Jacket or MX armour for Africa...?
 

Again in search of wise council...
Im looking for a protective jacket to wear on my Cape to Cairo trip. Unfortunately in South Africa the selection is limited to cold weather super pricy stuff (crazy considering the weather here). I would like to be water proof, but I dont want to be hot and uncomfortable in the desert (East coast route). Is it worth considering a light waterproof jacket and MX body armour instead?

Thanks Again
Jim

Why not try a lightweight cordura jacket that comes equipped with full body armour, plenty of ventilation (5 zipped vents)& a removable Gore-Tex liner - i.e. Hein Gericke Tourag Rallye GTX jacket or similar.Check out their website, in German & English.

I realise that HG may not have an outlet in SA.

Steve

Hi jim,

We are driving with the RUKKA Air Power clothing!
There you can zip out the GoreTex!
It is a fantastic feeling to feel the air and the wind!!!!! :-)
BMW and others do have nearly rhe same stuff too!!
BUT EXPENSIVE TOO!! :-(

It is expensive but worth to buy it!!

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Best wishes - RalEva

http://www.Motorradnomaden.de

The homepage has a translation service!!

[This message has been edited by RalEva (edited 17 February 2004).]

I love hot weather riding gear discussions - this is one of my obsessions!

I think your idea of using motocross armour is fine for impact protection - but you might want to get a back protector too. Some motocross armour isn't much good in the back area.

You will also need protection from abrasion on paved roads - so unless you're sticking to the dirt your top layer needs to be made of Cordura or similar.

Another choice is the Dainese Safety Jacket - just a mesh lining with armour in it. Quite similar to motocross armour, but has a back protector. Great in hot weather. I'm sure you can get Dainese stuff from a sports bike shop. They do pants too, with knee and hip armour.

BMW's Rallye 2 jacket is the "Rolls-Royce" solution - an incredible piece of kit. You have BMW dealers there so you should be able to get it - but big bucks!!

i've travelled around africa for more than two years, using a DAINESE motocross protection shirt with a good back protection.

it's great when it's hot (often) and it's lightweight.

i can also claim that it protects you well...

...as i have just crashed with 80 km/h on a stony piste and would have been perfectly fine, if the bike wouldn't have loyally followed my flight and landed right on top of me.

i can only recommend it!

cheers,

steven

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online diary and travel info from the road in africa:

west coast to cape town
east coast to zurich

www.contrast.cx