Scorpion burst onto the scene a few years ago with a line of helmets splashed with edgy graphics and an attitude to match. Last year, the company started making womens riding gear with lots of sass and pizzazz, part of its Scorpion EXO clothing line. I tested the leather Elektra jacket and Haley pants chosen because they looked sexy on the model and they were touted as functional and protective. (Click here to see me in action on the V Star 950 wearing the outfit.) For years women riders have been complaining that nobody makes feminine riding gear thats protective. I wondered, “Can this Scorpion outfit be functional and help your sexy quotient?”
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First thing I noticed about the jacket was its weight. Its made of heavy 1.1mm drum dyed cowhide leather that feels broken in right off the rack. Even without the liner zipped in, the jacket kept me warm on cool riding days. The full-length liner, while thin, is nice to have as an extra layer of warmth when you need it.
Theres a lot going on with this fitted jacket as with any functional garment. Lets start with fit. Scorpion offers a generous sizing range from XS to XL and 1W to 3W—thats a dress size 24 with a bust of 52.
I normally wear a size medium in a motorcycle jacket because of my long arms. I find that womens jacket fitment is a funky thing. Usually arms will fit, but bust area is too loose for me in a medium. A small may fit in the bust, but then the shoulder area is tight and arms are short. In a size large, women tell me that the bust area usually fits, but the arms are too long.
The way to fix this fitment problem is to provide ways to expand the jacket through expansion panels, waist zippers, etc. Scorpion got it right, at least for me with the size medium Elektra. It fit me right off the rack thanks the different ways to adjust the fit. For the waist on this “just below the waist” jacket, a short zipper on either side can be unzipped to accommodate wide hips. The arms are pre-curved which makes them fit better (no loose leather in the elbows) when leaning into the handlebars.
More Fit Adjustments
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Hook and loop fasteners (Velcro) at the neck and at the bottom of the zipper secures those areas. Actually, the neck felt a smidge tight and I have a skinny neck. A zipper and snap at each wrist secure the un-gusseted wrist areas.
Because this leather is thick, its nice to have some vents when it gets stuffy. There are two vertical ones on the back and one on each arm, plus theres that mesh panel in the front zipper. I did notice a difference when I opened these up. There are two small zippered hand pockets on the front and a generous vertical zippered pocked inside that is not lost when removing the liner.
Stiff CE-approved armor is fitted into the shoulders and elbows. It is removable if you dont like it. Having them in definitely makes the jacket tighter with a more restrictive fit, but its not as bad as some jackets Ive worn where you can barely move with them in. You sacrifice a bit of comfort when wearing armor, but its worth it if you appreciate how armor adds an extra layer of protection in an accident.
The Elektra jacket comes in three colors, plain black, white and black, and black with pink graphics the one I tested. Im not really a pink person so Im not sure why I opted for this, but at the time I thought it looked fun and sassy so I went for it. I get bored with plain black. A unique style element Ive never seen on a motorcycle jacket is the patent leather panels on the front and back of the Elektra. Definitely sets this jacket apart from the rest.
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The Haley Pants
Lets talk about sizing first because when I find a company making the perfect leather pant, youll hear about it. I think leather pants look hot on a woman rider and theyre more versatile than chaps. I wear leggings or pantyhose underneath leather pants, which gets me through the coldest of rides much warmer than chaps over denim jeans.
I was excited when I saw the Haley pants because theyre cut like the jeans style I like, low-waist, slim fitting, boot cut, yet theyre made of that same thick durable leather as the jacket and come with a mesh liner throughout, and protective armor in the knees and hip areas. Often protection goes out door to achieve a sexy jean look with leather riding pants as they are usually made of thin soft supple leather with no armor or liner.
While Scorpion hit a home run with style, sizing was finicky for me. I ordered a small (waist 29-30, inseam 32), but they were a smidge tight in the waist (which is usually not the case as motorcycle pants are always so loose in the waist for me). I tried the medium (waist 31-32), but they were too big so I removed the armor in the small and squeezed myself into them hoping the leather would give, which it did. The seams are heavy duty stitched in critical areas like the crotch. I squatted to stretch out the pants (like you do with jeans after they come out of the dryer), and the seams stayed in tact. For the most part, I think Scorpion has the sizing down though.
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Whew! Theres so much going on with these pants and jacket, I couldnt just breeze through this review. I commend Scorpion for making a sexy and stylish outfit thats highly protective, too. The company is definitely on to something. I was surprised to see “Made in China” on the labels as these leathers and workmanship are very high-end. I would expect nothing less from a company headed up by Eric Anderson, the president of Scorpion. Eric sets very high standards and really knows his customers. I think the garments are worth the higher price tag because the quality is so good.
The Electra jacket runs $329.95 to $379.95, size XS to XL, 1W to 3W. And the Haley pants are $269.95, size XS to XL (waist 35-36, inseam 34). The pants come in black that I tested, and black and white to match the black and white Elektra jacket.
Cleo Glove
I also tested the womens Cleo Gloves from Scorpion. Theyre a very comfortable mesh leather glove with pre-curved fingers and hard impact reinforcement on the knuckles. The soft liner inside ensures black dye wont get on your hands when sweating (or getting wet from rain); it also prevents any annoying chaffing from seams.
The Cleo Gloves are $69.95, size XS to XL. I wore an XL, the size I usually wear in a womens glove and they fit me just right.
Visit ScorpionUSA.com for more information, to find a dealer, or to order online.
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Do you know of any women's leather pants or companies that would make a 36-inch inseam? I only have a 30-inch waist, but have very long legs and I can't find riding pants anywhere that are long enough for me. I've even tried some men's textile pants, and they are still not the greatest fit. Any suggestions would be awesome!
I would suggest two reputable companies that make custom leathers: Vanson Leathers and Z Custom Leathers. You can Google them to get their respective contact information.
So, my theory about the “waist” measurements should actually be “hip/booty” measurements proved true. The large Haley pants fit in the seat, but not in the waist. When I sat on a bike with them on, the waist gapped open to reveal more than my lower back. Know what I mean? Although, I have to say, the leather pants are sturdy and substantial. However, I consider them more of a winter/cold weather pant than a summer pant.
I ended up with the textile version of the Haley (Savannah) in a size medium and to the boys' relief, they fit like a glove. The textile is more giving and flexible than the leather.
Great review. Wish I had read this before I ordered my first pair of Haley pants. I, too, had/am having a problem with the sizing. As is typical, we don't have a store that has these pants in stock, so they have to be ordered. According to the sizing chart, a small should have been right, but I think the “waist” measurements should actually be “hip/booty” measurements. I felt like a fat man in a little suit trying to pour myself into the smalls. I skipped ordering the medium and went straight to the large size. I'll let you know how it turns out.
The best part of the whole ordering women's gear from a male-dominated shop is watching the boys/men squirm when you ask them, “What size do you suggest, hmmm?”
I haven't gone to the Web site yet, but the pants would not be something I'd even consider. I do not like pants that don't come to my waist and have had to return jeans because I didn't notice the “fit below the waist” on the label. Might be something I'd invest in if the pants fit like regular fitting pants. Don't know about the jacket because it seems kind of complicated. One thing I noticed is the placement of the zippers on the sleeves and I believe they would be easier to zip and up-zip because of the placement. I just wish more stores carried motorcycle wear for women because I like to feel the items and try them on before buying.
The jacket looks great and I do wear a 3x most of the time. I am a little worried that that size would not allow for warm winter layers under it, and what's the deal with no pants to fit that size too! Naked bottoms?!
I have been wearing the textile version of this pant (the Savannah) for about seven months now and they've held up great. I admit to feeling a bit sexy wearing them. When out commuting to work on my FZ6 or doubling up with my husband on his ST1300, I frequently get comments on the pant.
I wear mostly medium pants, am 5 feet 7 inches tall, inseam 30 inches, but I found the large to fit better. (I have a big booty.) The sizing really seems to be cut to a smaller frame and perhaps the leather is a little less forgiving?
This review is very helpful since I've been considering purchasing the leather version.
Thoroughly disappointed with the sizing of the Haley pants. I ordered a pair, really excited about a sexy pair of leather pants made for a woman's curves. I wear a 14-16 and ordered the XL which, by the measurements chart, should have fit perfectly. I'm not sure what sizing chart they're using but I couldn't even get them over my hips.
How about the length? Is the inseam suited for the taller gal? I usually end up with the men's because the leg is longer. I really would like to still look like a girl.
Scorpion lists inseam in its sizing chart. Length of 32 inches was perfect for me. It's what I normally wear. Check Scorpion's Web site to see what the inseam options are.
Nice review. This jacket and pants look great! Particularly the pants. My one problem is the size. I appreciate that they make the jacket up to 3W however the pants only run up to a size 36 waist which would be on the tight side for me.
I guess like many other clothing manufacturing companies Scorpion doesn't believe large women should look good in motorcycle clothes. As a large female it is hard to find great looking clothes and it gets frustrating when you see something you would purchase but not in your size.
Perhaps you missed in the article that the jacket goes up to a generous size of 3W (dress size 24). Let's applaud companies that are taking this step in offering these larger sizes way beyond a 3XL.