Bomb suits to Superdry: Designing safer, affordable motorcycle clothing
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- Опубліковано 12 чер 2024
- UK motorcycle clothing brand Spada has for 30 years offered relatively affordable motorcycle clothing, but 18 months ago ex-Superdry, Fat Face, Holland Cooper and EngineHawk designer James Kent joined the team, which has now completed an incredibly fast design overhaul and created a huge choice of new riding kit. Spada's range is now provably even safer, and the midlands-based company has even introduced EN343 certification that proves the waterproofing of some of its jackets.
This documentary video is a fascinating insight into how James and the team has worked closely with suppliers, and shows a real understanding of material technology that gives use motorbike riders better, safer, drier gear.
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#motorcycle #design #documentary
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:56 From bomb vests to Superdry
05:52 Redesigning the Spada brand
13:57 Designing better, safer motorcycle clothing
17:53 How Spada kept its bike kit affordable
21:39 Certified waterproof motorbike kit: A promise to stay dry
25:10 A new approach to designing a motorcycle hoody
29:53 Fitting the safest Level 2 armour to everything
38:08 How to get a good fit for all sizes of rider
43:19 New motorcycle jackets for men AND women
54:02 Timeless Spada Trucker jacket and Keanu Reeves style
57:50 Beanies, belts and boots - Авто та транспорт
Had the pleasure of working alongside JK and the man is an absolute genius and one of the nicest human beings to boot! So pleased to see him getting the credit he deserves. The passion and details he puts into his work speaks for itself in the final product!
Thanks so much for this and great to hear! Cheers, John
Archie, stop it, Mann, you're making me blush!! Was awesome seeing you at the London Bike Show the other week! Thanks so much for the support!
The best possible advert for Spada, showing that they care. They'll be my next purchase!
Seriously, in my mind when I thought of Spada I just thought "cheap" until this point - really cool seeing that they'll have a new range with well thought out gear.
What a great bloke. The British bike industry needs more of him
Agreed! Cheers, John
James is a great guy, lucky enough to meet him and chat whilst he was at Enginehawk. His thoughts and approach to Motorcycles’s clothing makes him stand out in the market for me
Absolutely! It's great to see so much passion
Hey Mark, thanks soo much, I hope to see you again out in the wild 🙂
Love that someone is trying to edge streetwear into motorcycle clothing. Jeans look great! Would buy a Spada x Hiut Denim pair. Welsh designer and welsh denim!
James’ enthusiasm and passion for his work is clear to see. That he works for a company that makes motorcycle gear is great news for motorcyclists. I’ll definitely check out Spada’s gear when I get a chance.
I only became aware of Spada a couple of years ago and dismissed the brand despite riding for the entire time they've been around.
I'll be paying a lot more attention in the future, really impressive.
James was the best part of Roroc. The enginehawk brand had such potential but their greed was the undoing. Great to see he is now working in the industry with someone worth of his talents.
Some really nice looking products, and if the passion he shows actually comes across in fit finish and quality, Spada will be onto a winner.
Agreed! Having seen and tried on the pre-production samples there, it looks really, really good stuff. Cheers, John
This is like a lecture on design engineering. The amount of detail in reasoning, inspiration, and practicality attitude towards innovation is amazing.
About the waterproofing and the approach to look at the civils snd workers about what they wear is such an overlooked approach. Brilliance.
Some really nice gear, and a lot of thought being put into them, making us bikers safer at an affordable price.
This youth is great, I'm liking his enthusiasm and skill. I haven't seen anything I wouldn't buy and am now thinking of ditching everything I already own and becoming a Spada fan boy! I wear my bike gear as casual wear, work wear and of course riding. He's nailed it. If the quality lasts at work as well as riding etc. then I think I just spent a few grand in my head!!Great video content and fantastic range of clothing.
Great range. A quality, stylish alternative to "Icon". Just, literally, paused the video and found and ordered the "Spada Airforce CE" 😂 Now we need Hoodie style but without hood (Why? Useless airbrake on a bike, unless, of course, you're stealing it.) and maybe some Urban style boots with some shin protection. Can't wait? Great video, as always, thank you. 👍 PS: I should have watched to the end before commenting? There're some boots on the shelf "Pilgrim Grande?", that look interesting although they have heavily treaded soles which tend to catch on my "Naked" footpegs. 🤭
Thanks for watching! Some of the hooded kit James and the team designed has a pack-away hood, but all that range is designed primarily as urban wear. Cheers, John
@barryibiza1 thanks man, and please keep the ideas coming. I love the idea of doing a crew neck sweat or even a Henley sweat, basically as you say, a hoodie without the hood
@@jameskent5050 I’d really like a NATO sweater with a slide rating (AA) and armour. Would really work well design wise as the shoulders and elbows already have reinforcement panels?
Great feature although I’m a bit of a nerd myself I guess. Worked in clothing industry (sportswear and workwear) all my working life. Good to see fit form functionality and design being brought together more into motorcycle clothing. Good stuff James.
Much appreciated @marv2820. Sounds like you could have some great insight and ideas with your experience yourself?!
Really interesting seeing the Spada brand getting a "reboot" with a designer who seems so practically minded. Particularly intrigued by the new indigo jeans, they're AAA rated and a great price, and importantly - they look like actual jeans!
Fantastic video, & a great insight into affordable &safe motorcycle clothing. Can’t wait to see more.
Thanks for watching! Cheers, John
Wow great video. Really nice to see how riding apparel is designed with safety in mind, and how he collaborated with the manufactures to get it all right in the end, His apparel looks like it would be something I would put my own money out to purchase. It was nice to see hear him say its about the safety and they didn't want to compromise on that, instead of just making as much money as they could. I hope he gets to selling his stuff soon Ill be 1st in line or on line for it!
The new range will be arriving in April!
Woo Hoo!!!@@annataylor504
I spent quite a bit of time chatting with James at the MCN show in London. Fascinating chap to listen to and such a nice guy as well. Spada has made significant changes with this new team, and i think its a brand that is going to surprise a lot of people.
Definitely agree! Cheers Tony! All the best, John
Loved this. Great to see someone so enthusiastic but really thinking about every aspect of the design, functionality and style. Look forward to taking a look at the products up close when in the shops.
This was super interesting His energy and enthusiasm is so infectious ,
You can tell he loves what he does and understands his craft, I saw an interview at ruroc, same passion and expertise. Very inspiring ❤
And two open bottles of water! Ha ha ha nice touch 😉
Really interesting video. Has really made me reconsider the brand. I did have some Spada boots around 10 years ago, totally waterproof, great value and lasted a good few years till I wore them out.
A massive fan of James' work. The EH jackets were epic. Meeting him and having a chat was a great opportunity to meet a remarkable guy who really does care what happens to us and the experience we have whilst wearing the clothing he's designed.
Sounds like my next purchase could well be Spada.
Awesome that you're still in the bike community @jameskent5050 😊
@jameskent5050 ... It is SO refreshing that you get it! It's great to have MC clothing that's like everyday stylish clothing, comfortable & safe but doesn't look like the awful coloured & bulky "outdoor leisure" stuff that so many brands do.
I'm still fairly new to motorcycling but will definitely be taking a look at your range of clothes.
Great interview John! Keep up the great work both of you.
Thanks very much for watching! Cheers, John
Absolutely fantastic nerd content, love it, thanks John, and James for sharing your time, knowledge and enthusiasm. Really interesting. I’d love to see you do this with Aaron at Knox if you can swing it. 😊
That could be an interesting one... I wonder if Knox would be up for it?!
What do you say, @KnoxArmour ? 😊🙏
oooh there's a thought
Fascinating stuff, always interesting to listen to someone who knows their stuff. Great video and well conducted 🤙🏻
Thanks so much for watching! Cheers, John
I’d love to see some lighter weight adventure clothing, a cross between adventure and enduro maybe 🙏👍
Great enthusiasm and genuine interest in getting things right 👍
Shame a lot of the gear seems to be sold out 🙁
Absolutely - Obviously I've watched this several times while editing it, but I still found it fascinating and inspiring. Though I do believe James when he says he doesn't sleep!
Don't worry... stock is on its way!
There is a lot "Out of stock." on Spada website but plenty available at other retailers ( Maybe that's where all their stock went?). 🤔
The new range is arriving in April
What a salesman, I'm in.
I always think the best salespeople are the ones who are truly passionate about what they do, and who believe in - and will stand behind - their products. James is a no-bullshit kind of guy who's clearly doing what he's doing because he thinks its for the best. Cheers, John
Fascinating to watch! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks very much! All the best, John
I first purchased \ Spada trousers back in the early 2000's from Hein Gericke (prob miss spelt that)! fab piece off kit, but in later years a house move to a boat with a term away from biking, I could not find a dealer selling Spada kit!! so ended up with eventurly Alpinestar, (a brand which I have considered expensive) after trying so many so could 5 star reviews (from mags) other brands, which were no better than a Tesco sive? I do like the mixture of sword and Spada Cap ''S'' as a logo to me one logo should be the logo either jacket hoodie or what either
You got the spelling of Hein Gericke spot on!
Great video, very informative
Thanks very much! Cheers, John
James left and Engine Hawk disappeared. So Spada it is , when shopping for new equipment
Very good inspiration - Please tell the guy that “sold out” is not good for business😂
Stock's coming!
haha a nice problem to have lol but will be back in stock very soon. Anything in particular you're interested in?
We've switched it to coming soon, and you can turn stock notifications on for any coming soon product! :D
37:19 Your tea's gone cold.
Ha! I don't think we ever got those drunk!
Honestly I can in just out of curiosity, but now at the end of this video I rly want to buy some of this stuff! Pls post a link yo get em in the EU! Thank and keep up the gr8 job!
I would have usually bought British brands from Ireland , but Brexit ruined that, much cheaper to buy from holland or Spain now.
Will this get SPADA kit into your gold/platinum/diamond rated lists? (not the fact you had a nice time and a great interview but the fact they now have a designer that has experience in, among other things, safety clothing). The list hasn't had many entires for a while.
The database is still growing, and there were some new entries last month, but we're expecting quite a few more coming up soon.
We welcome any brand to submit the documentation to be included, and encourage as many as possible to. It's never about forcing people to only go for the highest ratings, but the multiple standards can be confusing (especially in boots), so for the people who do want to quickly and easily find the gear that meets the highest levels - be it jackets, gloves, trousers, boots or one- and two-piece leathers - the High Performance Awards help them make an informed choice.
Glad to hear it's still growing. I do keep checking back periodically as I will need more kit soon(ish) and as you say your database makes choosing that bit more informed/easier. I saw RST got a few bits in there, and I can understand why the diamond rated gear costs more, being fitted etc, but I'm hoping other brands at the more affordable end get their kit submitted.
Is James Kent leaving Enginehawk part of the reason why they no longer sell jackets..? was going to buy one after I went to an open day.
I really don't know I'm afraid, sorry! We had one in on review and it was very good. Losing James must have been a massive blow for them.
Hey Mark, I was made redundant from Enginehawk about 2yrs ago but feel in love with the MC community I wanted to remain working for it. I'm so grateful Feridax and Spada have given me this opportunity.
@@jameskent5050 Might have to get me a Turbine jacket in the summer have always love that style of jacket.
@@jameskent5050 glad to see you stay in the market, I wear my enginehawk jacket as a casual as well as on the bike so I know what you have to offer (also the thermal bomber is a fantastic utility wear for me) I look forward to seeing the future for your designs
@@markmcewan7142 oh yes I'll be getting one and with the Ronin Jeans and keeping them for best lol
All the new adventure trousers are to short. They are fine for walking but just to short on riding.
Only in the UK?
Just checking with Spada now...
Where are you from? Will be available to purchase in Europe from the Spada website soon!
I once brought my self some spada boots and they turned out to be rubbish, the gear protection wasn’t upto the job.
At least this chap sounds like he knows what he’s doing and loves his work, he just needs a bike licence.
The fact that one can’t search their own website by A/AA/AAA is quite the missed opportunity.
To be fair, it's been an incredibly big job for the whole company getting all this live. The range was launched to the public at the MCN London motorcycle show (I shot this a few weeks before), and I was talking to one of the guys who works at Feridax at the event, and he'd been working literally right through the night in his hotel room to get the new gear up on the site. I agree that making products searchable by safety rating is a good idea, and some stores are doing it, but credit should go to James and the team for making the protection levels such a key part of the design process
Hi @903lew, that is something we will be working on for sure and thanks for highlighting so we can do something about it. Cheers
@@bennettsbikesocial Aye, but why go through all that work if you can’t showcase it to the consumer? Spada isn’t alone in this and having worked e-commerce I know it’s a laborious job but not more so than any other type of filtering/branching.
In fact, that might be something for you to do a video on; how come retail actors don’t provide the ability to search by EN-rating as default? Surely that’s of vital importance to me as a consumer.
Great shout - it’s on the To Do list!
We've taken your feedback on board - you can now now filter by CE rating in the filter panel :)
Fantastic vid and by far the best advert I have ever seen. I will keep an eye out for that AA hoodie especially! And the properly waterproof rated jacket!
And just on the off chance that @jameskent5050 fancies a challenge (and apologies for the essay) the biggest problem I have with motorcycling gear is a lack of consideration for the ‘contact points’ with the bike.
Leather ‘sticks’ (whether it is dry or not) and keeps the rider connected to the bike; stuck to the seat, gripped to the side of the tank, properly connected and in control. I can rest an elbow of a leather jacket on the tank and the leather will stick for a quick stretch or brief respite from holding the bars.
However with most textile gear (and especially waterproof gear!), those contact points with the bike are not as secure. And downright slippery when wet!!!
I have to squeeze my legs tighter against the tank to avoid sliding back and forth under acceleration and braking (braking especially can have significant concerns with the crown jewels hitting the tank!). I find myself knackered from fighting to keep my butt on the seat! And it ruins my confidence when riding in the rain!
Currently, I have completely given up on waterproofs, resigned to get soaked through my leathers to still feel in control.
Effectively, Gore-Tex ‘Grip' solves this issue for gloves, bonding the layers together so the glove remains decently tactile and usable while also being waterproof. I need this on my elbows, forearms, inside thigh and butt. Waterproof but still in control!
***And new riders especially are scared of the rain, current ‘slippery when wet’ textile and waterproof gear makes it ten times worse.
Develop a Spada Aqua Grip™ technology please!
I agree with this. Hate riding it waterproofs as I just don’t feel as in control as I do in my other kit.
I wear a leather jacket and either motogirl leggings or Knox riding jeans and I’ll just choose to get wet rather than don my waterproofs
Hey @DMonkeyR, Hey @louisegrainger3144, Thanks so much for the insight and I'll certainly be looking to address these in the future. Would be interested to understand what styles you would want the solutions to be in too!
@@jameskent5050 Ok, I’m invested now.
Target customer is a sports tourer rider that needs to be prepared for rain (but I think this would perfectly serve sports adventure, naked and even professional city delivery etc.). Perfect to tour Europe on a GSX8R or go for a weekend trip to Scotland on a KTM 790 Duke or making deliveries in the city. Waterproof and good optional venting. Avoiding the power ranger look while exploring the tourist attractions or working.
Design direction would be understated practical sports.
Requirements:
Black
Partially hidden/disguised water resistant zips for the following:
• Front, back and thigh pockets.
• Chest pocket / vent combo.
• Back vents.
• Small vents for the arms.
• Substantial vents for the trousers.
Level 2, 5 piece armour
AA
EN:343
S sword logo on the shoulders and back. Spada printed on front left chest.
Undecided on hood, probably no hood.
£299 jacket. £249 trouser.
Okay for example, starting with the Nodachi WP jacket and trousers. The design looks great, stylish, practical, AA and EN: 343 rating. So the materials and tech are great for waterproofing and protection. I can’t wait to try them on.
But, I’m guessing that a combination of the a) polyester hardshell outer material and b) the baggy fit, contribute to limited grip between the rider and the bike. Happy to be wrong, but I suspect you slide around quite easily on the bike and especially in the rain.
So, can the rider-to-bike contact patch be improved in a sportier version of the Nodachi jacket and trouser…?
a) Is there a way to embed a grip material to the exterior of polyester? Maybe copy the method of rubber coating a work glove? Likely only a small amount needed to match the ‘grip’ of leather.
b) How can stretch panels be integrated into a polyester hardshell outer? Maybe by sewing in a stretch panel overlapping a slack waterproof polyester panel, the garment could be made to a closer fit while maintaining waterproofing and comfort.
Something similar to the stretch panels of the Hanzo that follow the lats, plus down the side of the torso. Then some stretch panels down the inside of the biceps and thigh. The stretch panels might also prevent the annoying plastic on plastic noise when waling in waterproofs.
Let me know if you want me to pop into Feridax for a design meeting 😅
Cheers
You know you can buy tank grip pads to stick on the bike and then you're covered for whatever you're wearing and any conditions, or am I missing something!? 😄
Already know about tank grip pads but they don’t help with any waterproofs trousers that I have tried