BMW Rallye2 V Savanna 2 Comparison???

Bert

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I'd appreciate feed back if you have /have had those jackets and how to they compare. Ventilation/waterproffness/functionality.
Cheers
 
I have a Savanna 2 jacket. It's a great jacket, especially in the summer. Ventilation is fantastic, though you have to be moving to get the benefits.

The downside to this is the waterproofness. It's not, unless you get the gore tex insert. Then it's fully waterproof. But because you wear the waterproof insert on the inside, if it rains while you are wearing just a t-shirt (i.e. bare arms under the jacket), the insert sticks to your skin, and can cool off very quickly. The jacket is made of a very coarse weave, so is highly permeable to rain. It rains right through the jacket.

The other thing is that it is not a warm winter jacket. I am wearing it through the winter, but I have to dress carefully (several layers, with a windstopper fleece) to ensure that I stay warm. I wouldn't want to ride all day in sub-zero temperatures without a heated vest.

However, we can't rule out me being a big girl's blouse on this one.

I have no experience with the Rallye II jacket. I looked at it, as I could have chosen either one. In the end, I liked the look and feel of the Savanna II jacket better. I suspect that a Rallye II jacket would have more or less the same issues with waterproofness and warmth.

David
 
Both are excellent for summer riding with lots of ventilation zips.

The Rallye 2 has better pockets and more of them, and you can remove arms from jacket (if you can think of why you would want to do that).

The Savanna 2 is initially cheaper, but once you add the Gore-tex inserts, it is more expensive than the Rallye 2 (jacket £285+£120=£405 vs £380, trousers £210+£95=£305 vs £270).

I bought a Savanna 2 as I preferred to have a waterproof external layer. On cold dry days I wear a thin gore-tex trekking 'shell' inside the jacket, on wet days this goes outside so the suit doesn't get soaked.

Generally it's my upper forearms arms that get coldest.

It's a pity BMW doesn't do a version of the Savanna/Rallye which has a gore-tex membrane on the outer layer, similar to the Streetguard.

Tim
 
Savanna 2

I've got a Savanna 2 and find it's great in the summer but not that warm in the winter , wearing a thermal layer and a fleece seems to sort this and its been OK in any rain I've been in. Still carry and wear HG two piece waterproofs if its raining all day though which is a bit off after spending all that money on on a goretex jacket ! Would I do it again? Don't know, though I am looking at the trousers now but may just stick with HGs offering. The Savanna is great in the summer though and the vents are good , the reflective stripes on the shoulders are great for safety and the pocket space seems good . Is it worth all the money? Depends on how it wears!
 
The only issue I've got with the Savanna 2 is the lack of a waterproof pocket. BMW supplies a waterproof pouch but that's a waste of time as it's too fiddly. Otherwise a fine jacket until the weather gets really cold.

Interesting to see in the new Touratech catalogue that they highly reommend both jackets as their ideal touring jacket.

Bugger them sending that, it's going to cost my wallet something I think!!!
 
Funnily enough, I accidentally discovered the second, secret waterproof pocket in my Savanna 2 the other day. If look at the "bum" section (i.e. just below the waist, you will find a zip on the right hand side (if memory serves). Open it up, and you have a waterproof pocket. Very bizarre place for one, like.
 
Similar to the rear bum storage on the Rallye but an internal pocket rather than external. Makes it look like you got a big bum. Didn't realise it was waterproof.

Another difference between the Savanna and Rallye is that the Rallye comes only in normal and thin-as-a-stick size ranges, whereas the Savanna also comes in short/muscular sizes--what the Germans have the cheek to call 'thick set'.

Oh, and the darkish red of the Savanna washes well, unlike the bright red Rallye which fades to a reddish orange.

The Touratech brochure has already cost me dearly. Let's hope Touratech GmbH are organised to ship everything before Xmas.

Tim
 
Bought a Savannah for France last year - very good ventilation when hot (was 30+ celcius most of time) Combined with a goretex liner & "comfortemp" liner gave reasonable warmth & waterproofness in cooler / wetter weather but I would say it's really a spring thro' to autumn jacket - wear my Atlantis with heated waistcoat & goretex liner (same one as I wear under the Savannah) in winter. No experience of Rallye to compare.

Ade
 
I have the Savannah here in Madrid and was great over the summer when the temp got into late 30's early 40's Using it now for the first time over the winter and found it not very warm even with the gore tex liner in. As with some of the other comments here I find the solution is careful layering. Recently bought a thermal vest which seems to have solved my problem when doing my usual 100km round trip to work. So far (lucky) not had any rain yet so can't comment on the waterproofness but did not really like the idea of the outside getting wet so i have a one piece waterproof suit (cheap one from a local store) that i intend to use. Overall I am very happy with my purchase. Decided against the Rallye as felt it just looked a bit to much Paris - Dakar and a bit OTT for me.
 


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