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Review
by Craig Marshall, Dualsport Africa |
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Outer
Jacket Shell |
Outer
Pants Shell |
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11
Air-Venting zips
2 Front Water Proof Pockets
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2
Air-Venting zips
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Removable Thermal
and Water-resistant Layer
Removable Shoulder
and Elbow pads
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Removable
Thermal and Water-resistant Layer
Removable Knee
pads
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Adventure touring outfit with high water resistant pockets
• Removable thermal lining and a breathable high
water ressistant lining
• CE protection in shoulders & elbows and
height adjustable in the knees
• 100% Cordura® with water resistant membrane
• Jacket and Pants zip together
• 13 Air-Venting zips
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Overview:
At first glance the Yamaha Adventure Touring
outfit is pleasing to the eye, and its even more
pleasing to wear.
The misconception for the hot African conditions,
is that we don't generally need the inner thermal
and waterproof linings, however if you live in the
highfeld and find yourself riding in the crisp winter
mornings, you will be glad you didnt remove the
inner 2 linings. Both the jacket and the pants have
a removable thermal layer and a breathable, high
water-resistant layer
For air temperatures below 15 C , you may
want to keep the thermal layers zipped in and the
vents closed.
The Jacket:
A respectable riding jacket is really the starting
point for any riders collection of protective clothing.
There are more inexpensive riding jackets out there
for beginners, but if you own a Yamaha, and like
to be brand loyal, there is no better product in
their range to compliment your bike like the Yamaha
Branded Adventure touring Jacket.
Zip Vents:
With 11 Air-Venting zips, it offers
incredible cooling in the mid summer riding conditions
around Southern Africa, and especially in slower
city riding, where you are not cruising fast enough
to create an airflow. Most noticeable are the Armpit
vents, directly behind them are vertical vents below
the shoulder blade and the 30cm horizontal vent
across the entire back - creating a continuous flow
of cool air. Added to these are the collarbone vents
and upper bicep vents. what more could you ask for.
With all the vents zipped closed, the jacket is
moderately warm and will do for most cooler riding
conditions, provided you have a long sleeve shirt
underneath.
Jacket Adjustability:
Equipped
with an elasticized and Velcro stitched waist band
for comfort fit and minimum airflow in cold conditions.
Pants:
The Yamaha Adventure Riding pants offer a high level
of protection and comfort. The long knee high zips
and extra length allow the pants to be worn over
MX boots. In addition the extra length ensures that
when you sitting down, your pants don't ride up
your legs and expose the top of your boots. The
knee pads seem to be too low when your standing
and walking, but slip into place once you sit down.
The knee pad height is adjustable.
The lower leg sections are adequately water resistant
for when water splashes up over your legs.
Pants Adjustability:
Equipped with an elasticized and Velcro stitched
waist straps on both sides.
Fabric:
The 100% Cordura® outer shell is extremely hard
wearing and abrasion resistant. Its not waterproof
but treated with a water repellant that can shrug
off light rain. To increase the water resistance
of the outer jacket and pants you can use a product
like NIKWAX®
To remove mud stains and dust, remove padding and
hand wash in warm water with detergent - DO NOT
USE FABRIC SOFTNER. hang in a draft warm dry place
until 100% dry before re-using.
Water-proofing & Water-Resistance:
lets set the record straight - most adventure suits
are not 100% or even 80% waterproof even with the
inner waterproof linings, but they do keep you warm
and 98% dry in wet conditions. Chances are that
if its really pissing with rain, you wont be riding,
or will find a bridge or tree to stop under. This
is why we have affordable rain suits for a few hundred
rand that you can pretty much have a shower in and
not get wet. Still, should you be riding in such
heavy rain??
Cordura® by nature is designed to be abrasive
resistant and offers windblock, warmth and protection
against falling, but its not a waterproof fabric.
The Yamaha Adventure Jacket and pants have been
treated with a water repellent and will keep you
dry from an expected rain shower if you are wearing
in the inner water-resistant layers. The outer jacket
and pants will still take on water and remain wet,
but you will stay dry and warm on the inside.
Remember to close ALL the venting zips in rain.
Sizing:
The sizing could have been more accurately graded
for Westerners. Its available from Small to XXL
- however the XXL seems to be more like an L and
the pants feel like a size 36 not a size 40, which
would be accurate for an XXL. So any big XXL and
XXXL guys out there may have to look for an alternative
suite.
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