Spyke

Racing, they say, improves the breed and that is certainly true in Spyke’s case. The Italian firm has grown from humble beginnings as a leather workshop into one of the biggest brands in the world, picking up multiple world championships with sponsored riders along the way.

Originally, Spyke was founded by Luciano Bizotti in 1978 went under the name of Condor. Initially, the company dipped its toe in motorcycle racing by producing motocross equipment. Luciano oversaw the firm and his son, Fulvio, kept an eye on marketing and production control.

As a relatively (in global terms) small firm, Condor concentrated on off-road kit for a majority of the Eighties with riders Franco Picco and Neil Hudson on its books. It was in 1990, however, that everything changed.

When Fulvio took over from his father, a transition took place. Condor began to produce full leather motorcycle race suits and managed to get riders such as Randy Mamola to endorse and wear them.

During the early Nineties, Condor embarked on a clever marketing plan which culminated with many leading GP riders coming home in the lead with the brand Spyke emblazoned on their back. The firm’s first world champion came in the form of German 125cc rider Dirk Raudies who lifted his crown in 1993.

Spyke continued to sponsor GP riders throughout the Nineties and, in 2000, took a double championship. Kenny Roberts Jr won the blue riband 500cc title while diminutive Italian Roberto Locatelli lifted the 125cc crown.

Of course, the Spyke brand was well known to racers and race fans across the world, so using that familiarity, the firm moved into a different range of clothing, including touring and lifestyle.

Spyke didn’t just concentrate on GP racing, however, there were plenty of other classes around the world the company needed to crack (see separate riders box), including the world superbike championship.

This might be stating the obvious, but if riders like Loris Capirossi are prepared to wear Spyke while throwing themselves around the place at 200mph, they must be pretty good.

The company has developed its products in conjunction with some of the world’s best motorcycle racers, and it is those people who need top-notch protection when they are riding. Spyke’s motorcycle leather suits are made from cutting-edge materials. Kangaroo leather with Keprotec interts, a synthetic fabric made from Kevlar, nylon and Lycra threads that combine the characteristics of lightness, comfort, abrasion resistance and low heat conductivity. Knee and shoulder armour is made from thermoplastic laminates. And in the company’s own words: “Form and function go hand-in-hand with Spyke. Sexy Italian style complete with innovative safety features are boasted in every single product. Spyke is a name recognised on the racetrack and the one to be seen wearing on the street.”

Can’t really argue with that.

Click a link below to go to Spyke motorcycle products:

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