Team-BHP - The Riding Gear thread

Slightly off topic but relevant nonetheless.

I was around Pune over the weekend and the kiddo in me wanted to go the candy store (biking gear shop in normal people parlance). Saturday I visited "Biking Superstore" in Balewadi. Thoroughly disappointed as it seemed that store is only focussed only towards Givi luggage. No riding boots nor pants or jackets. The store wore a very deserted look.

I had also planned to visit the MX Store and my bad I didn't check. Apparently it remains shut on Sunday. So couldn't visit.

The kiddo in me was seriously disappointed.

Finally bought riding gear yesterday from 6Kiom, Kasturiba road, after dilly dallying for almost 3 months.

Bought the following:

1. RS Taichi Compass Air Jacket - 19,999
Added back armour additional - Complimentaory!
2. RS Taichi Compass Air pant - 15999
Added hip armours additional - 1952
3. Crampster by Rynox full gauntlet leather gloves - 4599
4. Rynox rain liner - 1450

Found RS Tainchis to be the most lightest of all riding gear i tried so far, Rynox being the most heaviest. There was Revit Eclipse also but it has level 1 armours. So went with RS Taichi

With discounts, it came to 44K.

Also added BOBO BM17H Mobile Phone Holder Mount and installed the same on the bike.

Had bought Clan shoes some time back and Shark RS Carbon helmet. So i am all set now to start riding/touring.

Will need to add a tail bag. Any suggestions? Also, will need to invest in a good touring shoes. There was Forma ADV boots for 22,500. Might pick it up. Any other suggestion for a good pair of riding Adv boots?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedrolourenco (Post 5803545)

Looking to upgrade to something better now.
- Riding Jacket with Level 2 Protectors for back, shoulders, elbows and chest. (Budget 6-7 K)
- Riding Pants with Level 2 Protectors for knees and hips (Budget 6-7 K)
- Full Gauntlet Gloves with Pinky bridge (Budget 4-6K)
- Riding Boots (Budget under 10K)

Already checked out 2 shops. Tried out mesh jackets from Axor, Rynox, DSG, BBG and Korda. Pants from Axor and Gloves from Rynox and Axor.

I checked out some gear at the RE dealership. There is a 25% discount on most of the stuff.
Tried out the following:
- Nirvik Jacket. Has all Level 2 Armours. Chest protectors included. XL fitted me snug with the winter line. Without the liner it was slightly loose. Overall was really nice. With the discount it was coming to a little over 11K. Giving it a serious thought. Only issue is Goa weather.
- Riding Pants. Couldn't figure out the model. There were no mesh sections or openings. Tried 34 over my jeans and it was a bit loose. SA said 32 would be too tight. He didn't have stock of 32 but said he could order. Price was a bit over 6K and there were no discounts.
- Full length Boots. The model was E39. Around 11k after discount. They only had Red/Black and Neon/Black. No stock in full black. Fit was good (size 10). Hardly any flex in the sole. However I found the fit and finish very average.

Will be going to the showroom tomorrow. Will check again. Otherwise will pick up a jacket and pant from Axor and Rynox Storm Evo 3 gloves. Boots I'll get Tarmac or Gadsyll full length.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiskeyTangoFox (Post 5777001)

Do check out the Royal Enfield Tso Kar pants too! They're a fully waterproof option. Nothing imo is more convenient than not having to struggle to put a rain pant on in full gear at the side of the road when its raining :D

Not sure if there were the pants I tried out. Don't see any other options on the website.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shyamg28 (Post 5784764)

Looks like the RE-Rev'it gear has made its way to stores.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil.jericho (Post 5094296)

To me, the best touring jacket below Rs 20,000 is easily the Royal Enfield Nirvik.

Quote:

Basically, you are getting Revit engineering and quality at Royal Enfield prices. The best of both worlds.

Does this mean that the Nirvik is a re-branded Rev'it jacket?

Quote:

Tomorrow, if I need to get a replacement for my Khardung La touring jacket, I will go for the Nirvik. For what it offers, I wont even consider another option.

This statement is tempting me to pick up the Nirvik.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher (Post 5807584)

But isn't Nirvik and Khardungla are jackets focussed towards colder climes. Not exactly suitable for hot/humid weather ridong

I think there's a divide in opinions on this. Some people prefer textile touring jackets with plenty of open/close-able vents.
While others prefer mesh jackets with layers.

Without a doubt, textile jackets would be the more protective ones.
I've worn the Khardungla and Nirvik jackets in store. They were quite comfortable and sat on the body relatively well.

I have toured with mesh as well as textile (Gore-Tex) jackets. I can for sure say that the mesh jacket was the more overall comfortable one. Unfortunately, I have a strong aversion to getting wet, so I now tour with my Gore-Tex jacket. I'm not so sure I would recommend that too much.

I will probably never go back to non-Gore-Tex pants ever. But I'm still willing to consider well ventilated, non-Gore-Tex jackets.
And if mesh is what that is today, I would have no problem. Our country is warm through the year on average, and layering up is an easy enough concept.
I have never felt "too much air/wind" with a mesh jacket.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shyamg28 (Post 5807611)

Without a doubt, textile jackets would be the more protective ones.
I've worn the Khardungla and Nirvik jackets in store. They were quite comfortable and sat on the body relatively well.

I have toured with mesh as well as textile (Gore-Tex) jackets. I can for sure say that the mesh jacket was the more overall comfortable one. Unfortunately, I have a strong aversion to getting wet, so I now tour with my Gore-Tex jacket. I'm not so sure I would recommend that too much.

May I know which Gore-Tex jacket you use?

I am getting confused between the terms textile, GoreTex, Cordura etc. Googling tells me that Goretex and Cordura are different and that RE's Nirvik and Khardungla are Cordura and not Goretex. Can both Goretex and Cordura be called textile?

Also, correct me if I am wrong, I don't think either of RE's jackets being discussed are waterproof since they don't have any goretex or dry* or whatever technology required. All I see on RE's website is this - "Water Resistance: Provides superior water resistance when paired with a waterproof rain jacket."

Quote:

Originally Posted by prakash_ajp (Post 5807801)

Check this out - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ride-...ml#post5774625

You're right, RE's Nirvik or Khardungla do not have a waterproof membrane built-in as such. However, I do believe they offer rain liners on top of the actual jacket.

After my recent accident involving the foot and even after 2 weeks, the big toe and ball of the foot are still not 100%. Am a recreational runner too and I can't have a serious foot/ ankle / leg injury that stops me from running!

While no one wants to have an accident and we take outmost care, it is also important that we prepared on what if something goes wrong. So protecting my lower limbs especially foot/ ankle /leg is of paramount importance.

With this thought, I started doing some research and understood that Motocross boots are safest and after that is the adventure full length boots. Setting myself of budget of Rs 30K and thereabouts, I started zeroing on brands / models. Some key criteria was full length, reputable brand, good general feedback and available in Mumbai- so that I can wear and check.

I have zeroed in on the following:

Forma Adventure
Falco

The above list is zeroed on because of availability of both brand and size (EU-41). I'm not looking at Raida or Tarmac because I'm not sure of their reviews.

I also want to explore Alpinestar Techstar 3, Gaerne, Leatt 3.5 but none of them seem to be available in Mumbai. I would prefer not ordering online without trying them on. Any pointers for them in Mumbai will be much appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by n_aditya (Post 5662543)

Jacket - go with the Royal Enfield Nirvik. I upgraded from my old Spartan Helios mesh jacket. The Nirvik is very well constructed and feels very premium. Only downside (for me) is that the inner pockets are way too low, almost near waist level which makes it uncomfortable to ride with the phone in the phone pocket. Another gripe is that the jacket is not very comfortable for riding in summers. If you need additional air ventilation, you need to remove the chest armor and open those vents.

Can you tell me how good the protection from rain is, if at all? The RE website doesn't appear to claim it is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by n_aditya (Post 5662543)

Pants - go with this one. Very well constructed and good quality armor.

Again, can you share your feedback on the waterproof aspect of this? Just curious. I nearly bought this, but none of the sizes would fit me as the knee protection was either too low or too high. Ended up buying the RS Taichi Drymaster.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher (Post 5807584)

But isn't Nirvik and Khardungla are jackets focussed towards colder climes. Not exactly suitable for hot/humid weather ridong

The other way of looking at it is
- Textile jackets for touring + controlled ventilation
- Mesh jackets for city usage + greater ventilation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedrolourenco (Post 5807429)

The Nirvik is an excellent jacket but its meant for touring. What is your usage going to be like? If it is for riding around Goa on weekends, you are better off with a mesh jacket.

A video came up on my youtube feed today from a dude called Tiger Kaul, who is a biker and has a bike accessories store also.Don't want to add the link here. He was reviewing a film type of material that you can paste on the visor of the helmet that prevents scratches and water marks (water just flows done without staying on the visor). Looked pretty good but want to know if such a contraption is necessary and should i invest in it?

I went for a long ride today and the visor was pretty scuffed up with bugs and muck. Cleaned it and seems to be fine now but want to know if some sort of protection is recommended.