Belstaff Merlin Jacket: Gear. (Shop talk).(Brief Article)

I was once centerpunched on a racetrack by Steve McQueen. He hadn't meant to, and he clearly appeared to feel worse about it than I did. Steve McQueen once owned a Belstaff Trialmaster Jacket; I just finished testing the Belstaff Merlin all-weather jacket. I don't think this hints at synchronicity in life--I just thought this would be the only chance I'd ever have at mentioning my brush with fame in print.

I tested the blue, black and subtly metallic silver Merlin jacket. In the world of often-loud motorcycle apparel, this is an unassuming, handsome piece of riding gear. It looks as good coming as going, in a typically understated, English manner.

The …