[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Fort Nine recently did a video on something I've instinctively known for 20 years. And that is, anything that's built to keep water out, is also going to keep water in. Waterproof AND breathable is a myth. It is either waterproof. Or Breathable. Never both together, at the same rime. And you are eventually going to broil in your gear ... for want of a better description...

Doc, I believe you're referring to this video -

https://youtu.be/GGEzJJYiROk?si=q0tWPGB8gM_TLHcr

Now, if I'm not wrong (more than happy to be corrected), what they're specifically saying is, once your jacket is wet and that top layer has absorbed water, it no longer has the ability to be breathable. Right.
The critical point for me (someone that uses a Gore-Tex waterproof gear) is that it's not dissimilar with a raincoat sitting on top of the riding gear (I'd personally argue that it is but we'll not get into that now).

So I still get to continue riding for much longer instead of stopping to wear and remove a top waterproof layer. Maybe I'm lazy. To each his own I guess. But I was willing to spend on this one little (but massive) benefit.

They also mention the use of DWR. Meaning, water beading off the surface therefore not allowing the jacket and pant to remain damp. And you get specific agents that can be applied on top from time to time that allow the top surface to bead off water. For e.g. - https://www.customelements.in/produc...QaAr1BEALw_wcB

Basically what I'm saying is, I've used Gore-Tex gear. And I probably will not go back to wearing extra layers. At bare minimum, for the pant. Maybe for the jacket, where it is far more convenient to put on the raincoat But on a long tour, the Gore-Tex pants will have to do.

Originally Posted by Tom.Koshy

[left]...I am on the lookout for a pair of riding pants and have almost zeroed in on the Viaterra Spencer pants...

I also have the Viaterra Spencer - love them to the moon & back.
Most comfortable, well fitting pants I've ever worn. Airy as hell.
And that stretchy panel at the crotch - try it to believe it. I love it. If it fits you (try sitting, squatting, lunges, etc if you can), just go for it

[ebonho]

@shyamg28 yes bro, honestly in gear to each his own. In my experience there is no such thing as waterproof and comfortable and dry inside. The end result when the rain abates is that you are wet. How wet is what we try and control. And for how long are we going to remain wet through the riding day. Yes, if its pelting down, then I want a dedicated rain top and rain pants. Waterproof (claimed) gear doubling up as a rain suit as well just will not cut it. And as I said, when the rain stops, I want my gear and core to dry off quickly. Nothing worse than being in cold clammy wet gear all day and getting wet rot, rashes and fungal infections midway through a long tour. Just not fun. The more air you pass the sooner you are going to dry off. Your outers and your inners. For difficult areas like the feet, I prefer wool ... need not be merino, but thats always the gold standard.

The 5 minutes you stop to put on your rain layers, and the 5 minutes later on to take them off, and stuff them pack into a top bag convenient at hand under a bungee net, is more than worth the positive spinoffs in my experience. I'm talking dedicated Decathlon/Duckback (export quality) grade rainwear. Which has only one job. And they are the best at it. No doubling up as anything else. And light. And compact. And most importantly, removable. You control the layers. With waterproof (GoreTex or other) gear, you do not have that flexibility. You are in effect carrying two layers always, even when for the majority of the time you need only one. And once the outer shell is waterlogged, you lose the ability to dry off quickly inside. That is where the two approaches are very dissimilar.

In terms of that extra 5 minutes, its like a cycle racer once explained gearing to me and why he does not prefer a cassette with a huge granny gear (32 or 34). He says out of 100 hours of riding, I will likely need that granny gear maybe once or twice, for 30 minutes to an hour max. For that I am not going to spoil the remaining 99 hours of riding by lugging around a gear I am never going to use otherwise. Instead, I'd rather have a close ratio 28 or 30 instead, that is useful for much longer, and struggle a bit harder in that gear for the 30 minutes to an hour max on the tougher climbs to get over them, rather than spoiling the other 99 hours I never will need it, and be lugging around as extra weight, as well as depriving myself of a more useable gear in its stead.

Cheers, Doc

EDIT:
Looks like the Revzilla guys prefer dedicated rain overlayers as well. At 10:50 ...

https://youtu.be/6igdCnYjBt4?si=-zBC0bWVgfkpOkSv

Cheers, Doc

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by ebonho

@shyamg28 yes bro, honestly in gear to each his own. In my experience there is no such thing as waterproof and comfortable and dry inside. The end result when the rain abates is that you are wet...

Doc, I agree, and disagree with you

I did a ride to Spiti and back, from Bangalore. Was foolish enough not to carry any rain pants. Only raincoat for the top. I recall being wet waist down on several days.
The consequent year, I went to Ladakh, I carried a raincoat and rain pants. You know what was my first thought after 2 times of wearing those damn rain pants over all the gear - I was better off without it lol.
I hated the experience, in fact, got more wet while I was wearing them on, meaning, I was already wet on the inside whilst trying to save myself from getting further wet (sometimes on the highway, you don't get cover for long distances and 2 minutes of torrential rain is enough to wet you inside out).

As you said, wet is wet.

And I just hate rain late evenings. Morning & afternoons are totally fine because they allow you to dry up through the rest of the ride, but evenings, you arrive at your destination wet.

Last year, 3 of us went for a monsoon ride from Bangalore towards Goa/Dandeli. 2 of us had matching Gore-Tex gear, both jacket and pants. One of us had mesh with Viaterra's rain gear as protection.
I can tell you with 100% certainty, that 2 of us were grinning ear to ear everytime it poured and the 3rd chap was struggling. So much so that he decided to stay on with his rain gear even when the sun was out and about.

And I want to emphasise this part, at least about the gear that I had - it allowed me to remain bone dry. Yes, really. I'm not exaggerating because I paid big moneys for it, but it really is the truth.





Wife and I did another ride last year to Bhutan and back, with her in mesh/textile gear and me in my Gore-Tex. I did struggle with the heat and mild dehydration, but I laid it down to my then body health, which was at its worst.
My wife, in trying to wear all her gear, got completely wet on at least 2 occasions. I'm in the process of trying to convince her to go all waterproof gear right now lol.

What my experience so far has taught me is, that while Gore-Tex may still not be the best solution round the year for conditions in India, it still comes closest to the best touring experience for me.

The most optimal, possibly nuanced solution that might suit me best, might be Gore-Tex pants and mesh jacket. I'll come to a 50-50 truce with you here

And as always, opinions can change. This is just where I'm at right now. Experience and time will tell!

Peace!

[Tom.Koshy]

Originally Posted by ebonho

If the pant is not comfortable to sit in, with tightly folded knees, and if the pant does not have the needed "give" as you shift in the saddle and move your bike around and play with the controls, your ride is effectively compromised to a very large extent. I can imagine wearing an ill fitting jacket but not poorly fitting pants.

Of course Doc , fit of the pants is very important to me as buying something uncomfortable will be counter productive for touring. I will pull the trigger only after wearing the pants along with my entire gear and sitting on my motorcycle.

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Since we are talking budget, you might also want to look at Rynox Storm Evo and Stealth Evo pants.

If you are looking at lot of riding in the rain, RS Taichi Drymaster i hear are very good.

I did not look into Rynox because of the mixed feedback given by many members in the forum. I will anyway check out the same personally so that I don't miss out on a good option. RS Taichi is one option very much on my radar. However, its not available in any of the stores in Kerala as per my knowledge. I might be visiting Bangalore next month. Maybe I will check it out then.

Originally Posted by WhiskeyTangoFox

Do check out the Royal Enfield Tso Kar pants too!

I could not find the stock of Tso Kar anywhere online. There's a company run RE store in Kochi , I'll try to dropping in there to see if they have any. I was also keen on the Alpinstars RE co branded pants. But couldn't find any online. There were also images of Revit-RE co branded gear floating around during the Himalayan launch. But there's no news or updates about the launch since then.

Originally Posted by shyamg28

I also have the Viaterra Spencer - love them to the moon & back.
Most comfortable, well fitting pants I've ever worn. A

Thanks for the feedback on Spencer pants. I have heard high praise for its stretch panels in the crotch area making mounting and unmounting the motorcycle a breeze. I will be trying it out soon. Hoping the fitting would be comfortable for my frame .

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

Doc, I agree, and disagree with you

And as always, opinions can change. This is just where I'm at right now. Experience and time will tell!

Peace!

Attachment 2610182

Nice discussion Shyam!

Rain pants excel at keeping two parts protected in a hard downpour, riding continuously . The crotch (where water from the jacket will pool when you're seated), and the feet/boot tops/zippered velcroed sides. Find a tree (plenty around), pull over, slip them on. Takes me almost zero time with their elasticated waist and wide bottom hems. And they like my rain top are a size bigger, so that when I'm sitting they don't ride up leaving the boots and lower parts of your riding pants exposed. I used to have a zippered top (photos below). Of that set I only use the pants now. For the top I have a Decathlon rain top with a short top zipper and a hoodie. I pull it over my jacket, and its drawstring elastic waist keeps things secure over my rain pants waist, and there is no full length zipper to let water through the front anymore. Equally quick.

I guess for me I cannot and will not tolerate cooking in my gear for any longer than I have to. I am very heat sensitive and my face becomes like a tomato when I overheat. So ventilation and breathability score much much higher for me than a bit of wetness (that will dry off on the move) and cold (which I can and do layer for). You know my views on mesh versus textile for jackets. A jacket covers your core. If the core overheats, my ride ends there. So this is the best solution for me.





Cheers, Doc

[kurian_john]

Hi guys. So I'm looking to upgrade my riding jacket. Currently I have been using a Rynox Cypher GT jacket with full level 2 safe tech armours for the past 1 year and 2 months. Considering the amount of touring I do(35k+ km in 1 year), I've decided to upgrade at least my Jacket for now and have shortlisted the following options:

1. Revit Airwave 4: This looks like a brilliant AA certified jacket. It costs 22600 for the jacket with level 1 armours. Back protector costs 4200. Upgrading the shoulder and elbow protectors to level 2 will set me back another 7200. So all in all it comes to be 34000. This is pretty much stretching my budget but considering the 10% first order discount on the HNP site, it comes down to 30600. This price I can just about stretch to and I'm seriously considering it especially as I've read some of Neil.jericho's posts on Revit's quality.

2. RS Taichi Kompass Air: This is an extremely lightweight jacket which comes with level 2 armours. I have already seen this jacket being used by couple of my friends in my riding group and I was shocked at how light it was when I picked it up. After including the extra back protector it comes to 23498 which is within my original budget. My biggest gripe with RS Taichi is the lack of CE certification. My mindset is that if I'm spending that much I want a jacket with a AA certification. A friend of mine who has taichi even emailed the brand and they responded saying that they haven't got the CE certification because being a brand famous in Asia, CE certification isn't very meaningful in India. I want to know if anyone here using RS Taichi here has been in a crash and how well the gear held up
Would love to know which one y'all think I should go with and if you have any alternate suggestions. One more important point for me is to have chest armour pockets so that I can upgrade in the future.

I'm also very particular that I want to try out the gear before I buy it. With the 6kiom shop closing in Chennai, there are no options here currently as I see it. I will be going to Bangalore next week for some personal work and was planning to go and check out Revit at Orion Motors and Taichi at 6kiom, Bangalore. Please recommend some other places (if possible Chennai, if not Bangalore) where I can find Revit gear to try.

Thanks in advance

[navin_v8]

2. RS Taichi Kompass Air: My biggest gripe with RS Taichi is the lack of CE certification. My mindset is that if I'm spending that much I want a jacket with a AA certification. A friend of mine who has taichi even emailed the brand and they responded saying that they haven't got the CE certification because being a brand famous in Asia, CE certification isn't very meaningful in India.

I just double checked RS Taichi official website and it clearly mentions and I quote, "Taichi goes above and beyond other manufacturers by developing protective gear based on the standards of “CE marking.”

And another one, "In addition to inspections to meet the EU’s CE marking specifications, we also repeatedly conduct safety tests based on Taichi’s own unique regulations. By occasionally performing extra-rigorous safety tests, applying force even greater than that required by CE standards to points on our products, we strive to create products of an even higher level of safety than can be expressed by conventional standards."

Here's one more, "Safety is the most important element in truly enjoying a comfortable motorcycle lifestyle. However, there is no official safety standard in Japan to determine the protection power of protective gear. That’s why we develop protectors using Europe’s CE standards."

Reference: https://www.rs-taichi.com/brand/?lang=en

Being a Japanese brand, I am sure their standards would be on par or even exceed CE standards. You can still check with them directly through email here: https://www.rs-taichi.com/contact-en/

[aston_martyr]

Originally Posted by kurian_john

Hi guys. So I'm looking to upgrade my riding jacket. Currently I have been using a Rynox Cypher GT jacket with full level 2 safe tech armours for the past 1 year and 2 months. Considering the amount of touring I do(35k+ km in 1 year), I've decided to upgrade at least my Jacket for now and have shortlisted the following options:


2. RS Taichi Kompass Air: This is an extremely lightweight jacket which comes with level 2 armours. I have already seen this jacket being used by couple of my friends in my riding group and I was shocked at how light it was when I picked it up. After including the extra back protector it comes to 23498 which is within my original budget. My biggest gripe with RS Taichi is the lack of CE certification. My mindset is that if I'm spending that much I want a jacket with a AA certification. A friend of mine who has taichi even emailed the brand and they responded saying that they haven't got the CE certification because being a brand famous in Asia, CE certification isn't very meaningful in India. I want to know if anyone here using RS Taichi here has been in a crash and how well the gear held up
Would love to know which one y'all think I should go with and if you have any alternate suggestions. One more important point for me is to have chest armour pockets so that I can upgrade in the future.

I'm also very particular that I want to try out the gear before I buy it. With the 6kiom shop closing in Chennai, there are no options here currently as I see it. I will be going to Bangalore next week for some personal work and was planning to go and check out Revit at Orion Motors and Taichi at 6kiom, Bangalore. Please recommend some other places (if possible Chennai, if not Bangalore) where I can find Revit gear to try.

Thanks in advance

I own both the Cypher GT and the RS Taichi Kompass air. I got the Kompass last year on a short sale and got the back protector free and with a price of 19k at 6kiom bangalore.
It is super light with all the armors in place. Compared to the Cypher GT which even with just the shoulder and elbow protectors feels heavy.
I have not had a fall but it has served me well in the summer and winter alike.

[neochanger]

Hi everyone!
I hope you are doing well.

I need suggestions on buying the right riding gear for myself as this is the first time I am planning to go beyond just the helmet. I have not ridden my bike on long distances and I only have an Axor Apex Hunter helmet and Rynox Urban gloves (old version, not full gauntlet).

Now I’m planning to buying riding jacket, pants (or jeans) and a riding boot. My budget for all these is strictly below 30-35k.
I want to get a riding jacket which is breathable, airy and comfortable as I live in the midst of Northern plains (Kanpur, UP) where it’s usually hot enough. So anything that’s uncomfortable for hot weather is likely to turn me away from putting it up frequently. Another dilemma is whether I should buy good jeans (like Viaterra Austin) with protector inserts or proper riding pants. I’m unsure of how much long rides or touring I will take in upcoming months/years. It’s just that whenever it is, I don’t want to go without full protection. What level of protection, that I don’t know so want your advice on that. So please consider me as the beginner and suggest me whether my budget is too high or adequate and in that budget (or less than that) what gears should I buy. Some items that I have shortlisted by going through this thread are:

Viaterra Spencer Jacket/Rynox Storm Evo Air jacket (maybe full suit if that’s the suggestion)

Viaterra Spencer Pants/Viaterra Austin jeans

I couldn’t figure out what boots would be good.. there are too many options: waterproof, leather boots and so on. So please suggest good boots within 6-8k range.

Thanks!

PS: I own Honda CB350 RS on which I’m planning to begin some great rides. Cheers!

[t3rm1n80r]

Originally Posted by aston_martyr

I own both the Cypher GT and the RS Taichi Kompass air.

Can you please tell more about their ventilation and airflow for our scorching summers? The mesh on Cypher GT looks more or less like the Air GT. And apparently the surface area of the mesh is greater in Cypher GT/Air GT than the Kompass Air.

[aston_martyr]

Originally Posted by t3rm1n80r

Can you please tell more about their ventilation and airflow for our scorching summers? The mesh on Cypher GT looks more or less like the Air GT. And apparently the surface area of the mesh is greater in Cypher GT/Air GT than the Kompass Air.

I use the Cypher GT only for city commute, due its all mesh construction it has good ventilation and has proven good during this years summer.

Kompass Air is used for anything else, breakfast rides/touring. I feel it has good ventilation, but the primary reason to opt for the RS Taichi jacket is for its light weight. It is super light to wear unlike the cypher GT. For comparison the cypher GT with only the shoulder and elbow armors feels heavier than the RS taichi with shoulder, elbow and back armor.

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Got myself a SMK Alterra motocross helmet to beat the heat in the city
Attachment 2609861

Attachment 2609862

Quite light at 1350 Gms and I'm liking it!

Did a 200+ Km ride today with this. With the goggles and the beak set at the lowest, there was no wind resistance and the helmet felt very light.

Even at 35-40 degree and high humidity heat, I was not getting stiffed inside. Recommended buy!

I also got the Rynox Storm Evo pants - https://rynoxgear.com/collections/ri...torm-evo-pants which I wore for the ride today.

Well built and has lot of room around hips and waist. At 7550, I think its a steal especially given that it has Knox armours.

In super summer heat, ventilation could have been better but over all, its a good riding pant.

My other riding pant is a Tarmac Drift II level 2. Between the two, my vote goes to Rynox Storm Evo.

[adrift@life]

Originally Posted by kurian_john

, I've decided to upgrade at least my Jacket for now and have shortlisted the following options:

1. Revit Airwave 4:

Please recommend some other places (if possible Chennai, if not Bangalore) where I can find Revit gear to try.

Thanks in advance

Hi, I own the previous iteration Revit the Airwave 3 from 2019. It's a really comfortable summer jacket, with CE Level 1 protection on elbows and shoulders. However, I bought the type 3 RV back protector as well. Total came to 19k in 2019 buying in Europe. I Paired it with a Tornado 2 short L pants which are great as well.

The Airwaves 4 is not much different from the 3.
As for measure measurements, I was 5'7" weighing 74 when I bought the jacket and it fit me like a glove. now I weigh 84kg with a paunch that makes it a tight fit. today, I would say a size L will fit me comfortably.
I bought it off FCMOTO and my folks carried it over for me from the EU. The sizing advice on the website is spot on, depends on your age and body structure to upsize as Indians tend to put little flab over the middle section.

If I might make a suggestion, try considering Tornado 3 which is out of production and some websites have them in sizes L. It comes with a rain and thermal liner combined as a single unit, and level 2 elbow and shoulder protectors.

They still look good as new after 4.5 years and 9k kms.

[falcon.adv390]

In the market to upgrade my riding boots from Falco Marshall to something which gives better protection. With the ban on imports my options are pretty less.
Having checked major stores in Bangalore the following are my options
1) Forma Terra Evo Dry
2) Forma Adventure
3) Gaerne Fastback Endurance ( I feel this boot would be an overkill with my kind of riding with majority tarmac and occasional off-road)
4) Gaerne G Adventure ( this provides the least protection )

Anyone in this group used the above 2 mentioned forma boots and if can share their feedback would be helpful for me to make the buying decision.

Originally Posted by shyamg28

Got Decathlon soles. No heel pain anymore.

Attachment 2609467

Attachment 2609468

Did you remove the original insole and then put these in? The reason I ask is for me I removed the original ones and inserted these and my heel pain has increased.

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by falcon.adv390

Did you remove the original insole and then put these in? The reason I ask is for me I removed the original ones and inserted these and my heel pain has increased.

I removed the original insole.
Which Decathlon insole did you specifically use? Mine is this one - https://www.decathlon.in/p/8600729/i...8600729&type=p