Adventure gear - what are you wearing?

**BrendanZX9R** · 10th February 2015, 10:36

Originally Posted by Trials Rider

Ha Love it, I am at the other end, short and weak

my own shadow scares me

when buying riding gear it is easier but when I buy a bike my biggest consideration is can I cut 40mm out of the set so I can touch the ground and if I drop it can I pick it up, I was lucky enough to have Shrek with me when I needed a crane to lift the DR650 out of a rut

I guess there are some advantages to being a big fella. I'm lucky enough to be able to touch the ground on most bikes pretty easy, and if I have to then I can pick the 990 up - but I really don't want to make a habit of having to do that too often!

Gear has been the only problem for me, boots, gloves and helmets are fine, its just finding pants, jackets etc that can stretch over my ample assets!! There is gear available for bigger guys, but the choice is limited and often it lacks the features and safety you might expect.
But after a bit of looking I have to say I'm very pleased with the gear I have, especially at the price I paid.

**MarkH** · 13th February 2015, 18:41

My RST Alpha 2 jacket and pants arrived today, not bad . . . for the price!
There is a definite downside to the cheaper gear though and I'll have to see if I can put enough money together before next summer for better stuff.
The pricier gear has things like vents and removable lining so you can keep comfortable in hotter weather, the cheaper gear often doesn't.
I guess you get what you pay for, pity most of us don't have the funds to always go for the very best.

**Night Falcon** · 14th February 2015, 10:50

At some point I will need to think about new gloves - have some good ones for trail riding but adventure gloves are another quandary - my dri rider gloves were good except they always got soaked in the rain, then the inner lining would stick to your hands and pull out - trying to get it back into the fingers was never an easy feat

but they were comfy and had excellent armour. What you guys using?

in other news....

Klim jacket and Leatt 3d armour arrived yesterday - thanks motomox - armour fit is very comfortable and reasonably easy to put on and off (even with a dodgy shoulder) - makes you feel like Iron Man

Had to send the Traverse jacket back as the size (L) was too small across the shoulders with the armour under it....XL will be about perfect I think. There is lots of room around the chest in the jacket but the shoulders are quite narrow - and I have narrow shoulders for a bloke....hence my modelling career never took off

Very impressed with the Klim quality and the storage pockets/capacity is just right for me.

**vegeman** · 15th February 2015, 19:19

yo....I've been buying all the good stuff because I'm also sick of cheap stuff (mid life crisis), and with my US trip later this year...I'm justifying the extra expense anyway I can :-D

I've had the klim badlands for awhile now and have ridden them in all conditions. Things I've noticed. The jacket arms are quite narrow and by the time I add a fleece jacket for thermal warmth the forearms are damn snug...and I aint known for big arms (81Kg)!. Having All the vents are awesome for 30C plus days and make riding with a full goretex. full armour jacket brillant. I did notice that since the vent zips are the waterresistant type, they are quite a fine tooth, which means after a full day of hot, dusty conditions...the zips can get a bit clogged, which just means taking some care on zipping them back up ie stopping, and doing it nicely. The jacket occassionally leaks and lets some water through the arm zips but that because of high speed water forcing its way back up them, but hey...it's not much. I also thought about using the internal hydration pocket for the water bladder but it's a pain to refill...far easier to have an external camelbak, and plus I still have other gear to carry in it anyway.

The D30 armour has been really good...however, they don't like the cold and go hard as which means that until they warm up, the won't do shit for you. I've left my jacket on the balcony overnight when it was about 8C..and come the morning, the elbows would hardly bend. - just something to be aware of.

I've just notice a bit of leaking in the badland pants left leg which annoys the shit out of me. They used to be perfect, so I'm working my way through the official cleaning and reproofing (and checking for holes). I may have hit gorse bushes etc and made holes...but who knows . They don't leak in the crotch area which is the main thing.

I use Sidi crossfire boots. I like full length MX boots style protection they offer, and the crossfire has an articulated ankle meaning you can walk when required. I've never struggled to walk/push in them AND wierdly they have to be the most waterproof boot I've ever had...amazing considering they aren't supposed to be. The badland pants fit fully overthem so its a nice combo.

I have alpine star goretex 365 gloves for most riding, plus a another set of alpine star summer gloves...not sure which ones, but a superbike version that still had carbon knuckles and well vented.

Shoei Hornet DS skidlid for puttin my noggin in...

Thats the main stuff...

**JATZ** · 15th February 2015, 19:50

My Opinion....

Gloves... some sort of Fox MX gloves with hard protection across the knuckles, leather palms and thin enough to allow me to feel whats going on at my fingertips. Also, I don't have to take them off to take pics. They're getting pretty worn out though, with extra ventilation where it shouldn't be

I've been looking around in some shops and haven't found a set similar to replace them with yet. I have some thick BMW jobbies for the winter but find the inner liner a PITA when it gets wet, sometimes it's nigh on impossible to get the fingers to sit where they're supposed to sit.
Jacket and pants... Revit Sand II. Yes they have removable liners for rain and cold, but so what, it only takes a couple of minutes to put them in (so long as I remember to take them with me

) Certainly a step up from the cheap gear I was using. Enough vents to keep things cool on hot days, enough waterproofing to stop me getting wet from passing showers, and plenty of adjustments on the sleeves/waist/collar/cuffs. I've taken the knee protection out of the pants as I prefer to wear strap on knee/shin guards as they don't move.
Boots... some sort of Sidi MX thing I got of trademe years ago. Comfortable enough to wear for days on end, about as waterproof as a pair of socks, although it means the water drains away too, which is a bonus

I wouldn't like to walk for kilometer after kilometer in them, but thats why I have a bike

**Waipukbiker** · 15th February 2015, 20:21

My few cents worth on gear, Forma Adventure Boots. A solid ,heavy duty boot, Very comfortable to walk in from day one, Deep treads for traction, A high boot with 3 strong over centre type straps and hooks. Absolutely storm proof. Ive ridden through surface water on roads with the water blasting back against the front of the boots and not one drop has ever got in. Revit sand pants II. Very comfortable, removable thermal and rain liners. Air vented, light and cool in the summer. Rain liner easy to zip in if required. Technic Freeway Jacket, Prob more of a roady jacket but very comfortable, 5 available vents that can be opened and you can feel the air circulating around inside, lovely on a hot day. Done up properly, this Jacket, like the boots is totally storm proof. The label says 100% waterproof and it is. Ive never had to use the thermal liner even in winter, I just use a Merino long sleeve top against the skin and a Polar fleece top and the jacket does the rest. With a Balaclava on and every thing done up right its air and water tight. Dri Rider Summer gloves, Very Comfortable with vents on top of the Knuckles. Dri Rider Winter Gloves, had the same problems with water getting in from the jacket sleeve and making it nearly impossible to get the fingers back in. Solved this by having the jacket sleeve on the outside and still able to keep it airtight, the jacket sleeve has a big Velcro strap which clamps it tight against the glove. Haven't tried this in heavy driving rain but try to avoid that anyway.

**Night Falcon** · 16th February 2015, 08:09

Looks like the sticky glove problem is pretty universal. Tried putting sleeves over the gloves but water still got in plus went up ya arm - maybe the trick is to carry a cut-off knitting needle for finger realignment? hmmmm the newest adv riders "must-have" piece of kit

BOOTS:
I use Alpinestars Tech10 boots which are the comfortable-ist MX boots I've owned and easy to walk in, plus have arguably the best ankle support of any boot, the big BUT

, socks & roman sandals are more waterproof. Sidi crossfires offer way better water protection from all accounts but I still prefer the Tech10's superior ankle protection, plus they are resole-able and repairable if damaged during the unlikely event of an emergency

**Takataka** · 16th February 2015, 17:31

Originally Posted by Night Falcon

Looks like the sticky glove problem is pretty universal. Tried putting sleeves over the gloves but water still got in plus went up ya arm - maybe the trick is to carry a cut-off knitting needle for finger realignment? hmmmm the newest adv riders "must-have" piece of kit

Yep same problem here with my Macna gloves. Total pain getting them back on. It is worth poking them back in with something cos there's nothing worse than gloves that are not seated properly. Problem is, just when you have it all sorted out and are about to start the engine, you hear a text come in and have to take one off again to check your phone

**Waihou Thumper** · 16th February 2015, 17:52

Originally Posted by Takataka

you hear a text come in and have to take one off again to check your phone

And therein lies your problem? Cell phone and text messages? Turn it off and enjoy the ride without the distraction, surely!

**Big Dog** · 16th February 2015, 17:56

Or when you are taking your gloves off and know them to be wet:
1 grab the middle finger and ring finger at the first knuckle curl your pinky and forefinger a little as you pull toward your pulling hand. Stop as soon as your fingers are clear of your grip.
2 grab your thumb at the first knuckle, if the forefinger did not slip free grab that too. Pull as if going around your fingers toward the pinky.

If you pinky slipped free your glove should come free in one motion with the gloves gizzards still inside the glove.

Works most if the time. Works best when your gloves have leaked proper. I can't remember the last time I had to push more than one finger back in.
3 if it did not grip the pinky and ring finger at the first knuckle and pull as if going around your finger tips to get to your thumb.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

**JATZ** · 16th February 2015, 18:22

Orrrrrrr.......
Put a couple of stitches in the finger tips (remove hand first).
Or try finger less gloves

Your welcome

**Tazz** · 16th February 2015, 20:24

Just incase you don't see the rep Jatz try some Five RFX4 gloves on. Lightweight as but still have protection. The brand seems to have a good (but spendy-ish) range.

Originally Posted by Takataka

Yep same problem here with my Macna gloves. Total pain getting them back on. It is worth poking them back in with something cos there's nothing worse than gloves that are not seated properly. Problem is, just when you have it all sorted out and are about to start the engine, you hear a text come in and have to take one off again to check your phone

Just got to be careful taking them off, or last winter I wore thin woolen gloves as inner ones and didn't have that problem. Switching to thinsulate ones this winter.

On the text front, if you have an android get the radiodrive app (made by a dude on here) and some headphones, it reads them out to you so you only need to stop to reply or call someone if it is something important.
Not having to worry about time or that sort of stuff would be awesome, but not everyone is in a position that allows it.

**nooles** · 17th February 2015, 17:52

Gidday guys , im currently in the market for new gear to take to Aussie with me for the APC Rally (Perth to Byron Bay). Being Aussie and most of the first 2 weeks being in the Desert im concerned about the heat and want a jacket that is going to keep me safe but also cool or warm at the same time. Being in Taranaki we dont have to many choices in regards to gear but a local shop in NP has a Dririder Multitek $399 and a Alpinestars Andes Jacket $399 in my size. Does anyone have or use these jackets and have any reviews on them. Once I get to Byron bay then im gunna ride round the outside so need a jacket for road miles as well. Cheers Neal

**rian** · 18th February 2015, 04:38

i did a 6000km desert trip a few years back wearing the dri rider rally cross 2, jacket and pants.

they worked well in the heat and the cold.

hope this helps, if budget allows the klim gear is awesome, i use the dakar pants, and looking to buy one of their jackets.

**BrendanZX9R** · 18th February 2015, 10:46

Originally Posted by nooles

Gidday guys , im currently in the market for new gear to take to Aussie with me for the APC Rally (Perth to Byron Bay). Being Aussie and most of the first 2 weeks being in the Desert im concerned about the heat and want a jacket that is going to keep me safe but also cool or warm at the same time. Being in Taranaki we dont have to many choices in regards to gear but a local shop in NP has a Dririder Multitek $399 and a Alpinestars Andes Jacket $399 in my size. Does anyone have or use these jackets and have any reviews on them. Once I get to Byron bay then im gunna ride round the outside so need a jacket for road miles as well. Cheers Neal

sounds like an awesome trip. Out of those 2 choices I'd be inclined to go with the alpinestars. I just got the alpinestars cape town air jacket and the venting and quality is great. We'll see how helpful the venting is at the brass monkey rally this year, but with a windproof layer underneath I'll be fine (fingers crossed!).
Anyway - the quality of the alpinestars stuff really impressed me for the relatively low $$'s involved. But the venting on the dri-rider looks a bit better than the alpinestars andes jacket. Not sure on the venting on the andes jacket, but it looks ok from what I can see from a quick google search. I can understand buying locally, nothing better than being able to try the stuff on when making a choice.