Universal : Riding Gear Thread

[bbsrailfan]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Almost 90% of the jackets do seep water in during a heavy rain. Best protection? Good old nylon rain suits over riding gear or rain cost.
Remember, "water-resistant" not "water proof" Though it's gimmicked as such it isn't the case. Pretty sad

Oh well...never mind I should have known earlier. Felt a bit cheated, that's all. Learnt a good lesson nevertheless.

[Aytas_sss]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Great going, Aytas. Green is super sexy and one of my favorite colors. Now let all the eyes on the street bestow upon you.



VJ

Thanks. All the eyes on the streets are also appalled at the fact that I wear a jacket in summer. I keep hearing people at intersections talking about how I must be doing stunts and what a spoiled brat I must be in order to spend money on a "big" bike and all these paraphernalia. Ah,well. At least more girls are noticing me now.

[DeVille]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

@B7ACKTHORN : duly noted :-)
@DeVille : now i know... this is what's in it...

Hahaha! That's the sweetest thing someone has done for poor ol' devilish me, lately :P

[lasky]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Anyone tried the Zeus Brand riding jackets,how is the fit and finish?considering to buy one but we dont have a store in Pune

[Sunnyside_up!]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

After getting numerous PMs regarding the differences between the SPG ICARUS and the RJays Swift, I decided to do a comparo - a side by side comparison between the two. Please feel free to add in something in case I missed anything. Please note that I have used a friend's Swift for the comparo, so kindly excuse inaccuracies in case the jacket has been recently upgraded. Also please excuse the camera quality - I was more focused on the content.

These two jackets are very similar in their specs in my opinion and the pictures do tell a lot.



The Swift seems more sporty and youthful, while the ICARUS is more urbane and muted. Since looks are subjective I will not venture there. Reflectives are about the same in the front.



Again I would say pretty evenly matched on the reflectives, with both featuring a single stripe across the back.



The wrist closure of both are different. The Icarus has a split wrist to allow easier use of gauntlets with a zipper + velcro, while the Swift uses just a velcro flap.



The side pockets of both jackets are mesh, with the Swift using ordinary wire zippers, while the Icarus uses premium Vislon zippers from YKK with moulded pull tabs for easy grip with gloves.



The Main Zipper of both jackets are Nylon, with Swift using SVS and Icarus using YKK. The Icarus again uses a moulded puller for gloved use while the Swift uses a fabric puller.



The Elbow adjustment is again similar except the Swift uses one button on the forearm while the Icarus uses two - upper and lower arm.



The Swift has an internal mesh pocket with a wire zipper, while the Icarus uses a waterproof silicone YKK zipper with a waterproof pocket to protect your phone/wallet/etc., Again a moulded pull tab is standard on the Icarus.



The back armour on these jackets are very different. The Swift uses a narrow 7mm piece of foam that did not have any CE markings. The Icarus uses a CE rated contoured dual density back protector which is 10mm thick at the edges and 13-14mm thick in the centre. The Icarus back protector also covers far more area on the back. The Icarus is also designed to take an upgraded back protector from KNOX.



Again while both jackets use similar kinds of armour - CE Rated Moulded PU armour - for the shoulders and elbows, there is a subtle difference. The Swift uses a Type A , which is smaller and thinner than the Type B used in the Icarus, which is larger and thicker. Hence the armour in the Icarus again offers more coverage and absorptive capacity.



Subtle differences between the jackets include a velcro waist adjustment in the Swift which in my opinion allows more customisation. The Icarus uses a simple two button waist adjustment that does not allow too much adjustment. The Icarus however was a padded waistband that gives the jacket a good drape when worn and also affords that little bit of extra protection. It also features a pants connector that allows you to connect your jacket to your riding pants, which is absent in the Swift.

The Icarus uses the same type of rain jacket that is present in the other SPG jackets like the Helios, and is actually a separate garment that can be used as a windcheater separately with its own zippers, etc., The Swift uses a standard zip-out liner.

The jackets are priced at Rs. 4300/- inclusive VAT for the Icarus, while the Swift is priced between Rs.5000/- and 6000/- , depending on the colour as per the website.

[B7ACKTHORN]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Anyone tried the Zeus Brand riding jackets,how is the fit and finish?considering to buy one but we dont have a store in Pune

Zeus is an own brand of ODTG and most RE guys use it. In fact the recent Himalayan Trip was sponsored by OTG and their ZEUS apparel was used for the trip througout. And they've sponsored numerous RE trips. Seems RE folks have quite a following for it. I'd say if you like, go for it.

Thanks. All the eyes on the streets are also appalled at the fact that I wear a jacket in summer. I keep hearing people at intersections talking about how I must be doing stunts and what a spoiled brat I must be in order to spend money on a "big" bike and all these paraphernalia. Ah,well. At least more girls are noticing me now.

Didn't I tell ya! That's what's it's all about.

After getting numerous PMs regarding the differences between the SPG ICARUS and the RJays Swift, I decided to do a comparo - a side by side comparison between the two. Please feel free to add in something in case I missed anything. Please note that I have used a friend's Swift for the comparo, so kindly excuse inaccuracies in case the jacket has been recently upgraded. Also please excuse the camera quality - I was more focused on the content.

Subtle differences between the jackets include a velcro waist adjustment in the Swift which in my opinion allows more customisation. The Icarus uses a simple two button waist adjustment that does not allow too much adjustment. The Icarus however was a padded waistband that gives the jacket a good drape when worn and also affords that little bit of extra protection. It also features a pants connector that allows you to connect your jacket to your riding pants, which is absent in the Swift.

The Icarus uses the same type of rain jacket that is present in the other SPG jackets like the Helios, and is actually a separate garment that can be used as a windcheater separately with its own zippers, etc., The Swift uses a standard zip-out liner.

The jackets are priced at Rs. 4300/- inclusive VAT for the Icarus, while the Swift is priced between Rs.5000/- and 6000/- , depending on the colour as per the website.

Almost a crisp review. Now you've got me thinking. SVS Zipper? Almost most of the Swift I've seen have YKK and for the first time hearing a SVS Zipper on a Swift.

Of course, this being the least end stuff from RJays one shouldn't expect any crazy quality as such, but when I last checked it was YKK all over. SVS Zipper never ever heard of that brand even, must be Chinese rip off, considering the price of the jacket, which is almost a bargain *internationally*

But imagining RJays folks upping the back armor and overall tid-bits for their baseline stuff, definitely would increase the prices here if imported, you know what I mean

But all-in almost a clean chit review. Surely would help a lot out there.

Cheers!
VJ

[binga]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

After getting numerous PMs regarding the differences between the SPG ICARUS and the RJays Swift, I decided to do a comparo - a side by side comparison between the two. Please feel free to add in something in case I missed anything. Please note that I have used a friend's Swift for the comparo, so kindly excuse inaccuracies in case the jacket has been recently upgraded. Also please excuse the camera quality - I was more focused on the content.
Subtle differences between the jackets include a velcro waist adjustment in the Swift which in my opinion allows more customisation. The Icarus uses a simple two button waist adjustment that does not allow too much adjustment. The Icarus however was a padded waistband that gives the jacket a good drape when worn and also affords that little bit of extra protection. It also features a pants connector that allows you to connect your jacket to your riding pants, which is absent in the Swift.

The Icarus uses the same type of rain jacket that is present in the other SPG jackets like the Helios, and is actually a separate garment that can be used as a windcheater separately with its own zippers, etc., The Swift uses a standard zip-out liner.

The jackets are priced at Rs. 4300/- inclusive VAT for the Icarus, while the Swift is priced between Rs.5000/- and 6000/- , depending on the colour as per the website.

Armor is same of other Jackets offered by SPG? or they are different. Its quite convincing, as reviews like these makes things clear.

[xpranav]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Armor is same of other Jackets offered by SPG? or they are different. Its quite convincing, as reviews like these makes things clear.

there you go Spartan ProGear | Product ................... check'em all out and feed your hunger

[Sunnyside_up!]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Armor is same of other Jackets offered by SPG? or they are different. Its quite convincing, as reviews like these makes things clear.

[MENTION=19925]binga[/MENTION] - I have not posted my personal opinion. I have merely reported my findings, based on a close examination of the jackets. The pictures were taken by me this morning of Aravinth (chennai xbhp)'s Swift and Satish (colleague's) Icarus. My effort was not to convince but to clarify since I got so many messages asking me to do so.

The Icarus is SPG's most affordable offering and the ONLY jacket not to use KNOX armour, in an effort to keep the price down. All other products come with KNOX armour as standard.

[binga]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

OK. clarification/Findings helps in convincing:-)
Coming to the point, the size of the armor remains the same in Knox, esp of elbow and back protectors.

[atuladeupes]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Any body tried Knox knee guard...
I heard they are good



Sent from my iPhone using xBhp Connect mobile app

[saurabhjd]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Any body tried Knox knee guard...
I heard they are good



Sent from my iPhone using xBhp Connect mobile app

If you are talking about bionic ones then they are awesome. I am using them. They are damn good. Padding is amazing. And most importantly, unlike all other knee guards, these don't even move an inch from its place.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[mayank.travadi]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Check this link of a pic from GODS group on fb

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=571382639572620&set=a.571382559572628.1073741842.118897641487791&type=1&ref=nf

Check this link from ebay
Fox Riding Jacket cum Body Armor (All Sizes Available ) | eBay


arent the two jackets same?
i even posted a query on the same pic and the comment was deleted..

i am aware that this particular armour has been discussed in this thread before

[B7ACKTHORN]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Any body tried Knox knee guard...
I heard they are good



Sent from my iPhone using xBhp Connect mobile app

KNOX stuffs are good indeed they are one of the reputed armor manufacturers.

But trust me I'd definitely recommend you for the Knox even though priced at a premium. But trust me those budget brands do the job just five t when it comes to knee guards.

Cheers!
VJ

Sent From My Phone Using Internet.

[binga]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

As Krishna has mentioned, the website is not updated yet. This is because the formal launch of the KNOX gear is during the IBW, in Goa on Feb 2nd. However, stocks are already in place with dealers and several have even purchased it ( see a few pages back a post by Sandeep ).

The HELIOS jacket comes with a rain liner and is available with KNOX armour in elbows and shoulders for Rs.6250/- inclusive tax. To upgrade and replace the supplied dual density back armour with KNOX advance back armour is Rs.1800 extra. An extra 3M Thinsulate thermal liner is Rs.700/- extra. Alternatively, you can ask for a thermal liner INSTEAD of a rain liner, in which case, there is no extra cost. (This option is available for online purchase only).

The website mentions that you can upgrade to Level 2 armour - which means that you can buy one if you want and insert it, since the jacket is designed to accept even the thickness of a level 2. I have a LEVEL 2 Sas-Tec in my Helios.

I do not recommend the HELIOS or any product over any thing or any other product. I do however recommend and strongly urge that you read, research, study and educate yourself with the ample material, knowledge shared by other friends and members of this forum and elsewhere and form an opinion for yourself. It is after all your skin.

Rs1800, is the price of upgrade to level 2 back protector or level 1?