Royal Enfield Nirvik V2 Jacket review
The original Nirvik jacket did quite nicely as far as long-distance touring jackets are concerned. Lots of adjustable room, good amount of storage space and zippers that provide easy access to the stuff that you'd like to keep on your person. But the new Nirvik V2, well it works even better. Here's how and why.
Like before, there are abrasion zones, ribbed stretch sections on the shoulders and elbow, but now, you get forearm and bicep adjusters that loosen up, giving you breathing room to move about on tricky patches of terrain, and later even get that snug fit and not have your jacket sleeves flapping about when you pick up the pace. It looks classy yet tough, and feels so too. It looks great in all black, where the toughened shoulder and forearm sections don't stand out as much as on the lighter dual-tone grey colour option.
As with most textile jackets now-a-days the Nirvik had one shortcoming. There's a lot of built-to-last fabric on there, which makes it is heavy, and with this weight, things tend to get a bit hot and stuffy inside when the weather doesn't work in your favour. And that had much to do with the air flow from the front. And that's the issue that has been addressed with the latest Nirvik V2 jacket. It's got multiple more zippered pockets at the front with air vents in the center front, chest, back, forearms, and side seams.
Yes, and the two bi-directional zippers on the inner side of both arms really makes a world of a difference when temperatures are high. there are zippers and buttons to keep everything nice and tidy when you open up all the vents and it doesn't look as odd as it did before with the magnets keeping the flaps in place.
I also like the little waterproof pocket on the inside of the jacket, so you can quickly stash away something like your phone when the rain catches you off-guard as well as the sunglass hanger loop in the front which is very convenient. It's more of an all-weather jacket than the original Nirvik was. The Nirvik V2 retains that massive zipper vent and on the back which I found very useful because it allows for a air to circulate through the jacket nicely when you brave through some blistering hot weather.
For impact protection, the Nirvik V2 gets D3o armour (CE level 2) at the shoulders and elbows, and Royal Enfield Ergo Protech armour (CE level 2 at back, CE level 1 at chest). The jacket also gets a removable thermal liner (sold separately). Like the Nirvik, the Nirvik 2 gets a pouch at the back which is meant to store your jacket's protective rain cover. The reason for the Nirvik 2 not getting an inner waterproof liner is simple. In the event of rain, the outer jacket will get wet and thereby gain weight, and this unwanted weight won't be added to the equation if the waterproof cover is on the outside. Overall a great quality all-weather touring jacket to have in your biking wardrobe. looking forward to some longer rides with this one. The Nirvik V2 jacket does cost a pretty penny at almost 18 grand a pop, but it most certainly looks classy, feels comfy and built-to-last.
Price: Rs 17,950