from www.motoboy.net
The motorcycling world recently witnessed the grand spectacle – EICMA 2023 in Milan, Italy, an event that has become synonymous with innovation, style, and the pulsating heartbeat of the motorcycles and the uniforms and garments that pair with them.
As the curtains rose on this year’s exhibition, enthusiasts and industry professionals alike, 560,000 of them, from 45 countries, found themselves immersed in a world where cutting-edge technology, new designs, and the promise of an exhilarating future on not only the motor bikes and accessories, but also on uniforms and garments for the riders of the bikes of all types.
An Important sector
Even though they have unique features, Motorcycle uniforms and garments have strong similarities with the ones for other applications, e.g., police and military, fishing, hunting, and industrial, etc. Some of the similarities include the functional requirements for waterproof, anti-collision/friction, tear-resistant and reflective materials as well as the correspondent tests that cover topics from the environmentally friendly chemical composition to the basic physical properties’ tests. So, the materials and accessories are very common.
There are of course also a lot of similarities between the designs. For example, for civilian motorcycle riders and the ones for police officers who use two-wheelers to patrol, the location of the pockets, ventilation features, and the armors for elbows, knees, and chests are very similar. It is a huge and fast-growing market for uniform and functional garment producers worldwide. The market totaled at $11B in 2022. Experts estimated recently that this number will rocket up to $19B in 2030, with a 7% CAGR.
Participating Manufacturers:
EICMA has always been the stage where global giants in the motorcycle uniform and garment industry showcase their prowess, and this year was no exception. TUCANO URBANO stole the spotlight with its groundbreaking AIRSCUD FLEX. This new airbag vest is integrated In&motion technology. The fully mesh-lined item is produced in two fabrics: polyester mesh on the chest and back for ventilation and lightness, and mechanical stretch polyester on the hips and shoulders, to ensure the best comfort and fit.
Another well-known motorcycle garment producer Held showcased their best-selling touring gear products in Europe and has revealed their plan to make a breakthrough in the United States market as well. John Doe is one of the brands in the industry with the largest number of Class AAA motorcycle garments, and they demonstrated this capability fully at the brand’s EICMA stand.
Besides large global brands, there are also plenty of small and medium producers attending the show. DongSheng Clothing Co. is a uniform solution provider from Taian, China. Besides many heavy-duty protective gear products, DongSheng brought their new line of light duty wear aimed to meet the requirements of electric scooters riders in shorter commutes.
Predicting Tomorrow: The Future of Motorcycle Garments
As the dust settles on EICMA 2023, it’s time to look ahead and anticipate the future trends that will shape the motorcycle garment landscape. Industry insiders and experts have shared insights that point towards exciting developments poised to meet the evolving needs of riders. It is already happening at this year’s EICMA: the participating global players, large or small, didn’t just unveil garments; they presented a vision of the future where riders can expect a harmonious blend of comfort, style, and safety. Below is a summary of what can be even more exciting for the future.
- Smart Integration: The future of motorcycle garments is undoubtedly smart. Beyond the current state of embedded technology, garments are expected to seamlessly integrate with more smart devices, creating a connected riding experience. Imagine garments that communicate with the bike, providing real-time data on performance, navigation, and weather conditions.
- Adaptive Safety Features: Safety remains a top priority, and the future promises garments with adaptive safety features. Intelligent impact-resistant materials that instantly adjust based on the severity of impact, integrated airbags tailored to specific riding conditions, and helmets with advanced HUD (Head-Up Display) technology are on the horizon.
- Sustainability in Focus: Expect a surge in sustainable materials, manufacturing processes, and a collective industry effort to reduce the ecological footprint of motorcycle gear including more compliance with their suppliers and development to create garments that prioritize both performance and the planet and demand their supply chain partners to collaborate and make more contributions.
- Customization and Personalization: From customizable designs and color schemes to garments that adapt to the rider’s unique body shape, the industry is moving towards providing riders with gear that feels tailor-made for them.
Motorcycle enthusiasts can look forward to a world where garments not only serve as protective layers but also as intelligent companions, seamlessly blending style, safety, and technology on the open road. The users should also see solutions coming from manufactures in different regions to help them reduce cost to acquire these functions. Many riders expressed concerns over high and long-lasting inflation and their wish to obtain better cost while expecting more safety and comfort. After all, if people can not afford them, any technologies will be meaningless to the market.
