The GP Plus R V4 is Alpinestars' reference sport leather jacket, compatible with the Tech-Air airbag, for around €650. It is the sensible way into sport leather if you ride on the road and do not want a full suit; it is not a track garment. Score: 8.5/10.
Leather and construction: race DNA, street fit
The shell combines race cowhide with regular cowhide, reinforced by A-CS Plus stretch panels on the sides, chest, shoulders, neck and inner arms. That mix is what gives it the pre-curved race fit without turning it into a torture device: it fits snug when you are on the bike and lets you move when you are off it. It also brings a removable 80 g thermal vest, which extends its use well into the cooler months.
Protection: DFS sliders and Nucleon Flex Plus
The shoulders carry external DFS sliders plus Nucleon Flex Plus CE Level 1 armour, and the elbows use extended GP-R Lite armour, also CE Level 1 (EN 1621-1:2012). The whole garment is certified to CE Category II, EN 17092-3:2020 Class AA. It is a level of protection well above a city textile jacket, without reaching the bulk of a full track suit.
Tech-Air Ready: the extra that changes everything
The big argument of this jacket is that it is Tech-Air Ready: compatible with the Tech-Air 5 and Tech-Air 3 airbags. That means you can upgrade it later to torso airbag protection without changing jacket. Few leather jackets in its price range give you that door open to the Alpinestars airbag ecosystem.
Ventilation and price
Ventilation comes from direct flow intakes on the abdomen, enough for temperate riding — for the hottest summer there are the Air (perforated) and Rideknit variants of the same family. Price sits around €650 for the leather version, which places it in the upper-middle of sport leather jackets, in line with what it offers.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Protection: Nucleon Flex Plus + DFS sliders + Class AA certification.
- Tech-Air Ready: compatible with Tech-Air 5 and Tech-Air 3 airbags.
- Fit: pre-curved race cut with stretch panels, usable every day.
Cons
- Price: around €650 is premium for a street leather jacket.
- Ventilation: the base version is not designed for extreme heat; for that there is the Air variant.
Verdict
The GP Plus R V4 is the sensible way into sport leather if you ride on the road and do not want to buy a full suit. It protects well, fits well and leaves the door open to the Tech-Air airbag. If it fits your budget, it is hard to fault.
Score: 8.5/10
