As with the rest of Scorpion’s women’s apparel line, the new Voyage XDR (Xtreme Distance Rider) motorcycle jacket and Savannah pants are the result of input from women riders who put on some serious miles. This isn’t just another stylish outfit that serves no purpose on a motorcycle; it’s hard-core riding gear with armor that also looks chic.
The Voyage jacket has precurved, ventilated CE-approved Exo-Tec removable armor in the elbows and shoulders. The back pad is ventilated, compliant PE foam. Constructed of abrasion-resistant 600-denier Cordura, the Voyage comes with a long-sleeved, zip-out rain liner and a quilted vest for warmth, and they all zip together nicely. There are two handwarmer pockets, two inside pockets and a handy outside cell-phone pocket, all zippered and water-resistant. The cell pocket is especially handy, though its side location takes some practice to locate quickly when wearing a full-face helmet.
The Voyage is bell-shaped to accommodate a women’s hips, and elastic side straps allow you to tighten or loosen it to fit based on what you’ve got on underneath. This isn’t a new feature to motorcycle jackets but what is unique is the roughly 8 inches of play on either side, so this jacket conforms to a variety of hip and waist sizes. Also unique is that once you adjust the straps, you can push the loose ends inside the jacket so they don’t flap around. Adjustment straps are on the upper arms as well, and there’s reflective piping front and back.
The Voyage’s zippered vents front and back and on the arms are very effective when the waterproof liner and vest are taken out. The lining is mesh and air flows around well, especially when the jacket’s elastic sides are loosened. I particularly like the smaller-circumference collar that closes up more tightly than that on my men’s jackets. A 10-inch pant conjunction zipper is included that you can sew half of to pants, though there is no such zipper on the Savannahs I have. The company is introducing new Hellina pants with a zipper that works with the Voyage jacket that should be available soon.
The ballistic-nylon Savannahs have the same chic-looking side adjustment straps as the jacket. You’ll be well-protected from the elements and look like a fashionista in these pants! There’s a flowered version, too. Mesh panels in nonimpact areas allow for a cooler ride with the full-length liner zipped out. With pre-curved armor in the hips and knees, the Savannahs are sturdy without feeling cumbersome, and they have an expansion panel at the back for comfort. I wish they had pockets, and that I could get them over boots when putting them on, but then they probably wouldn’t look as great as they do.
In the hose test the inside of the jacket and pants stayed dry. As with other apparel that uses an inside liner system, the liners kept the “rain” away from me, though water does soak through the shells so that in cold, wet weather you’ll probably want to use a rainsuit. Water did not penetrate any of the jacket’s flap-covered pocket zippers, though they’re not waterproof zippers like those on the front vents.
I’ve worn this Voyage/Savannah combo in temperatures ranging from 60-degree commutes to an all-day staff ride in the mid-90s, and have stayed comfortable by removing or adding the liners and vest. I need heavier gear for winter riding, but for most of the other three seasons this should be all most women need.
The Voyage jacket ($239.95, $10 more for 2XL) and Savannah pants ($159.95-$189.95 depending on color and size) are reasonably priced, high-grade riding gear made to fit a woman very well. By the way, the sand-colored Voyage jacket pictured appears more gray on the website.
For more information: Contact Scorpion Sports USA, 25921 Atlantic Ocean Drive, Lake Forest, California 92630; (888) 672-6774; Scorpion
What a lovely leather jacket.