RST RACE DEPT V4.1 AIRBAG SUIT
TESTED BY: TIM NEAVE
MILES: 1000+
TIME: TWO YEARS
PRICE: £999
WEB: www.rst-moto.com
TEL: N/A
I absolutely love my RST suit – it’s honestly the most comfortable suit I’ve worn. It fits like a glove and what’s better, it has the almighty air bag protection too. I raced in this spec of suit last year, albeit a custom fit and design, and I have to say I was so impressed with the quality and the fit. It is made up from 60% kangaroo hide and 40% cow hide, with extra thick leather just where you need it. As far as all-in-one suits go, the V4.1 is very lightweight.
The suit looks trick, there’s no two ways about it
– the angular TPU armour on the shoulders and knees really adds to the styling, and the cut of this suit is perfect for that full racing tuck and all-out flexibility.
The leather is perforated for maximum ventilation, and this suit is available in an extensive range of sizes. For this year’s Ultimate Sports Bike test, Bruce, Johnny Mac and I used the V4.1 suit and to pay testament to RST, I used a standard off-the-peg size and the fitment was bang-on. With plenty of sizes to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the perfect one for you.
This suit is also kitted out with all of the smaller details which makes it great for racing... a neoprene collar and cuff, a removable inner mesh liner for extra comfort, and rubberised aramid knee panels to help you grip the tank during heavy braking.
My favourite feature is undoubtedly the airbag system, which has been designed by In&Motion. It’s slick, it’s built into the suit, and you don’t know it’s there. The system is very easy to use; the control unit is stored in the built-in CE Level 1 back protector, and it’s removable for easy charging. The control unit connects to an app on your smartphone, which allows you to keep track of the battery life, GPS signal, and the air canister. You get one inflation per canister, and these are also very easily accessed in the top of the back protector. The airbag system works on a subscription and membership basis, and can be purchased with a one-off or monthly payment (prices differ between road or track riding).
I can’t recommend this suit enough. It ticks all of the boxes for me, and with a price tag just short of a grand, you really won’t find a suit with better value for money.