Motorrad Adventures guide to choosing the right adventure bike riding gear to get the most out of off-road motorcycling in South Africa...
Adventure riding is thrilling and gets our adrenaline pumping. It makes us feel so free as we explore off the beaten path. This passion really hits us deeply. As adventure riders, staying safe and protected is our top priority, and the gear we choose is crucial for riding with confidence, comfort, and peace of mind.
The Motorrad Adventures Introductory Off-road Training course emphasized our safety concerns. We believe having the right protective gear is essential. The course gives valuable insights into the specific gear and equipment recommended for adventure riding in South Africa's diverse landscapes.
We have put together a list of the protective systems that we cover in our training. The items we present are systems we use and find work well for our riding. The brands we mention are ones we picked for fit, comfort, and safety ratings, but other good options are out there too. At the end of the day, you need to find the system that fits your body best, considering the safety criteria below.
Let's start at the top…
THE HELMET:
Although there are many reputable brands to choose from - during training, Tim uses his BMW GS Carbon EVO helmet to illustrate the points that you should consider when choosing a helmet. If you are not a BMW fan, there are a variety of other helmets available that meet all the safety considerations - you just have to shop around.
What to consider when choosing a helmet for adventure motorcycling...
Weight: New generation helmets are made from composite materials like carbon fibre, which are strong, durable, and lightweight. Avoid “Plastic” Helmets – they may look nice, but they will not protect your head properly in an impact!
MIPS: Choose a helmet with MIPS technology (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) – (In my opinion this is a non-negotiable) MIPS was developed by BELL initially for Formula 1 racing and has subsequently been integrated into motorcycle helmets. This system provides increased protection for the brain during an impact. You only have one head and brain – you should look after them well and not compromise on safety in this department.
Ensure your helmet is speed-rated for the speeds you ride at, both on and off-road.
Avoid flip-up helmets. These helmets have not been designed for, nor are they suitable for use in adventure motorcycling.
Look at helmets that are aero-dynamically designed with profiles and vents strategically placed to keep your head stable in airflow. BMW EVO, Bell, Airoh, Shoei, Arai etc. are all reputable brands that have been designed in a wind-tunnel environment for optimal stability and breathability in airflow. This helps with buffering, comfort and stability at higher speeds.
Look for helmets with a sun peak and a beak with vents (the EVO shown on the day has a removable chin vent flap and dust filter for free air inlet when off-road and riding in hot weather.) Adventure biking off-road is an aerobic activity, which means your heart, blood vessels and lungs all get a workout. You will need to breathe deeper when riding off-road. The beak design on the helmet gives room for greater airflow to your nose and mouth, literally giving you room to breathe. It also provides greater protection for your face in the event of an impact.
Other important elements to consider when choosing a helmet are removable, washable cheek padding with paramedic pulls and a comfortable chin strap with D rings.
Range of Visibility: you want the greatest range of vision possible when wearing your helmet without moving your head.
EYE PROTECTION:
In adventure biking, we recommend wearing appropriate eye protection against dust and debris often found off-road. You can’t ride blind - Visibility on the bike is ESSENTIAL!
We recommend wearing goggles with your helmet when off-road. Goggles protect your eyes from bugs and debris and because they are fitted to your face with a sponge filter they also keep out the dust really well.
When choosing a pair of goggles here are some points to consider:
Ensure the goggles fit your face and into your helmet comfortably. Take your helmet with you when you go shopping. If you wear prescription glasses choose a goggle that fits over your glasses in your helmet - we like wearing the Just1 brand of goggles, but there are many to choose from and you will need to buy a pair that fit into your particular helmet.
Another consideration when buying a pair of goggles is choosing one with a nose shield and finger pulls. Choose a pair of goggles that has a frame designed with a nose shield (Getting stung on the nose is not fun). Also, look for one with “handles” that give space to grip and pull the goggles away from your face easily.
BODY PROTECTION:
The system that Tim was wearing was the LEATT BODY PROTECTOR 3DF AIRFIT HYBRID (A nice lightweight system that is comfortable to wear, not too bulky and doesn’t compromise on protection (Leatt Total Protection score: 23/25 ) – The next step up is the 5.5 or 6.5 body protectors that both have kidney belts in addition and score 25/25.
I use the ALPINE STARS BIONIC ACTION V2 PROTECTION JACKET (The Leatt system equivalent would be the LEATT 5.5 BODY PROTECTOR), and although it is made from a hard compound it fits my body well and allows for movement.
It is important to find a system that offers a high level of protection, suits your particular build and is comfortable to wear. There are a variety of brands out there.
Important to Note: A body protection system is going to take some getting used to initially – it is going to look as if it is bulky to wear and for the first time it will feel odd, but once you are used to it, you will not regret switching over. It’s a game-changer. You will be MUCH COOLER, and it will allow you a greater range of motion on your bike without compromising protection.
THE KNEE BRACES:
The system that Tim wears is the MOBIUS X8 KNEE BRACE - with his past injuries this knee brace system provides total support and protection for him. The Leatt example that he presented was the Leatt dual axis knee and shin protector - Leatt have brought out a newer improved variant of this guard called the LEATT DUAL AXIS PRO KNEE AND SHIN PROTECTOR (which I would personally opt for if you are going the Leatt route as it has improved safety mechanisms, greater ventilation and comfort and has a Leatt Total Protection score of 25/25).
These are great because they are secured to your knee. Fit into your boots and allow movement
However, there are many options on the market. Your knee brace choice should consider:
A good fit to your body size, anatomically correct with a pivoting system for left and right sides for perfect knee motion.
Designed to avoid hyperextension as well as reducing lateral impact forces.
That has an impact protection certification (your knee guard needs to withstand impact proportional to the speeds you intend travelling on and off-road)
Soft padding and ventilation built into the design for comfort and chaffing protection.
A shin plate that is slim enough to fit comfortably into your boot without compromising protection.
For some riders the knee brace strapped onto bare skin is comfortable. Other riders choose knee brace socks or a pair of rash pants to wear under their knee and shin guards.
RIDING PANTS:
We ride with our pants tucked into our boots for reasons explained to you during the training and therefore find MX pants to be the most comfortable because they are tapered to fit into the boot without bunching and causing discomfort.
When it comes to MX pants, you are spoilt for choice. Here it is not about brand – it’s more about comfort and fit to your body. We spend a lot of time in the saddle so comfort, breathability, flexibility, and durability with reinforcement in vulnerable zones are very important to us.
At training, Tim wore MX pants from Wicked Family. We like wearing their gear because they are lightweight yet durable – the design allows for movement – the fabric is cool and flexible for movement and the garment is durable with protection in abrasion and heat-exposed areas, it washes well and is extremely comfortable to wear. To us, they are in a different league for comfort… But we also have Leatt, Fox and a few other brands of pants which, in our opinion, may not be as comfortable a fit as the Wicked Family but they do the job just as well…
ENDURO JERSEYS:
Enduro Jerseys to wear over your body protection can be chosen according to your own brand choice, style and design preference…
Points to consider when choosing a jersey are: Lightweight, breathable, moisture management fabric that allows airflow over the body, offers UV Protection, and is fast drying.
You may want to consider getting one of our new Motorrad Adventures Enduro Jerseys HERE...
BOOTS:
Choosing the right footwear will not only ensure that your shins and feet are protected but will also enable you to operate the controls of your motorcycle safely and fatigue you less when riding longer distances off-road. Look at enduro-style boots rather than the so-called "adventure" style ones.
We recommend the following boot features:
A high boot is a must. This protects your ankles and shins from impacts, stones and potential twisting forces.
You want to restrict ankle movement to avoid hyper-extending forwards and backwards, as well as from lateral extension (side to side).
Your boot should have a reinforced sole to prevent your feet from flexing over the footpegs, which causes fatigue when standing up on the bike.
We wear enduro boots and personally use the LEATT 5.5 FLEXLOCK. The Leatt boots provide enhanced support and protection while ensuring a comfortable riding experience. The impact foam surrounding the ankle and the heel grip delivers a cushioned sensation, preventing any discomfort even during extended periods of riding. With a spacious design, these boots offer ample foot room suitable for various foot shapes. They excel in lateral stability and rigidity, providing a secure grip and enhancing the overall bike handling. Additionally, the built-in plates in the soles prevent the feet from bending over the footpegs when standing off-road.
We love Leatt boots (specifically the 5.5 and 4.5 Enduro Boots), but they may not suit everyone. There are a number of other very reputable brands that you can also consider (Alpinestars, Gaerne, SIDI). Please avoid adventure-style riding boots. Although they are tall boots they are more biased to on-road riding, with flexible soles and very little ankle protection.
GLOVES:
When it comes to adventure motorcycling, the right pair of gloves is essential for both protection and comfort.
Choose a glove that fits your hand and is flexible enough to allow easy movement. You need to be able to feel your controls and use your hands effortlessly, without “fighting” the glove to reach your levers.
Choose a glove that has a fastener at the wrist. Gloves without a fastener can easily slip off in a crash, leaving your hands unprotected.
Stay away from leather - when leather gets wet it becomes slippery like soap, reducing your grip on the handlebars. Rather choose an Alcantara lining on your gloves that is tear and abrasion-resistant but maintains dexterity and is fast drying.
Choose a glove that is touchscreen compatible so you can easily operate your GPS or smartphone without removing it.
Thinner enduro gloves with Kevlar-reinforced palms and built-in knuckle guard protection are especially suited when travelling longer distances on tar. We use Alpinestars Techdura Enduro gloves when we cover long distances on tar or good gravel.
When riding off-road we believe that thinner gloves are better. Off-road riding is a more active riding form, and it is very important to “feel” the controls.
When riding off-road we choose MX gloves. They are inexpensive and made from a breathable, abrasion-resistant, flexible material called Alcantara, which is hard-wearing, durable, and fast-drying. They wash well and the favourable price tag means you can replace them easily if damaged. You can also buy a few pairs to carry with you without breaking the bank.
Here you are spoilt for choice - there is no shortage of good quality motocross gloves on the market.
WHERE TO GET THE GEAR FROM:
Most reputable bike gear retailers will have protective systems for sale. In our opinion, the best store, with sales personnel who ride bikes themselves and know first-hand which gear will be fit for purpose, is Bikers Warehouse Malibongwe. Their staff will go above and beyond to ensure that you are kitted out correctly. And remember, you can always contact us for help too…
It's our mission to help you get the very best out of Adventure Motorcycling!
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Keep the Rubber Side Down,
Big Love, the Motorrad Adventures Team.