Style Rider focuses on the intersection of motorcycle culture and individual style. In this section Style Rider Recommends, we look at stylish options that work both on-and-off the bike. In most instances, the gear is my own unless specified. In this first instalment, we look at El Solitario Rascal leather motorcycle pants and Belstaff Duration riding boots.
It is always exciting to add new gear into the mix, especially when you have desired a particular piece for some time. The new items featured here include an extraordinary pair of suede leather Rascal motorcycle pants from El Solitario alongside Belstaff’s Duration waterproof riding boots.
Both of these items were purchased with a ten-day ride around Tasmania in mind. The new pants and boots complement my fifteen year old Belstaff Brooklands leather jacket which has developed a beautiful patina after years of riding.
The alpaca lined gauntlet riding gloves are from Freewheelers and Company in Japan and are of outstanding quality. You can find Style Rider interviews with Freewheelers founder Atsushi Yasui on his 1940 Harley Davidson EL, along with Takayoshi Nakagawa on a 1963 XLH and Takashi Futagawa on a 1987 Vespa 50S.
The Belstaff Brooklands leather jacket was purchased fifteen years ago in Rome. The sticker price was significant and was going to blow my travel budget. To buy to not to buy? I decided to buy, checking out of my swanky hotel and into something more modest. I often reflect that this has proven to be a great choice as I am still wearing the jacket and have long forgotten the name of the hotel.
A note on the motorcycle. I have ridden this 2017 BMW F700GS over 60,000 kilometres along the east coast of Australia. It has proven itself an effective machine in a variety of terrains from gravel roads in the mountains to navigating the city. Tasmania is next and will be featured in the Road Trips section later in the year.
