BMW Riding gear, yes? no?

[araspitfire]

As mentioned earlier, I'm getting into the headspace where I spend huge amounts of money on a hard to justify toy...

As it's been over 10 years since I last owned a bike, I don't even have a helmet.

I'm thinking the BMW GS oriented riding gear looks great but is pretty darned expensive. I plan to go on one of their off-road riding courses this winter though, and need to have "enduro protective gear"... this is going to be before I buy the bike (good way to make sure that the R1200GS is everything that I want, ride it in more challenging environment than I'll ever do again...), so I won't be getting the gear with some sort of new purchaser discount...

I'd guess this is the kind of question that gets flames spraying around...

But has anyone bought the BMW gear and regreted it? Say thought you'd trade up, spent the money, and realized that your "other brand" gear was just as good?...

Same question for the System 5 helmet... anyone sorry they bought it?

Al...

 

[Raindancer]

BMW Gear

I find that Hein Gericke riding gear is every bit as good as BMW stuff.

As for the System 5 helmet, I returned mine after a few weeks becasue the side panel where you lock the helmet down onto, had cracked.

Also the polystyrene in the helmet dug into the top of my ears.

Gone back to wearing Schuberth Concept. Much more comfortable

Regards

 

[Fanum]

It'd be worth doing a few searches on the kit...lots of threads about it and more info than you could shake a gear catalogue at.

In general though, it's expensive but as it lasts longer than most other makes and gives good service, it's worth it.

Hein Gericke Tuareg stuff os also very popular and 'in keeping' with the bike, plus tough enough to do the off road stuff.

 

[sn1p3r]

I love my System 5 helmet and wouldn't ride with anything else.

As for the gear - I prefer the Rukka stuff. Same sort of money but much better in my opinion as the shell is Goretex and waterproof so no faffing around with liners and the armour is perforated which makes it breathable.

 

[cookie]

As for the gear - I prefer the Rukka stuff. Same sort of money but much better in my opinion as the shell is Goretex and waterproof so no faffing around with liners and the armour is perforated which makes it breathable.

top end bmw stuff (streetguard?) is very similar constuction to the better rukka stuff ie. goretex laminated to kevlar outer fabric.

i found it was difficult to choose between the two, but bought rukka in the end because it feel so damned tough & hard wearing, 5 year warranty i think. looks better too IMO.

 

[Sir James]

Gear .

As mentioned earlier, I'm getting into the headspace where I spend huge amounts of money on a hard to justify toy...

As it's been over 10 years since I last owned a bike, I don't even have a helmet.

I'm thinking the BMW GS oriented riding gear looks great but is pretty darned expensive. I plan to go on one of their off-road riding courses this winter though, and need to have "enduro protective gear"... this is going to be before I buy the bike (good way to make sure that the R1200GS is everything that I want, ride it in more challenging environment than I'll ever do again...), so I won't be getting the gear with some sort of new purchaser discount...

I'd guess this is the kind of question that gets flames spraying around...

But has anyone bought the BMW gear and regreted it? Say thought you'd trade up, spent the money, and realized that your "other brand" gear was just as good?...


I bought a grey enduro suit second hand for £300 , it's very comfy and cool in the summer but the plastic waist fastners on the waist of the pants come lose all the time. The H+G summer enduro jacket is worth the money bot only keeps off lightshowers .
Same question for the System 5 helmet... anyone sorry they bought it?





Time for the pub i guess ?

 

[Rollo]

I tried to buy a Rallye jacket and the dealer couldn't get my size and BMW were out of stock. The reason is they are changing the colours. Grey suit will be replaced by black, red by blue.

Apparently this will happen to much of the BMW clothing range over winter.

Should be some bargains around in end of season sales.

 

[Boz]

HI,

Bought the Rally 2 suit when i bought the 1200, although it was expensive, I have no other kit, I use it all the time in every situation and weather and is by far worth its weight in gold!

I'm off to South America and travelling to Alaska in a month and will be glad of the suit. Its greatest strength's are its made up of three layers, all of which can be removed for the differning conditions, the build quality is very good, there's loads of room to store things, and it fits very well, compared to most suite which look like bags!

I also have the GS gloves, Savanna Boots, winter gloves - all BMW all of which GoreTex which for me is very important. I have a Arai Tour X , many will say I just copied Mr Mcgregor but the only thing I bought after the series came out was the helmet as I loved the looks and it very well made and is for me a quite lid.

My way of thinking is get the best you can afford, and which can do as may things as possible.

NIk

 

[blackbird]

If you are going to ride many miles off road go get the BMW off road gear but if its UK road work get real biking gear ie leather/cordura pants/ jacket. Riding in town in enduro gear will make you look a real

 

[Mel]

BMW Rallye stuff - GS1 boots - System 5 helmet - GS1 gloves - I've got the lot and it's top notch - I've had aproblem with the jacket but as ususal BMW replaced it without question.

I like the flexibility of removable lining - Goretex can be hot in summer.

I love the look too - but it's a question of taste.

Gets my vote.

Look at Aerostich as an alternative - also top stuff.

 

[Bert]

I'm using

BMW's Rallye 2 but have removed it's inner protection and wear this underneath.
Very comfortable, fits well under jacket.
Helmets are a personal choice due to head shape! I like both my System V (more than the IV) after fitting it with one of those 'double-glazed' visors (no more misting) and the Arai Tour Cross which works better when there is a lot of sun about due to its' peak.

Boots- love my Altberg AW Hogg Microlites . Light, tough, waterproof, great traction and can walk in them all day. All you need are a pair of flip-flops!
http://www.altberg.co.uk/

For warmth as winter is approaching , you can't beat Gerbing's heated gloves and jacket under a Dainese Xtreme jacket.

...and a latest addition to the tent : the Arc tarp by Exped - not quite to do with this thread but then a little cheek always goes a long way!

 

[beemerboy9]

I plan to go on one of their off-road riding courses this winter though, and need to have "enduro protective gear"... Al...

I have attended the (fantastic fun) BMW off-road course using normal street gear, road boots and a convential flip-up helmet. In the two days off-road, I don't think I exceeded 25 mph.
You could easily borrow a friends gear if required. The F650GS was ideal for a novice like myself. We were offered the chance to ride the instructors 1150GS during the luch break, but I wimped out.

 

[HR0]

for what it is worth i use Hein Gericke gear jacket and trousers, boots(have a light weight pair alpine stars summer trousers) all fabric and waterproof, removable liners etc. can't fault it. guarantees are good to.

helmet by arai, apparently too old (quantum e)
but Pheonix the distributors from Newcastle under lyme still replaced the chin vent for free.brill service

on the look out for another.

H

 

[jimbo]

where I spend huge amounts of money on a hard to justify toy...
[\quote]
IMHO B*W and rukka are very much at the top end of biking kit. Like many things in life you do get what you pay for, although typically the law of diminishing returns kicks in too. If your just getting back into it I'd go for the Hein G stuff. Whilst it might not last a Dispatch rider 5 years, if you suceed in wearing it out then you will have had your monies worth and you can upgrade.

 

[blues n twos]

I like the BMW gear but not the price. I already own the Hein Gericke rally Tourag suit which apart from the "do I put the lining in today" is a great outfit.
It has been tested to death on the waterproof side and it has never let me down. I wear Sidi black rain boots which again have never leaked and the Caberg Justissimo lid with flip down pilot visor which is such a usefull thing IMO.

I have had the Rally suit a year now and it has been through the washing machine a couple of times and apart from the light areas looking a bit gruby it still looks good and does what it says on the tin.

Jon

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Should be some good sales coming up over the next few months on BM gear prior to the new season if you can wait. Normally good discounts to be had.

Paul

 

[Jeremy]

My street guard suit has been brilliant through 7,000 miles of Kingston->City commuting, BMW off-road course, 3,000 miles around Alaska and 2,000 miles around Ireland. I'd buy their gear again.

However I replaced the BMW boots for the off-road course and haven't looked back from my Sidi Courier purchase.

Jeremy