VnM Sport: Premium Motorcycle Base Layers

mistihurst
Sep 12
3 min read

Updated: Oct 13

VnM Sport

I get to meet some pretty interesting people in the motorsport industry, and one standout for me is Aliki Karayan, owner of VnM Sport.

I first heard about Aliki 1n 2016 during my very first Leod Escapes motorcycle tour. I’d just arrived in Munich for the start of a 10-day ride through the Italian Alps that also included two track days at Sachsenring. At the welcome dinner, Cat MacLeod (owner of Leod Escapes) handed out our welcome packages.

Inside was a beautifully constructed VnM Sport red-and-black performance base layer, custom designed with the tour name, mock corners from Sachsenring, and my last name across the back. Every rider received their own unique shirt. Before even putting it on, we were all impressed with the design, feel, and details that made it completely custom.

Over the next 10 days, I wore my base layer often. I loved the fit, the way it kept me cool and dry, and the carefully designed touches (like venting under the arms and a collar that protected my neck from my leather zip) that made it stand out from any other base layer I’d worn.

Cat explained his friend Aliki had designed it—and that I’d probably like her since she’s a fellow Canadian and avid racer.

We finally met at Laguna Seca, where she was corner working during a California Superbike School. We hit it off immediately, and I loved hearing her life and business success story.

From Army Veteran to Moto Entrepreneur

Aliki is a veteran of the Canadian Army Reserves with 20 years of service. She’s also worked as a motorcycle riding instructor and as an event specialist and demo rider for Honda.

But during her many years of street riding, track days, and racing, she constantly struggled with managing heat and cold. After trying countless brands and finding little designed specifically for motorcycling, she decided to fill the gap.

With zero design experience but, in her words, “a hell of a lot of motivation to learn,” she set out to build VnM Sport Premium Performance Base Layers.

She surveyed riders and racers about what they wanted most, then designed a garment from the ground up. After 23 renderings (and some frustrated manufacturers), she finally created something she was proud of.

Her goal was clear: “I wanted to make THE BEST base layers on the market—ones that cool amazingly well, last long, and fit comfortably. Why not be the best? Selling something comparable to Under Armour would be a waste of time. Those big-box brands would eat me alive anyway.”

Building VnM Sport

The idea started in 2007. After two years of testing, Aliki launched her first products to the public. She started small, making calculated moves so that mistakes wouldn’t be catastrophic. She also took advantage of Canadian government mentorship programs to learn from leaders in the clothing industry.

One belief she refused to compromise on? Durability. While many in the industry say garments should only last a season to encourage re-purchases, Aliki wanted hers to last for years.

“At first, it was tough because my repeat customers didn’t come back for 2–3 years,” she admitted. “But I chose the slow path—quality products, strong customer service, and being part of the moto community. That’s where big brands can’t compete.”

Giving Back to the Sport

Beyond making premium gear, Aliki gives back by sponsoring racers, donating to charities, and mentoring new riders with their resumes. Her biggest thrill? Seeing MotoGP riders like Remy Gardner, Sam Lowes, and Marcel Schrötter wearing her gear and loving it.

“Honestly, that’s what keeps me going—being part of a sport I love,” she said.

My Take

I now own three VnM Sport base layers, and I LOVE them. One has lasted nearly 10 years of pretty heavy use! One is signed by Troy Corser, and one is branded with the California Superbike School Colors and looks sharp with our school leathers. All of them work well to keep me cool, dry and comfortable while riding!! They still look sharp, perform flawlessly, and work better than anything else I’ve tried.