The Kuhl Kaffe Racer Jacket blends classic cafe racer style with modern textile materials. Recently, I had a chance to wear this jacket for several weeks to see if it’s a good option for riders.
Kuhl, for those of you who don’t know, is known for crafting tough clothing and gear for outdoor enthusiasts. Their tagline is Born in the Mountains. As such, they’re an active lifestyle and outdoor brand not a motorcycle gear manufacturer.
Still, with this kind of styling, the name, and the general construction of the jacket, I wanted to take a closer look at it. Kuhl shipped me one (big thanks to the brand!).
Kuhl Kaffe Racer Jacket – Who is This For?
The Kuhl Kaffe Racer Jacket is a jacket designed for the outdoor-lover who wants some cafe racer style wherever they go. It’s a tough jacket. Built with quality materials and is insulated well.
In terms of whether or not this is a “real motorcycle jacket,” I have to lean more towards no.
It has a unique Dynawax fabric that is water-resistant and durable. It’s designed with abrasion resistance in mind. That said, there’s no armor or pockets for armor. No zippers or loops to attach it to pants and only some mild reinforcement or layers of the fabric.
I think it would help you in a low-speed slide better than regular clothing and possibly some lower-grade riding shirts, but it won’t stand up to some of the truly good motorcycle jackets out there.
Here’s the rub, though. This jacket is about $150. That’s super reasonable for a well-built, stylish, premium-feeling jacket.
What I would say is this: the Kuhl Kaffe Racer jacket is better than casual clothing or a casual jacket. It will provide some protection. However, there are other jackets out there (even close to this price point) that offer more protection, including armor.
So, weigh the pros and cons and then decide for yourself whether or not it’s enough protection. What I found was that I put this on every time I hop on my 1980s Tomos Golden Bullet moped. The speeds are low on that bike and this jacket would provide good protection. At speeds over 35 or 40 mph, I hesitate to say this jacket would be adequate.
How Does It Fit?
The fit is snug. It’s a trimmer fit than some other jackets. If you’re used to what’s known as an “American fit” in motorcycle jackets, then you might not like this. If however, you like a “European fit” (slimmer), then you’ll like this.
The collar comes up to provide some protection from the elements on your neck, and the zippered cuffs allow you to have some control over what goes on at your wrists.
Also, those cuffs are easy to fit under gloves with a short gauntlet, which is nice. Some jackets are too bulky for that and it drives me nuts.
The interior liner is a nice soft quilted liner and is surprisingly warm even though the jacket is so light. The outer shell of the jacket cuts the wind well and provides excellent protection from cold winds, precipitation, and anything else Mother Nature will throw your way.
Should You Buy it?
As a motorcycle jacket, Kuhl’s Kaffe Racer Jacket is not the best out there, even at its relatively modest price point. If you primarily ride in the city at speeds under 40 mph I’d say it could be an option, but just know that its level of protection would be eclipsed by other designated motorcycle jackets.
As a casual jacket, Kuhl’s Kaffe Racer is truly fantastic. I wear this thing everywhere now. It’s genuinely a good jacket. It looks good enough to wear on a night out, it provides good protection from the elements and is comfy and warm, and it works with a variety of clothing from casual to slightly more dressy.
Overall, the Kuhl Kaffe Racer Jacket is a fantastic jacket, and if you’re aware of what you’re going to get, then you’ll be extremely satisfied.
Check it out at Kuhl
Check it out at Huckberry
