Can you share any experience regarding how the jackets stand up to abuse? I've always thought that the reason
most bike jackets have gore-tex as the liner is that it's not really up to the abuse. And, if you do tear the outer, the liner will still keep you dry. To be honest, I have not managed to tear my jacket yet so maybe this isn't really a problem. However, what is a problem is how much water the outer soaks up (and therefore weighs a ton and keeps you cold through windchill) and how long the outer takes to dry (overnight is rarely enough).
Thanks for your help
Hi Mav,
There are a few brands of motorcycling gear that use the waterproof membrane as the outer 'shell', Aerostich and Rukka being the two that are best known (Rukka also make items with zip out liners). The membrane is usually laminated with an outer fabric (cordura nylon/ballistic nylon) which gives it more strength and abrasion resistance.
I absolutely agree with you about the problems associated with 'liners' rather than shells. I really hate being weighed down with a jacket full of icy cold water, that although not touching my skin, is still chilling me to the bone.
I think the main reason more brands dont make 'shell' garments is simply that they are more technically difficult and far more expensive to produce. All the seams must be taped and any stitching must be sealed(or taped), plus additional reinforcement must be added to make them durable enough to withstand the rigours of motorcycling. All pricey and at the end of the day that cost is seen in the much higher asking price for these types of garments. BUT, they are better for the intended purpose of keeping you dry and warm in wet and cold conditions...
Essentially this is how the 'outdoor' world do it, just their products dont have to be quite as tough.
The Valdez jacket/Dakar pant combo have been used for the last couple of seasons by Jonah Street and Casey McCoy in the Dakar and Australian rallys, proving plenty tough enough for these events.
The gear is very popular with the American adventure riding community and i havnt read ANY bad reports regarding failures.
Only a handful of people in the UK have these garments at the moment. Steve Ireland from WOR events has been riding in one for the whole winter(Valdez Parka). Steves out riding pretty much every weekend in hard (welsh!) off-road conditions and thinks its the bollocks (his words). I think its become his day to day life coat as well as his riding one.
Little Beemer, i'll post up some more information on the site regarding leg lengths and waist sizes in the next few days. They dont make any specific womens sizes, but i'll try to do some research regarding their previous female customers.
None of the gear features built in body armour, it was designed to fit over knee braces and armoured shirts etc. as it is primarily off-road/dualsport gear. (If you do ride off-road a lot though this type of gear really makes a big difference to your range of movement and comfort).
Haven't skidded down the road in this stuff yet so i cant make an accurate comment on abrasion resistance, but with my track record should only be a matter of time! Its tough kit though, im confident!!!
Hope this helps.
chris
www.adventure-spec.com
