hell, the SOLR jacket still broke in within a week. It comes in men's sizes 34 to 62, with custom and ladies sizes available.
Vanson's challenge was to get the animal-hide-wearing folks attuned to safety while converting the orange-vesters. The SOLR jacket succeeds. Nicely played, Vanson!
Vanson SOLR Jacket
Price: $699
Contact:
www.vansonleathers.com
Verdict 4/5 Stars
Functional, stylish conspicuity whether you ride a 'Busa or a Beemer.
Xtreme Charge XC100
Words & Photo: Chris Cimino
Every spring, it was the same problem: dead battery, followed by a quick charge that baked the battery, followed by a new battery. Then came maintenance chargers that promised to keep the battery topped up but couldn't really recharge one that was, well, dead. Enter the Xtreme Charge XC100 maintenance charger from Pulse Tech Products. Once attached, the XC first measures the battery's state of charge, then uses patented pulse technology to deliver a maximum charge for that battery type without overheating or damage. As the charge level nears 100 percent, the XC switches to an auto-float maintenance mode. The unit even will inform you if the battery is beyond hope when it doesn't reach 100 percent within 24 hours. In manufacturer tests, the XC achieved 100 percent charge in less time than leading chargers, maintaining that level until ready for use. It may also salvage an otherwise "dead" battery by minimizing the size of the lead-sulfate crystals through pulses, leaving it ready to accept and hold a charge. The XC works on all lead-acid batteries, including gel, AGM and maintenance-free units, making it a universal tool for the garage. The unit is fuse-protected and comes with quick-disconnect clamps and one set of leads. At less than $100 it's more expensive than most chargers or maintenance units. But considering it can bring back the dead and extend duty cycles for the living, it just may be a bargain.
Xtreme Charge XC100
Price:
$99
Contact:
www.xcmotorcycle.com
Verdict 5/5 Stars
Bring out your dead-batteries, that is.