“Attending a media launch of a new bike model, I wanted something that would not only give me proper protection but also look good as well as fit properly. My other criteria was that it would be a proper all weather jacket. I’m that guy, I want a one size fits all type garment that I can strip down or accessorise up as riding conditions demand. Cupboards full of kit that are redundant for half the year just annoy me.”
“The Octane vision suits that brief and my lifestyle. My first ride with it was in a hot and humid Hazyview where I zipped out the rain and winter liner and zipped open all the vent panels on the abdomen and sleeve vents which kept me nice and cool. I dumped the liners in my backpack and carried them with me just in case. I’m sure that if I had had the patience I could have folded them up neatly enough to fit into the pocket on the back of the jacket. The jacket does come with some decent malleable shoulder and elbow pads which work very well, but I am going to supplement that with some proper chest and back protection.”
“I bailed off a bike and landed squarely on my chest, winding myself and breaking a few ribs in the process. Would that have happened if I had chest protection? Dunno, but probably yes, maybe just not as much. What I can say though, is I PK’d down flippen hard and that was the only injuries I had on my abdomen, no abrasions, no cuts or roasties – nada! And the jacket fared even better, after a turn through the washing machine it should be bright and shiny.”
“Let’s talk about the fit quickly, I am bigger than the average person and generally have a hard time finding riding jackets that fit properly. This Octane Vision jacket fits nicely across the shoulders with plenty of length in the sleeves that they don’t pull up around my elbows when I’m riding. They are quite wide too with plenty of adjusters to size them back down to gangling arms. A slide adjuster on the neck cuff lets you determine how badly you want to strangle yourself… or not, so those ‘diknek’ okes can also fit in properly. And storage is plenty, with two big weatherproof pockets up front, a big pocket on the back and many pockets on the internal liners. Speaking of weatherproof, all the zips have sturdy weatherproof covers to keep the heavy rain and cold out and decent velcro adjuster on the sleeve cuffs to assist with the same. The jacket also comes with some very impressive features like 600d polyester & 1650 ballistic nylon construction with built in stretch panels, moulded rubber snaps and pullers, large mesh panels for air intake and exhaust, extra ventilation zip panels on arms, more storage pockets than your wife’s purse and CE armour on arms, shoulders and padded back protector. For just under R4k I reckon that you are going to look long and hard to find better value for money.”
For your nearest dealer: www.dmd.co.za
