Hi, new member so hope this is the right place to ask this. I will be backpacking through Myanmar, India, Pakistan, the stans and Mongolia over the next 7 months or so. I am keen to do some riding during my travels - mainly renting a bike periodically and exploring the surrounding regions. Not planning on covering long distances regularly, but am planning on renting a bike and travelling around North East India for 2 weeks and Mongolia for 3-4 weeks.

I have been looking into what type of protection gear would be most suitable for my trip. I am a bit unsure as I want to have sufficient protection but don't want to carry too much additional weight for the amount of riding i will be potentially doing. I will have a 65:75l backpack and would like to keep the total weight to 15kg.

Anyway, after a bit of research I have come to two options that I think might work. I would love feedback and any advice people have to share. I will rent a helmet wherever i get a bike, so the below just refers to body protection. Also getting a pair of breathable gloves.

A) Forcefield body armour (pro x-v 2) shirt and pants. Basically a base layer with high quality body armour. Pros are its very lightweight, breathable and very good impact protection. Con is there is no abrasion protection.

B) Alpinestars Air textile jacket and pants, adding in back, chect and hip protectors. Pro is the better overall protection. Cons are the additional weight and space required.

Thanks.