What To Wear Out There

WHAT TO WEAR OUT THERE

You're hot, you're cold, you're crashed...

Motorcycle trekkers’ gear options have come a long way from woolen sweaters, jeans and construction boots.

Just check out BMW’s Rallye 2 enduro suit, a high-tech, all-weather textile getup that can keep you comfortable and protected through steamy lowland jungle to snowy mountain pass and everything in between.

The jacket ($615) features ample venting, plenty of pockets and two zip-out liners; one is a fine nylon mesh that holds the shoulder, elbow and backprotecting armor, the other is insulated Gore-Tex to keep you warm and dry. Sleeves are removable, a back pocket accepts a drink bladder (BMW's own Trinkbag), there is a zip-off fannypack and even a snap-on window pouch to display, no kidding, your competition number! Pants ($415) are similarly feature-laden, with stretch panels for enhanced maneuverability, plus leather patches on the inside of the knees for better grip on the bike in tough terrain. Weather-proofing worked, as Off-Road Editor Ryan Dudek reported that he was warm and dry at the end of a pretty wet and miserable day. The pants were snug at the knees due to his knee braces, but fit fine without said limb-hinges in place. Add the GS1 boots ($275, "Felt kind of old school," said the young Dude) and Rallye gloves ($79) to become fully factory equipped.

There are myriad aftermarket gear options, including one of the all-time classics: Aerostich's Darien Jacket and Pants ($497 and $297, respectively), as well as lighter-weight, more budget-minded suits such as AII0yMX's All Terrain ($230) or Moose Racing's Expedition ($260) two-piecers (the other suits on our ride). BMW, however, is your only OEM with a complete, high-quality adventure suit, gloves and boots. And it is, of course, all color-coordinated with your HP2.

Mark Hoyer