Well, they’re new to me. I always like to keep an eye out for a helmet, that while safe (obviously) suits the retro vibe of riding a classic scooter. I’ve posted a few before, like these from Davida. But what if you want to keep that classic vintage look, and wear a full face helmet? Your options are limited. I spotted the Nexx Garage Purist on the Get Geared site… which fulfils the brief! It’s £189.99 and comes with a free tinted visor. 
Get it here on the Get Geared site
One item of scooterists wear it’s hard to avoid is the classic MA1 flight jacket. This took over from the ubiquitous fishtail parka – sometime in the early eighties I suppose. It’s easy to see why, it’s inexpensive, warm, casual and with enough pockets to easily stash the stuff you need to get access to. It’s also a great platform for stitching all your SC regalia and Paddy Smith run patches onto. Not a lot of crash protection, and not terribly waterproof, so a lot of riders will pack waterproofs, or upgrade to a ‘proper’ motorcycle jacket, or a classic waxed jacket for hardcore riding. For everyday riding, though slinging on a MA1 is quick and easy. Here’s a few I’ve found, with my thoughts.
As with everything in life, you usually want to avoid the cheapest. Quality usually suffers! There are bargains to be had online however… and this jacket has all the features you look for in an MA1 with a bargain basement price. Available in the classic scooterist ‘sage’, ‘petrol’ (my colour of choice) ‘burgundy’, and black. There is also a white one, which I’m sure is a fine fashion colour (if you want to look like an astronaut or a member of East 17) but less than practical for scooter riding.
A step up in price is the genuine article, the classic MA1 from the original manufacturers, Alpha Industries. 95% of people won’t notice the subtle differences between this jacket and the ‘entry level’ one posted before, but it’s the 5% that will that matters, right? At the time of writing you can pick one up on Amazon for under (just under!) a £100, so they are not that unaffordable.
Alpha Industries Olive/Sage MA1 Flight Pilot Bomber Jacket Sizes XS – XXL
As well as the classic MA1, here’s a variant of the jacket that I have owned, and I think I actually prefer. The CWU 45 has spacious patch pockets and a proper collar instead of the knitted one of the MA1. And I think you can get away with one in black without looking like you’re a neo-nazi.
Alpha Industries CWU 45 Flight Jacket – Colour Black
They look good in Gunmetal too…
Alpha Industries Alpha CWU 45 Flight Jacket – Gunmetal Size 2XL (46-48)
Have you got a favourite riding jacket? Let me know.
Regualr readers will know I like a Davida helmet. And I was a big fan of their “Cosmic Candy” range… which I thought would set off a 70’s style skelly to a tee… Well, now you’ve got even more choice from the Birkinhead helmet artisans. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls… I present metalflake!
I can do no better than quote from their press release… “The attention to detail, the depth of light and colour: the visual effect of the results is stunning. Davida helmets feel wonderfully luxurious and protective given their snug fitting and leather-lined construction and are well proven for all types of riding adventures.”
Pricewise, they’re not the cheapest helmets on the market, but quality never is is, is it? And the one thing you don’t want to be scrimping on is a bash hat. Davida Jet & Ninety2 RRP £378. Davida Speedster RRP £365 + VAT
With their international reputation for integrating the finest features of traditional open face helmets into modern safety products, all Davida’s supremely comfortable range of helmets are now available in more than 100 different colour ways. See the website for full details.
Online mate David Hardy, designer and Lambrettista, has designed the identity for a new kind of shop… Bolt, in Hackney, London. I’ve had to go to Hackney a few times recently, and there’s a real buzz about the place… lots of positive energy, and good stuff happening, and Bolt is one of them.
So Bolt… it’s a showroom for one-off, custom built motorcycles, a hang-out / meeting point for ride-outs, a shop for a range of perfectly chosen apparel, and a gallery… all inspired by the motorcycling lifestyle. And when I say motorcycling, it’s a broad church, you are as likely to see a vintage Vespa or Lammie parked up outside as a BSA or a Triumph. I haven’t managed to get down to Bolt yet, but it’s on my list next time I’m over Hackney way.
What’s better than candy? Cosmic Candy of course… and that’s the name of the range of helmets from British manufacturer Davida. Colourways that have been inspired by the ‘candy apple’ paint effect popularised within the American Hot Rod, Chopper, and then the UK Scootering scene. They’d look great with any classic Lammie… but particularly if you’ve got a ’70’s style skelly!
The new Cosmic Candy range is launched in six colours, Cosmic Candy Silver-150, Cosmic Candy Red-151, Cosmic Candy Blue-155, Cosmic Candy Yellow-153, Cosmic Candy Green-154 & Cosmic Candy Burgundy -152
All Davida helmets are available in any one of the 100 colourways in their distinctive range and traditional colours. Inspired by racers and street cultures of the past, from burning flame of the road racers to the checks, national flags and pinstripes of street culture, each design is individually created by hand using time-honoured techniques and lacquered to a high quality finish. They also offer a bespoke service to create your own colourway.
The new Cosmic Candy range of colourways are available on any Davida helmet model. RRP UK is £265.00 for the Davida Jet and Ninety2. Davida Speedster & Classic helmets RRP UK £220.83 ex VAT.
Check out their website for more info, including the range of products and distributors and dealers worldwide..
Then, as an added treat, watch the BowWowWow video below:
While researching (I use the term loosely) my helmets post, I came across these rather nice tan gloves on the Heritage Helmets site. Now, I don’t always agree with slapping a Lambretta logo on stuff, but I think these look pretty good, perfect for Summer riding. If we ever get a Summer that is.
They’re £34.99 inc. Free UK P&P, and also available in black.
Grab a pair here.
EDIT: I was given a pair of these gloves for my birthday yesterday, and my first impressions are really good. Stay tuned and I’ll write a full review after I’ve worn them for a wee while!
Well, this is as much ‘biker’s gear” as scooterists – it’s a far cry from the traditional mod attire of fishtail parka, or the scooterists jacket of choice the MA1.
But it does it’s job. And it does it bloody well. I bought mine off eBay in November, and wore it throughout the winter. It didn’t leak, on even the wettest of days.It has removable body armour, which coupled with the hi-viz green/yellow colour and genuine 3M Scotchlite trim along the arms make you feel much safer, and more visible.
now the sun has come out I’ve zipped out the inner liner, which kept me plenty warm enough even on the coldest days.
It’s got loads of big pockets – including a handy mobile sized one on the chest.
For about 50 + P&P on eBay you can’t really go wrong. Highly recommended.
BTW – this isn’t a paid for testimonial – I bought this jacket with my own pennies.
Available from Aussie Biker’s Gear online shop.
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