Review | Alpinestars GP Force Lurv two-piece leathers, Supertech R boots and GP Plus R V2 gloves

Alpinestars will need little introduction among sports bike fans. The Italian motor and action sports brand was founded in 1963, initially specialising in hiking and ski boots (hence the name) before quickly expanding into motocross then road racing boots, leathers and road clothing where it remains one of the largest premium brands sponsoring the likes of Marc Marquez in MotoGP. We’ve been trying this mid-range combo of two-piece, ‘zip together’ leathers with matching boots and gloves.

The GP Force Lurv may be slightly oddly named and Alpinestars’ cheapest two-piece leather sports suit, but it’s not lacking in features. I wanted a two-piece as I was after a suit I could use more comfortably on both road and track and find the zip-together design not only easier to get on and off but more comfortable and practical without significantly compromising safety, which is AA rated. Style-wise its virtually indistinguishable from the one-piece version, it comes in two colourways comprising the black/white you see here and an all-black version.
Main construction is in bovine leather with dual layers at all impact points, perforated hip and leg panels for added ventilation and stretch or ‘accordion’ panels in all key flex areas. Added protection, meanwhile, is provided by ‘GP Lite’ armour internally at the shoulders, elbows and knees with Bio-flex armour at the hips. It’s also compatible with Alpinestars’ own Tech-Air 10 and Tech-Air 5 airbag systems which, if desired, are sold separately. The quality and style, as usual with Alpinestars, is impeccable. We’ve so far worn it all-day on numerous occasions, both on road and track, with no complaint. Fit and comfort, whether just road cruising or clambering around on track, is excellent and ranges from 48 to 60. The knee sliders have bedded in without problems and offer the feel of being a racing god, even if you’re not and without going as far as actually crashing in them (which would be a shame on all counts) they’ve delivered on everything you could hope from a brand of this stature.

While the GP Force Lurv is one of Alpinestars’ more affordable suits we paired with colour-coordinated Super Tech R race/sports boots, which are the Italian brand’s most high-end offering. Compared with more conventional side-zip designs you’re getting a snazzier MotoGP style in a huge range of colours and sizes from 37-48 but, more importantly, a far more sophisticated and protective two-piece design with an inner and outer boot, more secure ratchet strap fastening and microfibre construction for reduced weight. In other words, you’re getting ultimate performance, protection and style. On track, that’s some kind of ultimate. On road, however, it has to be said they’re more fiddly to put on than a conventional boot, less flexible to walk around in and not as warm or waterproof. But that’s not what they’ve been designed for. For track use, paired with the leathers, I’d want nothing else. For the road, you’d be better off looking at some of Alpinestars’ other boots, especially considering the price.

It’s a sign of how big Alpinestars have become that, not only does it now offer 114 different sports boots but also a massive 210 different racing/sport glove designs. With its full-length models starting at with the SP-3 rising to £400-plus for its GP-spec Supertech, the GP Plus R V2 sits mid-way in its range with the features to go with it but a sense of quality and class few sports gloves can match.
They’re made from a combination of bovine and goat leather, have an aramid fibre lining, TPU (which is to say plastic) knuckle protection, perforated finger gussets aid ventilation, double ‘hook and loop’ adjustable wrist fixings and, handily, touchscreen compatible. They also come in a wide variety of colours and in six sizes from S-3XL. Fit is excellent, they’re reasonably comfortable, completely reassuring on both road and track, nothing has so far gone wrong even if the touchscreen fingertips don’t work and for their intended use they’re highly recommended. Worth noting there is a cheaper V3 version coming soon, meaning some healthy discounts on these V2s if you can afford to be less fussy on colour coordination or suchlike.

There’s no doubt that the choice of sports leathers and brands is now greater than ever with a bewildering array of features, options and prices. Brands like Britain’s own RST, compete with Ixon, Rev’It, Richa, Weise, Held and many more. Alpinestars and its equally celebrated compatriot Dainese, may not be the cheapest, or necessarily the best, but they still stand out as being among the most stylish, reputable and enviable of all, something reinforced by their leading presence on the world’s racing grids. Without putting the kit to the ultimate test it’s hard to say if this get-up counts as the absolute pinnacle but it delivers on the high expectation, the specification and quality is up there and they make you look and feel like a proper rider and the brand reputation is a reassurance you always have in the back of your mind. Which is as much as you could ask. If we’re being picky a more all-round boot would probably be a better match with the rest of the kit but if you’re doing a lot of track work the extra leg protection is welcome – pays your money and all that.