All-Weather Riding Gear

[KevinW]

(I wasn't sure which area to put this question in but this seems to be as good a place as any)

I suspect I'm searching for the Holy Grail but I'd like to sort out our textile riding gear. We bought some Richa 'all-weather' gear last year which was very comfortable to wear and as cool as it was possible to be in the 40 degree heat of the Turkish summer but about as waterproof as a tea bag and the quality isn't great.

Is there such a thing as a set of textiles that is cool when it's hot, warm when it's cold and dry when it's wet? If the suit was dry without having to put in waterproof liner that would be even better,

I realise the best solution is different gear for different weather but when undertaking a reasonable trip, ie. weeks rather than days, and encountering different climates it would be nice not to have to sacrifice luggage space and weight to different suits.

I hear good things about the BMW textile suits but don't know anyone who has tried them in hot countries.

I've also heard Halvarsson's gear is good but it all seems to be black which wouldn't be very good when the sun is beating down.

Thanks.

Kevin


Kevin...I've moved this into 'equipment and toys' where you'll get more serious answers...the pub is really for less serious questions
Bill.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Hi Kevin, good to see you around again. Have a look at Hein-Gericke stuff, I've always rated it especially at the price.

 

[D6]

i got a pair of akito dessert trousers, removable linings, these are waterproof, 4 days rain, constant , last time touring, NO leaks,
jus leave the padded lining out and they are very cool, u can leave vents open and they are still waterproof, had them in rumania etc last year, no probs being too hot, very breathable liner,
around the £85 quid mark,
didnt like the knee protectors tho, swapped em for softer uns

 

[KevinW]

Hi Kevin, good to see you around again. Have a look at Hein-Gericke stuff, I've always rated it especially at the price.

Hi David, hope you're well. Unfortunately I'm not the right size for HG stuff - the legs are always too long (or my waist is too big!). I hoped we'd be back down your way some time this year but I now have a job which has curtailed our riding somewhat.

Thanks also for the recommendation for Akito Digger06. I thought there would be several people happy to share their experiences of BMW gear but apparently not. Anyway, after talking to a BMW dealer about the BMW Streetguard clothing we eventually went for Halvarsson/Linstrandt which has lots of vents, held up against torrential rain last Sunday and seemed pretty abrasion resistant when we stacked our 1400GTR later on the same day when the clothing was less than 24 hours old!

Kevin

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Good god, keep it upright man! Hope you're both ok after the drop. Give my best to "she who must have whacked you around the head after picking the bike up".

 

[Andrew Dalton]

(I wasn't sure which area to put this question in but this seems to be as good a place as any)

I suspect I'm searching for the Holy Grail but I'd like to sort out our textile riding gear. We bought some Richa 'all-weather' gear last year which was very comfortable to wear and as cool as it was possible to be in the 40 degree heat of the Turkish summer but about as waterproof as a tea bag and the quality isn't great.

Is there such a thing as a set of textiles that is cool when it's hot, warm when it's cold and dry when it's wet? If the suit was dry without having to put in waterproof liner that would be even better,

I realise the best solution is different gear for different weather but when undertaking a reasonable trip, ie. weeks rather than days, and encountering different climates it would be nice not to have to sacrifice luggage space and weight to different suits.

I hear good things about the BMW textile suits but don't know anyone who has tried them in hot countries.

I've also heard Halvarsson's gear is good but it all seems to be black which wouldn't be very good when the sun is beating down.

Thanks.

Kevin


Kevin...I've moved this into 'equipment and toys' where you'll get more serious answers...the pub is really for less serious questions
Bill.

very predictably (ho hum) can I suggest you look at aerostich? They do lighter weight gear, as well as the Roadcrafter "fat suit" with its zips for letting cool windblast in. I also like HG, but for baking Turkey how does a mesh suit for crash proection and an unlined waterproof suit grab you? However when Londo gets up to 27C the roadcrafter is still hot. So is mesh. For temperate riding I have a HG Cruise Jacket with zip air vents and HGcool leather waterproof jeans (£420 aargh!- and thats with trade discount)

 

[haydw]

Bit late I know, and you have tested your gear in anger (both ways- rain AND throwing it down the road) but I would definately recommend BMW Streetguard suits.

Had a fair share of textile gear over the years and all of it has leaked at some stage- thats until I got my Streetguard suit. Have been out in monsoons and it has not leaked a drop. You get sweaty in all textile gear, but have been less sweaty in this gear than in anything else. Streetguard 2 seems to be made out of some fancy goretex- it certainly does what it says on the tin.

Got mine from Alan Jefferies and got a very big discount from list price- it still was not cheap. I use the suit every day and it still looks as good as new and I am confident it will last for years. My only gripe is the strength of the velcro on the neck collar- had to put a popper on it for extra security.

 

[rin_sun]

Also looking for replacement for EXCELLENT BMW clothing

It's worn out. I've worn it for about 25,000 miles! That yellow kevlar suit that I love. Cost a fortune but superb. Can't seem to find where to get another. I'd like to try it on before buying and I cannot see any UK web store where I can look properly at the pics to see what it's like. I want colour, not black or grey, and my bike is yellow, so I'd prefer that again. It's been warm (fleece inner) in the cold weather, waterproof in the rain and cool (but tarmac resistant) in Morocco. Pricey but price per wearing …

 

[rin_sun]

forgot to look!

I went to find my local Motorrad BMW today and forgot to see what gear they have. Bother. Will try to remember next time I go over to have this fork leg replaced.

 

[beemerboy9]

The Streetguard is a heavywight textile suit and the Comfortshell is a lighter-weight suit with the same Schoeller "c-change" membrane.

hope this helps,

john

 

[KevinW]

Bit late I know, and you have tested your gear in anger (both ways- rain AND throwing it down the road) but I would definately recommend BMW Streetguard suits.

Had a fair share of textile gear over the years and all of it has leaked at some stage- thats until I got my Streetguard suit. Have been out in monsoons and it has not leaked a drop. You get sweaty in all textile gear, but have been less sweaty in this gear than in anything else. Streetguard 2 seems to be made out of some fancy goretex- it certainly does what it says on the tin.

Got mine from Alan Jefferies and got a very big discount from list price- it still was not cheap. I use the suit every day and it still looks as good as new and I am confident it will last for years. My only gripe is the strength of the velcro on the neck collar- had to put a popper on it for extra security.

I've now tested the Halvarsson suit in the English sun and it's too hot. God knows what it would be like in Turkey but I've no intention of finding out!

Kevin

 

[KevinW]

very predictably (ho hum) can I suggest you look at aerostich? They do lighter weight gear, as well as the Roadcrafter "fat suit" with its zips for letting cool windblast in. I also like HG, but for baking Turkey how does a mesh suit for crash proection and an unlined waterproof suit grab you? However when Londo gets up to 27C the roadcrafter is still hot. So is mesh. For temperate riding I have a HG Cruise Jacket with zip air vents and HGcool leather waterproof jeans (£420 aargh!- and thats with trade discount)

Yep I investigated the Aerostitch stuff and even people who really rate it said it leaked at the seams in a downpour unfortunately.

Kevin

 

[KevinW]

The Streetguard is a heavywight textile suit and the Comfortshell is a lighter-weight suit with the same Schoeller "c-change" membrane.

hope this helps,

john

Ah, thank you. I'll have a look at that.

Kevin

 

[KevinW]

Good god, keep it upright man! Hope you're both ok after the drop. Give my best to "she who must have whacked you around the head after picking the bike up".

We are thanks. Bruising and cracked ribs (which are still painful). SWMBO wasn't unhappy with me I'm pleased to say .

Kevin

 

[boatman]

hi there we rode on the continent with uk gear one summer and suffered very badly with heat exhaustion n dehydration (steep learning curve there).Since then we have had various mesh gear which keeps u cool but i have never felt at all safe in it .Just back a wee trip down as far as croatia in very warm temps bought an akito desert suit (very inexpensive for what you get) with the vents open it was quite managable I took the liners out and used a nylon coverall when it was occasionally wet cos putting the liners back in quickly at the roadside is too fiddly but imho its a good compromise

 

[Phil1066]

All Weather Riding Gear

I am going to be a real uncool saddo.. but riding every day (50 mile round trip to work ++)in this god forsaken Irish weather I have come to the conclusion that there is no point shelling out for the expensive gear as it never seems to keep you that cool or warm or dry..... I firmly believe in buying from lidl or aldi at a fraction of the cost then replace it when it no longer serves a purpose. Having said that, my lidl jacket has kept me dry for 3 years now and in the Irish climate that is some recommendation. As for boots, the only thing that keeps me dry are army boots!!

Phil

 

[KevinW]

hi there we rode on the continent with uk gear one summer and suffered very badly with heat exhaustion n dehydration (steep learning curve there).Since then we have had various mesh gear which keeps u cool but i have never felt at all safe in it .Just back a wee trip down as far as croatia in very warm temps bought an akito desert suit (very inexpensive for what you get) with the vents open it was quite managable I took the liners out and used a nylon coverall when it was occasionally wet cos putting the liners back in quickly at the roadside is too fiddly but imho its a good compromise

What was the quality like? The Richa stuff we bought seems to be the best compromise gear we have but the quality is dire (i t was falling apart on our trip), the armour is poor despite being CE approved and the jacket deteriorated so much I've thrown it away.

If Halvarsson made similar stuff that would be the best answer as their quality and armour are excellent IMO.

Kevin

 

[Noiseboy]

Hi Kweller if you are looking at shelling out bmw sort of prices, the lower end of the Rukka stuff represents amazing value for money as it comes with a 5 year warranty and they will even loan you replacements while yours are being fixed. I also generally find there gear considerably lighter than the bmw stuff.

I have nothing to do with them other than being a very satisfied customer.

Hope this helps Tom

 

[KevinW]

Thanks but we already have a set of Rukka gear each. It's great for Winter but no use at all in hot climates.

Kevin

 

[casperfelix]

I went the Rukka APR AirVision route - got a last years jacket at the bike show. Wish I'd got the trousers too. Jacket is brilliant - very comfortable and with the waterproof liner out it lets serious air in. Was comfortable in 35%c in Croatia and Hungary this year. And (with liner in) around 3%c in pouring rain in England earlier this year.

Trouble is it costs a fortune and they are asking 500euro for the latest trousers!