BOHN Euro-RR Chest Protector $59
We may have learned about protection the hard way over the years, but many of us now wear full helmets, leather gloves, boots and jackets while riding, and some even fit armor into their gear. Yet abdominal and chest areas are often left vulnerable to impact. It took some racers stuffing foam pads inside their leathers to jump-start the idea, but now there's the Bohn Euro-RR Chest Protector, made for racers and street riders alike. The Protector consists of a thick, perforated closed-cell foam pad, a hard plastic plate in the center and an adjustable belt that fastens around the body. It takes some getting used to, but after a few minutes you pretty much forget you're wearing the protector. The pad does build up some heat over the area covered, approximately from the upper abdomen to the top of the sternum and across the lower ribs, which isn't bad when it's chilly but might be uncomfortable on a hot day.
That said, safety gear isn't meant to be light and airy-it's there to help us survive the accident we're always trying to prevent (fortunately I've not had to test the product's effectiveness). The Chest Protector seems well made, offers protection other gear may not and at $59 warrants serious consideration for adding one to your riding kit. -Evan Kay
bohnarmor.com
GIVI T441 Rucksack $85
Start with a simple backpack, use high-tech materials (faux carbon fiber, clear vinyl, reflective piping and black/gold Cordura), pile on the features and you end up with Givi's T441 Rucksack. The shoulder straps are anatomically curved for a comfortable fit, while a waist belt and sternum strap evenly distribute the pack's weight. A zippered pocket on the front with smaller pockets inside organizes all your minutiae. The main compartment's expansion panel extends capacity from 28 to 34 liters. Then come the extras: mesh side pockets (perfect for water bottles), a fleece-lined pocket on top for sunglasses, and the finale-a helmet carrier. Contained in a pouch on the bottom, it pulls out to engulf a full-face helmet and secures to the back of the pack.
After several months of daily use the Rucksack's performance has been exemplary. My favorite feature is the sunglasses pocket, something you don't know you need until you have it. As for the helmet carrier, the conclusion is mixed. The concept is great, but even with an extra-large helmet, slop in the mesh net allows it to sway around. The helmet also protrudes quite far, so care is required when trying to navigate through a crowd. Still, it beats carrying your helmet around in your hand, and that's enough for the Rucksack to get the Motorcycle Cruiser thumbs-up. -EK
giviusa.com