BMW Atlantis 3 Suit Users : Goretex Inserts - Good or Bad?

[JohnnyBoxer]

I have recently started wearing a BMW Atlantis 3 which I find very comfortable and good quality.

I know the Nubuck is Hydrophobic to a certain extent, however to make it fully waterproof - BMW and Rainbow BMW recommend the Goretex inserts.

I already have a new Goretex insert for the trousers (although I've never fitted it and worn the trousers with it in)

Rainbow let me try one for the jacket, so I fitted on returning home.

However now with it fitted to the jacket, it makes the jacket feel awkward and cumbersome.

Plus I can't help feeling that the Goretex insert is a tad fragile and I reckon the tags that attach to the loops will break off, first time out on the bike.

Plus the Goretex insert seems a helluva lot of money for what it is and won't last long.

So chaps, is it worth it?

I'm looking for specific answers from Atlantis 3 users, however how do the rest of you get on with the Goretex inserts in the Rallye 2 and Savanna suits, are they fragile? Do they break? Do they leak after a while??

Plan B ..........would be to use the Goretex insert in the trousers, not bother with the one for the Atlantis 3 jacket and just wear another lightweight Moose Off-Road Goretex lightweight jacket over the top (it's light and packs into a bumbag pouch)

Or Plan C...........just wear a one-piece oversuit over the whole leather suit

Your views and comments would be appreciated

 

[judge]

Anything I say here and now will pale into insignificance when MotoMartin gets hold of it, so I'll leave it to him

 

[John Armstrong]

I've had two Savanna suits and not had any problems with the loops / tags. The liner from the first jacket fitted the second and so it'll be about 3 years old. The liner gets used probably every other weekend during the summer and hasn't leaked yet, but I tend to use it for its windstopping capabilites as the outer is quite leaky.

I've fancied an Atlantis 3 jacket as well, but I think if I get one I'd get the waterproof outer as it'll be a lot less faff and you don't need the wind blocking properties. Does anyone ever discount them?

 

[schnauzer]

no problems with tags etc on my rallye 2 goretex at all, not leaked once so far, however i still don't like the cold feel of a wet outer shell, so for anything other than the previously mentioned windstopping and showerproofing i tend to stick a 1 piece Hein-G suit over the top during prolonged exposure to serious rain

 

[James Bryan]

Waterproof ?

John -- I've used an Atlantis II and latterly III , for some time and am throughly impressed with their performance .

As a leather suit they are comfortable , apparently provide safe performance in a crash (mate @ Oulton slid off coming out of the chicane @ 60mph = one small scuff !) , and are hydrophobic , small amounts of water just run off , significant rainfall for prolonged periods causes the leather to absorb some water thus becoming waterproof - just as they say on the label !

I used the suit for a trip to the 'Ring last year and did not take the inserts as space was at a premium as Elana was with me , and the suit's ventilation does not work well when the liners are in situ .

Superb three days on track , temeratures in the high 30s and I was really glad that I'd taken the Atlantis with its through flow vents .

On the return dash for the ferry we experienced one of those infamous Belgian thunder and hail storms and were "making progress" in order to get to the ferry on time . The suit was totally waterproof and clearly had absorbed an ammount of water in order to become so . The suit was noticeably heavier and thicker but still comfortable , and it had returned to it's normal weight and feel by the time we landed in Hull the next morning .

I've got into the habit of using the inserts in winter when it's bitterly cold , more for their warmth retention than for any increase in waterproofing . I've used the same set of liners in both the II and III , and to date they have shown no sign of being in the least fragile , despite looking as if they would fall apart at the slightest excuse .

In short , I'd trust the suit's performance and capabilities , leaving the inserts for winter , as I find the suit with inserts slightly restrictive .

Only three possible reservations : -

i/ - I'm not sure how secure the trouser leg bottoms would be were you to slide at speed , feet first in a crash .

ii/ - I've had the suit's suitability as a trackday suit questioned by more than one trackday organiser - to date they have all been happy once they have examined the suit and realised that it is in fact made out of leather .

iii/ - They are expensive , but you get what you pay for ................ and Alen Ness do a similar leather suit for the same money but it is a little "day-glo-ish" for my taste !

All the best ,
Jim .

 

[GSAde]

Not totally waterprof without liner

Hi John

My Atlantis (may be a II rather than III - not sure & at work so can't check) was not waterproof without the liner in Germany's worst - or should that be wurst Water had got thro' the jacket but not through the liner - but the rain was very heavy & piss -istant. When placed in the hotel drying room the Atlantis was also totally dry next morning, unlike some of the fabric jackets, so clearly hadn't absorbed much water.

On the longevity front I've been using the Goretrex liners in trousers & jacket now for 2.5 years with nothing falling off, nor deterioration in waterproofing performance. I know Gore will fail eventually as it did in my walking jacket & as you say it's a lot of cash when added on to the already steep price of the Atlantis - even saying that I'd buy the same again - but hope I wont need to for a few years yet!

Cheers

Ade

 

[nadeem]

Never had water soak through on my atlantis pro III - that's without the liner - max time I've been out in the rain on the bike with it on has been 2 hours...

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Thanks chaps,

Love the Atlantis 3 .................it's like a second skin and you don't look like a Power Ranger in it.

Think I will get the jacket liner then...............

 

[cattell]

I use the Atlantis 3 for commuting apart from the very hot or very cold weather, but it will leak at the arm seams and the crouch in heavy rain. Still love the suit though.

 

[Keyframe]

ACHTUNG !

The Goretex liner is a must, for all the reasons listed. I've had mine for a couple of years. Very expensive but worth it. I picked up mine on e-bay for £35, it was the exact size for my Atlantis jacket which is the most important thing.

On your way to the front, Tiger tank commanders will now salute as you ride past...

 

[GSAde]

Gretex - perhaps not

J-B

If your kit is the Atlantis 3 Pro you may not need the liners, the Pro was an evolution (wonder why they didn't call it Evo as they seem to do other things?) of the 3 which apparently has goretex bonded inside the shoulders. This is definitely where the water comes thro' mine (in about 15 mins of moderate to heavy rain) Also fitted with waterproof zips - also areas of H2O egress - particularly the sleeve vents - end up with nice soggy biceps on mine.

If I were you I'd suck it & see

Cheers

Ade