Riding Gear

[Rasher]

Having changed from Sportsbikes to a GS I now need to re-evaluate all my clobber.

Been using leathers for over 20 years and found them great, with modern clobber the stretch panels allow air in and they are incredibly cool in summer, a windproof layer underneath and they are nice and cosy up until autumn time, but I look / feel a bit stupid with this gear on the GS, so I went and had a look a some textile stuff.

I understand modern textiles are pretty good for protection and not too far off leather these days, but I am unsure about other areas.

1. I saw two types of waterproofing, some where supposedly waterproof, others had waterproof liners, are the "waterproof" ones really so, or is the fact some have seperate liners suggesting the others are really just showerproof?

2. How cool are these suits in summer, I notice they tend to have pockets to let air in and I assume with those closed they are airtight, suggesting they will be warmer than my leathers in colder conditions, but do these pockets that let in air really help much, or are they gonna be a lot hotter than leathers in summer?

I think ideally a completely waterproof item is better as if it has a lining sods law dictates it will p*** down when the lining is not fitted and by the time you stop you will be drenched - this is what happens with my current leathers + waterproofs setup.

Views and oppinions welcome, hard facts even better.

I am looking at budget end of market (£300 all in) so something along the lines of FT gear, not the million quid BMW clobber. Is anyone here using their stuff?

 

[wessie]

Have a look at the Hein Gericke Devon suit. A mate has it and swears by it.
http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cPath/1_15_7/products_id/5018

Breathable membrane (Shelltex rather than Goretex)
Removable thermal lining deals with the winter/summer temperature differential.
£280 all in.

I tried to buy one in Cardiff but they didn't have my size, so I ended up liking their Cruise jacket which cost about £300 as it is made from loads of posh stuff like Goretex & 3M shiny bits.

 

[Rasher]

That's the sort of stuff I am after

Thinking of going to the bike show and seeing if I can grab a bargain, though normally any savings made are outweighed by the £30 to park your car, £20 for a hotdog and £15 for a cup of tea

Wish it coincided with the Dive show so I only have to go the once.

 

[wessie]

That's the sort of stuff I am after

Thinking of going to the bike show and seeing if I can grab a bargain, though normally any savings made are outweighed by the £30 to park your car, £20 for a hotdog and £15 for a cup of tea

Wish it coincided with the Dive show so I only have to go the once.

Just go to your local HG shop and say, "I'm not paying that." They will immediately discount by 10% and you may get a bit more.

Bike show is a hideous experience and most of the clothing is a load of tat.

 

[aRTy_Hexhead]

From Other Forums

Tuppence worth:

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=147088

http://www.bikersoracle.com/vfr/forum/showthread.php?t=62449&page=2

It would appear to be a cheaper alternative to Goretex.
However, W L Gore have a longer guarantee.
Sheltex started out with the skiing fraternity.
Similar problems, blasting through cold air at high speeds or roasting in the sun of a high altitude cafe.


Always found Hein Gericke stuff to be top notch and the lads in the Edinburgh shop friendly and knowledgable.

Ask them.

 

[Geezer]

I lashed out on the BMW kit. Pricy but if it lasts, cost per year should be good. Take the liner out during the summer (& hope it doesnt rain) and back in for winter. Its difficult (impossible) to keep clean but when suited and booted its good, whatever theweather. Any pocket in the outer layer is not waterproof.

 

[Schtum]

http://www.bikersoracle.com/vfr/forum/showthread.php?t=62449&page=2

That thread is four years old and things have moved on a bit since then...

If your budget will run to it, Gore-Tex Pro Shell with Armacor is the way to go. The membrane is bonded to the outer shell which in the case of Armacor is more abrasion resistant than leather. This means that the face fabric is much more resistant to becoming waterlogged and the clothing is less subject to the cooling effects of evaporation and windchill.

Suits in this construction are BMW Streetguard III, Hein Gericke Master V, Klim Adventure Suit or one of the Rukka suits. At this level, a suit is going to cost between £900 for the BMW or Hein Gericke items and £1700 for the Klim and Rukka suits.

 

[blueboyxyz]

rasher

hg gets my vote, i bought a cruise gtx suit in 2006, still going well , gortex suit with removable quilted liner, also a bib and brace that zips onto the trousers for the extra cold days, i've been upto the horseshoe pass in january with just a tee shirt underneath and all was good

martin

 

[Rasher]

Been looking at the HG stuff again, I reckon the Devon3 or Journey jackets may do me for starters, get Jacket and trousers for around £300.

They are both waterproof and windproof with vents and removeable thermal linings so sound OK for year round use.

Also I prefer built in waterproof to removeable waterproof linings as you do not need to stop, big problem i have with waterproofs is by the time I decide I really do need to put them on it is too late, or it starts hacking down somewhere you can't stop and change.

Now wondering if it is worth visiting the bike show, or saving the £50 the day out will cost and just put it towards a visit to the HG shop?

 

[ratty]

I swear by H G stuff, Its kept me dry in torrential downpours.

Gore Tex outer not inner. Don't forget H G store opening early December

on the eynsham roundabout A40. Maybe some deals to be had? As said

before, the bike show does tend to shift some tat.