The latest Viper V4 serves as a replacement to the third-generation jacket that I have been using for a couple of years now, and it has made steps forward in multiple areas.
The first improvement that I’ve found is in the materials used, and the new model steps up to a more durable 600D material. What’s more interesting is that this material has laser-cut holes all across areas that are usually non perforated, including the arms and the sides of the jacket. With large mesh panels at the front, ventilation is very good and even better than before.
Another area I find appreciable improvements in is in how the jacket fits. The length at the front has been reduced, and while it may seem too short while standing up, this reduction results in less bunching up of material around the stomach when seated on the bike. It just makes for a sportier, more fitted look, which is great, but it should also be noted that the fit is on the snug side, and larger riders may want to size up.
One of my complaints with the earlier jacket was that the sleeves were too short. That has been improved here, but taller riders will find that they can still be made slightly longer. I also wanted longer zipper pull tabs for the side pockets to make them easier to find with gloves, and while that hasn’t happened, the pockets themselves are now a little larger, which is nice.
As before, the jacket ships with a removable wind liner, and it has a waterproof internal pocket. Also, like before, the jacket is equipped with slim CE level one armour in the shoulders and elbows, but you still need to purchase back and chest armour separately, which is one area where Indian-made jackets continue to offer better value.
What has changed is that there are now conventional pockets to hold the chest armour. This makes it much easier to remove the chest armour when washing the jacket compared with the earlier system where you had to use the back protector compartment zipper to put the chest armour into its dedicated pockets.
The Viper V4 is available in four colour options, and it has taken a more sporty positioning compared to its predecessors. Having used the Viper V3 for two years on a daily basis in all weather conditions, I can confirm that it ages well and that all materials hold up well over time. The Alpinestars Viper V4 Air is available in India, although it is priced at a premium and is on par with other high-end brands like Dainese.
Where: www.houseofmachines.in
Price: Rs 27,600
Dinshaw Magol
