Dainese: Pursuing Safety Since 1972

Courtesy of UltimateMotorcycling.com


Dainese History
Let's be blunt - if nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi uses it, it must be good.
His motorcycle apparel of choice? Dainese, an Italian company that's been providing protection for riders since 1972. Their moto says it all: "Providing people with head-to-toe protection in dynamic sports."
And one of the most dynamic sports is moto-racing, especially road racing, where the famed, almost alien-like Dainese can be observed on many of the top riders who sometimes hit the pavement at speeds around 200 mph.

Protection is crucial in this sport, and riders have to put their faith in established companies, such as the well-known Dainese. And like many well-known companies, the Dainese name grew from a history of pursing only the best in safety.
During this constant pursuit, the company has invented products such as the back protector and knee sliders, and developed existing products with the introduction of innovative technologies and materials. During this development, Dainese relies heavily on competition for their R&D.
Their D-Tec (Dainese Technology Center) technicians transfer the extreme experiences gained during races into a collection offering the most suitable product for all types of motorcyclists (racing, touring, city).
Because of this type of research, it was Dainese that introduced carbon fiber and Kevlar protections for gloves, boots and suits, a design that's been copied by almost every name in the industry.

Over the years, motorcycle safety apparel has taken on many different forms, but Dainese's current idea of safety means "protection, comfort and reliability, elements which are knowledgeably balanced to create products capable of effectively meeting the needs of different users."

Dainese Historical Timeline

1972
• Dainese is founded.
• First studies for design of the Dainese logo.
• The first products are leather pants for motocross, followed almost immediately by the first suits. Innovative design and the use of color mark a true revolution from the conventional style of motorcycle clothing.

1974
• Elastic inserts are added to improve the comfort of suits.
• Dieter Braun is the first rider officially sponsored by Dainese in MotoGP.

1976
• Giacomo Agostini starts racing with Dainese.

1978
• At the end of the 70s Barry Sheene starts collaborating with Dainese, introducing a new concept of protection: the back protector and composite protections.

1980
• Riding style changes and Dainese test the first Knee Sliders, in collaboration with top riders. The first motorcycle gloves are produced.
• Kenny Roberts, the great "King Kenny" also known as "canary" for his yellow suit, wins the 500 cc World Championship three times with Dainese.

1981
• Freddie Spencer wears the back protector for the first time and suffers no serious injuries during a bad accident at the Kyalami track.
• At the same time collaboration with the many-times champion Anton Mang begins, to test the new pre-modelled suits, which conform to the correct posture of the rider in the saddle.
• In the early 80s Dainese produces the "porcupine" Knee Sliders.

1983
• Paris-Dakar: Dainese protects the riders challenging the desert in this famous rally, with its route through the rocky environment of Tamanrasset, the sands of the Ténéré desert and the beaches of Dakar.

1985
• In the mid-eighties protection takes another step forward with the introduction of the back protector: knee sliders take their definitive form.

1987
• Toni Mang wins the Word Championship title in the 250 cc class with Dainese.
• Dainese develops the first generation of back protector in collaboration with designer Marc Sadler.
• Dainese produces its first motorcycle boots.

1988
• The aerodynamic protective hump is introduced in pro racers' suits.

1989
• Eddie Lawson wins the World Championship title in the 500 cc class with Dainese.

1992
• Philippe Perakis, one of the pioneers of downhill mountain biking, introduces Dainese motorcycle protections to the biking world.

1993
• Dainese Safety Program (later renamed D-Tec) is inaugurated: in this R&D technology center engineers, technicians and physicians work together with the aim of developing increasingly high performance gear and equip it with technology, studying not only materials like leather, but also extending the range of action to other products such as helmets, gloves and boots.
• Kevin Schwantz wins the world championship title in the 500 cc class with Dainese.
• In the 90s Velcro is introduced to fasten knee sliders to the suit.

1994
• Carl Fogarty wins 4 superbike world championships with Dainese.
• Dainese produces its first motorcycle helmet.
• Kristian Ghedina, Debora Compagnoni and the "Blue Avalanche" (Italian National Alpine Skiing Team) use Dainese back protectors for the first time during a World Championship competition. From now on all athletes in this sector will use the important back protector.

1995
• Dainese starts to apply know-how acquired in the motorcycle sector to protect other sports, such as mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding: the No Impact Division is created.
• Max Biaggi wins 4 world titles in the 250 cc class and tests the Dainese Full Pro glove, with carbon fibre and Kevlar protections, for the first time.
• Kevlar-carbon fibre gloves save the hands of many motorcyclists.

1998
• Boot- suit fastening system. The new boots and new Pro-tech suit have a new interior fastening system which improves protection against excessive twisting of the foot.

1999
• Dainese presents the T-Age suit, which has some revolutionary innovations to improve comfort and level of protection (V-shaped front opening system, wider elastic inserts).
• Second generation back protectors are integrated in the Safety Jacket.
• Nicolas Vouilloz becomes world downhill champion: this is the first time that Dainese colours have reached the top of the podium in the most spectacular mountain bike discipline.

2000
• In 2000 carbon and titanium protections are integrated in suits, while knee sliders are fastened to the knees by Velcro.
• The many times world champion and Olympic winner Lasse Kjus collaborates with Dainese in the development of the first ski helmets.
• Biaggi and Rossi follow in the footsteps of Lucchinelli and Agostini in 1976.
• Jacque is world champion in the 250 cc class with Dainese.
• Waldmann wins two world titles in Spain and England, wearing Dainese helmet, suit and gloves.
• Dainese unveils D-air®: this highly innovative system for the protection of motorcyclists is based on the totally new concept of air bag. The project is the outcome of long collaboration with an Israeli company specialized in the design of advanced technology systems: MERHAV APP Advanced Airbag Technology.
• The Procom system is introduced; this sophisticated instrument checks the effectiveness of new technological solutions devised to improve comfort in terms of temperature and humidity.
• Valentino Rossi, the rising star of MotoGP wears Dainese gear and uses the most innovative protective solutions for suit, gloves and special boots which limit twisting of the ankle in the event of a fall.

2001
• Dainese confirms its interest in continuing to perform research for safety in dynamic sports with D-Mobile, the object of which is to provide motorcyclists with state-of-the-art solutions for protection and comfort developed together with great champions of the various disciplines. D-Mobile is the mobile version of Dainese's R&D department, D-tec.

2002
• Initial studies are carried out for a suit with elasticated inserts that conform to the rider's movements.
• The integrated protection system is born.
• Wave, the 4th generation back protector, with integrated ventilation system is born.
• Valentino Rossi, the only rider in the world to have won titles in the 125, 250, 500 and MotoGP classes, wins the MotoGP World Championship.

2003
• Dainese continues to collaborate with athletes and members of the Italian National Skiing Team: Giorgio Rocca, Karen Putzer, Lasse Kjus, Martina Ertl.
• With Valentino Rossi, Manuel Poggiali and Daniel Pedrosa, Dainese wins the World Championships in the 125, 250 and Moto GP classes.

2004
• Dainese becomes "Safety Partner" for the Italian National Ski Team. Just as for motorcycling, the D-Mobile becomes a reference point for the safety of all athletes participating in the World Cup.
• Dainese launches the "Safety Research Project": an in-depth study of rider-vehicle dynamics with Prof. Cossalter, of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Padua. The project is divided into two steps: the first is based on computerized simulation of the major situations that can cause accidents, while the second consists of providing motorcyclists with sensors that detect the human-vehicle dynamic parameters on motorcycles. Data acquired offer a fundamental input for development of the future D-air® and of the Procom project.
• Valentino goes down in history: he leaves Honda for Yamaha and wins his sixth World Championship with Dainese.
2005
• Valentino becomes Dainese endorser for the company safety campaign.

2006
• Dainese produces the "Sparks of Passion" costumes for the opening ceremony of the 20th Winter Olympics in Turin; these express all the style, energy and passion for speed of the sporting spirit.
• Giorgio Rocca, wins the slalom in the 2006 World Cup with Dainese, and totals 5 victories in the 2006 season, placing Italy first in the World slalom classifications.
• 19/12/2006: during the stunt test organized on the Adria circuit, the D-air® racing airbag is activated on the track for the first time.

2007
• The "I Dainese Me" campaign is launched with Valentino Rossi and Carolina Kostner to present Dainese's brand values to the general public.

2008
• Valentino Rossi achieved another landmark in motor cycling history when he notched up his eighth world title with Yamaha's M1. At the same time, he continued to be actively involved in the development of Dainese's new protective gear.
• Dainese became Official Safety Partner of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, where it first collected data for the D-Air system with Guy Martin.

2009
• Bouncing back from his nasty crash at Beaver Creek, Aksel Lund Svindal won the Overall World Cup and Super-G, going on to become Super-Combined World Champion at the Val d'Isère Championships.
• The Slalom World Cup went to Maria Reisch who also won the World Championship in the same discipline at Val d'Isère.
Dainese Current Riders

Moto GP
• Jorge Lorenzo
• Marco Simoncelli
• Valentino Rossi
Moto 2
• Stefan Bradl
• Yannick Guerra
• Simone Giorgi Grotzkyj
• Fonsi Nieto
125 cc
• Marcel Schroetter
• Luca Vitali
• Lorenzo Salvadori
National Championships
• Europe: Danilo Dell'Omo, Marco Borciani (Italy); Maxime Berger (France); Guy Martin (UK); Michael Ranseder (Austria); Joan Lascorz (Spain); Niklas Ajo (Finland)
• USA: Geoff May, Aaron Yates, Blake Young, Steve Rapp, Chris Ulrich, Martin Cardenas, James Rispoli, Tray Batey, John Jacobi, Steve Atlas, Mark Junge, Sammy Halbert

AGV introduce new T-2 helmet with Barry Sheene Replica

The new AGV T-2 helmet comes as a replacement to the older generation Ti-Tech, in the "Race" category of the Italian brand's catalog. The super light T-2 shell is a composite Carbon/Kevlar.

Among the various available designs are 3 replicas of racing legends Agostini, Nieto and the Magnificent Seven, Barry Sheene.

Here's a little homage to Barry Sheene!

Bellissimo Valentino!!

The legend continues! Valentino wins the 2009 MotoGP title and adds a 9th World Championship to his bio.



A few important facts about VR46:

1) Has 103 wins to his name, 77 in the premier class.
2) 163 podiums in all Grand Prix classes.
3) With Saturday’s pole position at Sepang, Rossi equaled Mick Doohan’s pole position record of 58.
4) Has never missed a race start since making his debut in 1996. He has started 226 successive GP races across all classes since; 167 of which have been in the top class.
5) Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini are the only two riders to have won titles on both two stroke and four stroke bikes, and the only rider to have won championship titles on four different types of motorcycles: 500cc two-stroke Honda, 990cc four-stroke Honda, 990cc four-stroke Yamaha and 800cc four-stroke Yamaha.

Of course AGV and Drudi had a special edition GP-Tech helmet for the occasion.

Helmets: the Choice of Champions

Cool blog by Helmet

http://1st-helmet.blogspot.com/2009/10/agv-helmets-choice-of-champions.html

Dainese legends Giacomo Agostini and Vale 46 at the TT

From twoowheelsblog.com

The two AGV Dainese legends at the Isle of Man TT 2009

"As Marc Potter from MCN, who rode alongside Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini during the parade lap and was with the Italian duo while they were watching the Dainese Superbike race reported what Valentino Rossi said, or what I imagine anyone would say, who was taking in for the first time in their life the Tourist Trophy and watching John McGuinness go by at 180mph: “Fack!”"

Rossi And Agostini Attending Isle Of Mann TT Races

From Sportride.com

Eight-time MotoGP world champion, Valentino Rossi, has confirmed today that he will make his first visit to the world-famous Isle of Man TT races in June this year with Dainese, who recently renewed their current partnership with the Isle of Man TT races as Official Safety Partner for the second successive year. The company's founder and CEO Mr Lino Dainese will accompany Rossi and Italian legend Giacomo Agostini on this historic visit.

The Doctor of Tavullia, winner of 97 Grands Prix will attend the Dainese Superbike Race on Saturday 6th June with Agostini, who raced on the famous Mountain Course between 1966 and 1972, winning 10 TT races which then held world championship status.

Rossi will complete a memorable parade lap of the 37.73 mile (60.7 km) circuit before the start of the six-lap Dainese Superbike race. He will ride behind the course car on a 2009 Yamaha R1, flanked by eight of the famous Travelling Marshalls, who will be riding similar machines.

"I am fascinated by all sort of motorsport and the Isle of Man is a destination and a race I have wanted to experience for a long time," commented Rossi. "Always the MotoGP schedule is very busy around this time of year, but this year the TT has moved dates a little and there is a week gap between Mugello and Catalunya, so now at last we have the opportunity!" "I have seen many famous images from the TT races," he added, "and of course heard much about it from Giacomo and Mr Dainese who enjoyed the experience so much last year."

After the Dainese Superbike race there will be a press conference involving Valentino Rossi, Giacomo Agostini and TT Dainese pilot Guy Martin outlining Dainese's future commitments to further improving safety for people who love active sports.

"This is the second year of being the Official Safety Partner to the Isle of Man TT races and is a very big challenge for our company: we want to give a strong signal to our commitment of safety - commented Mr. Dainese - We continue with our research and development programme of the D-air system, and at the TT races we will cooperate again with our rider Guy Martin who gave such valuable feedback at last years event. Our research will continue also at Grand Prix circuits this year with Valentino Rossi's support too. We are delighted he can be with us at the TT this year to highlight the general committment of all our pilots, together with D-tec® (Dainese Technology Center) to make a step forward in Motorbike protection."

Dainese have pioneered safety for over 35 years and many of the most stand-out advances in rider protection - back protector - knee sliders - have all been developed while working with some of the best riders in the world. Champions like Sheene, Spencer, Biaggi, Lawson, Bayliss and Lucchinelli have all had a vital input into making Dainese the product it is today.

Dainese renew TT involvement as Official Safety Partner for 2009

Monday 20 20th April 2009 -

Dainese has today announced that the company has been appointed the 'Official Safety Partner' to the Isle of Man TT Races for 2009. As part of the significant deal, the first of the TT's Superbike races will be known as The Isle of Man Dainese Superbike Race Race.

The Italian company, which specializes in safety products for action sports enthusiasts was founded in 1972 by the current managing director, Mr Lino Dainese, who enjoyed his first visit to the Isle Of Man in 2008 when Dainese first became involved at the Safety Partner.
“It was a great pleasure to visit the Isle Of Man last year with my friends Giacomo Agostini, Carl Fogarty and Marco Lucchinelli and see first hand the heroics of the brave TT riders,” commented Lino Dainese – “In 2008, we went to the Isle of Man TT as part of our Dainese 35th anniversary celebrations. It was the first time we had been involved in this incredible, legendary race. Our aim, as Safety Partner, was to use our experience to contribute to rider safety, and we are proud to continue our relationship for one more year”.

Martyn Quale, MHK, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, Isle of Man Government, commented: “We are delighted to have Dainese back again as the official safety partner of the TT races as it is a company with a fantastic heritage. They contributed hugely to last year’s great event and I know they have benefited from their association with the TT.”

Last year Dainese signed a deal with TT star and road racing specialist, Guy Martin. The 26-year-old Lincolnshire rider, who was cursed with bad luck in 2008 is thrilled to be continuing his involvement with Dainese. "This is a huge honour," he said. "I'll be doing everything I can to win this year.”

Martin will be wearing a AGV helmet for the first time this year and will join all-time greats in the ‘legends of protection’ who have been protected head-to-toe by Dainese and AGV – Barry Sheene, Giacomo Agostini and the reigning 250cc World Champion Marco Simoncelli and the eight-time World Champion and current MotoGP title holder, Valentino Rossi.