Universal : Riding Gear Thread

[Parimal Maheshwari]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Any reviews for the Chaos? Looking for a casual riding boots, don't want the touring ones. What does rainproof mean? Water doesn't seep in?

Also what's the sizing guide? Say my regular footwear size is 8. Which size should I pick?

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My requirements were exactly the same. Though I won't say I was looking for 'casual' riding boots, may be a boot with all the good protection, fairly water resistant but not very tall. Something which can be easily worn , would not look too out of place with denims and even office trousers, something which won't give me blisters or make me uncomfortable for short walks. In short basically I only trade off the shin protection and get a proper urban riding boot.
I ordered these and my friend would get these from UK when he comes back in Nov

Product Reviews - Richa Slick Boots - Black

This comes with Hipora membrane which is breathable while being water resistant. Though certainly not Gore Tex , Hipora is decent water resistant breathable layer.

I have seen many guys wearing Richa stuff on mcn/other UK mag youtube videos, so knew I was not getting some unknown/unreliable boot. RST, Richa, Weise etc, though not as well established globally perhaps as A* or Icon or Joe Rocket but are quite popular in Europe.

Funny thing is, the spartan Chaos above looks exactly the same as the Richa I ordered, save the branding. May be the source is same but I am still confused how the design can be almost identical. There was another spartan boot, which @balckthorn pointed out in previous pages, which looked almost identical to an A*(not sure if it was an A* or some other brand). In fact I have seen many other brands offering almost same designs. Do they all delegate the designing to the same factory ?
Aren't there any design copyrights etc which apply on gears? Or the factory holds the rights or something? Or it is all very unregulated, given the size of the market being miniscule?

btw what price is the Chaos ? The Richa cost me 6k(60 Pounds GBP). I don't want to know I lost a lot on that

I am using the SPG Chaos for around 2 months now and have gone for few 300 - 400 kms rides in proper rains, very comfortable while riding as well as walking. Water does not enter the boot through the body but in heavy rains it seeps in through the top section and the socks and foot gets soaked inside. Surprisingly the boot dries up quick enough, had to stuff some newspaper in the night to soak up the extra water. Cost is Rs. 5200/-

[GauravB728]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

I'm planning to buy gloves suggest me between Rynox Kombat & Sparton Pegasus?

[raja_ghuru]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

I'm planning to buy gloves suggest me between Rynox Kombat & Sparton Pegasus?

Not sure about Pegasus, but I've been using SPG Ares (full gauntlet) for long tours & they're excellent, in terms of quality & fit.

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[sriharsha_madineni]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

I'm planning to buy gloves suggest me between Rynox Kombat & Sparton Pegasus?

I'm using the Pegasus, while my flatmate has Centaur and another friend has Ares.

I liked the centaur more for daily use, thicker padding than Pegasus and half gauntlet looks more practical for daily and weekend rides.
Ares is good vfm if you're looking for touring gloves. The leather quality and stitching is comparatively good.

[GauravB728]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Not sure about Pegasus, but I've been using SPG Ares (full gauntlet) for long tours & they're excellent, in terms of quality & fit.

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I'm using the Pegasus, while my flatmate has Centaur and another friend has Ares.

I liked the centaur more for daily use, thicker padding than Pegasus and half gauntlet looks more practical for daily and weekend rides.
Ares is good vfm if you're looking for touring gloves. The leather quality and stitching is comparatively good.

Thanks to both of you.

What is the price of the centaur? I'm unable to locate it on SPG site.
What do u guys say about Rynox Komabt? I'm little inclined towards Kombat but not sure about the quality.

Also let me know good jacket for daily use. Helios, Rjay Swift, Icarus or any other.

[motormania]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

I am using the SPG Chaos for around 2 months now and have gone for few 300 - 400 kms rides in proper rains, very comfortable while riding as well as walking. Water does not enter the boot through the body but in heavy rains it seeps in through the top section and the socks and foot gets soaked inside. Surprisingly the boot dries up quick enough, had to stuff some newspaper in the night to soak up the extra water. Cost is Rs. 5200/-

Can you kindly post a picture with the boots on? Does it cover the ankle and provide sufficient protection there? I am particularly apprehensive about the presence of laces in a riding boot. Have had enough trouble with them.

I'm planning to buy gloves suggest me between Rynox Kombat & Sparton Pegasus?

Look at the Centaur if you can stretch your budget by another 300-400 rupees. It feels quite a bit better than the Pegasus. I personally use the Ares for my daily commute, and planning to pick up a pair of Centaur for the same purpose.

[Parimal Maheshwari]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Can you kindly post a picture with the boots on? Does it cover the ankle and provide sufficient protection there? I am particularly apprehensive about the presence of laces in a riding boot. Have had enough trouble with them..

Unfortunately I don't have the pic with the boots, but yes it does cover the ankle and provide sufficient protection. Laces haven't caused any trouble at all, also there is a strap with velcro above the laces that keeps the laces in place.

[sriharsha_madineni]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Thanks to both of you.

What is the price of the centaur? I'm unable to locate it on SPG site.
What do u guys say about Rynox Komabt? I'm little inclined towards Kombat but not sure about the quality.

Also let me know good jacket for daily use. Helios, Rjay Swift, Icarus or any other.

All your questions are answered here.

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcycle-accessories-riding-gear-review/27353-spartan-gloves-review-experiences.html

Coming to Jacket, I use Helios, for 6.8k this is a good vfm jacket with Knox armor.
Infact most riders in our group have Helios and never heard any negative things about it.
I'd suggest Icarus if you're on strict budget, else go for Helios.

[TeeJayy]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

I'm planning to buy gloves suggest me between Rynox Kombat & Sparton Pegasus?

I have used both and have crashed with both - both did their job pretty well but would recommend Pegasus over Kombat in terms of overall quality.

[krish2778]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hey guys,

For those who are confused between Spartan Helios and Hyperion.

here is a article explaining the difference between the two.

Cheers
Ride Safe
Krishna

[Abishek94]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hey guys, I bought my first riding jacket a few days ago, the Spartan Icarus. I bought the medium sized one. The shoulder and elbow armours fit in place and don't move around and even the sleeve length is proper, but the length at the waist seems to be a little short according to me and my parents. Is that how riding jackets are supposed to be? Just at waist length? Will post a few pics soon.
I bought it from 'ryder city' near jc road, they are distributors of Spartan gear. They do not have large size in stock and therefore I could not try it on. I tried the xL size and the armours were just floating around the shoulder and elbow even after full tightening of the adjusters.
I am in a confusion whether to exchange for the large size(which will be available in 10days) or to keep the medium size itself.
I am 6ft 1 inch tall and weigh 63kilos :P

[bilalans]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hey guys, I bought my first riding jacket a few days ago, the Spartan Icarus. I bought the medium sized one. The shoulder and elbow armours fit in place and don't move around and even the sleeve length is proper, but the length at the waist seems to be a little short according to me and my parents. Is that how riding jackets are supposed to be? Just at waist length? Will post a few pics soon.
I bought it from 'ryder city' near jc road, they are distributors of Spartan gear. They do not have large size in stock and therefore I could not try it on. I tried the xL size and the armours were just floating around the shoulder and elbow even after full tightening of the adjusters.
I am in a confusion whether to exchange for the large size(which will be available in 10days) or to keep the medium size itself.
I am 6ft 1 inch tall and weigh 63kilos :P

Bro you are 5 inches taller than me and I was also in the same trouble like you.. Most of the riding jackets are short at waist.. But may be because they need to help riders in all seating positions..
I also bought DSG Genesis size M yesterday.. Tried both size M n size L. My weight is around 65 KGS.. the armors in the jacket were loosing its place
You need to check if the armors are in place and if you can tighten the jacket at waist.. Else keep the M size

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[fz black]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hey guys, I bought my first riding jacket a few days ago, the Spartan Icarus. I bought the medium sized one. The shoulder and elbow armours fit in place and don't move around and even the sleeve length is proper, but the length at the waist seems to be a little short according to me and my parents. Is that how riding jackets are supposed to be? Just at waist length? Will post a few pics soon.
I bought it from 'ryder city' near jc road, they are distributors of Spartan gear. They do not have large size in stock and therefore I could not try it on. I tried the xL size and the armours were just floating around the shoulder and elbow even after full tightening of the adjusters.
I am in a confusion whether to exchange for the large size(which will be available in 10days) or to keep the medium size itself.
I am 6ft 1 inch tall and weigh 63kilos :P

I strongly recommend you to try L-size, I had also tried Icarus and found it tight and short. My usual size is M, but when i tried Icarus L-size and it was tight fit.
Bit too tight and small for my liking so I didn't buy it. I think Spartan has done so for the looks and to reduce cost.

Not all jackets are short, there are plenty longer jackets of various brands.

[Abishek94]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Bro you are 5 inches taller than me and I was also in the same trouble like you.. Most of the riding jackets are short at waist.. But may be because they need to help riders in all seating positions..
I also bought DSG Genesis size M yesterday.. Tried both size M n size L. My weight is around 65 KGS.. the armors in the jacket were loosing its place
You need to check if the armors are in place and if you can tighten the jacket at waist.. Else keep the M size

Sent from my XT1033 using xBhp Connect mobile app

I strongly recommend you to try L-size, I had also tried Icarus and found it tight and short. My usual size is M, but when i tried Icarus L-size and it was tight fit.
Bit too tight and small for my liking so I didn't buy it. I think Spartan has done so for the looks and to reduce cost.

Not all jackets are short, there are plenty longer jackets of various brands.

Firstly, thanks for the advice and suggestions
Next, today i went for a 100 km ride with the medium sized jacket in order to determine comfort and fit during the ride. The armours at the elbow were just a little loose but the shoulder protectors were right in its place throughout the journey. The major discovery was that the length of the jacket at waist was sufficient and it did not keep moving up from the waist as i had expected it to move :P Overall, the jacket was comfortable and was not restricting my movement while riding or otherwise.
Now i think that the large size maybe a bit loose near the chest and arms, but i will anyway give it a try when it comes in stock. If the dealer refuses to exchange after 10 days (when the new stock arrives) then I am anyway happy with medium size :P

edit: The waist size adjuster has two buttons to adjust the fit, I am using the looser fit as the tight one does not leave enough room for zipping up the jacket. Just thought that this might give you an indication as to how tight/loose the jacket is.

[Doga]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Firstly, thanks for the advice and suggestions
Next, today i went for a 100 km ride with the medium sized jacket in order to determine comfort and fit during the ride. The armours at the elbow were just a little loose but the shoulder protectors were right in its place throughout the journey. The major discovery was that the length of the jacket at waist was sufficient and it did not keep moving up from the waist as i had expected it to move :P Overall, the jacket was comfortable and was not restricting my movement while riding or otherwise.
Now i think that the large size maybe a bit loose near the chest and arms, but i will anyway give it a try when it comes in stock. If the dealer refuses to exchange after 10 days (when the new stock arrives) then I am anyway happy with medium size :P

edit: The waist size adjuster has two buttons to adjust the fit, I am using the looser fit as the tight one does not leave enough room for zipping up the jacket. Just thought that this might give you an indication as to how tight/loose the jacket is.

I am 5'9" and 75 kgs and have been using the Spartan Icarus for sometime now.This is a short/snug fit jacket. The sleeves are narrow and fit well with lean hands. In short this for lean guys.The armours stay in place and don't move around. yes it does seem a bit short at the waist but it looks compact. Certainly not for the oversize fellow.


I have posted a short relative impression of the Icarus with the Helios in this very thread, a few pages back. The helios is plenty big and won't appear short anywhere. In fact it has broad sleeves and hence the armours won't hug lean arms. Reason I didn't buy it. It's basically for guys with nice broad arms.
I have done 3-4 rides and have been using the jacket for daily commute too and I can say that I am satisfied.

Always go for a snug fit when buying a jacket. You don't want to take a fall in a loose jacket and end up getting injured because the armour was not where it was supposed to be.