Which is the best Textile Riding Suit?

[Garryc]

....Just replaced my dianesse gear for Rukka - The zips/velcro fastners are well pish...

Bought my online from these guys http://www.biker-land.de/xtcommerce/
excellent service, make sure you ask for "SPECIAL DEAL".

On had it a few months but so far so good...

 

[gazza]

something of an understatement



mine was a bit cheaper than that, but it is the bollocks if you want to be warm & dry. not so good at being cool in hot weather though. i wouldnt want to use a rukka as a regular off road suit. too hot and too expensive.

Totally agree costs a bit of wedge but ideal for Britain, prefer the Rallye 2 for Spain etc better ventilation but with good protection.

 

[Steptoe]

I just took delivery of my third Aerostich Roadcrafter 2 piece suit. (First one in 1990...2nd one in 1996 (grew out of first one) growing out of second one and it is finally wearing out after a decade of nearly everyday use.)


2. leg zipper configuration makes it easy to get in and out of without having to sit down or hop around like an idiot.

My one piece stich is a 2001 suit. Still works and plenty of life left in it yet. And still worth £200 all day long.

Just sold my twopiece stich as i just didn't wear it due to the one piece.

It's the perfect suit for wearing all year round.

 

[STUBBS]

my one piece stitch is used all year round, vents open during the summer and i keep a heated waistcoat in my top box if it gets realy cold

 

[Jonah]

Kit Versus Dosh

I see evreyones point about what is best and what is not best, but in the end it all boils down to cash. At the end of the day we can all have top kit and you can either afford it or go into debt for it. It also boils down to requirement, to look good or to really use it.
Buy the best your pocket can afford. Me? I ahve no complaints with the HG Cruise kit, 1 crash, all year every day use, and 3 years old, Just thinking of new kit for winter. Not bad for the money. Never got wet or cold either!!!
I'm of the idea of an outer shell too when it gets really bad, keeps ya kit clean too

 

[grendal]

So what did the guy buy in the end?

Tell us about it. Did you find something better?

Thanks for all the replys but still trying on the options!! I really like the fit of the Rev'it Cayenne jacket and Dakar trousers and was about to order when I saw the thread about the HG sale. I had tried on the HG Cruise jacket but found it a bit fiddly. Going back in tomorrow to try on the Rallye GTX II (wasn't available in my size at the store when I first went). I have discounted the BWM gear on the grounds of value for money (the current sale makes the HG gear really appealling if it fits well), and as I mentioned before, don't really want to buy Aerostich without trying on first (though exchange rate at the moment makes it look like a reasonable deal - haven't had a quote for postage and import tax though!)..... will let you know the final outcome as soon as decision is made!

 

[realboss7669]

...was about to order when I saw the thread about the HG sale. I had tried on the HG Cruise jacket but found it a bit fiddly...(the current sale makes the HG gear really appealling if it fits well...

I first tried buying my clothing by visiting a large branded shop and was greeted (grunted at) by a spotty teenager. I asked him about the various merits of the different jackets trousers and suits but he didnt have a clue. His colleague was no better.

My wife and I then headed down to HG in Bristol and what a revelation. The manager and the other two chaps in there are awesome. They spend ages talking us through the pro's and cons and actually advising us not to necessarily go for the expensive stuff.

I bought some leathers but then got myself a textile suit and went for their top of the range PSX XCR suit. These have now been superceded but are absolutely awesome. They are the equivalent to the Master V but without the thermal lining option.

I would rather spend more cash on a decent suit and helmet and forego the wonders of a top motorbike for a year or so in order to be safe.

HG do some fab suits at decent prices so you dont have to spend a lot although from experience, you DO get what you pay for. My jacket was £495 which wasnt cheap at all but it's definitely worth it and I picked up the trousers on Fleabay for £120 (originally £350).

 

[Bear]

Rather than buy a Rallye 2 I chose a Santiago. Both stupidly expensive, of similar construction (textile outer and Goretex liners) but the Santiago doesn't look like a twat suit. Before laying out the money I tried everything HG had to offer but found nothing to fit (I'm 6ft6 and relatively slim). Only BMW made anything to fit and what I wanted was something for summer touring so the Santiago, with no buuilt-in warmth, was ideal. For winter use I use a tatty Belstaff suit that seems to be falling apart but is still warm and waterproof. If they still made it I might buy another one as it was cheap and worked well.

 

[Dazza2]

I had an HG cruise suit,popper/stud came off they replaced it without fuss.
The corded strips on the jacket has fraided since.
Purchased a Toureg3 suit begining of june (09) zip broke on trousers
replaced (july)
2nd pair both leg seams have split and the stud is coming off and again corded strip has fraided.
Collecting 3rd pair today 29th august.
This time i will be complaining to there headoffice .
TIP !

If your planning a rtw trip take plenty of spares,
studs,heavy duty sewing kit,some corded material oh and some spare zips!
and...........................................

MAKE YOUR OWN

I`ll post the outcome but make your own minds up regarding quality.

Darren

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Streetguard 1 - 4 1/2 years old. Still bone dry (including heavy rain for 4 hours yesterday; 10C it was on Saddleworth Moor and 21C when I got home 6 hours later!) Good suit.

 

[dogman]

Bought these off ebay - superb in every way!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BNWT-CE-Water...ash=item53dc7e228d&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

 

[sijohnston]

having just bought another suit a few weeks ago, my research pointed me to the rallye 2. I had the rev-it dakar pants and off-track jacket and had to have the waterproof liners replaced 2 or maybe 3 times (bykebitz are brilliant on aftersales). ultimately, they never worked and always leaked at the crotch. the actual waterproof liners can be bought from rev-it for £16 top and bottoms. if you get what you pay for in life, how waterproof do you really expect them to be? i concluded that if it's not gore, it's not worth a damn. i got close to 20k miles out of my rev-it stuff and exactly a year. buy cheap, buy twice.
the HG Master V was an option, but given my affection for off-road, if the outer gore is damaged, the suit is goosed. right now is a perfect time to pick up a rallye pro 2 second hand, because the rallye 3 is about to hit the dealers any week now. i have seen pictures of it and it's coming in black and yellow or red, white and blue. it's got an extra waterproof pocket and one or two other changes. my 'almost new' rallye 2 suit had been worn by a subscriber on here for 1 weekend trip and then he sold it, to me for £325. it's brilliant and utterly waterproof. sure, it may be colder in the winter, but i plan to buy a keis heated vest, so should all be good. i would advise you to leave the rev-it stuff alone...

 

[Dazza2]

I had an HG cruise suit,popper/stud came off they replaced it without fuss.
The corded strips on the jacket has fraided since.
Purchased a Toureg3 suit begining of june (09) zip broke on trousers
replaced (july)
2nd pair both leg seams have split and the stud is coming off and again corded strip has fraided.
Collecting 3rd pair today 29th august.
This time i will be complaining to there headoffice .
TIP !

If your planning a rtw trip take plenty of spares,
studs,heavy duty sewing kit,some corded material oh and some spare zips!
and...........................................


MAKE YOUR OWN

I`ll post the outcome but make your own minds up regarding quality.

Darren

Got back from HG,decided to wash jacket and SURPRISE! SURPRISE!stitching
gone.Complete suit now with HG awaiting there response

 

[richorich]

never see Vanucci gear mentioned in these discussions. Have had mine for a year now, bought from Get Geared in Leatherhead, and would have to say that it's great value for money. The suit was around £550 and has performed well in all seasons, including a hundred motorway miles in the p***ing storm last night. Their boots are superb.

2p.

 

[Bigyin]

For a good comparison between cheap kit and good quality kit ask my missus as she has a brand new Rukka jacket that we picked up through a sale (plus mates rates) for 250 quid instead of 499 while i have a normal crap Akito textile jacket with the waterproof membrane that i have used for years on my sports bike while i look for my new rukka jacket due to going back to textiles from full leathers.

After 3 hours riding back from Scotland a couple of weeks ago in torrential rain the membrane on my jacket was saturated to the point of starteing to seep through............ the missus on the other hand was bone dry, warm and couldnt understand why i was starting to feel cold.

I cheered myself up by reminding her the heated handgrips meant i was wearing vented summer gloves but my hands were still too warm

I have always liked Rukka kit going right back to when i was a courier in Glasgow 21 years ago and my first decent full kit was Rukka then and in fact still have the old jacket .... the design and protection levels have come on a bit though since then

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I have long since moved away from the leather gear and am on my 5th or 6th goretex suit. For ME.... I have just cracked it, but that's not necessarily so for others.

Early days was Dainese... great stuff, inner goretex membrane (between outer Cordura and inner nylon lyning).....HG voyager and cruise, similar, and worked well, but let in the rain eventually.....

Then found Rukka..... very high quality kit, Unit trousers and Pro jacket Always kept the rain at bay, but the outer fabric would be very wet..... puddles in cafe's and 2 days to dry properly at hotel/B&B..... Also, I am a fattie and found rain blowing up the front of the jacket in torrential rain, soaking my T shirt and cacks....... interesting note.... another Tosser on same trip had same problem from his very expensive Rukka Aramax suit.... rain getting in at the keg.... (prob not a problem if you have an athletic German build).... or also if you take the time to fit the crotch strap built into the jacket!

So I learned the Aramax is XCR laminate goretex....... outer layer of fabric is goretex, not 2nd layer...... just shake it and it is almost dry. But tooo expensive for me.

Took a chance and got myself a Dane suit from LO-IQ ....

Suit is the same, quality XCR laminate goretex.... jacket is longer than the Rukka ones,, therefore eliminating the rain blowing up the front...... definately more breathable and lightweight, so great for warmer temps..... but it did feel cold without the lining in heavy rain.. And weight is VERY light, but still has armour. My trousers are quite heavy now, as I swapped the knee pads and added the hip pads from my BKS leathers....

I have used this suit in constant, very heavy rain for 8 hours..(several times).... not a drop let in..... and suit was not sodden outside, so ready to use instantly.. No puddles in cafes, or having to hang it in the shower in the B&B....

They can still be got for about £600..... Module R&R had them very recently http://www.modulemoto.co.uk/

but LO-IQ on this site beat him on price for me.

As for my Rukka suit.... trousers 18 month old and jacket less than a year old..... prob gonna flog them on.... the Dane is a much better suit and the 2nd hand Rukka should pay for it

Just my tuppence worth

BS

Link to the Dane thread on here......

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173768&highlight=Dane+suit

 

[Dazza2]

Got back from HG,decided to wash jacket and SURPRISE! SURPRISE!stitching
gone.Complete suit now with HG awaiting there response

After three weeks of promised phone calls from HG head office and hearing nothing,i have again chased them up and this time quoting "sale of goods act"
and small claims court action they have agreed to a full refund!!
NO WONDER THE HEIN GERICKE MARQUEE AT THE BMF IS FULL OF SECONDS AND RETURNS.

 

[jimswms]

www.motoport.com
Ugliest, bulkiest, clunkiest, driest, safest suit available. Love my stretch kevlar. Inner liners are a bit of a pain, but, added versatility very nice. Definitely not nice Euro fashion gear, but, if you want something that will hold up to a crash, and, keep you dry this is the best.