Enduro clothing for UK-Africa to use with MX body armour.

[*Touring Ted*]

For my trip from UK-Capetown, I'm planning on using MX body armour for protection.

Can anyone recommend a warm weather riding jacket that can be used comfortably while using body armour or is it just a case of buying a slightly bigger riding jacket and removing the armour ???

Maybe I should just forget the idea of body armour altogether ?

[edteamslr]

That combo works well in Africa. Boneman used it on our trip to CapeTown (661 pressure suit) and took just a waterproof jacket with him also. A mx-type jersey will make it easier to clean but it's not a must - turtle suits can just be dipped in water to wash them. It rained for a few days in Namibia and he didn't look happy while I was just ok in my Rev'it Desert Jacket - that changed over wheneve it was hot and humid though!

[*Touring Ted*]

Well the idea was to just use the Armour and a MX jersey for when its very hot and have the enduro jacket for when its chilly and/or raining.

I'll look into those, ta !

[XT GIRL]

Hey there,

The substitute XT Girl (John) wore MX armour with a vest during our trip - and although it was cool, he complained a lot about bugs and stones hitting him.

The armour only covers certain bits... and some soft bits are still exposed to such projectiles!

(Ditto riding with goggles - only I learnt this lesson!)

I can definitely recommend the Rev'it jacket as an all rounder. In the Namib, I stripped all the layers out, as well as the side panels (they zip out). There are several vents -- and I was amazed at how cool they actually make you. As long as you're moving.

From someone who is used to riding with a T-shirt, I thought I'd have to ditch it - but I was comfortable throughout.

Another thing - if you set off early morning, you will find the temperatures are quite chilly... just too chilly to ride with your vest... only to start heating up rapidly an hour or so later. (Then you have to stop and change gear).

The Revit was just warm enough to keep the wind out (with vents zipped shut) - and when it heated up, I just opened them all to the cooling wind.

[RicTS]

Look for an enduro jacket which also has zip out sleeves, very good when it's tool cool for a race top.

If in MX armour you're talking about roost deflectors, then IMO (after owing one) the pressure suit / mesh jackets are a better choice.... BUT.... you may need to wear a base layer otherwise you're looking a chafing on big scale from the mesh.

I reckon separate armour would give you better impact protection than in the jacket stuff.... if you use the jacket armour, get a jacket that fits snugly so that it's in the right place when you bin it (i.e. doesn't move about).

An enduo jacket with a camelbak pocket is also good.... mine is by KTM, but I know others do them.

Can't answer your question for you.... I know for a fact that I wouldn't fancy binning a bike with just a race jersey on... even on dirt, hence the reason I have UFO suit.... enough to save your skin.

If your going the body armour route, don't forget your knees!!.

RTS

[discoenduro]

The Klim Valdez impresses me. I was out in Morocco for a week of off-road in May. The Dakar pants ventilate well. On return to the UK I tried on the Valdez with full armour, and it was way lighter than wearing my BMW Rallye or Rukka Allroad jackets.
I'm buying the Valdez in a size larger than I would normally. Still fits fine, and then it has extra space for a body warmer and it's easy to fit over the Scorpion upper body armour. Even though it's Goretex Pro shell and has lots of zippers to ventilate it, on a hot day, it packs small if you want to wear a MX top over your armour instead.
When you're going off road, IMHO, light is right, and lifting the bike up when you're wearing a Rallye II jacket is a complete and withering PITA.

[*Touring Ted*]

Originally Posted by discoenduro

The Klim Valdez impresses me. I was out in Morocco for a week of off-road in May. The Dakar pants ventilate well. On return to the UK I tried on the Valdez with full armour, and it was way lighter than wearing my BMW Rallye or Rukka Allroad jackets.
I'm buying the Valdez in a size larger than I would normally. Still fits fine, and then it has extra space for a body warmer and it's easy to fit over the Scorpion upper body armour. Even though it's Goretex Pro shell and has lots of zippers to ventilate it, on a hot day, it packs small if you want to wear a MX top over your armour instead.
When you're going off road, IMHO, light is right, and lifting the bike up when you're wearing a Rallye II jacket is a complete and withering PITA.

I think I saw that stuff at the HU meeting !! Looked really good but REALLY REALLY expensive. £500 for a thin gortex suit is crazy money.