Rukka Kalahari

[Dingo]

Does anyone have any first-hand experience wearing the Rukka Kalahari jacket?

http://www.rukka.com/lfashion/rukka...DBC91C2257646002AF9C7?OpenDocument&subprod=02

I am in need of a replacement jacket and will need to wear it through Europe in the summer. Subsequent to this journey I will need to wear it in the Australian heat.

The ventilation system on the back, sides and arms of the Kalahari seems to sit well with my plans.

However the abrasion resistance build of the Rukka Armas, but with much less ventilation, has me confused.

http://www.rukka.com/lfashion/rukka...684C101937B12BB5C2257646002AF9BD?OpenDocument

Am I going to get too hot in this Armas?

Can anyone throw some light on my dilemma?

 

[Fenlander Strasse]

For hot use, Kalahari or Gobi are the ones with a removable Goretex inner and more ventilation. The Armas is more of a northern European keep you warm jacket, with goretex bonded to the outer shell.

 

[Dingo]

Nice one Fenlander Strasse. Thanks for the advice. I have put in an order for the Kalahari from Biker-Land and look forward to experiencing the venting.

 

[Bigyin]

I wanted the Kalahari jacket as i liked the look of them when i first saw them, but looking at the system of the removeable goretex showed it was not only styled for hot climate but also made for them and not much use for the more damp/pissing down/colder UK all year round weather

I ended going for one with the Goretex layer more permenant and suitable to being soaked all year without venting

Sounds far more suited for what you need

 

[AdamA]

I wanted the Kalahari jacket as i liked the look of them when i first saw them, but looking at the system of the removeable goretex showed it was not only styled for hot climate but also made for them and not much use for the more damp/pissing down/colder UK all year round weather

I ended going for one with the Goretex layer more permenant and suitable to being soaked all year without venting

Sounds far more suited for what you need

If you'd made it to Norway with us last year Rob you'd know exactly why I aim to replace my great, warm, dry Rukka gear with something with way better venting as soon as I can afford it.

Dry is a necessity, but it would be really nice to have some air flow when things warm up...
Might not have to take my gloves off, leave the cuffs as loose as they will go and keep the zip undone to keep remotely cool despite riding alongside snow then.

 

[Bigyin]

Fair point and understandable having read your trip mate

The main problem was i knew i was going to need a set of kit to do me all through winter commuting as well as normal weather riding and the Kalahari looked the business and would have been brill for summer but the removeable Goretex liner was the issue for me at the time............ plus i got a full set for the price i would have paid for a jacket.

I still have my 12 year old worn to death leathers that fit for summer athough the lime green, vented, race leathers got sold a few months ago

 

[AdamA]

Fair point and understandable having read your trip mate

The main problem was i knew i was going to need a set of kit to do me all through winter commuting as well as normal weather riding and the Kalahari looked the business and would have been brill for summer but the removeable Goretex liner was the issue for me at the time............ plus i got a full set for the price i would have paid for a jacket.

Aye, got mine cheap too, but whilst you can always add more layers/leccy vest when cold you can't make an unvented suit cool when the temperatures rise.

I still have my 12 year old worn to death leathers that fit for summer athough the lime green, vented, race leathers got sold a few months ago

Yeah but the great thing about textiles is one suit does it all (if you buy the right one). Leave cold wet blighty, hop on a ferry and keep heading south till the sun shines all day. Try doing that in your leathers and you will freeze/soak one end and bake the other....
Why do you think my rather expensive leathers haven't seen light of day for an eon?
(other than the fact they are now 3.5 stone too big?)

 

[Big Nick]

Depends in what weather you tend to ride in.

Personally I ride in the UK 99% of the time but normally in one or a combination of fine/dry/warm conditions. In view of this I bought vented bike gear with a waterproof inner liner as the waterproof requirement would probably be less used than the venting element

That said I do have a jacket with a goretex outer for the odd occaision I need to use the bike and the forecast/weather's wet

 

[Fenlander Strasse]

Nice one Fenlander Strasse. Thanks for the advice. I have put in an order for the Kalahari from Biker-Land and look forward to experiencing the venting.

Excellent, and when it arrives you can post a piccy of it, preferably modelled by some delightful young tottie...

 

[Dainese Brave]

An interesting thread....

...I'm just on the verge of buying a Rukka Armas suit for a trip to the Ukraine.

I've never used a textile suit before, and it does concern me how a suit with no vents can keep you warm and dry in the rain, but cool in the heat?

I know the Armas comes with sun reflecting material and all the Goretex etc....but it worries me it'll be too hit when I get to the heat of the Ukraine.

It's a lot of money if it doesn't do the job I want it for!

So I've been looking at the Kalahari jacket too, for the venting it has, and it just seems a more logical compromise.

The trouble is, getting to try one on....who stocks them?

So, in summary......will the Armas be too hot in the 30/40 degree heat?

Thanks chaps

 

[JJ's GS]

Hi Guys
I've been keeping my eye on this thread for a while and I notice none of you have mentioned the Rallye 3.
I've been struggling with the heat in this country with my leathers on, especially a couple of weeks ago in the Peak district.

I like the look and ventillation of the Rallye but I keep seeing Rukka on lots of threads so it's obviously popular.
Just wondered why Rukka and not BMW stuff?
Is there a huge difference between the two?

These may be silly questions to you but I've never had any decent gear and I want to get it right.


JJ

 

[Big Nick]

Hi Guys
I've been keeping my eye on this thread for a while and I notice none of you have mentioned the Rallye 3.
I've been struggling with the heat in this country with my leathers on, especially a couple of weeks ago in the Peak district.

I like the look and ventillation of the Rallye but I keep seeing Rukka on lots of threads so it's obviously popular.
Just wondered why Rukka and not BMW stuff?
Is there a huge difference between the two?

These may be silly questions to you but I've never had any decent gear and I want to get it right.


JJ

Having had both I switched to Rukka when my BMW R2P was trashed in a crash (more by the paramedics than the crash itself!!)
I mainly switched for the 5 year warranty and the fact Infinity had an offer on with big discounts on their Rukka stuff which effectively levelled the prices with BMW, Infinity also had a 6 month interest free deal on which was good.
The venting in the BMW suit is far better in hot weather however so if thats important to you the BMW gear may suit your needs better
Both are good and its more down to personal preference rather than one being a better suit than the other IMHO

 

[JJ's GS]

Excellent cheers Nick.

Now you mention it I do remember reading about you having a crash and the Rallye 2 performing well.
I don't ride a lot through the winter, possibly once a week, so I think if I put on a couple of layers and then add the gortex liner to the Rallye 3 to keep the wind out I should be ok.
Well that's what I'm telling myself

Just the small matter of finding the cash.
I'll try Infinity and see if they have any deals. Thanks for the info.


JJ

 

[spm0912]

I've been searching for the motorcycle equivalent of the holy Grail for 30 years and IMHO it doesn't exist! No suit will do it all and you have to look at where and when you mostly ride and determine where your compromise will be. Problem is British weather is so unpredictable it compounds the problem.

Layers is the key for all year comfort. Base layers make a huge difference to how warm/cool you feel for a start. I have the khalahari suit but only wear the liners if it's really wet and the ambient temp is <20c (I have an RT). I carry l/w goretex waterproofs which I can don quickly if I need to. Combined with an Edz shell top I can cope with most extremes of weather.

I choose Rukka because I find it more comfortable than BMW stuff and if you use bikerland de it is better value.

I have a couple of mates with the armas and it is a fantastic wet weather suit but on a recent trip to the Alps we went into Italy and with temps in the mid 30s they were overheating to the point of distraction.

 

[Dainese Brave]

I have a couple of mates with the armas and it is a fantastic wet weather suit but on a recent trip to the Alps we went into Italy and with temps in the mid 30s they were overheating to the point of distraction.

Now that has worried me!......last trip I went on it was high 30's, and in leathers I baked, and sweated so much the dye ran out of my jacket and trousers in the evening!

It was that I was trying to avoid.

How did you find the Kalahari jacket cope with the heat, while your friends suffered in their Almas?

How do you find the waterproofing on your jacket?, and is it warm enough in the rain?

 

[spm0912]

Without the liner the khalahari is only slightly water resistant, it's the liner that gives it the waterproofing. I'm comfortable up to about 20c over that the liners come off. If it's raining over 20c then I either wear a l/w goretex top or accept that I'm gonna get wet but it's warm enough that I will dry out. Whilst almost any jacket will be too warm in +30c the khalahari breathes so it is better than most. As it is fairly lightweight if it does get wet it dries quickly. As someone else has said it's much easier to layer up, with something like the armas I'd probably end up strapping it to my bike!
That said I've just spent a week in a wet, showery and warm north Wales and it can be hard to judge when to don and doff the liners, central European weather is usually a bit more predictable!

Forgot to say that in 2 days of torrential rain I stayed bone dry and the jacket outer was touch dry in the morning just hanging in the garage

 

[Dainese Brave]

Without the liner the khalahari is only slightly water resistant, it's the liner that gives it the waterproofing. I'm comfortable up to about 20c over that the liners come off. If it's raining over 20c then I either wear a l/w goretex top or accept that I'm gonna get wet but it's warm enough that I will dry out. Whilst almost any jacket will be too warm in +30c the khalahari breathes so it is better than most. As it is fairly lightweight if it does get wet it dries quickly. As someone else has said it's much easier to layer up, with something like the armas I'd probably end up strapping it to my bike!
That said I've just spent a week in a wet, showery and warm north Wales and it can be hard to judge when to don and doff the liners, central European weather is usually a bit more predictable!

Forgot to say that in 2 days of torrential rain I stayed bone dry and the jacket outer was touch dry in the morning just hanging in the garage

This all sounds good for the Kalahari

It's a shame that they're not readily available to try on, or even look at.....I was actually told by one dealer today that the jacket is a special order, so would need to be paid for before delivery!

I'll forgive them, and won't hold it against Rukka, as I don't think they're a 'serious' Rukka dealership.

I'm beginning to think the Armas isn't really suitable for what I need....I can pretty much be sure of high 30's heat in the Ukraine in August, and I think I'm going to struggle.

I have to admit I always associate textile suits with keeping you warm, and dry...and not really suitable for the heat....maybe I'm not so wrong.

I'm really confused now!

Maybe the Athos jacket is a better compromise for me, which still has no venting, but is a lighter type of jacket...or see if the local dealer I'd but from would be able to get a Kalahari in to try.

 

[Tallbloke]

I found that many Honda dealers stock Rukka, I was able to try most of the range on at Farnham Honda
Very helpful lady in the clothing section upstairs
Good luck in your quest, I have the Rallye Pro 2, great venting for warm summers, goretex liners for the winter, reasonably waterproof without if you wash it in Nikwax

 

[AdamA]

...I'm just on the verge of buying a Rukka Armas suit for a trip to the Ukraine.

I've never used a textile suit before, and it does concern me how a suit with no vents can keep you warm and dry in the rain, but cool in the heat?

I know the Armas comes with sun reflecting material and all the Goretex etc....but it worries me it'll be too hit when I get to the heat of the Ukraine.

It's a lot of money if it doesn't do the job I want it for!

The Armas HAS got vents, two of them, one on each shoulder.
The hottest I have ridden in mine is 33 degrees and it was fine. The TFL Cool Black seems to do the trick quite well and I was certainly way cooler than my old non TFL Rukka in similar temperatures last year.
I wouldn't want to go to much higher temperatures in it tho, especially if I was having to put a lot of exertion into riding.

TBH off road in the UK I only tend to use a mesh armour jacket and an MX shirt for just that reason so there is no way I would use it (or any other textile jacket for that matter) in warmer climes. I would just use a mesh armour system (661 or similar) and some lightweight MX shirts when its dry and waterproof overjacket when its raining....

 

[Dainese Brave]

Interesting info Adam

Looking at the climate for Ukraine...it's saying an average of about 27 degrees, with storms...this sounds a little like the weather I experienced in Romania a few years back. It's hot, but the rain brings the temperature down afterwards for a while....so maybe the Almas wouldn't be such a bad choice? If you say it's fine in low 30 heat.

However, sweating in the heat, and praying for the next bit of rain isn't why we go abroad is it?

I just sort of feel now that the Almas will do the job, but be uncomfortable at times...the Athos probably a good choice but not as waterproof, or warm....the Kalahari are like hens teeth!!....how do you get to try one on???

I just think getting up on a scorching day, and putting on the Almas suit seems daft?