‘I can justify every one of them – sure I can’ - I said to the Co-pilot as she gave me ‘that look’ (The one with the icicles hanging off it) and struggled to get her leathers back into the wardrobe.
Gallantly ducking the icy blow, I went over and squashed a few garments together to make her lot easier and came to an embarrassing realisation.
I’ve become the Emelda Marcos of motorcycle jackets…well maybe not quite that bad, but I have an embarrassment of riches in goretex and leather.
I’ve won some, earned some, been given some to test for Kiwi Rider and received others as treasured gifts. Some I even purchased. Between us we almost have what a retailer would describe as ‘stock’. It's put me in a good position to objectively evaluate the different options.
I went to the NZ launch of the Dririder range at the shindig put on by importers White’s Powersports last year.
‘Aussie riders don’t say I’ll get my wet weathers - they say I’ll get my Dririders – because Dririder has become a metaphor for wet weather gear in Australia’ the manufacturers sales manager proudly informed me when he got wind that I knock out their advertising locally.
‘Not…necessarily…an angle that will work in NZ’ I suggested as I tried not to wince at the thought of the local market reaction to a full-page colour display delivered with the graphic equivalent of an Aussie twang.
I soberly informed him. ‘Forget the weather forecast’ is the tag we’re using locally and bugger me – that very line turns up atop the Aussie ads 2 months later - with their subsequent thanks.
But now a lovely new Nordic 3 jacket and matching gloves in ‘anthracite and black’ has found it’s way into the melee that is my gear locker - just in time for the big wet in Auckland.
So far so good – I’ve had it out in some shocking conditions over the last week. Mainly to and fro the KR offices across the Western causeway and the wind tunnel like blast along that freeway. Each time I arrived warm and dry after literally travelling through hail and tempest.
At $349rrp the Nordic jacket is specified similarly to jackets that cost significantly more. Heavy duty cordura, claimed 100% waterproof and breathable liner, Hitena reinforced shoulder and elbow, removable elbow and shoulder armour, safety reflector strips, double stitched and riveted seams and the zip out thermal layer are in line with the more expensive offerings.
‘Pre curved arms’ I scoffed incredulously when they told me I’d find it very comfortable too, ‘I can bend my own arms’ but….well…it’s…errr the most comfortable in my 'vast' collection. It fits particularly well and seals easily at neck and cuffs and is even quite comfortable to sit around in for a short break off the bike - it feels like a good cut and thankfully doesn’t do that whole ‘Michelin man’ look that some multi layered jackets can create.
The good seal also means I can get away with one less layer of thermals because it keeps the drafts out effectively.
The fastening system is easy and efficient and the zip, Velcro and press-studs are all on the same ‘flap’. Contents in the external pockets stayed dry as did my iPod in the interior phone pouch.
The gloves are gauntlet style, have Kevlar reinforced stitching and palm, thinsulate and hipora waterproof liner with leather construction on the palm and front and waterproof materials on the back. As yet they haven’t seen the same heavy rain as the Jacket, but have remained comfy and warm in showery conditions. RRP is under $90 for a quite stylish design.
So struth, stone the crows cobbers, have a go at the Dririder Nordic 3 – For under $350 - I reckon they are bonza.
I hope she never wants to share the shoe cupboard or I’m really sunk – there’s at least 5 pairs of high tops in there.
http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/nordic3.jpg
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Originally Posted by Big Daveit feels like a good cut and thankfully doesn’t do that whole ‘Michelin man’ look that some multi layered jackets can create.
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