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► Motorcycle News 2009
REV'IT! and GORE-TEX Motorcycle Product Test
Team
REV'IT!! and
GORE-TEX to Create
"Test Team"
to Evaluate New Motorcycle Clothing
By Rick Korchak, Editor
REV’IT! and GORE-TEX Test
Team
January 4, 2010 - REV’IT! Sport International and
GORE-TEX have now formed the motorcycle apparel
industry’s first prototype and product development test
team composed exclusively of rider-enthusiasts (see
article below).
"The purpose of this team is to learn firsthand how
our products are used, how they perform in real world
conditions, and what the perceived success of these new
products will be in the market" said Jordan Levitt,
REV’IT!’s North American Director.
Both REV’IT! and GORE-TEX are market leading brands,
with a focus on new technologies which will improve the
quality, comfort and safety of motorcycle apparel.
Colin Bell, Motorsports Garments, GORE-TEX said "We
are delighted to announce our new cooperation with the
Netherlands based brand REV'IT!. REV'IT! is a well
known and respected motorcycle apparel brand globally,
thanks to their innovative and stylish designs and their
proactive approach to garment technology and
functionality.
We believe that this proactively
and focus makes REV'IT! and GORE-TEX products a very
complimentary partnership and we are very optimistic
about our future business together".
The process is as follows: Riders who are interested
in becoming part of the team may fill out an extensive
survey at
motorcyclelab.com where they will input information
about their riding habits, clothing sizes and other
information allowing REV’IT! and GORE-TEX to assemble
the team.
The initial pool of riders is expected to be from
300-500 selectees, which will be divided into groups of
50 team members.
These team members will receive products for testing,
and will be expected to complete a product specific
performance log on a regular basis during the life of
the test. This data will be used to improve the
products prior to the introduction to the market.
According to Mr. Levitt, riders are often vocal
concerning their desires, likes and dislikes in regards
to motorcycle apparel.
"For the first time ever, we are allowing them to
become part of the development process. It’s very
exciting for us to have direct rider interaction and we
expect that it will be exciting for the team members as
well".
To apply to become a test team member, simply go to
motorcyclelab.com and apply.
December 2009 - REV'IT! and GORE-TEX: two of the
best-known brands in performance motorcycle gear.
And now they've formed a partnership to
develop and test the next generation of REV'IT! and
GORE-TEX
waterproof and breathable products specifically designed
for motorcyclists.
Jordan Levitt, the Director of Operations for REV'IT!
U.S.A. described the new REV'IT! GORE-TEX "Test Team"
during my recent visit to their New York headquarters to
view the REV'IT! 2010
lineup.
"Feedback from our customers has always been a part
of the REV'IT! and GORE-TEX new product development
process and both companies are always looking for better
ways to connect. The Test Team concept will take
it to the next level by getting real-world feedback on
new gear at the right time -- before it goes into
production and hits the dealers' shelves" he said.
REV'IT! will manage the Test Team and they'll be
looking for highly experienced
riders who are interested in volunteering to evaluate
and provide feedback on new motorcycle gear that
will incorporate technologies from REV'IT! and GORE-TEX.
Details are still being worked out at this time, but
REV'IT! envisions a group of approximately 300
motorcyclists who will make up the group, which will be
divided into sub-groups to evaluate products such as
boots, gloves, jackets, pants and other types of
clothing.
The Test Team development riders will have to meet certain
criteria, which are still being developed. The
criteria might include factors such as long-distance
riding, riding in hot, cold and/or wet climates (and a
combination of the above!), miles ridden per year, etc.
Once the criteria have been developed, interested
motorcyclists will be required to submit an application
and the Test Team members will be chosen from the pool
of applicants.
The benefits for the Team members will include access to
the latest clothing and technologies and the ability to
provide feedback that will be used to help develop the new
products.
The REV'IT! Test Team concept is an outcome of another
recent event;
REV'IT! announced they have received a GORE-TEX
license from W.L. Gore & Associates, which will
allow them
to include the latest GORE-TEX technologies in their
clothing, such as the new
GORE-TEX Lockout
closure system recently described on webBikeWorld,
which will soon find its way into new REV'IT! products.
GORE-TEX is very careful about releasing new licenses to
ensure the highest level of quality and performance; in fact,
GORE-TEX has been known to cancel the license for
motorcycle clothing manufacturers who fail to meet
GORE-TEX quality or performance standards. So this
new license for REV'IT! is a major accomplishment and a
measure of confidence in REV'IT! products.
I think the Test Team concept is an excellent idea,
because it will help create a formal process for
obtaining user feedback during the product development
process.
More information on the REV'IT! and GORE-TEX Test Team
will be forthcoming and you'll learn about it here!
REV'IT! will be organizing this project and we'll let
you know the details on how to submit applications when
they're ready.
Note: For informational use only. All material and
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rights reserved. See the webBikeWorld®
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►Your Comments and
Feedback
Please send comments to
Comments are ordered from most recent to oldest.
Not all comments will be published ( details). Comments may be edited for
clarity prior to publication.
From "N.C." (12/09): "I have read
the article about the product test team if headed right
it should be a good leap forward and better thinking and
applying of better waterproofing to jackets!
Pity I did not live in America maybe they should do
it in England too. I have always thought a
manufacturer of motorbike gear should real world test
things out among the biking community. After all,
how many times have people said I wish this was made
better with this added, so now the time to add your two
cent's worth."
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