Best kit on a budget

[Bikermike1411]

Hi everyone,

I'm after a bit of advice about the best kit to get on a fairly tight budget.
I picked up my GS at the end of last year and was happy wearing my old Weiss Waterford II jacket, until it transpired the Waterford wasn't very waterproof....

It's been years since I bought any new kit, and I know next to nothing about modern textile jackets/trousers, having been a power ranger for the last 20 years.... I wouldn't know what to pay, what was a good deal or what to avoid (I'm totally familiar with the different brand, though not their textile products)

I've missed a couple of second hand jackets on this site (most recently an almost new Arlen Ness Touareg for £40!), but it's got me thinking. I know the adage is 'you get what you pay for', and I can't afford to pay a lot, but what would you recommend I look at? Are there any gems out there, dealers offers on old stock or (large) second hand bargains to be had? And I've not even considered trousers or a new lid yet...one thing at once!

Any help appreciated!
Mike

 

[DrFarkoff]

Check out "Australian Biker Gear" on E bay my pal rides all year round and he has their kit that is about 3 years old and it is still waterproof

 

[oddshapedballs]

All of the RST gear is well put together and cheap secondhand, my advice; try and get a jacket (and trousers) with removable drop liners (thermal & waterproof) otherwise you'll find you sweat like mad in the summer because the waterproof liner in a cheaper jacket isn't as breathable as a high-end piece of kit, and if it's fixed into the jacket you'll struggle on hot days.

 

[Tractors are go]

Check out Aldi/lidl when they have bike stuff for sale.

Best kit in the world is useless if it doesn't fit properly or makes you feel uncomfortable.

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[Nevsey]

Check out bikingoutlet on ebay, they have a lot of 'seconds' or ex shop stuff. They are Ghostbikes outlet shop. I just got a rev'it jacket from them for less than half price of a brand new one, absolutely nothing wrong with it and next date delivery.

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[Bikermike1411]

Cheers lads. Are there any particular RST or Rev'it jackets I should be looking for?


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[Santa-2512]

Check out Aldi/lidl when they have bike stuff for sale.

Best kit in the world is useless if it doesn't fit properly or makes you feel uncomfortable.

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Lidl I have a set of there motorbike trousers from about 4 years ago, bit shabby now, and repaired like mad, + a few leaks now sadly

but for the price they are great, I only wish i'd bought the matching jacket,

My Frank Thomas jacket dosent link to the trousers, that said that its a bloody good jacket, the removable summer part is a godsend

and get some decent compression stuff that wicks and holds the sweat away from the jacket.


Mart

 

[Andyb1375]

Cheers lads. Are there any particular RST or Rev'it jackets I should be looking for?


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I bought the adventure 2 jacket and trousers whick are very good..

There are often bargains in the 'for sale' section

 

[tanneman]

What size are you? Interested in a Hein Gericke Summit suit that I'm going to sell on here in a few months but I'm willing to let go if you want it (I have something else to wear in the mean time)? I rate this suit and had it for the past 4 years, Ride magazine best buy, bonded Goretex etc. Selling it because I fancy something newer. It would be a cheaper intro into textiles. I went through a few suits before I settled on this one circa £800 when new. PM me if you want more info.

Otherwise have a look on the ride magazine website for the textile suit tests. They do one for the premium suits and the suits up to £600. Surprising results.
Also WebBikeWorld and Revzilla reviews.

What works for somebody else might not be for you. I like vents and bonded Goretex as that gives me the flexibility I need. Some are happy with gear more suited to colder climate and then some just throw a rain shell over their summer kit before the rain comes down or wear layers in winter.

 

[alan29]

Had a Weisse jacket. All the zips and removable warm liner. Re-proofed it every year. Brilliant. Bone dry in torrential rain, and cool in the heat. Would have replaced it with the same make, but the local shops stopped stocking Weisse gear ..... something about "We never get to see the rep."
Eventually replaced it with a £130 Oxford Montreal 2. Plenty of zips and pockets. Re-proofed it before a 2 week trip to Germany/Austria. Bone dry in torrential rain and cool in the heat.
Draggin Jeans still good after 7 years.

 

[Bikermike1411]

I've seen the Oxford Montreal jacket reviewed online and it caught my eye at that price. I'd also thought about reproofing my Weise, but the inner lining (non removable part) has completely fallen apart.... I've had it for about 10 years though!

I've spent the last couple of hours (!) trawling the internet and ebay, it's an absolute minefield. EBay is the worst as there could be some cracking kit with a poor title and listing and I wouldn't have a clue. I really like some of the RST and Rev'it! stuff, and a 'Frank Thomas XT' jacket caught my eye on ebay. It looked like a fairly new/modern adventure-bike style but when I hit google I couldn't find anything comparable. The Hein Gericke own-brand stuff seems reasonably priced second-hand too. I've also had a couple of offers of kit from here (thanks everyone!).

I think i'll head out next weekend and see what fits me and my budget then go from there. Please keep the advice (and offers!) coming.

 

[taminator]

Have a bmw rally 2 pro jacket, good condition, only thing missing is the mad back pocket , binned somewhere, £100 posted, cheers tam

 

[younger06]

The new Oxford range of stuff looks very good in the "bang for buck" stakes.

 

[Bikermike1411]

Thanks for all the offers lads! Despite finding some good deals online I'm still concerned about buying stuff blind - I need to make sure it fits me well, as Tractors said. I've been informed it's the Manchester Bike show at the end of the month so I'll go and see what's on offer I think.

I'm also thinking about my type of riding - I'm fairly fair weather rider so a decent jacket with my existing (if snug) leather trousers might work. Plus it might leave a bit in the pot for a new lid


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