I can't decide what to wear in Africa ? Body armour or leather jacket !
 

I'm having a last minute moment of indecision about what to wear for my Uk-South Africa trip. I leave in under 24 hours so no time for shopping trips.

I bought Acerbis Koerta body armour as I was feeling a little paranoid. I was going to wear this along with a thin water proof... After trying it all on tonight (yes last minute) im having doubts !

http://renz.co.za/catalog/images/Koerta.jpg

Iv never used it before. It's VERY bulky, aukward and HOT !! I look like an American football player and its a pain to take on and off. It's restrictive to move in and obviously has no pockets. VERY protective but I can see myself getting anoyed with it. I've worn body armour on enduro holidays and it's hot and aukward although you do forget it's on once your riding... Lots of funny looks in petrol stations and shops though.

I also have a summer vented "Wolf" leather Jacket which I pretty much live and sleep in. I think this will also be very hot but no more than the armour and much easier to live with ! I can use the thin waterproof over this too.

Its very similar to this buy has perferated panels for cooling !!

http://www.harpersraceshop.co.uk/usrimage/cat6352.jpg



What are you thoughts ???? I'm wearing Akito desert trousers...

Cheers, Ted

Take the leather jacket and the back protector, if you can remove it from the body armour (they can often be removed).

That way, if you choose to ride without the jacket for comfort, then at least the most importatn is protected under a different top.

The backprotector is built into the suit. It's the "frame" of the whole thing. It can't be removed.

I think body armour was still a good idea, I just think I got the biggest and bulkiest one on the market ....

I might go and buy a back protector on the way to the ferry ! :)

Bottom line is that protection is great, but it's never a guarantee of no harm. Still, I tend to always were all my gear. However, I wore all my kit in Argentina and I remember the heat between Neuquen and Bahia Blanca: OMG!!!

So my way of thinking about it is that comfort, being able to concentrate and not getting dehydrated mega-fast is as important to your safety and I'm thinking that there are times when full body armour may be veeery hot...

I reckon buying a back protector wold be a good compromise. Might I permit myself to suggest a model?:innocent:

I've got a BMW one. Comfy, dense foam and plastic plates, neck to tail bone and collar bone protection too. If you can ignore the brand they do seem good: I like mine...

Ultimately, it's your call, but it will be very hot out there at times: bear that in mind. If you think it won't affect your riding or your enjoyment, then take the armour... I suspect there is bound to be times when you'll wish you'd taken then option you left behind!

Sure !! Do you know the model ?? I'm not as anti BMW as people think ! :rofl:

It's called a BMW Back Protector 2:

http://www.ascycles.com/images/products/72607671326.jpg

and it makes you look reeealy cool!!:innocent:

http://www.calmoto.com/images/shop//...rotector-2.jpg

Looks good !! Looks hot too, but I like that it has a kidney belt !! Definately a good compromise.

At £100 though ?????? Thats almost what I paid for the Acerbis suit ! :helpsmilie:

I wonder if it's something a BMW has on the shelf though. They usually order in stuff like that don't they.

It is warm, but the foam does have air holes under the mesh outer. Not coll but certainly would be hotter without.

TBH, any back proctector will make you warm. For example, I wore a Dianese body armour vest when I was a courier in London and there was nothing worse that having to slip into that sodden armour and then a jacket in the height of summer. And the smell.....:blushing:

Alternatives:
I bought an insert for my partner's jacket as she didn't want to bother with extra kit to carry about. They also do larger sizes, but would you find one in a dealer on the shelf.... It's a soft protector, so thicker, but is airier:
Forcefield.

Yet another alternative.
Take the body armour, and buy a lightweight summer jacket from, say, HG on the way South... (and live with the smell!)

Not helping am I?

And put the armour where ??? lol

All replies are helpful !! Maybe i'll flip a coin....

Truth be told, I think it's a bit late now: buying new jackets of armour is probably not realistic, unless you just hedge your bets on any bikeshops you cross on the way south.

If that is not an option, perhaps a flip of the coin is your best bet. As I said, there'll be times when you'll wish you had the other...

You could always take both and mail one back if it becomes clear that it's not up to the task...

This is the jacket we use for touring in warm climates....
Firstgear Torrent Mesh Motorcycle Jacket - BikeBandit.com

Tough one.
Does your leather jacket have any built in armor at all? Elbow guards?
Any sort of back protection built in? How well does it vent? Hopefully that mesh will flow some air. You can also unzip a bit. Wet scarf or T-Shirt helps, wet helmet too.

I think Warthog's idea of the separate back protector is very good. If you're comfortable with your Wolf jacket, go with it and add the back protector ... if it fits underneath without making the jacket too tight. (???)

I've been through this same sort of pickle a few times too. I like elbow guards that also protect the forearm. If it gets very hot you could ditch the jacket (make SURE it's tied on securely ... and DO zip up pockets!) and wear just back protector and elbow guards over a long sleeve dirt jersey ... Elbow guards can save a broken arm. (trust me on this one!)
Many riding jackets have Elbow guards but few stay in place in a crash. I like strap on ones. Take the stocker out of your jacket and wear your own. These stay in place when you need them. Same goes (for me) with knee guards. I've made my own. But I have a $200,000 Titanium plate in my leg so take extra care.

Look at Dainese and Alpinestar back protectors too. Maybe a bit cheaper than the BMW one?

Much is going to depend on the weather. My guess is that its going to be pretty hot for at least another month. And as you head further South, aren't they getting heading towards their Summer (like by November?) So could be hot the whole way? Dunno.
Main thing is keep it on the wheels and may the NO FLAT Fairies ride with you! beer

Ted,

My tuppence worth...

I would go with layers, that'll give you the most options.

Start with your chosen base layer
Then your gimp suit (body armour) and knee-pads or braces
The a lightweight top (MX jersey in "quiet" colour)

If it's hot and dry that'll be plenty
A bit cold add a lightweight windproof/waterproof
A lot cold add a fleece before the windproof.

I might take a heavyweight but ventable (is that even a word) enduro-type jacket. I have shredded a few windproofs "looking for badgers"

Whatecer you decide isn't set in stone. You can always dump some stuff on the way.

I know some would say you don't need the body armour but I will happily accept some bulk and heat over pain and breakages any time.

Have fun.

Keep safe.

Keep us updated if you can.


Regards


BYT

Ted, I've long since concluded that you just really like to torture yourself with decisions. It's possible that you don't even like riding much: you only indulge in actual journeys themselves in order to provide an unending stream of absolutely crucial decision points at which to dither and mull and reformulate and express your public perplexity. In point of fact, it doesn't much matter what you bring for riding gear: as others have pointed out, no matter what you wear it'll be inappropriate often, perfect seldom, and a workable compromise during the remainder.

Having said that, you might consider just going by default with whatever everyone else is wearing. In other words, leave the leathers behind and ditch the full motocross armour; get a lightly armoured mesh or goretex touring jacket (don't get hung up on the choices; just grab one off the rack on your way south somewhere) and resign yourself to endless second-guessing until, at minimum, the end of your trip.

It doesn't matter. It never did matter. Believing that it matters (which the Buddhists call "attachment") is indeed the root of all human suffering. Just go.

Mark

(one week from re-taking possession of my actual home from the tenants who have been unknowingly paying for the past 11.5 months of motorcycle travel)

Check which one makes your bum look the biggest, and go with the other.

I think im going with this option !!! :rofl:

ahhhh mark, I know you're right !! :thumbup1:

It doesn't really matter, and nothing will be perfect !! If i didn't waste my time worring about insignificant things like this, i'd only have to watch crap TV or do gardning, DIY etc ! lol

For what it's worth....
 

I travelled for 7 months in Africa with a denim jacket and some forcefield shoulder and elbow pads, all worked well for me.

When it comes to Africa, keep it simple..

Safe trip.

Ed, I can't believe you asked this question. I've told you over and over, whatever shows your g-string/thong off best, I'm not going to be looking at your shoulders from behind. :scooter: :scooter:

Seems like you've been THINKING too much. doh

Yep, same situation for me Mangochi after my leather jacket got stolen whilst boarding the river barge in Lisala. Ted, you are being TERRIBLY anal about this and I do believe Mark has you well sussed. :cool4:

Well I went with the body Armour..

I wore a football shirt under it, an MX jersey over it along with my windproof over jacket.

It was actually very comfortable but FREEZING cold !! I left at 6am, just as the sun was coming out and didnt really warm up at all even though it was a very sunny, clear day !!

Since as I was chilly in the UK in Summer, it should be just right for Africa !!


hmmm.. I don't think im being THAT anal. I'll be stuck in this gear for 6 months and won't have the oppurtinity to economically change it so I think it was a good idea to think it through and gather opinions !!

:thumbup1:

Interesting...I've often thought about body armour with a trekking jacket rather than a bike jacket, which are often ridiculously priced anyway. And a trekking jacket is useful; saves weight too, in avoiding having two jkts, for on bike and off bike. A trekking jkt won't have any abrasion resistance of course, which is a problem. But on uncertain unmetalled roads, maybe this is less of a problem.

In my findings on this, I'm told that most biker back injuries are caused by a torsional movement, which makes back protectors pretty useless, as they don't resist a twisting movement. There is some protection from impact with a back protector, but a bit of camping mat might serve just as well for that.

Additionally, back protectors are sweaty, unhygienic things, and can spoil your travels. If these findings prove correct, then back protectors are mostly a waste of time, comfort and money.

But body armour is a real option.

Most of all, Markharf is right.

I'm surprised you went with the Acerbis. Sounded like you were set on the Wolf jacket. Either way, its all good.

I think you'll adapt to the Pressure suit once you've lived in it for a few days, make a few adjustments. I think your take is correct ... things are gonna warm up. Once they do you should be fine. In the meantime ... add layers. I hope your wind breaker is WATER PROOF too. :mchappy:

In the end, I went for protection. And to be honest, I bought it JUST for this trip and it cost so much I just couldn't leave it behind..

As for the shell, its my 10 year old Shimano MTB jacket. :biggrin3:

Another 2 bits
 

I'd go with the armour. I've been riding through Africa since late Dec. and while I'm okay with my BMW Rally 2Pro gear my big complaints are (that relate directly to your question):

-The armour shifts since it isn't strapped to me, but to the jacket/pants.
-You can't just hose down the armour and wash the jacket/pants, you have to go through the annoying task of removing the armour from the everything.
-Even with all the vents (2 side,2 back,2 full arm length,2 top chest) it still gets hot and I can't take the jacket off. Straight armour would be hot, but wouldn't have the all-round coverage of a textile suit.
-If I want to be waterproof I have to add the gortex insert, but I can't remove the rest of the jacket because it contains the armour.

So, look at that, then add the fact that your other jacket is leather and most likely not as breathable as a textile suit and....

On a side note, what I'd like to have right now is my same jacket with all the armour removed and then wear an armour suit under that. That way I could wear the best mix for what I was doing without it being all or nothing.

Ive been on the road for 10 days and im already thinking about sending the armour home and buying a jacket in Barcelona.

Reasons....

It takes too long put on and take off. Loads of zips, straps, adjustments etc etc. People end up waiting for me to get ready and sort out my "layers"

Its too bulky on small bike with roll bags on the back seat (prob my fault). Im constantly wriggling around trying to get comfortable.

I cant just jump off the bike, sit down and have a coffee without everyone looking at me like a total S&M fetish wierdo. I really miss just dropping my jacket on the back of a chair and being instantly unwrapped.

I find it difficult to get the right "layers". Its too cold on the highway but too hot when not moving. I haven't even left Spain yet and im panting in the sun with only a single thin base layer.

Anyway, I don't regret buying it. I'll use it for green laning and Enduro holidays. I don't think its really working for me on a long trip like this. It's just too "fussy" !!

Live n learn eh !!!!

On longer trips I normally use a light rally jacket without lining but lot of vents, some protection and a camel-back. I Find it important that I can open and close the front vents when I drive.

Off course mine is with an expensive badge you don't like to much, but if you find something good please let us know. I'm looking for a new jacket, my old one has 230kkm.... :thumbup1:

Posted 9-11-2010 5:18 pm PST

Howdy Ted,
riding all "on road" thus far? Maybe leave the armor strapped on the back for road riding? Most guys I know who pressure suits do so only off road. Obviously, your trip will involve lots of both, so makes it tough. This is a hard thing to get just right and weather is changeable and hard to predict.
My buddies leave the thing on a rest stops unless more than half hour.

I certainly get the "Fussy" part. I am not of fan of Fussy gear either.
Once you get into Africa and your buddies start getting spit off and Augering in hard ... you may then appreciate the armor a bit more? :helpsmilie:

I bring my Gerbing jacket even on hot weather trips. Instant warmth, only takes the space of a wind breaker, yet performs like 3 layers. Useful but not sure your DRZ's elec. output is up to producing the required 77 watts.

Spain has fantastic gear. When I was there gear was much cheaper than UK. Andorra was even cheaper. No idea on current prices but the shops are outstanding and sometimes grouped in clusters (like Japan) for easy shopping.

Suerte y suave caminos !

I have the same body armour and wore it for my Morocco adventure. Would not have beenwithout it, though I never fell off so didn't need it!

Over the top I wore a Joe Rocket mesh jacket - other's wore an MX jersey. When it's 36 degrees you'll be glad of it and the venting it provides, rather than a leather jacket all clogged with dust and flies.

Never bothered taking it off at rest stops, just kept the mesh jacket on and undid the zips / waist belt.

It's fussy for a reason: to keep the armour in the right places sould you execute some gymnastic performance before making contact with terra-firma. A suit with the armour attached is never guarantee'd to do that.

Stick with it, and I hope you never have to rely on it, but if you do you'll be glad you were wearing it!

I don't think it looks too wacky:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...00GS/th_23.jpg

And even it if does, I certainly didn't care!

Body Armour or Rally Jacket
 

I would have said body armour until rode around in an Dri-rider rally X jacket for 3 months.

It has armour in all the normal spots, a camel back style hydration pack, removable layers (thermal, water proof) and of course lots of pockets.

The armour will give better protection but the jacket is easier to live with.

Interesting thread. I've been having a similar (though maybe slightly less agonized) conundrum for my trip around Aussie. I'll probably end up using a pressure suit because I'd like to ride a bit more aggressively this time.

The armour has already been sent home..

Im MUCH happier in my new Sidi summer jacket and back protector. I can throw it off and off in under 10 seconds instead of 10 minutes. That makes a HUGE deal when you riding through 39c heat in Cairo !!

Sure, it's not as safe as a turtle suit but either is passing out from heat exhaustion and dehydration while trying to navigate the crazy traffic.

Thanks all for the comments.... I WILL be using the Acerbis suit for shorter trips into the wilds.

Hey Ted, nice blog :thumbup1:. Keep it coming and stay out of trouble :biggrin:.

No promises :D

Good job Ted & Company! I learned to hire Taxi's to lead me cross town many moons ago. Well worth the cost, IMO. Learn the word for "SLOW" !!! :biggrin3:

Can't believe you never used the Taxi technique in Latin America? Navigating Buenos Aires or Mexico City is daunting. Bangkok even worse, there I got a guy on a bike to lead me ... Bought him lunch!

GPS helping at all with this?

And how is your new jacket in the heat, riding in the City?

Ride Safe guys, rubber side down!

Never needed taxis in South America. The GPS maps I had were great (mapia etc), the road signs were in words I could understand and my Spanish wasn't too bad either.

In Egypt the signs are 99% of the time in Arabic, the driving 10x as crazy and the GPS maps I have are DREADFUL.. I have the T4A maps which are wrong ALL THE TIME and are actually worse than no map at all at times. I also have smellybiker maps on another card which just revert back to the basemap.

I hear these maps get better the further South.. heres hoping.

My trick is to find a place name in English, get a hotel worker (english speaker) to translate it into arabic so I can show it to a cabby and just pay him when we get there. If he drives off too fast, he loses his fare.

The new jacket with back protector is working out pretty well upto now. I'd still prefer having the protection of the Koertia, but on a long, hot trip it just doesnt work for me.

Ted,
We are hot on your tail and arrive Egypt 24th. I am just sorting out gps mapping at the moment and have smellybiker and T4a. I also have OSM FREE open source maps and they look excellent particularly for Cairo. Don't know if you have them but worth a look if you don't. They may be equally as crap in real life!!!
Cheers,
Robin

T4A are useless in Egypt and the smelly biiker ones are worse again. It just reverts back to basemap.

We are currently with a guy with OSM and yes, they are EXCELLENT !! Make sure you have them as you're gonna need em :)

Im hoping to get them onto my 2610 but I didnt bring a laptop OR the power lead lol.

We are STILL in Cairo waiting for our visas. Its been a week for the Sudanese ones and you cant get the Ethiopian ones without it.

PM me your route and if you need and info, Ted

Nice trip you do, Touring Ted.

I have tried various manufacturers protective clothing items, at the end, the BMW Rallye suit is probably the best allrounder for our local climate in Johannesburg for all year conditions. In summer it gets hot and you have to keep the zips open, but beats leather.

Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down. Say hi, should you come via Jo'burg.........:mchappy:

good point

On reflexion... The body armor was a terrible idea ! REALLY hot and a pain to get on and off.. Great for any shorter offroad trips though.

I'm so glad I didn't take leather too. I bought a thin summer jacket in Barcelona and even in that I was SWELTERING !!!

That is great advise! Lessons learned from experience.

I wore it for a month trip in the Far North Queensland (Cape York) glad I did too. Oh and you might have heard gets warm up there. 40+ everyday.

Leather, ah that would be funny..

Hi,

If you want to be save you should not go to africa ;)The clothes you are going to wear also decide what the local people think about you. With big protection stuff you will look as if you have come from mars and will be treeted like money on legs but i realized if you are wearing normal stuff like jeans the locals will be very friendly to you

Travel save, Tobi
Riding the rough west coast through Africa part 3

Good point hadn't thought about that.doh

Pardon me, but you're going to look like some sort of space alien with your bike no matter how you dress. We all do (with a few possible exceptions), and thinking you won't is pure delusion. Those who see you as a walking wallet won't be confused by a pair of jeans, some flip flops, or your favorite Hawaiian shirt.

What's more many of us have had occasion to be thankful we were wearing armor when our luck ran dry. So take the above as one point of view among many--not as given truth.

Mark

The choice of jackets doesn't limit itself to leather. Personally don't like it. For Queensland summer heat in muggy forrests on the adventure bike I wear a mesh jacket. You can get convertable ones with zip on panels. Heaps better than vents. Don't care how much klim and others work with the venturi effect. They just don't do it as well. In similar conditions I was swealtering with a vented jacket and pefectly fine with a mesh jacket riding into the 40's C.

On the trail bike I wear a pressure suit only, but wouldn't even consider wearing it RTW. I get sore after wearing is for a few days and it does suck putting on and off. Fine for a weekend. But with a mesh jacket you get just as much air flow. Only down side is protection (due to movement of armour) but that is with any road gear vs off road gear so a non issue for RTW really.

Yeah... Rolling into any town of village in the developing world on a big motorbike covered in luggage will get plenty of attention. No matter what you're wearing.

Although, pulling into a coffee shop in Paris in fully body armour MX gear will certainly get more gasps and looks of disgust than plain old biker gear.

I've toured in West Africa on a little local DT with just a tatty duffel bag tied on for baggage, dressed in nothing special. I got as much attention from the local populace, including police and soldiers, as when I've toured on a giant bike (KLR) with hard cases front and rear and a mass of stickers. Believe me, locals know you don't belong; they're more observant than we are, and they know how to separate significant input from visual background noise.

It's true that full-on MX gear from toes to cervical collar might draw more attention in some quarters than yer favorite time-mellowed leather jacket....but we're talking about touring in Africa here. Or at least, that's where you started the thread....asking questions, then ignoring the answers, then adjusting once or twice enroute until you ended up right where you might as easily have begun.

Or do I mis-remember? I get so confused by all the "what-to-wear-hard-or-soft-panniers-how-to-farkle threads.

enjoy,

Mark

(saving for another trip someday--maybe 2025 or so, when my accounts return to positive terrain)

Well it's all pretty irrelevant now. The poll is a year old and it was just a bit of pre-trip juggling.. The trip's over and everyones home and happy....

The correct answer was that there was no correct answer. Armour was too hot and impractical and the leather would of had me passing out in the heat.

It's not illegal to ask opinions then not do as you're told ! It all turned out well in the end and the world kept turning.

bier

You keep insisting on leather Ted. You're right. Totally inappropriate.

http://cuirmale.nl/history/img/1950s-3.jpg

When I'm king of the world, it'll be illegal. Until then, you're in the clear.

My apologies for sounding grumpier than I meant.

Mark

Soooo spill the beans TTed what did you find was practical in the end - experience is the best teacher and I am happy to say I'm a student.

Once in Barcelona and totally pissed off with the MX Armour, I put it in a box with a load of other stuff I had over packed (as always) and sent it home.

I went to a big bike gear outlet with the help of some local bikers I met. I bought a SIDI lightweight summer jacket with shoulder and elbow armour. It had no back protection so I also bought a 40 euro C.E. Back protector to go with it. (which also makes a great campsite seat)

It was actually a really nice combo. It was way cooler in the heat (it had vent zips too) and I could just wear a jumper under it if it was cold and throw an anorak over the top if it rained hard.

I kept my Akito Desert pants which lasted REALLY well (I was surprised). My only fault with the pants was the knee armour was all over the place so I discarded it.

I used AlpineStars Tech 10 boots which saved my toes from certain breaks in a few offroad tumbles. However, they're very rigid and not at all waterproof. I would maybe use the tech 3 All-terrain boot now or Sidi Couriers.

:scooter:

Beaudy Newc, Hopefully I can pass the test. bier

I have no doubts !! :thumbup1:

Real Research for the fashionistas....
 

Dear Touring Ted and others,

I will offer the relevance of my research, to this thread, after the research design and results are described.

This may be of some interest to you, as 'fashionistas' and others posting here and then again, maybe not, no acccounting for the taste of HUBBERS but, I could not in good conscience resist posting. Others and yourself have covered appropriately the issue of body protection in the event of accident or personal attack by man or beast.

But the social aspects, although touched upon, lack any real validation by accepted statistical research standards.

While in graduate school for a graduate course in Cultural Anthropology, at the University of Florida I wrote a journal article entitled "Dress Styles and the Effect on Social Interaction" my paper was very well received and I was able to sell the research results to a company known as "Banana Republic," specializing in cross cultural garb.

Now, here is a brief overview of the results to one of my research survey questions that was asked of 40 male students and 40 female students.

After providing 10 photos of a male with the face blurred out, but dressed in 10 very different dress styles beginning with cut offs (faded jeans cut into short pants) and tank tops to three piece business suits with tie...

....the question was asked of the 40 male and the 40 female students "who would you rather spend a free hour with in the *Empty Keg."

*local student gathering place

Then, I provided 10 photos of a female with the face blurred out but dressed in 10 very different dress styles beginning with the same "Daisy Duke short shorts and tank top" through "professional work appropriate" dress styles to a black cocktail dress.

....the question was asked of the same 40 male and 40 female students "who would you rather spend a free hour with in the Empty Keg?

Although the male model was posed exactly the same for all 10 fotos male dress styles and the female model was posed exactly the same for all 10 female dress styles, the test subjects did not know it was the same male in all 10 photos and it was the same female in all 10 photos.

For each of the 40 males and 40 females interviewed I noted which of the 10 male or female dress styles represented in the photos best described the way each was dressed at the time of the interview.

Here is an overview of selected results of my research.

1. The 40 men interviewed selected the photo of the man dressed in a style that most approximated , what he was wearing at the time of the interview, or selected the photo of the man dress more formally.

2. The 40 men overwhelmingly selected the photo of the woman dressed in a style that revealed more bare skin. You might say the "sexy" dress styles were overwhelmingly favored.

3. The 40 women overwhelmingly selected the photo of the woman who was dressed more similarly to what she was wearing or strangely enough - looked more casual than she was dressed during the time of the interview.

4. the 40 woman overwhelmingly selected the photo of a man dress much , much more formally than she was at the time of the interview. It was quite interesting to discover that woman would rather spend time with a comparatively well dressed man.

There were many more results - but I need not list them here as my point has already been made.

One - Vietnam veteran - who was older than most of the other students I interviewed, was the only male who refused the survey by stating" I cannot judge who I would like to spend time with - by their clothing alone"

No woman interviewed made such a statement.

OK - what we have here is a willingness to be social on the part of men with other men who are dressed in a "familiar" fashion.

And, women are willing to spend social time with men who look sharp, are dressed well rather than dressed down to the level they may be dressed like at the time.

Survey results for the purpose of this thread. Go with the Marlon Brando "wild one" , James Dean "rebel" look no matter where you go in the world - influenced by media ,with very few exceptions the heat you will experience will not only be the result of the Sahara winds, but the perhaps the winds of friendship and even lust.

xfiltrate

Ride Hard, Ride Free

I just like to keep this thread going because it's fecking ridiculous ;-)

After thoughts
 

After a few beers and reading garmei's comments I realized:

1. no idea the definition of the descriptive adjective (I think) "fecking" used by garmei in his latest post to this thread. Linguistics mandates the "ing" ending might serve as a clue for a possible euphemistic idealization of another "ing" word that generally would be interpreted in this context as giving superlative emphasis to the following descriptive noun/adjective, (I can't figure out which) that follows.

2. I need to disclose that the opinions of dress style of an equally gender mixed sample of University of Florida students (cerca 1976) may or may not be representative of people encountered while touring Africa on a motorcycle.

3. Based on more extensive and conclusive research I can say when riding on any continent "Ride Hard" has a whole new meaning when one wears leathers.

xfiltrate

More fashion advice from the masses
 

So glad that we're still discussing teds fashion choices ages after he has returned because I need help too!

Planning Africa, west coast, currently in gear obsession mode.

Opinions please from those in the know - this is what I've got :

Top: armored jacket with mesh panels(rev it turbine) light insulating layer, waterproof layer

Bottom: either armored riding pants with mesh panels. OR carhartt double front pants with knee and hip armor inserted (this seems to work great! very comfortable and not sweaty) Waterproof pants over top of either

Will my all polyester nylon riding pants stink so bad that I won't want to put them on?will my heavy canvas pants take forever to dry when Im slogging thru mud in the Congo? Best compromise between the two?

Thanks for any opinions

Jacket wise, I'd get a lightweight summer jacket with built in shoulder and elbow armour. No jackets come with decent back protection so I think I would always get a good quality and most importantly, a good fitting back protector. I wore mine all the way to Capetown and forgot I was even wearing it, even in the crazy desert heat.

Trousers wise, maybe look at the BMW Summer II pants. They get great reviews. Failing that, good summer weight riding pants with armour in all the right places..

Personally I find anything with internal water protection USELESS. What's the point in soaking your jacket through. They mostly leak anyway and make you sweat like a whore if you leave them in the jacket and then take AGES to remove/install etc.

Just get a cheap rain OVERCOAT and seperate rain proof OVER trousers. That way you can stay cool in the sun and just throw them on if it starts pissing down..

Best thing is, you can use them off the bike too so no need to pack another waterproof jacket.

For boots, look at these...

eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

They seem to be getting rave reviews off everyone.

I personally think anyone who rides a bike in the 3rd world in anything but proper armoured riding boots is asking for trouble... But that's just me.

thanks for the advice Ted - I appreciate the insights. I got a pair of Alpinestars Scout boots that are short of full motoX boots, but still very protective.

Sounds like I should be fine with what I've got and I just need to get on with it.

That's what we ALL should do...

But then we'd be taking half the fun out of it ;)

the new forcefield Pro Shirt now includes a back protector. main reason why I didn;t buy a forcefield so far.

I will order it for sure now:
Forcefield Pro Shirt | Forcefield Body Armour and Climate Control

I actually prefer the old forcefield action shirt paired with an l2 back protector above the new one.

Main reason is that this combo gives you the support of a kidney belt for manhandling the bike when you get stuck.

Quite like this.

It's a bit light for trails all day, an Axo would be much better. But on lots of paved and dirt roads it would be great. You'd need a dedicated riding long sleeve shirt though with all the dust and for sun protection.

Can't get this bloody embedded code to work on this forum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCfCDKj-V-o

I was flicking through our dealer copy of Adventure Bike rider...

It's a bit of a weekend dreamer magazine but the gear reviews are good. Who's testing them I don't know but they seem to know what makes good gear.

They really rated the 'Forcefield Pro Shirt'

Forcefield Pro Shirt | Forcefield Body Armour

I have heard good things about this company before. Full on MX armour is just too much. I tried it in Africa and it was a pain in the ass. Walking around like a Ninja turtle, sweating and uncomfortable.

http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com/...0front%20M.jpg

Stick with the local attire and go the loincloth mate ;-)

On a serious note
 

Dririder RallyCross Pro 2 Jacket

http://www.bikebiz.com.au/products/D...Pro-Pants.html

152 Quid for the Jacket and 87 Quid for the pants ;-0

For the money you cant buy better!

Quality gear which is versatile, dry & comfortable and you'll look as flash as a rat with a gold tooth ;-)

I don't need anything for Africa now... I've left, ridden and returned. This thread is years old :smartass:

Doh!
 

It's not the first time I've replied to an old thread doh

Still, the gear's bloody great mate bier