Streetguard 2

[Tobers]

Just replaced my old Frank Thomas goretex suit (very reliable, no leaks in 3 years and 40k miles) with a new BMW Streetguard 2 suit.

I have to say that I'm very impressed. Key good things:

1) Goretex XCR is excellent. Rather than the outer fabric getting sopping wet, it doesn't. The rain sort of rolls off. As a result, the thing doesn't get as cold or as heavy, and dries off really quickly. You just shake the water off. Cool! This is one of the major plus points of this suit. HG also do an XCR suit but...

2) The Streetguard 2 comes with zip-out liners. The HG equivalent has no liners at all. The BMW kit also has a detachable storm/cold weather collar which I'll be using in the winter.

3) It looks better than the "old style" textile suits which have that naff belt around the middle. The jacket is shorter but still long enough and zips into the trousers nicely. You could easily wear the jacket off the bike (or skiing? all that armour might come in handy!)

4) Build quality is very good. Lots of nice touches like the waterproof wallet pocket which is under the first main zip - means you dont get cold by having to undo the second main zip.

5) Lots of different sizes & combinations.

6) It is really comfortable. It feels much lighter than my old FT gear, but still feels protective. It has armour which is not intrusive at all and can be repositioned.

Well impressed, but then I should be at just under £800. Much better than the HG equivalent, and about £400-£500 cheaper than the Rukka XCR stuff.

Andy

 

[Manni]

I got one as well in May (40th birthday present from wife and I love it too (I mean, the suit, although I also love my wife but that's off-topic).

I second everything that Andy says, plus I'd add it's the first time I've got a jacket that's warm enough in cold weather but which is also very cool in hot weather, especially with the little vents under the armpits, which provide a welcome stream of fresh air. The fabric is supposed to reflect the heat, I don't know if it's marketting bullsh*t or what but it seems to be working (I mean, the fabric, although the marketting may be working too)...

Plus I can go to meetings with it without feeling too much like an astronaut...

Last I'm 6ft4 and pretty slim, it's the first time I find riding trousers which are the right length and not too baggy...

Great piece of kit, well worth the money... I hope it will age well and last long....

 

[Bezzler]

I've had the older version for a couple off years, does'nt have the vents or the storm collar, but I've ridden in some piss awfull weather with it and stayed toasty and dry inside. And it seems to age well. top bit off kit. Although I might have to check the new ones out, hmmm!!

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

£ 800 !! - you could stay toasty warm and dry in a small car for that

with a radio....

 

[Tobers]

Yeahbut...already got a small car with a radio

 

[LivNorway]

Hi!

My trousers is not waterproof anymore, so I went to the local BMW dealer.
Because my facket is a little short I get water inside the pockets of my trousers, so I'm not 100% happy with it in rain.

I tried the Streetguard 2, felt good!
But I'm going to bring all I'm wearing when it is cold and try it on again. And I'm going to take all that off (just keep a t-shirt on) and remove the inner liner and see how it fits/feels.
And remove the back protector and put on mine - I feel that is safer.
And I do not like the soft rubber things they call knee protectors - I want to put inside those I had inside my old trouser when I felt off (in 2001) and got scratchers in the hard plastic.

-Do you think I'm going to love it? I tried the type for men - my body is not like a hourglass, it is more like an potato or a banana!
-In 2c and rain, wearing my electric west, a thick sweater made of wool, BMW spesial underwear.
-In 28c and sun, wearing a little as possible.

It is expencive but I think this might be a suit for the next 15-20 years, if I do not have an accident.

-What do you think?
-Do you still love yours?

Liv.

 

[Tobers]

Yes, it is still excellent, but only had it about 3 months now. Winter is coming though....

 

[Mav]

I've had mine for 3/4000 miles now which is only the summer... but I have encountered rain, hot weather and worn it for ford riding and off-roading. It has taken everything in it's stride and is still looking good.

As others have said - it is the little touches that make all the difference. For example - the underarm vents are velcro'd shut when you're not using them. Most jackets suffer that when you undo the zip, the velcro simply refastens negating any effect you might've had from opening the zips! On the streetguard the is additional velcro that prevents this from happening. Sounds like a small detail... but it sure makes a difference

Having sold foul weather sailing kit for several years, I've come to appreciate this kind of detail and that it is this that explains the increased cost.

As you know, you get what you pay for

 

[Bazza]

I bought a Streetgaurd 2 last Nov..... (and im a picky bas*$%d) and 'touch wood' i have not been wet yet. worn throughout winter going to work etc.... And im in cumbria , so it always rains.
And i only had a t-shirt worn under it with the thermal liner in winter..... really is quite good
AND after almost 12 months of constant use , it still looks brand new

I know its expensive but you get what you pay for...... sometimes!!!!!

The zip in coller is actually very good..... in winter didnt need anything else to keep neck warm.. neck sock etc...

 

[LivNorway]

Thank you, guys!

If it feels OK when I try it on next time, and if I manage to put my hard plast knee protectors inside it, I think I go for it.

It is expencive, but if it is the last suit I buy for 20 years, it is not expencive after all.

But I hope to convince Knut too, so keep on telling me about Streeguard, and not just good stuff - I want to know all about it!

Liv.

 

[LivNorway]

Yesterday I tried it on with all I wear when I ride in cold & wet weather; it looked & felt good.
Then I removed the inner lining and I was wearing only a t-shirt and tight short pants (''bicycle pants'') - and it looked like it was two sizes too big for me.
The legs are too long when I'm standing/walking, but they are perfect when I sit on an Adventure (there was no Scarver around...).

This is the man's trousers.
There is no lady trousers in my size, and if there was I'm sure that would not fit better because the silhouette of my body below the bra is more like a man than a woman (my waist is not like a skinny model...).

I was planning to wear my back protector, not the one that are inside the jacket, but that is not a good idèa;
if I wear it like I normally do, outside my trousers, then I can not connect the jacket and the trousers.
If I put the back protector inside the trousers I need a larger size, and then it'll look even more to big for me.

So, my questions:
-Does it matter that the suit looks too big when I ride in good weather (removing liner)?
-Is the back protector inside the jacket any good?
-Is the soft thin rubber knee protectors any good? I think I want to change those with harder protectors, like those in my BikeWear trousers - I feel they is the reason why I do not have a limp after I felt off the school bike and broke my leg. (There are scratchers on the knee proctector, in the hard plast part of it.)

Monday is the day I have to decide to buy Streeguard 2 or not - it is on sale now, -15%.

Liv.

 

[Dave C]

<<not got the cash for BMWs Streetguard.... but earlier this year I bought a Halvarssons Korax jacket, and Im well pleased with it.
In fact...so pleased Im going to buy the trousers to match.
The scandanavians should know how to make good cold/wet weather gear.

They get my vote (and I saved a fortune on BMs costs)

 

[LivNorway]

I have been thinking this weekend...
I'm 90% sure I'll buy it tomorrow.
It's a lot of money, but it cost money to buy new trousers (or jacket) every third year, if it leaks...

Liv.

 

[gasman]

very happy with mine, Liv. I had to get the dealer to order me "special" fat/short legged trousers (the shame !), and I initially went home with a 42" jacket then realised that I should have got the 40" chest size...so I went back and changed it.
I think the point of this is that there are lots of sizes, so take the trouble to get the one that fits. I think that this is NOT the sort of suit where you can get one size bigger so that you can wear thermals etc underneath. I can just get T shirt and electric waistcoat underneath the jacket, and it's a bit tight. The fit is more like leathers. In fact in winter, I still wear my old "Seattle" jacket.

 

[beemerboy9]

Liv, I agree with Gasman. You should get jacket & trousers in a size that fits rather than go for 15% off. "The quality will be remembered long after the price is forgotten".
If the none of ladies sizes are big enough then why not try the "stout" mens sizes (25-32) that have shorter sleeve & leg lengths that might suit a lady.
One of the things you pay for in BMW (and Rukka) clothing is the wide range of sizes.

 

[beemerboy9]

Just replaced my old Frank Thomas goretex suit (very reliable, no leaks in 3 years and 40k miles) with a new BMW Streetguard 2 suit.


I have to say that I'm very impressed. Key good things:

1) Goretex XCR is excellent. Rather than the outer fabric getting sopping wet, it doesn't. The rain sort of rolls off. As a result, the thing doesn't get as cold or as heavy, and dries off really quickly. You just shake the water off. Cool! This is one of the major plus points of this suit. HG also do an XCR suit but...

Andy

I am not familiar with the HG suit, but do HG bond the Goretex to the Cordura or have it as part of a separate inner liner. It is the bonding that give the suit the "water-rolls-off-it" properties.
I am still impressed with my 5-year old Streetguard 1.

 

[Tobers]

Liv - there is a specific "ladies fit" version of the Streetguard 2 kit. It has a different pattern of grey/black panels.

Also, you can get many different variations of leg size as well.

This is another reason I went for this kit - I could get long trousers with a "normal" sized jacket. So ask your dealer for all the size charts, make sure you get the ladies stuff, and dont settle for something that doesn't look right. You'll be paying plenty of money for it after all.

 

[LivNorway]

Thank you all for helping me!

I have a measuring form, showing the body for each type; short, long , lady and so on:
The largest size for ladies, all types;
waist 91 cm - that is way to small for me!

Men's size:
Normal and short&fat are the same with in waist and hip, and the leg is 7,5 cm shorter in short&fat. I believe 7,5 cm is too much to cut off the legs.
Tall&slim have 7 cm longer legs then normal size for men.

If I had a smaller waist it would be a lot better!
My body is not a slim lady, not a fat man, not a normal anything.
I got long legs but not as long as a man with my waist = a little too long trouser in men's size.
...my silhouette is not like Marilyn Monroe or a handsome cowboy - it is something in between...

Because I want to wear the same suit in all weather; rain & cold, and hot, I guess I have to look like I'm wearing a too big suit in hot weather, and perfect size in cold & rain, but a little too long legs all the time.


Well, it feels OK, so I guess I go for it.

-Do they make stretch waterproof clothes? I guess that is only in my dreams...

Liv.

 

[LivNorway]

I did it!
I have a dark suit, so if I get an invitation to a party I know what to wear!
Thank you for helping me!

Liv

 

[ballistic]

Thank you all for helping me!

Because I want to wear the same suit in all weather; rain & cold, and hot, I guess I have to look like I'm wearing a too big suit in hot weather, and perfect size in cold & rain, but a little too long legs all the time.Well, it feels OK, so I guess I go for it.

Liv.

Liv,
I have this jacket and trousers and have bought the jacket about 2 sizes too large so that I can put extra clothes underneath in the winter. In the summer, the jacket is way too big BUT all that space between your body and the jacket allows the air to circulate round, especially with the underarm vents open, keeping you reasonably cool.
That Goretex XCR is brilliant... keeps the rain out AND stops it soaking in