Ladies Scorpion Exo Dahlia Motorcycle Jacket

Awesome day with my 2009 Suzuki Gladius wearing a Scorpion Dahlia jacket

One of my favorite motorcycle jackets I wear regularly is a Scorpion Exo Dahlia textile jacket. Today while riding in the Buck Lake area I felt compelled to write a review. It was a beautiful day for a ride and as usual I was wearing one of my favorite jackets.

Buck Lake, Alberta

Comfort
First off I have lots of problems fitting into ladies motorcycle jackets. My body is an apple shape and most of my weight likes to stay around my tummy, chest, and back area so it is really difficult to find a jacket that is not super tight. Most ladies motorcycle jackets are so snug in my trouble areas that I always have to go up a size. There are zippers located on each side of your hip that you can unzip and it allows you to increase the lower tummy area. This feature is also great for extra comfort while riding. There are straps on both sides of the hip area with buckles that you can adjust, so on your thinner days you can tighten your jacket, and while travelling on vacation when you are indulging on fantastic food, you can loosen them. There are zippers located at the cuff for gloves that you are tucking inside your sleeve. I also like that this jacket is longer in the torso area so I have more protection in cold weather.

Pockets
This Scorpion jacket comes with 2 outside pockets with zippers, and an inside pocket with a zipper (while wearing it this pocket is located chest level on left side). I wear an iPod and listen to music only in one ear while traveling so this inside pocket is great. It is big enough to hold spare keys, also insurance and registration if required.

Riding in cold weather
I have rode in plenty of crappy weather conditions. I have found this jacket to be very warm and comfortable enough to allow me to wear an extra layer of clothes underneath. I really like the removable liner as it has a full sleeve. Be careful buying jackets on the internet as a lot of them do not describe the liners. I just received a new Speed & Strength jacket that I ordered online through ebay and it only has a partial liner with no sleeves, not great when the weather turns nasty, but it was my own fault for not inquiring first before ordering. I was riding recently north of Edmonton when the weather was cold and overcast, the temperature hovering around 11 degrees Celsius with a wind that chilled all the riders to the bone. I wore my Klim long sleeved thermal shirt under my clothes and I was still pretty cold, at one point we drove through rain. This jacket is good for keeping you warm if it's a slightly chilly day with sunshine but if the weather is really bad I recommend a thicker touring jacket.

This jacket has a longer torso design and is great for warmth and safety

Riding in hot weather
During motorcycle trips to British Columbia in the summer I have experienced days riding in 35 degrees Celsius and this jacket is a real pleasure. The inside liner can easily and quickly be unzipped and there in one snap located at the inside cuff of each sleeve that need to be unsnapped to remove it. There are also zippered air vents located at each shoulder and one on the upper back. I love white jackets for how cool they keep the rider, it's nice to be stopped in traffic and not feel like your baking alive in your gear. Of course the downfall is they show the dirt quicker.

Enjoying the scenic and casual country roads

Style
Let me tell you I have received plenty of complements on this jacket. I have had ladies in wash rooms wanting to check it out! The embroidery has been done nicely and the back has flowers on it. This is really pretty, and I have had men in parking lots take pictures of it to show their wives when they get home. The sleeves have a different embroidery on each side, one has Scorpion going up the arm, and the other sleeve has flowers on a stem. Both are done in a nice light pink colour. I bought mine at Argyll Motorsports in Edmonton. The second I saw it on the rack I had to own it, when everything else is black or plain, this one just stood out right away. I am glad I did buy it, I have never seen another lady rider wearing one. I have seen many jackets like this one for sale on ebay. It is available in white, or black which has red embroidery flowers instead of pink and nice red stripes where mine are black. Just watch for them to be listed as some are still new or you can buy a used one at a decent price, you won't be able to buy it at a power sport dealer as it is no longer made but some online motorcycle sites are still selling them as non-current stock. I think I paid just under $200 for mine brand new about 4 years ago. You might also see one on Kijiji so if you are interested keep an eye on that site also.

Great day for a ride in rural Alberta

Cleaning
I knew when buying this jacket and all my other white ones that they would have to be machine washable. Instructions for this jacket is: Machine washable in cold water. I have a front loader washing machine and have had no problems with this jacket. I take all the safety pads out first before cleaning as they will gradually fall apart after continuous washing. The bugs of course are a problem and this white jacket gets washed at least 3 times a summer. So far it is holding up well with only a thread in the shoulder coming slightly loose at the end. Not a problem as the seam is still good. I also take the inside liner out of the jacket when cleaning and wash it also. It is in really good condition considering how many times they have been through the washing machine.

 Embroidery on the back of my jacket is still perfect after many riding seasons

Water Proof
This textile jacket is labeled: Water Proof. I can tell you that today I drove through some afternoon showers and it worked great, the rain lasted about 20 minutes and I was dry when I got home. On other riding trips I have experienced a full day of heavy rain and I can say it will only go so long before the water will start to seep through the material. If the forecast shows lots of rain, have a rain suit packed and ready just in case. The good news is when you get to the hotel and hang this jacket up it will be dry by morning. I remove the inside liner if it is really damp so both will be dry and ready to wear the next day.

Safety Features
This jacket has Exo Skeletal Protection with shoulder pads, elbow pads, and also a spine protection pad. I have found some jackets to be really uncomfortable in the sleeves with the bulk of protection pads but this jacket is designed well, and the safety features don't make you hate wearing the coat. The jacket has some weight but is not heavy enough to cause discomfort, at least not for me. There is also reflective piping at the shoulders and back for drivers to see you at night.

My final thoughts are that I have no regrets buying this Scorpion Exo Dahlia jacket. I have enjoyed wearing it so much that I will not hesitate to buy another Scorpion brand jacket in the future. I hope they will keep this amount of comfort in all their future designs. I live in Alberta, Canada and believe me we can leave in the morning with sunshine and warm weather, only to return home driving through rain and hail. Thank-you to Scorpion for making a jacket that offers all these features to keep us safe and warm.