Explained: SASS Ventilation
Ventilating Gore-Tex motorcycle clothing reinvented.
In 2021, STADLER has the successful Treasure Pro motorcycle jacket and Quest Pro motorcycle pants launched. This laminated jacket and pants are of course 100% waterproof thanks to the 3-layer Gore-Tex material, so you will arrive at your destination dry. But how does STADLER ensure that you also stay cool during warmer conditions? STADLER has developed the patented STADLER Air Scoop System (abbreviated: SASS) for this purpose. In this article you will read more about the different ventilation options in Gore-Tex motorcycle clothing, and we will explain this relatively new form of ventilation in more detail.
Ventilation techniques in Gore-Tex motorcycle clothing
- Indirect ventilation
In many motorcycle clothing, the air supply is regulated by means of ventilation zippers, usually on the chest or arms with a jacket and on the thighs with motorcycle pants. Behind these ventilation zippers there is often a mesh lining and in some cases also a (removable) waterproof membrane. When this waterproof layer is not removable (also called Z-liner), we talk about indirect ventilation. When the ventilation zipper is opened, air will continue to circulate between the waterproof layer and the wear-resistant outer layer of the motorcycle jacket. The ventilation value of this is quite limited, which will cause the body temperature to drop to a limited extent.
- Direct ventilation
When the air supply through the ventilation zipper is not limited by a waterproof layer, we speak of direct ventilation. This technique is often applied to modular motorcycle jackets (with removable waterproof membrane) and laminated motorcycle jackets (waterproof layer and wear-resistant layer are glued). Direct ventilation is a lot more effective, as the body temperature will drop faster.
Both direct and indirect ventilation require a strong air flow. Depending on the type of engine, these ventilation zippers have a speed required of +60 kilometers per hour. With a motorcycle with a lot of wind protection such as the BMW RT series, this speed will have to be slightly higher compared to a BMW GS. Logically, with a motorcycle with limited to no wind protection, the speed will be somewhat lower to create effective ventilation in the jacket or pants. The fit, sizing and the height of the motorcyclist also play a role in this.
STADLER Air Scoop System (SASS) explained
Normally, the wind protection of all-road and touring motorcycles has an adverse effect on ventilation in motorcycle clothing. STADLER has devised a way to make optimal use of this wind protection with the SASS ventilation method. As the name suggests, the system works with air scoops.
By placing these air scoops in strategic places, the deformations of the air coming from, for example, the handguards and windshield can be used additionally. These air scoops will be open in a wind speed of approximately 30 kilometers per hour and provide effective ventilation even at these lower speeds, so that the rider will cool down faster, even in city traffic.
This way of ventilation is very effective in making a fully waterproof motorcycle jacket feel comfortable on summer days. The system can continue to ventilate even in wet weather. A water drainage has been incorporated within the Airscoop. This ensures that this ventilation method is (splash) waterproof.
Of course, motorcycle clothing that uses the SASS technology (when the ventilation is closed) can also be used excellently in cool temperatures. Additional thermal value can be generated in combination with the SNUG Primaloft jacket or WINGS II softshell midlayer.
Motorcycle clothing with SASS Technology
In 2021, STADLER has the successful Treasure Pro motorcycle jacket and Quest Pro motorcycle pants launched, the first products using Airscoops. The Treasure and Quest combination are made for adventure motorcyclists. For this reason, the air scoops are placed in the ideal positions to pick up the air flows from an adventure motorcycle. Consider, for example, the handguards, a (large) windshield and the trousers along the outside of the thighs and shins. This also takes into account a possible boxer engine block from, for example, the BMW R1300 GS. In addition to the Airscoops, the Treasure also uses large YKK Aquaseal® zippers on the chest and an extra zipper with mesh material.
After the success of the Treasure and Quest, STADLER has introduced the sporty counterpart in 2022: the Free Sport Pro motorcycle jacket and Air Sport Pro motorcycle pants. STADLER Air Scoop System has been placed in a different location. The decision was made to place these zippers more along the side of the chest and to let them run longer. Due to the stretch material under the armpits and shoulders, the Free Sport Pro can be considered a comfortable, slim-Fit Gore-Tex Pro Motorcycle Jacket. This combination is therefore slightly more aimed at the sporty tour rider, for example the rider who chooses a BMW S1000XR instead of the GS. This combination has recently been discovered MOTOPLUS named as Test Winner in the Textile Combi's test.
The Free Sport Pro uses the patented STADLER Air Scoop System (SASS).
English 
Dutch