Choosing the perfect motorcycle and tires are topics that spark heated discussions at coffee shops and especially on social media. Another hot topic when it comes to dual-purpose and adventure riding is protective gear.
Here are five points to consider to help you fully enjoy the joys of adventure riding.
The helmet
First, let’s start with the only piece of protective gear that is mandatory in Quebec for riding a motorcycle: the helmet. Let’s get one thing straight: a full-face helmet is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Protecting yourself from flies, branches on trails, or rocks thrown up by the rider in front of you when you accelerate is essential.
A road helmet should offer good aerodynamics and be quiet. A dual-purpose helmet should, in addition to the features of a road helmet, provide good airflow. This is because on more technical sections that require more physical effort, having the chin guard further away from the mouth helps with breathing. It is also often better ventilated to keep you cool. The visor is used to provide shade when it is difficult to see due to dust on the screen. Surprisingly, at highway speeds, the peek screen does not cause much turbulence.
If you want even more air to breathe and don’t want to ride with the screen open, opt for a motocross-style helmet. With goggles, you’ll have complete protection and good ventilation. However, it will be noisier and more tiring on long trips at high speeds.
An off-road or dual-purpose helmet is not mandatory. However, it is designed to offer greater comfort in the type of conditions encountered with an adventure bike.
In fact, comfort is the main aspect to consider when purchasing a helmet.
The jacket
An adventure jacket is much more than just a motorcycle jacket. Manufacturers are competing to offer us true masterpieces. From a simple jacket with a few pockets to the ultimate jacket that can be used in the desert or when the first snowflakes appear, there are many options.
Whether for protection against impact or abrasion, adventure jackets must be comfortable. They must also offer practical features that a leather jacket does not, such as storage pockets on the front and sleeves for easy access to your wallet or other items that need to be within reach.
A compartment on the back for a hydration pack is often a popular feature. This means you don’t have to carry a backpack to stay hydrated.
Another protective option that is often seen is the chest protector. Although this is a good alternative, it is important to be aware of a few things. First, chest protectors and other protective gear worn directly on the body offer zero[D1] protection against abrasion. Often used on hot days, they provide good ventilation when in motion. When stationary, however, perspiration makes the chest protector difficult to remove and replace. As a result, you tend to keep it on and don’t cool down… at least, not as much as with a jacket, which can be easily removed by unzipping it and undoing two or three Velcro fasteners.
I have both a jacket and a chest protector. On warmer days, if I’m doing “technical” riding, I wear my jacket because it can be taken off quickly. If I’m going to ride without really stopping or working in difficult sections, I’ll wear the chest protector with a motocross jersey.
In my opinion, the practicality and functionality of the jacket are the basic criteria for a good adventure motorcycle jacket.
Pants
Pants are just as important as the jacket. Adventurers are looking for the same features: comfort, protection, and practicality with multiple storage compartments. As with jackets, manufacturers offer products with knee and hip protection.
One thing to consider when shopping is to make sure that the inside of the legs is reinforced with leather. This area wears out quickly due to the friction of the pants against the motorcycle.
If you choose to wear enduro or motocross pants, be aware that they offer no protection. You will therefore need to wear knee pads, among other things. They also offer no protection against abrasion if you slide on the asphalt. However, they will be more effective in terms of ventilation on hot days.
Much like jackets, practicality and functionality are key when it comes to pants.
Boots
Here I’m going to give you my honest opinion. If you plan on leaving the pavement, boots will be your best friend. If there’s one piece of equipment you shouldn’t skimp on, it’s a pair of boots suitable for off-road riding. I wear motocross boots 90% of the time… and believe me, they’ve saved me from several injuries. Ankles, shins, fibulas… you name it, my boots have saved me a lot of trouble.
More and more manufacturers are offering adventure boots that meet the criteria sought by adventure motorcyclists. Shin protection. Good lateral support for the ankles and a rigid sole. All this while providing surprising comfort and the waterproofing that is so often sought after.
On the other hand, some motocross boot manufacturers offer extremely comfortable and waterproof boots.
I rarely recommend a product because no one knows better than you what is right for your needs. However, when shopping for adventure motorcycle boots, think safety and protection first. Even if it means spending a little more…
Another level
Protective gear used in enduro or motocross is often used in adventure riding as well.
Neck brace and knee pads. Personally, I use both. In both cases, it takes some time to get used to them and adjust.
Leatt, a company specializing in motorcycle and bicycle protective gear, offers a model of knee protectors for adventure riding. Although I had some difficulty adjusting to them, today I can’t do without them on off-road trips.
The neck protector is effective. Once properly adjusted, you forget you’re wearing it and it doesn’t interfere with head movement. However, it is increasingly being replaced by inflatable vests. These provide total protection.
The inflatable jacket protects the vertebrae and internal organs by inflating when a mechanism is triggered. Some jackets deploy using an electronic system that detects any deceleration or by means of a cord attached to the motorcycle. Upon impact and ejection of the motorcyclist from the bike, the cord pulls on the mechanism that inflates the jacket.
Some models are worn under the jacket, others over it.
There are even inflatable pants that have recently come onto the market. This is proof of the effectiveness of the concept.
I don’t own an inflatable jacket yet. However, I’ve had the chance to try out a few models and am considering getting one soon.
Conclusion
In the wonderful world of motorcycling, it’s really too easy to create needs for yourself… From completely wacky stuff to the latest technological gadgets, motorcyclists generally have no problem pulling out their credit cards to buy them.
It’s the same story with protective gear. And manufacturers know this, appealing to our emotions and playing the safety card.
When people ask me for advice on protective gear, I say, “Needs, means, tastes!” I also tell them that it’s important to take the time to get used to their gear and adjust it properly so they can enjoy their adventures in complete safety.
Also, keep in mind that even the best equipment won’t prevent you from falling. It won’t prevent you from getting hurt either. But it will minimize the damage… The best protection will always be your attitude and skills.
