Is Rukka really that good?

[samson]

I have to replace my trusty Belstaff jacket ( not the trad wax jobbie, the later Microskin fabric blouson, which -- after 10 years excellent service or so is starting to look shabby and frayed although it stays waterproof.
Been looking at Halvarsson, Hein Gericke and Rukka. The HG Master is close on £500The Rukka stuff looks class equipment but paying up to a grand for a jacket is a bridge too far for me ( which also rules out BMW).
As a sailor, I appreciate that good protective kit costs, but then I spend more time at sea than on the bike, so laying out big bucks on a jacket is hard to justify.
Any ideas for a quality jacket that will last the course and not whack the wallet too hard would be welcome.

 

[MrIFan]

I have to replace my trusty Belstaff jacket ( not the trad wax jobbie, the later Microskin fabric blouson, which -- after 10 years excellent service or so is starting to look shabby and frayed although it stays waterproof.
Been looking at Halvarsson, Hein Gericke and Rukka. The HG Master is close on £500The Rukka stuff looks class equipment but paying up to a grand for a jacket is a bridge too far for me ( which also rules out BMW).
As a sailor, I appreciate that good protective kit costs, but then I spend more time at sea than on the bike, so laying out big bucks on a jacket is hard to justify.
Any ideas for a quality jacket that will last the course and not whack the wallet too hard would be welcome.

Check out Klim gear, more adventure biased than road but some very good gear

 

[Fanum]

Yes, Rukka IS that good (well, it was, I'm judging this purely on my old jacket which his now nearly a decade old)

As well as the others you mention, its worth having a look at the Aerostich site.....their kit is (IMO) as good as Rukka, and extremely well thought out...you can tell that the guys who designed it are serious riders.

If you do a search for Aerostich here, you will find many, MANY good reports on them....the only negatives I can remember centre on their Teletubby 'Dayglo' coloured suits and their un-cleanable colour

 

[BBB61]

With Rukka it is worthwhile looking at www.biker-land.de and check out their Rukka prices. If you register with them you will get access to better prices. Registration is free.

There is a Rukka supplier in the UK who promise to match any worldwide price and you can find them here:-

www.rukkasuperstore.com

 

[tanneman]

Yes Rukka is the dangles but don't rule out Hein-Gericke. Just pick the Goretex stuff. Ride magazine recommended HG Summit suit and after looking at one myself it looks like the do it all suit. Goretex with vents

 

[NLC]

With Rukka it is worthwhile looking at www.biker-land.de and check out their Rukka prices. If you register with them you will get access to better prices. Registration is free.

There is a Rukka supplier in the UK who promise to match any worldwide price and you can find them here:-

www.rukkasuperstore.com

I've had mine for just a few months and I am impressed so far. First the trousers actually fit since I have a short leg. The jacket also fits very well and well thought out. After getting wet so many times and getting sick I decided to go for it. If you can step up to the pro shell definitely worth it since water repels rather than wicks. Bikerland is good but Infinity was actually slightly cheaper. They will knock 10% off if you ask and you get another 5% in vouchers. Also if any problems they will accept it in the uk rather than having to send it back to Germany and you get a loaner while getting serviced. My understanding is that they get sent back to Finland regardless for repairs. My 2cents. I tried the HG suit but it wasn't a good fit and would have been cheaper.

 

[Tractor Boy]

After 22 winters on bikes i finally bit the bullet and bought Rukka, very impressed so far
TB

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Had my Rukka Armas suit for a bit over a year. Winced when I paid for it, from bikerland.de, but it's the best piece of biking gear I've owned in over 25 years of riding. If I trashed it I'd go out and buy another tomorrow.

 

[Stonker]

A number of my friends have Rukka and swear by it. Does anybody here have the Halvarssons Safety Suit?

 

[Smug]

I have the Rukka Arma-S jacket and trousers and can't fault it. I originally had the previous type of jacket and found that the hi-vis patches faded in a season. Took it back and they replaced it with the Arma-S without any argument.

A good thing about their clothing is the range of sizes. For instance the trousers come in three different lengths. From my previous leathers, I thought that I was a standard 50 continental size. To achieve a perfect fit with the Rukka, the trousers are 48 short leg with a 50 jacket. For a suit of this price it is essential to try it on prior to purchase.

BTW I got the nick name Smug when Poucher noticed the look on my face when the gang had to keep stopping to take their wet weather kit on and off.

 

[NLC]

I have the Rukka Arma-S jacket and trousers and can't fault it. I originally had the previous type of jacket and found that the hi-vis patches faded in a season. Took it back and they replaced it with the Arma-S without any argument.

A good thing about their clothing is the range of sizes. For instance the trousers come in three different lengths. From my previous leathers, I thought that I was a standard 50 continental size. To achieve a perfect fit with the Rukka, the trousers are 48 short leg with a 50 jacket. For a suit of this price it is essential to try it on prior to purchase.

BTW I got the nick name Smug when Poucher noticed the look on my face when the gang had to keep stopping to take their wet weather kit on and off.

Yes good point. I would avoid the hi-viz in any jacket and go for a good bib style hi-viz vest. Once the yellow gets dirty it will stay dirty. Also the bibs usually have some decent mesh pockets for keys etc.

 

[GSmonkey]

My last set cost me about £1100 for the full suit. I ride daily in all weathers on the commute. Due to the 5yr no quibble guarantee that seems to result in new kit being distributed for even the most minor of faults, I haven't spent another penny on kit since 2005.

By my calculations that is cheap.

...........but if you're just a weekend warrior, save your cash, get some flashy BMW/H-G kit or whatever

 

[Rusty]

YES ... don't waste your money on anything else ! My jacket is 6 years old and used almost daily ... never let me down or let the rain in ... recently spent £800 on a set of Armadillo trousers .... stupid money BUT they are just brilliant ... worth every penny.

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

One word, Velcro.

Most jackets are covered in the poxy stuff. Get an armas and don't look back.

 

[chas820]

I`m not going to knock Rukka as it`s very good gear apart from price.Has anybody used the Weise clothing?I have one of their Dynastar2 jackets and in five years nothing has gone wrong with it.It doesn`t leak,has got proper heavy duty zips and Knox armour.The external pockets are waterproof with zips and storm flaps.The trousers are the same high quality with hefty zips and have NEVER leaked.

http://www.weise-clothing.co.uk/


I don`t work for them,just a satisfied customer

 

[Little Lewy]

Take a look here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130600083...LX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_808wt_1413

I don't know what size you are, but this could be your solution.

RUKKA really is that good, and even better is their legendary customer service (only possible because they're that good). I know someone who took a Rukka jacket back because it had faded in the sun and they gave him a new one - his was 7 years old.

Little Lewy.

 

[Bilko]

+1 for RUKKA, the Armas is a superb bit of kit. I got one earlier in the year and it is the best biking gear that I have ever bought. Expensive yes, but you only get what you pay for. One other good thing is that it is relatively lightweight compared to the ‘Twat suit’ that weighs a ton when it is wet.

 

[sanjaya5]

Yep, Rukka is top notch (and I am a big fan of Rukka). But their MY 2012 are http://www.virtualmagnet.eu/magnet/asiakkaat/Luhta/rukka_mc_2012.html

Moreover they are all into Gore LockOut thingy

If you are interested to invest some pennies in good gears, than you should take a look at STADLER. It is German and their level is a bit higher than Rukka.

Check out:
http://biker-land.de/Brands/Stadler-online-shop/Stadler-GTX-jackets/

 

[Rasher]

Not used Rukka, but found the HG stuff I bought very good.

I was looking at the mid-priced kit (about £600 - £700 for top & bottom) as I could not justify £1k plus for bike gear.

In the end I bought some even cheaper HG stuff (Shelltex instead of Goretex) simply because it fitted much better than the suit I wanted.

IMO fit is an extremely important factor, although I wanted the "better" Goretex suit it would not have been as comfortable, and now having used the cheaper suit from 2-3c up to 30c+ (On the same day in the Alps, as well as for four seasons in the UK) I am very happy.

The other thing with spending £1k is I would feel the need to keep it forever, this years £1000 suit is probably next years £500 suit, so I would rather turn the gear over a bit quicker by buying in the mid range, otherwise you end up in a £1k suit 6-7 years on when it may be no better than the latest budget stuff.

I apply the same theory to crash helmets as I strongly believe in having a fairly fresh pot on my head.

 

[MarkN]

I had a Rukka suit and I used to get soaked if it rained, everything would let rain in, I was very disappointed with it. I had a BMW Streetguard suit and that was superb and now have a Rallye 3 suit and that is also superb, both suit have always kept me dry. Pound for pound I'd always choose a BMW suit now.