The interceptor - Royal Enfield

REVIEWSThis month it’s Riding Boots all the way:We review two offroad-oriented models offered by Sidi.★ ★ ★ ★Sidi Charger: The Charger isone of the higher end boots in theSidi range. It uses the Sidi SingleFlex system which is essentially ahinged ankle that allows the footto flex up and down easily, whilemaintaining stiffness from side-tosidewhich ensures that the ankledoes not to buckle. The greatestadvantage of this system is that nobreak-in is required for the shoe tolose its stiffness. These boots areso well designed that one can wearit even on a 2500 km ride straightout of the box and still not feel anydiscomfort.The plastic pieces are tough andin all the right places; nothing extraor fancy on this boot, it is all businessand very easy to get on since itopens up wide. The leather areas onthe boot are constructed of a syntheticmaterial called Lorica and areas good as real, if not better; it istough and lasts quite a bit. The bootis not waterproof, but it is prettywater resistant and on the watercrossing en route to Ladakh theyremained dry even when the legwas submersed underwater for wellover half a minute. These particularboots use a Teflon breathable lining,which ensures that any water thatcomes over the top of the boot willnot be retained and it will absorband dry out a lot quicker than mostother boots.The cam-lock buckles are thatthe Charger incorporates as veryuser friendly and they stay closed;they are also easily adjustable andthe adjustments stay put. Since theboot is overall a little less stiff inthe upper portion of the calf, theysuit adventure riding. Overall theboots are lightweight, well fittingand provide you the best protectionyou can buy for your legs at theprice. Available for $ 375 at www.motocrossgiant.com and most otheronline stores— Santhosh Vijay KumarSidi Discovery Rain: TheDiscovery Rain reviewed here isprimarily adventure touring boots—one that can be extensively used onand off-road, putting in long hoursin the saddle. These boots basicallyaim at giving you the protectionclose to that of a motocross bootwithout the bulky, heavy and rigidnature they’re known for.To start with, Sidi rightly claimsthat the Discovery Rain is waterproofand after riding through twocontinuous days of rain and morethan a few above-ankle lengthwater-crossings, these really arewaterproof. They do a fantastic jobin keeping all water out thus keepingyour feet dry and you happy!However, you will have water inyour boots if you plan on standing ina water crossing with knee lengthwater- it will simply sneak in fromthe top of the boot.Unlike touring boots, the34Discovery Rain uses a cam-locksystem with the help of 3 buckles(as compared to 4 on a typicalmotocross boot) on with the usualVelcro. Another problem with somemotorcycle boots, mostly of the motocrosstype, is of the break-in timethat they usually require. Howeverwith the Sidi discovery rain, I hadabsolutely no trouble breaking themin: in fact I didn’t feel a thing. Youcould just take a brand new pair outof the box and leave for a long ridethe next day—that’s how good theyare! Gear shifting is a no frills affairright from day one and like any otherboot, the more time your feet spendin them the more comfortable itbecomes.Available for $325 at www.motocrossgiant.com, www.revzilla.com and other leading riding gearwebsites these definitely are a goodinvestment.— Adarsh Saxena★ ★ ★ ★