Universal : Riding Gear Thread

[sanjeet286]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

I would tell you about one - Winner protector.
This is being used by almost all low quality unbranded CE2 apparels in India by many brands.
This protector does not have a level 2 certification on their site, so they only have level 1 certification and sell level 2 armours. Read again - this is being used by many brands, I am not taking any names, these protectors are usually soft, bright yellow coloured, badly designed and have a small coverage area.

These brands keep posting a lot on Instagram, sponsoring many 'influencers' (many famous ones) and lure youngsters who want more style than proper protection.

Understood.


On another note, Solace had tied up with a Korean brand for their new line of pants. They also claim to be L2 but it's pretty new in the market so will need to wait and watch.

[MidnightEvil Parth]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Understood.


On another note, Solace had tied up with a Korean brand for their new line of pants. They also claim to be L2 but it's pretty new in the market so will need to wait and watch.

That Korean brand is Powertector, OEM for Shima, RST.
One of the good ones to buy.

[saorabbh]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

What's the reason if I may ask? Is it the printing of the name as mentioned in your next few posts or any other rationale?

Hehe

No offence to its users but I'm a brand and quality biased user. When I bought my first jacket (still using) 4 years back, there was only rynox Spartan DSG BBG brands and thats it.
in my research i found DSG jacket pretty decent and quality product. No fancy badges. No fancy colored accents on back or front. In short No BS and whatever. I see riders wearing huge Rhino or brand names on their chest or backs, No offence again but I don't like it that way.

It's not so long Solace came into the market. So I'm all set to increase my budget and get myself a proper riding gear set from well known brands like A'star Dianese, Rukka Shima Rev'it etc.

So that's why I did not considered SOLACE at first. But comparing their flagship touring gear I might change my mind. All I need is practical, comfortable, best in quality product with minimal marketing all over you.

[spartacus69]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Any reviews on Aspida Eclipse Riding boots?

[Astrix]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Which is the best touring jacket
* Aspida Odysseus touring jacket
* Rynox Stealth Evo V3 Touring Jacket
* Solace Furious Touring Jacket

NOTE : Seeking an Jacket that can carry a hydration pack

The Aspida Odysseus is over priced, imo given the fact that the jacket does not have Knox or d3o or any other branded protector at shoulder and elbow.
Also the jacket does not come with chest protectors or chest protector pockets- in case you want to upgrade in the future.

I personally have been using Rynox since years and have been quite blatantly but with honest intentions recommending the same to fellow riders. All brands are good. Just be ware of the new one which have been using counterfiet protectors and selling almost anything under the pretext of "Level 2".

Rynox Stealth is a really good jacket, I have seen people using the version 1 and this is the version 3. Folks at Reno have really worked their way up to make the version 3 which in real sense has seen those little practical teaks to the product which are useful during actual usage. Goes unsaid the protection and the material sees no compromise whatsoever.

I have thoroughly done my research and will be upgrading to this one. Only facing issues finding one in stock now. It's not in stock on their website currently. Try your luck finding it with any nearby authorised store.

[prashanttomar]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

I even hated all local jacket manufacturers for printing huge brand logos everywhere on their jackets and gears.

Including spartan aka Aspida or BBG or Rynox.
I'm using DSG Evo since 55k+ kms and counting. With minimal branding and good quality. I prefer clean and neat way to promote brands. [emoji23]

DSG itself is a local Pune brand which stands for Dream Sporting group, same group which owns Suzuki showroom in Pune first and most famous being MG Road one and recently opened East court Phoenix. I too own a DSG Nero for last few years and it has been okay.
I like function over form and i am also looking for a new jacket and also confused between Stealth Evo 3 and Solace Furious. Although Rynox is prettiest of the lot but considering i am buying a protection jacket i am more bend towards Furious considering it has Sastec all over including Level 1 Chest protector and Level 2 Shoulder, Back and elbow, however, Stealth evo 3 which has Level 2 Shoulder and elbow from Knox and an unbranded Back protector and Rynox homemade level 1 chest protector.

Being brand cautious myself i will rather go with Sastec then unbranded armours expecially if i am paying same amount (though Furious is 1000 Rs cheaper than stealth Evo 3). rest i think its a matter of individual choice

[Astrix]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

DSG itself is a local Pune brand which stands for Dream Sporting group, same group which owns Suzuki showroom in Pune first and most famous being MG Road one and recently opened East court Phoenix. I too own a DSG Nero for last few years and it has been okay.
I like function over form and i am also looking for a new jacket and also confused between Stealth Evo 3 and Solace Furious. Although Rynox is prettiest of the lot but considering i am buying a protection jacket i am more bend towards Furious considering it has Sastec all over including Level 1 Chest protector and Level 2 Shoulder, Back and elbow, however, Stealth evo 3 which has Level 2 Shoulder and elbow from Knox and an unbranded Back protector and Rynox homemade level 1 chest protector.

Being brand cautious myself i will rather go with Sastec then unbranded armours expecially if i am paying same amount (though Furious is 1000 Rs cheaper than stealth Evo 3). rest i think its a matter of individual choice

Yes, both the jackets are good. I prefer using Rynox. Being using it and completely satisfied.
Fo me Knox Microlock protectors are much better than Sastec, given that Sastec happens to be quite an old technology and does not pass all the tests of CE certification- T+ and T-. Knox Microlock is also the latest technology from Knox, while Sastec continues to use the same old technology which was really good back then, but they have just not updated their technology.

On independent terms, if you happen to buy the Knox protectors separately it is much expensive than Sastec. The reason is quite simple- The material and technology is far advanced than Sastec and passes all tests of CE certification (including T+ and T-). Sastec protectors do not adhere to these tests.

Though, not that Sastec is bad, its way better than most of them out there. But Knox Microlock is a notch above for me.
This for me is good enough to go for Rynox Stealth at just a premium of INR. 500/- (Not 1000/-).

Yes, I am brand cautions too and Rynox is a good brand for me to trust them with safety (which I have been already using a long time). But at the same time not so brand driven that I will turn a blind eye towards some missing facts of safety- CE certification in Sastec protectors.

Just my opinion.

[thebiker2k2]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hi all,
Have not been an active poster here, though I keep reading through regularly for reviews and recommendations on riding gear.
I recently bought the TCX Airtech Evo GT-X Boots from Highnote Performance store and thought of sharing a brief review of the same. Link for the shoes :

https://www.highnoteperformance.com/collections/boots/products/tcx-airtech-gore-tex-boots?variant=1122086580

I wanted something for regular commutes as well as any trips I may take. Also, I wanted something on the taller side to better protect ankles and lower shin and authentic CE certification was a prerequisite. The TCX boots fit perfectly the requirements and the fact that they have Goretex liner, means they are waterproof yet remaining breathable. Plus this has all the usual protection at toes, heel, inner and outer ankle as well as shin. Also TPU shift pad on both sides. It does not have a toe slider but that is okay as that is anyways needed really for track riding, which is not what they are meant for. Costed my about 17.5k due to ongoing Diwali sale at HNP.

I also had the TCX SP Master in mind, but they are on the stiffer side and hence not the most ideal for commutes. The Airtech ones look less of a motorcycle boots once the jeans is pulled over the top, and hence can be used for a bit of walking around if called for. Apart from these I also looked at Ryo boots (marketed by Spartan Pro Gear) but they did not have any CE rating mentioned on the shoe itself (as mandated by EU norms) and hardly any international reviews so could not trust them even though they were much cheaper. TCX being a well known international brand has a certain quality feel to it and nothing else was available in India with Goretex in a similar price range.

I have not yet been able to test it's waterproof abilities but sites like Revzilla have very good reviews of this shoe. Overall, I am quite satisfied. Note that they run a bit larger - I usually wear a size 9, but for these, size 8 was a good fit.

Feel free to ask in case any of you are planning to buy one and have a question.

A few pictures to give a better idea of how they look with jeans pulled over the top, as well as a shot with the jeans raided till the top :





And one 'marketing shot' from the product link for an idea on what the show looks like :

[MidnightEvil Parth]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hi all,
Have not been an active poster here, though I keep reading through regularly for reviews and recommendations on riding gear.
I recently bought the TCX Airtech Evo GT-X Boots from Highnote Performance store and thought of sharing a brief review of the same. Link for the shoes :

https://www.highnoteperformance.com/collections/boots/products/tcx-airtech-gore-tex-boots?variant=1122086580

I wanted something for regular commutes as well as any trips I may take. Also, I wanted something on the taller side to better protect ankles and lower shin and authentic CE certification was a prerequisite. The TCX boots fit perfectly the requirements and the fact that they have Goretex liner, means they are waterproof yet remaining breathable. Plus this has all the usual protection at toes, heel, inner and outer ankle as well as shin. Also TPU shift pad on both sides. It does not have a toe slider but that is okay as that is anyways needed really for track riding, which is not what they are meant for. Costed my about 17.5k due to ongoing Diwali sale at HNP.

I also had the TCX SP Master in mind, but they are on the stiffer side and hence not the most ideal for commutes. The Airtech ones look less of a motorcycle boots once the jeans is pulled over the top, and hence can be used for a bit of walking around if called for. Apart from these I also looked at Ryo boots (marketed by Spartan Pro Gear) but they did not have any CE rating mentioned on the shoe itself (as mandated by EU norms) and hardly any international reviews so could not trust them even though they were much cheaper. TCX being a well known international brand has a certain quality feel to it and nothing else was available in India with Goretex in a similar price range.

I have not yet been able to test it's waterproof abilities but sites like Revzilla have very good reviews of this shoe. Overall, I am quite satisfied. Note that they run a bit larger - I usually wear a size 9, but for these, size 8 was a good fit.

Feel free to ask in case any of you are planning to buy one and have a question.

A very helpful review indeed. And yes about Ryo boots, though Spartan does call them CE rated, I also found no labels on them as mandated by CE.
Also, Goretex never fails at it, love the material.
It is usually sandwiched between two layers since it is fragile, and thus has a very long life to it, often longer than the boot itself.

Thanks for the sizing guide too, should help prospective buyers a lot.

We in India tend to look a lot at paper specifications rather than the actual usage of the gears we buy, not buying the ones with sliders for everyday commute is a very smart decision.

[narik007]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hi guys,
i am looking for riding jacket at and around 8000 rs
What i understand from posts here is that i need to look at following information before buying a jacket, please correct me on anything i am missing
1) elbow and shoulder protection need to be CE2 certified.
2) back protection needs to be CE2 certified.
3) chest protection(i think at my price point it is difficult to have it by default but need to have a slot for the same).
4) what i understand leather>fabric>mesh for abstract resistance but opposite from comfort point of you in high temperatures in hyderabad which goes to around 47c.

Also i was reading about different CE tests that are discussed here especially t+ and t- tests. For t+ test it is tested till 40c only so how safe are they at higher temperature that we see in hyderabad. As test done by astrix in a car in hot summer caused them to crack. So even t+ test is not enough, when will have india made tests for our safety (better standard one not a garbage tests which every protector will pass). As it will take indian conditions into consideration in a better way. T- test i am not bothered as passing it will be good as hyderabad temperatures will not go that low.
so if one gets ce certified what are compulsory tests that need to be passed what are optional tests?
Now to check an authentic Ce certified product should have
1) product code
2) ce label
3) certification code
Any other thing that need to be checked on each protector?

[MidnightEvil Parth]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hi guys,
i am looking for riding jacket at and around 8000 rs
What i understand from posts here is that i need to look at following information before buying a jacket, please correct me on anything i am missing
1) elbow and shoulder protection need to be CE2 certified.
2) back protection needs to be CE2 certified.
3) chest protection(i think at my price point it is difficult to have it by default but need to have a slot for the same).
4) what i understand leather>fabric>mesh for abstract resistance but opposite from comfort point of you in high temperatures in hyderabad which goes to around 47c.

Also i was reading about different CE tests that are discussed here especially t+ and t- tests. For t+ test it is tested till 40c only so how safe are they at higher temperature that we see in hyderabad. As test done by astrix in a car in hot summer caused them to crack. So even t+ test is not enough, when will have india made tests for our safety (better standard one not a garbage tests which every protector will pass). As it will take indian conditions into consideration in a better way. T- test i am not bothered as passing it will be good as hyderabad temperatures will not go that low.
so if one gets ce certified what are compulsory tests that need to be passed what are optional tests?
Now to check an authentic Ce certified product should have
1) product code
2) ce label
3) certification code
Any other thing that need to be checked on each protector?

1- Elbow and shoulder with CE level 2 at that pricing is very common - options are RE Safari, Solace Defender Plus (textile)
Rynox Tornado Pro L2, Raida Tourbine, Aspida Nemesis (mesh).

2- None of these have back protection with a CE rating.

3- Again none. You will have to make slots.

4- Good point.

T+ and T- tests are not mandatory, not even the biggies in the industry or even the CE itself thinks so. These are optional tests. And most of the time, these are not printed on the label by many protector brands, just for the sake of milking money from OEM brands.
If there was a widespread failure, it would be very known by now, many big brands sell in India, and abroad and are even taken to sub-saharan hot roads and deserts across the world. For example Dainese, Alpinestars, RST, Klim, ScorpionEXO, Held, Rev'it and what not, most of the armours from them doesn't qualify T+ T-.

But ofcourse, it is good to have T- and T+ just for the peace of mind and 45 degree plus (read 40), minus 20 degrees (read 10) protection it offers. I would never deny this fact. But do remember, if it's T+ T- that you need, it should come from a respected manufacturer like Knox, Forcefield and not from a Chinese / Pakistani 'brand' that have no respect or image in the industry. And ofcourse even Knox is made in China, but it differs vastly in terms of quality control, simply put, it is like comparing a China made random smartphone to a China made samsung, pick the samsung.

There won't be any India specific tests in near future afaik.

The temperature in my city as well as my usage ranges from minus 5 degrees to high up to 46 and more and I have yet to see any of my protectors failing, the only one that failed was a D3o, which I think was an old stock. I have seen protectors with T+ and T- crack, into two, in usual 25 degrees of temperature. A lot depends on the quality of protectors and cracking is not closely related to temperature in my observations.

If you are buying from a global brand, they all will have the badging with necessary information.

The current problem in India is not T+ and T-, (this isn't even a result yielding discussion) but rather fake protectors with a CE level 2 badge. This comes from various random manufacturers in our neighboring nations. And are being used by many small manufacturers in India.

[vnsk]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hi guys,

Just need some advice.... I have been riding past 7 months and have covered about 5k ....Not much, I know...I didnt buy any expensive gears as I wanted to get used to the riding gears. Currently I use BBG Xplorer Jacket ( 6K), BBG Rider Gloves ( 1.8K), Caferacer Riding jeans (2.7K with doubtful CE knee pads), Woodlands Shoes ( 3k and solid one) and MT Revenge helmet.

I am planning to a complete Alpinestar upgrade month by month. Shoes - Faster Shoes 2 ( dont like racing boots with sliders), Gloves - SMX-1 ( or 2), Jacket - Choices are T-Faster Air ( 14 k, most affordable and can get a 1k discount), Bonneville or Alux Waterproof ( slightly more expensive 16k and 17.5K) and Pants - Wings Air pants ( 13 k , my choice) or AST-1 waterproof ( 12.5k) / Ramjet Air ( 17k , too expensive).

Now the question is if I start one a month the whole investment will be close to 50 k .....will it be worth it? or should I look at some other brand?

I am not a speed demon, usually a very safe rider as my wife joins most of the time ( she has the same BBG sets I currently have with a HJC helmet). I hardly ever cross 100km/hr. The top speed I ever touched is 155 that too for a few mts.

But I am doing longer distance now. This saturday we are attending a campmonk gettogether which is 8 hrs ride one way.

[MidnightEvil Parth]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hi guys,

Just need some advice.... I have been riding past 7 months and have covered about 5k ....Not much, I know...I didnt buy any expensive gears as I wanted to get used to the riding gears. Currently I use BBG Xplorer Jacket ( 6K), BBG Rider Gloves ( 1.8K), Caferacer Riding jeans (2.7K with doubtful CE knee pads), Woodlands Shoes ( 3k and solid one) and MT Revenge helmet.

I am planning to a complete Alpinestar upgrade month by month. Shoes - Faster Shoes 2 ( dont like racing boots with sliders), Gloves - SMX-1 ( or 2), Jacket - Choices are T-Faster Air ( 14 k, most affordable and can get a 1k discount), Bonneville or Alux Waterproof ( slightly more expensive 16k and 17.5K) and Pants - Wings Air pants ( 13 k , my choice) or AST-1 waterproof ( 12.5k) / Ramjet Air ( 17k , too expensive).

Now the question is if I start one a month the whole investment will be close to 50 k .....will it be worth it? or should I look at some other brand?

I am not a speed demon, usually a very safe rider as my wife joins most of the time ( she has the same BBG sets I currently have with a HJC helmet). I hardly ever cross 100km/hr. The top speed I ever touched is 155 that too for a few mts.

But I am doing longer distance now. This saturday we are attending a campmonk gettogether which is 8 hrs ride one way.

Investment in riding gears is always worth it. But talking about it from value for money perspective, I would say, Alpinestars is not the best value for money, for example you would not get a back protector in that jacket, nor will you get hip protectors possibly in those pants. You will have to install them later, back protector, for example, costs 4k.

But do remember the quality control is top notch. I would also ask you to consider brands like Rev'it, Scorpion, Held. These make very very good gears too and have very good QC standards too.

But ofcourse if you are buying it for the 'brand value', Alpinestars has much more respect in the industry.

Good luck with your purchase and upgrade.

If I were at your place, I would skip A-star in jacket and pants, get everything else from A-star and invest in a Rev'it Cayenne or Scorpion system.

[vnsk]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

If I were at your place, I would skip A-star in jacket and pants, get everything else from A-star and invest in a Rev'it Cayenne or Scorpion system.[/QUOTE]

Parth - Thanks for the inputs....I did a quick check, will do a detailed one in the next few days...Revit Cayenne seems to be pretty expensive with 36k, thats way out of my league. The Scorpions look good , but again at the range of 13k to 17k , they also come with back protector as additional.

Anyway, it was a quick check, maybe there are better deals on them....If you have any links, would appreciate it if you can post it here.

[MidnightEvil Parth]

Re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

If I were at your place, I would skip A-star in jacket and pants, get everything else from A-star and invest in a Rev'it Cayenne or Scorpion system.

Parth - Thanks for the inputs....I did a quick check, will do a detailed one in the next few days...Revit Cayenne seems to be pretty expensive with 36k, thats way out of my league. The Scorpions look good , but again at the range of 13k to 17k , they also come with back protector as additional.

Anyway, it was a quick check, maybe there are better deals on them....If you have any links, would appreciate it if you can post it here.[/QUOTE]Check the material too, when you are spending that much.

Remember the type of material - Polyester, Nylon, Polydura, Cordura, bla bla means nothing without the Denier ratings.

Goodluck !

Some deal -

https://www.lazyassbikers.com/collections/jackets/products/scorpion-phalanx-jacket-14401