Dririder or Teknic? Sidi or Forma? Easy decision? Not for me...

[crashalots]

So I have spent most of my motorcycle ownership life with the things in bits, but now finally I can do some riding... :scooter: but I need my gear.

I have been looking around different products and have 2 jackets and 2 boots to choose from (I think) within my price range:

Dririder Nordic Pro or the Teknic Stinger Jacket

Forma Arrow Dry Boot or the Sidi B2 Race Boot

Pros and cons being that the latter of each are more costy... but the stinger apparently has better armour, but the nordic is popular waterproof/warm gear :cold:. And as for the boots, well theyre sidi... thats good right? $75 better?

Would appreciate some experienced advice since I cant make up my mind. I'm open to completely new ideas too... :yes:

[Taz]

Jeans and a t-shirt work for me.

Try them both on and choose the one you find the most comfortable. Also you could try Mohsin Bike Wear in auckland he has some real nice stuff.

[p.dath]

I would also check out www.1tonne.co.nz, as they have good gear with sharp pricing. I'm probably going to get my next jacket and pants from them.

[crashalots]

Jeans and a t-shirt work for me.

Hahaha funny you should mention my "road test safety gear" that my girlfriend and mother hate... :rockon:

[CookMySock]

Dririder Nordic Pro or the Teknic Stinger JacketDriRider jackets can be a little fragile.

The inner waterproof membrane that is real easy to rip - then it's not waterproof after that.

Zips aren't that great - tend to pop apart.

Plastic buckles snap in two real easy - don't pull on them.

Draw string around the waist is basically useless.

Don't pull on the seams, coz they split.

Other than that, they are nice and warm in the winter and too hot in the summer. I crashed one, and it held up quite nicely.

Steve

[vifferman]

The first priority has to be good fit, especially with clothes, as if they don't fit well, it doesn't matter how good the armour is if it's not held in place over the bits it's supposed to be protecting. Armour is easily replaced anyway.
Also, gear is best if it fits so well and is so comfortable that you don't notice it when you're riding. If you're thinking about how the boots are pinching your toes, or the gloves are bunching up under your palms, or the collar of the jacket is irritating, then it distracts you from riding well.

After that, there are things that may not be readily apparent that make a difference, like how well the zips and velcro stand up to daily use. Are the seams stitched properly so they don't come apart when you're body-surfing the big asphalt wave? Will the gear still be waterprrof in 6 months time?
Some of this stuff you can find out from the dealer, but other stuff you'll have to ask specific questions of users to find out.

I have a Teknic jacket (hurricane), now semi-retired, and had many years of happy service from it. I have no experience with Dri-rider, apart from some crappy gloves that fell apart from daily use.

[p.dath]

...I crashed one, and it held up quite nicely.


Ahh, the acid test. :yes:

[R1madness]

the Sidi boots are worth the extra money. I can definitly vouch for their protection and they are (almost) waterproof in most conditions.
Either jacket will be fine but check the armour fits where it should.

[BMWST?]

i have a teknik freeway jacket.Seems very well made and armour in elbows shoulder and a back protector.Lots of pockets and vents.Vent zips are waterproof ones.Adjustment at upper arm wrist and waist.The liner can be folded away in to a big rear pocket.I have ridden in very heavy rain but only for half hour or so.Front zip has no cover in front of it,but the flap behind has a return flap that should stop water coming past.
I realise that these comment MAY NOT apply to the stinger.I got the freeway for its extra length cos i am 6 3 with a longer body

[Quasievil]

So I have spent most of my motorcycle ownership life with the things in bits, but now finally I can do some riding... :scooter: but I need my gear.

I have been looking around different products and have 2 jackets and 2 boots to choose from (I think) within my price range:

Dririder Nordic Pro or the Teknic Stinger Jacket

Forma Arrow Dry Boot or the Sidi B2 Race Boot

Pros and cons being that the latter of each are more costy... but the stinger apparently has better armour, but the nordic is popular waterproof/warm gear :cold:. And as for the boots, well theyre sidi... thats good right? $75 better?

Would appreciate some experienced advice since I cant make up my mind. I'm open to completely new ideas too... :yes:

WWW.QMOTO.CO.NZ

Better spec than the Stinger and lower price with a better guarantee

Shameless plug, but hey who cares Im off racin later !!!

[BMWST?]

WWW.QMOTO.CO.NZ

Better spec than the Stinger and lower price with a better guarantee

Shameless plug, but hey who cares Im off racin later !!!

he wants a textile jacket doesnt he?

[crashalots]

Better spec than the Stinger and lower price with a better guarantee

Which one were you meaning? I couldnt see any under $399...

[Hitcher]

Choice of winter overjacket? One word: Goretex. Accept no imitations.

[jono035]

Motomail seems to mostly stock Rev'It stuff, which I've found to be pretty comfy. Have only been out in light rain so far but stayed dry, no surprises there really. Fit was good, even for a tall scrawny guy and has Knox armor elbows/shoulders/knees. Quite happy for around-town commuting, although if I end up driving outside auckland I'll be getting some leather...

[crashalots]

Motomail seems to mostly stock Rev'It stuff, which I've found to be pretty comfy. Have only been out in light rain so far but stayed dry, no surprises there really. Fit was good, even for a tall scrawny guy and has Knox armor elbows/shoulders/knees. Quite happy for around-town commuting, although if I end up driving outside auckland I'll be getting some leather...

Yeah I had a Revit jacket that I had used about 2 times before I came off at around 30kph and the elbow just went completely to pieces! Was very surprised considering if I had been on the motorway I would have been going much much faster... scary thought! :shit:

Have been into cycletreads tonight and have decided against the dririder gear. The armour inside is just like foam off a camping mattress which wouldnt protect me much more than a garden bag wrapped around my limbs.

Too bad they didnt have any Teknic gear to try for size, even the Ixon gear was better protected.

I think I will be pondering this for awhile now...

Thanks for everyones input! Quazi - I will come and see you before I go for a track day :soon:

[CookMySock]

Choice of winter overjacket? One word: Goretex. Accept no imitations.I borrowed my mates goretex jacket and went walking in the bush with it. After two hours in the rain the jacket and I were totally drenched, and my cellphone (in the waterproof cellphone pocket) was completely fucked. NOT IMPRESSED with goretex.

I went to town this evening wearing my brand new cheapo ($71) Mohsin textile jacket with heated liner. Air temp outside 3degC, and after a 40min ride I was mint.. hands slightly on the cool side, but no shivers and no white fingertips, and this was with summer-weight leather gloves (with heated grips though.) $71 is damn good bang for the buck. Haven't been in the rain with it yet.


Steve

[BMWST?]

Yeah I had a Revit jacket that I had used about 2 times before I came off at around 30kph and the elbow just went completely to pieces! Was very surprised considering if I had been on the motorway I would have been going much much faster... scary thought! :shit:

Have been into cycletreads tonight and have decided against the dririder gear. The armour inside is just like foam off a camping mattress which wouldnt protect me much more than a garden bag wrapped around my limbs.

Too bad they didnt have any Teknic gear to try for size, even the Ixon gear was better protected.

I think I will be pondering this for awhile now...

Thanks for everyones input! Quazi - I will come and see you before I go for a track day :soon:
track days.....you want leather mate....with a good waterproof overjacket for when it rains...warm too

[howdamnhard]

track days.....you want leather mate....with a good waterproof overjacket for when it rains...warm too

What he said.DriRider isn't dry after a while. Both jacket and boots leaked like a sieve after a while.Had quality issues with my tecknic gloves. Got some nice Quasi leathers now.

[vifferman]

The armour inside is just like foam off a camping mattress
Exactly like the neoprene used for camping mattresses, or just similar? The reason I ask is that the newer types of armour are foam, rather than the foam-backed plastic of a few years ago. However (but!) it's not just ordinary neoprene, but a denser kind of material that absorbs impacts better. In an accident, hard armour tends to do more damage to the area around a joint (soft tissue, ligaments and tendons) so it's been phased out.
In any case, like I mentioned earlier in this thread, armour is readily replaced, and is relatively cheap.

[Hitcher]

I borrowed my mates goretex jacket and went walking in the bush with it. After two hours in the rain the jacket and I were totally drenched, and my cellphone (in the waterproof cellphone pocket) was completely fucked. NOT IMPRESSED with goretex.
Sounds like a warranty claim to me.

And pockets in Goretex jackets are rarely waterproof -- generally because they are outside of the Goretex liner. This is the same reason why gloves should NEVER be worn outside the sleeves on a Goretex jacket when it's raining.

[crashalots]

Exactly like the neoprene used for camping mattresses, or just similar? The reason I ask is that the newer types of armour are foam, rather than the foam-backed plastic of a few years ago. However (but!) it's not just ordinary neoprene, but a denser kind of material that absorbs impacts better. In an accident, hard armour tends to do more damage to the area around a joint (soft tissue, ligaments and tendons) so it's been phased out.
In any case, like I mentioned earlier in this thread, armour is readily replaced, and is relatively cheap.

Hey are you the guy from the shop? Thats what he said! haha

Yeah I agree with you completely that the foam was likely much more "high tech" than mattress foam, but I cant help but feel concerned that it just wont be enough. The ixon stuff with the foam backed plastic seems to provide the best of both worlds. Surface abrasion and impact dampening.

But if I was that concerned yeah I would probably just replace it like you say.

[Winston001]

Motoline jacket.

I have a mate who is....er...interested in detail. To select a jacket he brought a few home home from the shop, filled each with newspaper, and put a spray hose on it for half an hour.

The jacket with dry newspaper........Motoline. Well made, similar prices to Dryrider etc, and three layers. Outer, one breathable+waterproof, and innermost warm liner. All removable. Easy to do up and comfortable to wear.

[Winston001]

As for boots, here is a pretty useful discussion http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=89227&highlight=boots

Personally I'd go for the Sidi. I have had a pair of full leather motocross style Sidi boots for 10 years. Certainly I've looked after them but they are still dry, no loose stitching, and the drawstring for the inner hasn't broken. Only used for road riding.

As Ixion says, ultimately the best boot is full high-grade leather and you keep putting wax or whatever on it. Motorcycle boots are not shoes.

[LaytonNZ]

So I have spent most of my motorcycle ownership life with the things in bits, but now finally I can do some riding... :scooter: but I need my gear.

I have been looking around different products and have 2 jackets and 2 boots to choose from (I think) within my price range:

Dririder Nordic Pro or the Teknic Stinger Jacket

Forma Arrow Dry Boot or the Sidi B2 Race Boot

Pros and cons being that the latter of each are more costy... but the stinger apparently has better armour, but the nordic is popular waterproof/warm gear :cold:. And as for the boots, well theyre sidi... thats good right? $75 better?

Would appreciate some experienced advice since I cant make up my mind. I'm open to completely new ideas too... :yes:

Get a revit jacket..I Swear by it. Iv'e had 2 crashs in mine and im still in one piece.

[Winston001]

Get a revit jacket..I Swear by it. Iv'e had 2 crashs in mine and im still in one piece.

LOL thats the way to test!

Seriously - textile jackets are not expected or made to stand up to accidents. The fact they sometimes do has everything to do with the type of crash. Its a tradeoff for lower price but warmer, against stronger but costlier leather.

[jono035]

Get a revit jacket..I Swear by it. Iv'e had 2 crashs in mine and im still in one piece.

Most of my gear is Rev'It, good to hear, thanks!

[jono035]

LOL thats the way to test!

Seriously - textile jackets are not expected or made to stand up to accidents. The fact they sometimes do has everything to do with the type of crash. Its a tradeoff for lower price but warmer, against stronger but costlier leather.

Yeah, there are a few things that can be tell-tale though, as Quasi has mentioned many times... Things like seams busting, zips breaking apart etc.

I'd rather hear someone crashed in the gear twice and it was fine then hear nothing about it...

[LaytonNZ]

Iv'e Traded paint with a car, Jacket stood up well.

Iv'e Slipped on the white line and slid down the road my Textile pants didnt hold up so well..Hole in the ass.:shit:

[jono035]

Iv'e Traded paint with a car, Jacket stood up well.

Iv'e Slipped on the white line and slid down the road my Textile pants didnt hold up so well..Hole in the ass.:shit:

That, admittedly, sounds a little less positive...

[LaytonNZ]

But in the defence of textile pants, They're a shity brand! Cheapo's. I have a leather suit aswell, but i dont tend to wear it its not as cumfy nor as warm, But i feel cooler!:D

[jono035]

But in the defence of textile pants, They're a shity brand! Cheapo's. I have a leather suit aswell, but i dont tend to wear it its not as cumfy nor as warm, But i feel cooler!:D

Fair call, I like the feeling of the extra layer of protection plus the knee armor in the pants, I forget I'm wearing them pretty quick too. It's only really the gloves that are taking a bit of getting used to, and I think that's because they need to stretch a bit more.

[LaytonNZ]

What kinda gloves have you got? Iv'e got light weight sport gloves and theyre perfect nice and thin so i can feel whats going on

[jono035]

Some waterproof Rev'It ones I picked up with the rest of my gear, only part of my gear that I find difficult and hot during afternoon riding, hoping they wear in otherwise I might get a 2nd pair for when its dry, was going to leave getting a set of dry-weather gear until I was venturing a bit further afield than Mt Eden to CBD commuting.