I recently got to do an epic trip with Honda and Footpeg Diaries to the Tankwa Karoo and the Cederberg, riding an HRC-colored Africa Twin Adventure Sport. The bike was a consummate distance-devouring beast. On reflection, a huge contribution to the riding comfort can also be attributed to the kit I was wearing. My adventure jacket, helmet and boots were all from Acerbis, a household name in the off-road kit for aeons (imported by Bikewise).
The chances of falling off your bike go up exponentially when you venture offroad. Wearing decent protective gear is absolutely essential. Amongst the best value-for-money offerings for quality, proven gear comes from the Italian company Acerbis. Born in 1973 from a business relationship between Franco Acerbis and American dirt plastics legend Preston Petty, Acerbis started manufacturing a range of dirt bike plastic goodies in 1975. I still use an Acerbis header tank which I bought almost 40 years ago it still works flawlessly, not leaking a drop. This prompted me to look seriously at the Acerbis kit when shopping for dirt riding adventure kit.
I acquired a pair of Acerbis X-ROCK motocross boots a while back. I literally wore them for 5 days for hours on end. No pair of boots that offer this level of protection deserves to be this comfortable. There is an initial couple of days of breaking-in, after which they settle down and are properly comfortable. Boots are so vital to your overall protection. Your lower legs are vulnerable in that the bike will often fall onto them, making lower leg injuries an issue if they do not have the proper protection. The X-ROCKs give you huge confidence.
Next up is my Acerbis Adventure jacket which is now a veteran of many arduous trips in both hot and cold environments. Adventure jackets in my opinion need certain characteristics. Versatility, enough pockets, hydration options, strategically placed armour, and easy ventilation options, the Acerbis jackets tick all these boxes. There is a pocket for a hydration bladder in the back, with hanger clips for the hydration bag, as well as the necessary apertures for the tubing. It has two breast pockets and two hip pockets as well. Across the lower part of the back of the jacket is a wide pocket which is really useful. I put a splash jacket in there for cold or rain showers. The sleeves zip off which allows you to vent your armpits if you half unzip the sleeves. The sleeves also feature a zip down the length of the sleeve which allows serious airflow during hot weather to assist two breast vents to keep you comfortable. The neck features two press studs, allowing you to compensate for the thickness of clothing in cold weather without feeling strangled.
There are two removable linings for additional cold and damp weather protection. Also very handy is a zipped pocket on the left forearm with a transparent plastic window. This is ideal for easy access to a credit card for toll gates and fueling. Zips are all YKK, the best and most durable in my experience. All these features come at decent pricing. It is comforting to wear a world-renowned brand with an excellent reputation without having to sell a kidney.
Last but not least is my Acerbis Adventure helmet. The HRC colours matched the bike perfectly, which was obviously not planned, given that I have had the helmet for over a year. Like my boots, it is seriously comfortable once settled. It features good venting and despite this, offers a really decent seal in poor weather or wind. There is a drop-down dark sun visor too. The helmet strap is fastened by a clip system which works flawlessly. Best of all, you do not pay a weight penalty despite the comprehensive specifications. This is important when you have a ten-hour day in the saddle. Your neck will thank you! The helmet is stable in the airflow too, with a well-vented peak that does not pull your head around as some adventure helmets tend to do.
So there you have it. If you are in the market for adventure riding kit you will do yourself an injustice if you don’t explore the Acerbis range. I can highly recommend it! (On that note, this kit was bought with my own hard-earned loot).
For more information have a look at the Bikewise website here – www.bikewise.co.za
