Motorcycle rider gear is by nature a compromise , then there ’ s adventure riding , the gear is more often than not a greater compromise . With that in mind we picked up the top offering from Australia manufacturer , Dririder , the Vortex 2 adventure jacket .
No less a perfect place to evaluate the Vortex 2 was the Himalaya ’ s of India , a place that provided all riding conditions and just as many weather situations thrown at us .
The first thing we noticed with the Vortex 2 is the sizing . None of our regular sizes fit throughout the Vortex 2 range , perhaps their sizing is a
few sizes smaller than everyone else , or we ’ ve suddenly ballooned . Strangely the Vortex 2 , although a male garment , seemed to fit our female tester better . Both encountered odd arm lengths , possibly not a problem of the jacket . What was a problem was the placement of the shoulder and elbow armour , neither sat correctly on either rider despite considerable time spent on adjustment .
The armour includes a back protector , and like what is provided within the arms is a little on the thin side . Despite a MotoCAP rating of just 50 % our firsthand experience , our tester came off the bike a couple of times , the armour absorbed the impact well , no injuries . The offs were reasonably slow speed yet still impacted the rough conditions hard .
The jackets fabric also resisted the impact without damage . MotoCAP suggest that the Vortex 2 has an abrasion resistance of just 10 %, we can ’ t speak for sliding along a bitumen road , but can safely say the fabric is well resistant to sliding on Himalayan high desert gravel . MotoCAP also give the Vortex 2 a burst rating of 100 %, we ’ d agree , no problems with stitching or seams .
Fitment aside , the Vortex 2 works reasonably well . In light rain the jackets outer shell holds back the moisture without a need for the liner , with the liner it does much better , yet , like all jackets you will still have some water where you don ’ t want it . The Vortex 2 does get an 80 % MotoCAP rating .
The Vortex 2 is also well appointed when it comes to holding back the wind and cold , a quilted liner is included , we ’ d suggest leaving it at home and use
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