Like an adventure-touring bike, an adventure-touring jacket needs to be ready for anything, come what may. It should provide comfort and protection in a range of conditions and stand up to abuse. The British Motorcycle Gear Adventure Jacket was originally designed for the Dakar Rally, which puts more demands on riders, motorcycles, and gear in a fortnight than run-of-the-mill adventure riding will do in a year (or even a lifetime).
The Adventure’s outer shell is made of 500-denier nylon with anti-abrasion overlayers on the elbows and shoulders that are backed by EVA foam. The adjustable waist/kidney belt on the outside of the jacket also has EVA foam padding along the back. The inside of the jacket is lined with stretchy, breathable athletic mesh, and there are pockets for shoulder, elbow, and back armor. Knox CE shoulder and elbow armor is provided; back armor is sold separately for $29.
To deal with the variable weather conditions, there’s a waterproof/windproof layer that can be zipped over the jacket, and it can be conveniently stored in the large, rectangular pocket at the lower back. There’s a removable hydration system with a bladder and a long tube that secures to the front of the jacket. Zippered vents – large ones on the inner forearm and smaller ones at the front and back of the shoulders – provide ventilation. There are numerous fit adjusters (neck, arms, cuffs, waist, and hem) and pockets (two on the inside and seven on the outside).
My first test of the BMG Adventure Jacket was at the press launch for the new Kawasaki KLR650 and on my 1,000-mile ride home from the event. Over five days of riding, I encountered chilly mornings in the mountains of northern New Mexico, a drenching monsoon thunderstorm in Arizona, and 120-degree heat in the Mojave Desert. In the months that followed, I wore the jacket during on- and off-road rides in Southern California.
In terms of fit, function, and style, the jacket has performed admirably. I have been particularly keen on the soft neoprene-lined collar, built-in hydration system, and mesh-lined vents. Of course, on the hottest days, more ventilation would have been appreciated, but in those extreme situations only a full mesh jacket would have done the job. The easy-on, easy-off rain/wind layer served me well when I needed to quickly adapt to sudden changes in the weather.
If you’re looking for a versatile, practical, three-quarter-length textile touring jacket, then BMG’s Adventure Jacket is good option at a good price. It’s available in sizes XS-4XL in orange or blue for $279.99.
For more information: See your dealer or visit britishmotorcyclegear.com
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Source: RiderMagazine.com