BBC Top Gear India – July 2019

028 JULY 2019 → TOPGEAR.COM

Zip on, Zip off

Casual is cool

There   are few riding  pants   that    can fit casual  wear.       

Most    pack    in  some    bit of  accordion   panel   or  mega    

pockets for armour. This    pair    of  convertible trousers    from    

RE  breaks  the norm    with    a   perfectly   clean   design  and no  

external    blemishes.  They    are styled  as  regular cargo   pants   

with    deep    pockets,    the front   ones    get zippered    closure.    

The fit is  rather  snug    at  the thighs  and given   the fact    that    

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phone   and wallet  is  likely  to  restrict    overall movement.   

This    is  especially  apparent    when    you try to  swing   a   leg 

over    the motorcycle. 

The trousers    come    with    basic   level   one protection  at  

the knees   with    large   pockets that    allow   for an  easy    armour  

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above   the knees   allows  you to  take    the legs    off,    converting  

them    to  a   regular pair    of  shorts. This    helps   you cool    down    

as  well,   since   the layer   of  mesh    lining  can make    things  a   

bit stuffy. I   wish    the zipper  tabs    were    placed  on  the 

outside of  your    knees   to  avoid   the slight  discomfort  that    

comes   from    holding on  to  the tank    while   riding.

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around  town    and most    protective  gear    is  too cumbersome  

for this    sort    of  application.    There   are a   few who have    a   

dedicated   line    for casual, urban   wear,   but unfortunately   

they    can be  pretty  expensive.  Royal   Enfield has stepped in  

with    a   line    of  urban   sneakers    that    can be  worn    everyday,   

through the day.    The Rickman Sneaker have    been    my  pick    

for its ankle-length    protection  and clean   lines.  Thanks  to  the 

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boot,   it  packs   in  protection  for the ankle   on  the inside  and 

out.    You also    get solid   heel    and toe guards  to  complete    the 

scheme. While   it  is  well    finished    on  the outside,    I   wish    the 

heel    protector   had been    worked  into    the interior,   instead of  

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and takes   a   fair    few days    to  get used    to. However,    it  offers  

great   protection  and is  available   at  a   great   price   point.

RE Convertible Riding Trouser: ` 6,000


,$/1"2
2&"/&6: ` 4,000

RIDING PANTS FOR THE MOTORCYCLE, SHORTS FOR THE PICNIC

PACKS IN PROTECTION WITHOUT LOOKING

LIKE ROBOCOP

TOP TIP

Leave   the cargo   

pockets empty,  

there   is  enough  

room    otherwise.

BUYING  TIP

The cut on  this    boot    is  

wide,   you may want    

to  size    down    from    

your    regular pair    of  

riding  shoes   for a   

perfect fit.



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