Enduro Jacket or Body Armour / Safety Jacket for Morocco?
 

Hi there

For my trip to Morocco (four weeks in February/March) I need an advice.

We will drive no hard offroad but a mix of roads and pistes. Since I'm not the experienced offroad driver I also want to do some "training" as far as it's possible with my too heavy 1200GSA.

Shall I drive with my usual iXS Montevideo Jacket and my Dainese back protector
http://shopimages.wikio.com/shop/img...0204557_vs.jpg
http://www.ixs-fashion.it/images/cat...X55010-039.jpg

or is it better to drive with a body armour / Safety Jacket?
http://shopimages.wikio.com/shop/img...0513_small.jpg
Silvermachine Dainese Pro Shop - Dainese Motorcycle Safety & Protection,Motorbike Safety & Protection | Dainese Wave 1S-11-12-13 - £109.99

• What are the advantages/disadvantages of both variants?
• What is common for such a trip?
• If I choose the Safety Jacket, what to wear over it? Can I use the iXS Jacket over it if I take out the built-in protecors?

　
Thanks - Wolfgang

So far this winter Morocco has been unseasonably warm, but it could change and Feb/March is normally quite cold. I don't know the details of your choices but I'd say the top one makes most sense.

In a silly sort of way it's almost better to ride without protection so you ride more carefully because there is practically nothing in terms of emergency services in Morocco should you have an accident, especially on a piste in the middle of nowhere.

I'll be in Morocco during mid/late Feb, where abouts are you planning to go?

Tim

:eek3::eek3::eek3:

but it's somehow very true *lol*!

You'll be there as well? Really?

But I'm afraid we couldn't see you after the legendary Tim-reducing of 50 kg :innocent:

No, seriously... the ferry will arrive in Morocco Monday the 22nd of February and bring two of us, the third buddy will come one week later.

We carry GPS, a netbook and "Morocco Overland" from Chris Scott. Depending on how I manage it to drive a bit offroad we decide, what routes we'll take.

Any chance to meet you?

Bye

Wolfgang

Riding without protection anywhere, let alone the 3rd world is pretty crazy !!

Adventurous as hell but "riding more carefully" isnt really the solution most of us would chose to keep our bones and brains held together.

It's a very personal choice though and it's 100% upto you and I do believe you should do what you feel comfortable with.

I have just bought Acerbis Koerta body armour... It's fantastically made, very comforable and cool and you can layer up over it with Jerseys, waterproofs etc... Even full enduro jackets with a million pockets etc. I think it's the best upperbody, back and rib protection I could have and is WAY more substantial than thin armour in an allweather jacket.

My perspective is that if i'm well armoured and geared up, I can concentrate on my riding and safety more than thinking about my sand blasted sunburnt arms and the pain of rocks boucing off my exposed legs.

If you're like most of us, you will invested alot of time in money in a trip and don't to spend your time in a clinic or hospital rather than exploring the desert...

Whatever you chose.. Ride safe !! :mchappy:

My preference is the following..

Long sleeved Base layer.
Six-Six-One body armour.
MX Jersey / shirt.
Enduro type jacket on top when it's cold
and a thin fleece under that if really cold !

Gives you the option of removing layers as the day warms up. If your armour is in you jacket you only have the choice of sweating like a B**tard or riding unprotected.

I find the 661 stuff is a good balance between all day comfort and protection. Although some of the velcro straps have lost their stick after four years of use.

Thats pretty much what I'm using for Africa. Although im not using a proper Enduro jacket as they look too warm for the sizzling Sahara !

I used standard Hein Gericke stuff in South America but never felt properly protected and as you say, it's very limited in the sense of layering and armour.

I didnt know any better until I did an Enduro biking holiday in Spain and they suppied all the MX body armour. After some good tumbles and falls, I was totally protected and bruise free.

That makes sense what you guys wrote, good hint also with the layers.
So it looks as if I'll go and try some of these armours and keep my Enduro jacket as an additional layer.

Thanks a lot!

Oh, is there anything I have to consider when I choose an armour?

Bye

Wolfgang

I researched for AGES to find the best body armour for travelling. Especially in the heat.


The Acerbis Koerta got the best reviews for being cool, durable and offering great protection...

It's got mesh rather than lycra to keep you cool and it has a great back protector and kidney belt too.

BN ACERBIS KOERTA MX ENDURO QUAD BODY ARMOUR JACKET LXL on eBay (end time 04-Feb-10 21:12:40 GMT)

I highly recommend it.........

I'm a 42 chest and about 6' tall and the L/XL fits me like a glove.

That's great, thanks for the hint, because I don't have the time anymore for own researches...

But may I ask this: the Acerbis Koerta is ranked within the last third in some tests.
Before I actually thought I might take the Dainese Wave V 1-2-3 JACKET WAVE V 1-2-3 NECK - Motorbike - America - Inglese

Wouldn't this be a good idea?

Thanks - Wolfgang

I fear you totally misunderstood what I meant.

And that comment just reinforced it! Armour isn't as efficient as you seem to think. There's no guarantee it will stop you getting a broken leg with a compound fracture miles from anywhere. The golden hour just doesn't exist in Morocco.

No, I think it's clear.

The feeling in an armour is kind of a wrong safety that also brings you to risk a bit more than what would be healthy for you...

I think the best is not to rely on the armour (or even forget it) but wear it - just to be sure!

Wolfgang

Which tests ???? It got excellent reviews in all the articles and tests I read !! It certainly feels well made and well fitted and the armour panels are really thick and padded. I've worn 661 stuff and its the same or better (to my untrained eye anyway)

As for the Dainese stuff.. Yes, its brilliant, but have you seen the price ????




Tim, sorry if I misunderstood.. I'm not sure what else you could mean ??

Sure, no armour is 100% but it does make a big difference. I have plenty of crash experience :smartass:.

If you get hit by a truck or fall off a cliff, your buggered either way, but when it comes to tumbles, falls, knocks and scrapes, body armour helps a lot and that can only be a good thing ??

As we all know, it's a personal choice and no one is right to criticise !

Sorry, I did not want to bring it down. And I had no time for a serious check, I just stumbeled over these when I did a quick search:

Acerbis/Mefo »Koerta Naked«: TOURENFAHRER ONLINE

Testbericht über Motorradschutzkleidungen in Motorrad News 9/2009

Acerbis Koerta Test Motorradschutzkleidung (Protektoren)

Sorry, it's in German but at the end it's rated as "sufficient". Can't explain it in English, but for some parts the shock absorption seems to be bad.

But again, it's not representative, therefore I wanted to ask again about your investigations and where you consider the advantage of it.

:confused1:

I'll go to one of the major shops here in Switzerland the next days to try some of those out. Let's also see what fits (with my Enduro Jacket) and what the guys there have to tell...

You don't need an "Enduro" jacket some guys just use a waterproof / windproof from Millets (Cheap hiking/camping shop)

What to look for in armour....
Is it reasonably comfortable and easy to put on ?
Can you get full range of movement ?
Will the pads stay where they should be as you bounce down the mountainside ?

The 661 stuff is designed for those nutters who throw themselves down mountains on push bikes so it tends to be quite flexible and well ventilated.

As Tim said, no armour stops you breaking limbs. I still pick up some colourful bruises but I do crash quite a lot and I'm sure I'd be a lot more damaged without it.